I have been using a glove for many years now. Last night, just to see how much difference it would make, I grabbed an old cordovan leather tab. Wow. My arrows were flying better than ever. What struck me most was that my point of impact actually moved left about 6 inches. I am pretty good at hitting same anchor spot so I guess I am baffled. Can this better release actually make the arrow more stiff?
To late in the game to change this season - but I plan on playing with cordovan tabs for nest year.
I experienced the same thing when I switched to a tab.
I could be all wrong, but I would think a better release would require a stiffer spine? I think it is caused by a subtle difference in form. Just guessing.
Hmmm I switch back and forth from a glove to a tab, mostly tab now. No difference in arrow impact.
The most likely reason for a 6" shift to the left in POI would be a shift to the right at your anchor. A 1/8" shift away from your face at your anchor will cause a 6" shift in POI to the left at 20 yards (for a RH shooter). I doubt that any difference in spine between using a glove and using a tab would cause a 6" difference in POI. You would normally expect to see this happening if someone switches to a heavier glove, that puts more material between the fingers and the face than before. However, I suppose it is possible that something in the way you're holding the string with the tab could cause the same effect.
I have seen my POI move with some tabs. I do not use a deep hook with a glove with the string being more on the pads of the fingertips. Some tabs don't allow this and force me to take a deeper hook, almost bending the fingers double with the string riding more in the first joint. This can cause my hand to lay "flatter" against my face in trying to reproduce the same anchor of middle fingertip to corner of mouth. Can't say if this is what you're seeing, just something to keep in mind.
I switched to a cordovan tab about 1.5 years ago and struggled a little with target panic because I had apparently been shooting more off my finger tips with a glove. I got over it mostly by taking deeper hook to feel a little more secure. I also ended up getting better arrow flight by switching to slightly stiffer arrows after switching to a tab.
My anchor is consistent. I am using the same location on fingers and I do not have target panic. I think I am just getting a much cleaner release and the arrow is not being subjected to as much paradox? Perhaps it could be because of the extra material on finger tips with glove but that would more than likely move the arrow impact right? With tap my finger tip hits corner of mouth and thus may be closer than glove but this should have the exact opposite effect?
I'll play with it more after hunting season. BTW it was at 25 yards the arrows are 4-6 inches left - consistently.
I can use either with no problems, don't notice anything different, and I mostly use GT1535's.