Keeping Archery Notes With My Spots Journal

My Spots Journal

I’m a bit of a numbers guy and I tend to be a bit competitive. As a result, keeping track of scores and practice sessions is imperative to tracking progress. For the past couple of months, I’ve been using spreadsheets and apps with mixed results.

I recently came across a product called My Spots Journal. It is a spiral-bound archery journal being produced by Robbie Surface from Surface ArcheryOpens in a new tab.. There is also a companion journal entitled My 3D Journal. The products have an interesting story behind themOpens in a new tab., so I thought I’d buy the spots journal and put it to use.

My Spots Journal

Pages: 50
Width: 5-1/2
Length: 8-1/2
Cost: $12.00 (Shipped)
Sold By: Surface ArcheryOpens in a new tab.

First and foremost, the quality of the journal is solid. If has gloss front and back covers. The pages inside are heavy enough for regular use and, at 50 pages thick, it isn’t too bulky to carry around.

I like the layout of information on the top of each page. You note the date, location, and if you are shooting indoors or outdoors. I also like that there is a space to note the make and model of bow used – being as I’m bouncing back and forth between my Elite Pulse and PSE Bowmadness 3G.

I also like that there is a space to note arrows being used. I’m not one to switch arrows often but I know plenty of archers that do. I’m not sure how useful draw weight and length are to me. This is something that I rarely change and, if I did, I would put that information in the notes section of the journal – more on that in a moment.

The section on release type makes a lot of sense. I’ve been bouncing around between a Tru Ball Fulkrum, Tru Ball HT, and a Spott Hogg Whipper Snapper. If I’m being picky, I’d rather have an open space to write down my release instead of a checkbox for a generic type.

My one and only issue with this journal is the score card section. I like that it is versatile enough to cover up to 5 arrows per end but the fact that it tracks 12 ends is strange.

At Stowe ArchersOpens in a new tab., we shoot a 450 League that I participate inOpens in a new tab.. At 15 ends of 3 arrows, it doesn’t quite fit in the journal unless I use it in a way that it wasn’t designed. The second most popular round at my club is a 600 Round – which also doesn’t fit on the scorecard.

Personally, I think it would be ideal if “Release Type” was turned into a write in the answer type question and moved up to replace “Draw Weight and Length”. That would free up some space at the top of the page. If the font size was reduced slightly and the two note sections on the bottom were shifted to the back – you’d have plenty of room to score 20 ends.

The back of each page is ruled, allowing for plenty of notes to be taken down. I tend to do a fair bit of note taking, so I really appreciate having plenty of space to write.

The Bottom Line

I haven’t been using My Spots Journal for very long but I think it is handy way to track practice sessions. I’m a little torn on the price – I’d be more inclined to spend $12 on future copies if I didn’t feel like I had to make them work for me.

If you shoot regular 300 Rounds (for JOAD and such) I think My Spots Journal would make an excellent adition to your bow case or quiver.

Walt

Hi There, My name is Walt White and as the name of this blog suggests, I am a Pennsylvania resident. In addition to having numerous hobbies that I discuss on my blog - I’m also the father of three little girls and a pitbull.

2 thoughts on “Keeping Archery Notes With My Spots Journal

  1. Thanks for sharing in detail about your journal book. I like it for NFAA style Indoor work but what about six arrow ends outside (N.F.A.A. 900 Outdoor Target), or World Archery 720. or World Archery/USA Archery Indoor FITA 18m 40cm work? I love the idea of the Fivics journal I saw on Crystal Gauvin’s Facebook post but that journal does not seem to be able to be purchased in the USA now. Thanks again for your helpful post.

    1. Hi Linda,
      I’ve only used the journal a handful of times since I bought it. It was a cool idea from someone I found on Facebook but I just couldn’t stick to.

      I tend to track scores on my iPhone 99% of the time with ArrowNautics.

      I saw that Fivics Journal on Crystal Gauvin’s Instagram (I think that’s where I saw it) and also tried tracking one down. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find one. I have a couple friends that make routine trips out to Lancaster Archery Supply, I may have them see if they have something similar in the store.

      Thanks for leaving a comment.

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