H U G E can of worms here ! :shade:

Typically its measured from the center of the berger hole to the apex of the string. Then add 1.5" to that measurement. Your measurements sound correct , as most risers have the berger hols close to the forward portion of the grip.

 

What You are describing is True draw length, add 1 3/4" for AMO Draw length....Which would make that 26.5" into an AMO draw length of 28 1/4".....Harperman

 

This should be the only way to measure.

 

Here is the definition

Draw Length

Draw Length is the distance from the nock point to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4". Typically, this length will also be about the same length of arrow needed by the compound archer.

To measure your draw length, stand with your back to a wall stretching your arms out against the wall. Measure the distance from the end of your middle finger to the end of your other middle finger, basically the length of both arms, hands and chest. This measurement, minus 15 then divided by 2, is your draw length.

Resist the temptation to make your draw length longer than it should be, as this will affect your accuracy.

Your wingspan typically is the same as your height in inches. So your height in inches minus 15 and then divided by 2 will be your draw length, or at least a very good starting point. Just use our handy dandy draw length calculator at the top of this page.

Will a string loop change my draw length?
Since the draw length is the distance from the nock point to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4", adding a string loop cannot change the bow's draw length. BUT, it will change your anchor point moving it back 1/2" to 3/4". This will make it feel like your draw length is longer. If you want your same anchor point, then you will need to shorten the bow's draw length by about a 1/2" to move your anchor point back up to your preference.

 

Here is the definition

Draw Length

Draw Length is the distance from the nock point to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4". Typically, this length will also be about the same length of arrow needed by the compound archer.

To measure your draw length, stand with your back to a wall stretching your arms out against the wall. Measure the distance from the end of your middle finger to the end of your other middle finger, basically the length of both arms, hands and chest. This measurement, minus 15 then divided by 2, is your draw length.

Resist the temptation to make your draw length longer than it should be, as this will affect your accuracy.

Your wingspan typically is the same as your height in inches. So your height in inches minus 15 and then divided by 2 will be your draw length, or at least a very good starting point. Just use our handy dandy draw length calculator at the top of this page.

Will a string loop change my draw length?
Since the draw length is the distance from the nock point to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4", adding a string loop cannot change the bow's draw length. BUT, it will change your anchor point moving it back 1/2" to 3/4". This will make it feel like your draw length is longer. If you want your same anchor point, then you will need to shorten the bow's draw length by about a 1/2" to move your anchor point back up to your preference.

What is "ATA Standard" draw length?» A method of measurement has been established to provide an industry standard of draw length and eliminate the variances in the original method caused by different thicknesses of bow risers. The ATA Standard Draw Length is arrived at by measuring the "Draw Length to Pivot Point" which is the distance from the string's nock point to the pivot point of the grip, and adding 1 and 3/4 inches. The 1 and 3/4 inches represents the average distance from the far side of the bow to the bow grips pivot point. Manufactures use this ATA Standard Draw Length when they designate the draw length of a bow.

 

I just checked my wingspan. It is 69.5 inches tip to tip of each middle finger. So, 69.5 minus 15 is 54.5. 54.5 divided by 2 is 27.25 inches. My draw length is dead on and it is 29", so for me, the wingspan formula is way off. Also, my height is 5' 7&1/2" which would be 67.5". 67.5 minus 15 is 52.5. 52.5 divided by 2 is 26.25" draw length. With this formula, the draw length would be 2.75" off. What the hell, am I a FREAK or something??? LOL!!!

 

I'm guessing FREAKY FORM.

 

I've never understood why the DL isn't simply the distance from the apex of the string at full draw to the throat of the grip.

That being said, I hope manufacturers don't give specs based on AMO drawlength...because I've measured some on our drawboard that literally haven't even been close to what the maker spec'd them out at.

 

No argument on what you've seen...but just last week I received my brand new Hoyt Contender Elite and before doing anything with it, I put it on my draw board. It came in right to specs. With 2.5 Spiral cams the DL was on the dot at 27.5"...just what it was supposed to be. YMMV

 

The wingspan measurement system of determining draw length is just about a waste of time. According to that I should be shooting a 32" draw. I shoot a 30" and wouldn't want to go any longer. There are just too many variables involved for that to be accurate. A very rough starting estimate but that's about it.

 

Guys..every book I ever read on this topic says these measures are just a starting reference point. Your ideal draw length could be as much as 2 inches more or less from the calculated DL. No sense in nitpicking which way to measure it. Just get a starting point and tweak it from there while tuning the bow.

Nate

 

http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf
Don

 

ok, so, why?

I gathered that true length must be shorter than AMO length, but would someone mind explaning to me why? I mean, I'm 5'11" but does that mean my AMO height is closer to 6'1"? Why in the sam hell would hey do that? its basically a lie! There has to be a reason... For simplicity, why wouldnt they just say ok, 26 1/2" not 28 1/4". Craziness...

 

I gathered that true length must be shorter than AMO length, but would someone mind explaning to me why? I mean, I'm 5'11" but does that mean my AMO height is closer to 6'1"? Why in the sam hell would hey do that? its basically a lie! There has to be a reason... For simplicity, why wouldnt they just say ok, 26 1/2" not 28 1/4". Craziness...

In short it was/is from the old days of finger shooting by where the arrow should stick out past the shelf. Where by if some one had a "28" DL you/they would cut your arrows 28" plus 1" more inch.

 

I think the DL measurment goes back to traditional bows. You would need to shoot 28" arrows from a 26.25" true draw length bow to keep broadheads from un-nocking your arrows every time you drew your bow and the blades hit the shelf. I think that must have something to do with it.

 

way back when before most of us took up this sport... AMMO (Archery Merchants and Manufactures Organization) came up with a standard measurement to help archers fit bows to an individuals specific draw length.
it is... the measurement from the apex of the string at full draw to the pivot point of the grip + plus 1 3/4"
so if you measure the distance at full draw to the pivot point of the grip and it's only 27" don't get all worried that you have midget arms cause your draw length would actually be 28 3/4