INDEX

Horseshoes Horseshoe Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]   [81-100]   [121-140]   [141-160]    [161-180] Harve June 20, 2005 Lincoln Park MI Just a couple of tech questions, Would it be Illeagle under the alteration rule to take weight off(ie grinding) the outside edges of a horseshoe? Is the distance between stakes measured at the top or base of the stakes? Thanks, and good fourtune to you on tour. Harve Tirey Ps Do you think a clay and sand mix would be easier to maintain? I like clay but but sand is so much less work. Hi Harve, I think it depends on how much you grind off of your shoe on it being illegal. The stake distances are measured from the level of the pitching platform. Clay is preferred by most tournament pitchers. Adding sand to it wouldn't make it easier to take care of and it might make the clay rougher to handle. Jewel June 22, 2005 El Dorado County CA I am having a horseshoe pit built to surprise my husband, and bought an eddie bauer horseshoe kit. i will be having some workers over to construct the pit, the steel rod is 24" long with a hole in the bottom, i guess that is to put something through it to anchor it in the ground? the instruction book that came with my set says the stake should be at a 12 degree angle, 14"-15" above the ground. It then says that the stake should incline 3" toward the opposite stake. Will this be the required 12 degrees that was mentioned earlier? Should i have it anchored in concrete? what is the best way to anchor my stake? Thank you. Jewel Hi Jewel, I am not familiar with the Eddie Bauer horseshoe kit, but 24" isn't really long enough. Normally the stakes sold in stores are also around 3/4 of an inch in diameter which is smaller than the 1" for official play. The most common method of anchoring a stake is to put it into a big wooden block like piece of a railroad tie. If you drill a hole in the block at 15/16 of an inch and the stake has a point on one end then drive it into the block. You want to remember to put about a 12 degree pitch on the hole so that you can set the block level. Another popular method is to get a rubber hose and put it over the end of the stake and then put it into a cement bucket. The rubber hose helps so that the cement doesn't break apart so easily. Check out http://www.horseshoepitching.com/gameinfo/bldcourt.shtml for better details. Greg June 28, 2005 Crestview FL Hi Walter Ray, I'm an avid bowler with a 200(+/- 5) average. I have been pitching horseshoes on and off for a couple of years and changed from the flip to the 1 3/4 turn. I have read some of your previous A's to the release of the shoe. The question I have is: What is the desired release point (as is in bowling) of the shoe in relation to the body? Example: The back swing (arm) topping out at say 3:00 position with the release point being about 8:30 to 9:00 position and the orientation of the shoe (10 degrees from horizontal) at the release point and follow through. The most difficult part for me is to achieve the wobble required to decelerate the shoe when it arrives at the stake with the 1 3/4 turns. I either get the wobble without enough turn or visa versa. I am sure that I'm creating some bad habits in the process. Any assistance would be appreciated and Thank You in advance. Hi Greg, Everybody is different and some people throw a low shoe while others throw a high shoe. Basically what feels comfortable for you is what you should try. However, extremely high and low shoes are more difficult to control. A good height for the shoe is around 9 feet for 40' players. Getting the turn on a horseshoe takes a little bit of time. I would recommend to a beginner or someone learning how to turn the shoe for the first time is to pitch from a close distance, say 20', to get a feel for turning the shoe. Every day practice from a little farther distance so that you don't lose that feel of how to turn the shoe. It is surprising how much moving back those last few feet can change your delivery as it does take a fair amount of effort to pitch a shoe 40'. Without being there to give you personal tips, it is difficult to tell you what might be better for you. Having a good follow through is one thing that I always recommend (especially for myself). Andrew May 16, 2005 Wilmington NC Thanks for the chance to ask a ? to someone who understands. We've got a pretty nice court layout in a town park thats given us many hrs of fun, laughs and tons of headaches.....(right now) Usually play twice a week at lunch with a friend. I just picked up a new set of of diamonds 2.5 lbs and having some fun with them actually ringing the stake.(rare) The 1 3/4 (more like 5.99) is a great throw although its the hardest thing to slow down in the world. When I typed 5.99 up there I meant it. HELP??? I've tried slowing down = less distance due to my arm wanting to push the shoe up to the pit. I've read the sermon about the correct way to work the 1 3/4, no luck. Thinking about setting up a string around the 7' mark to get the shoe up so. Maybe this will slow it down..??. If you think I'm too far gone just say so and me and my friend will use the shoes as a frisbee. Its turning enough.. PS. Played last night at the beach, almost dark. Did great. Ringer after ringer. Went to the park today, full sun and got crushed. Do you have a summer camp that is available for the stuggling slinger? I could stay in my tent and cook my own food? Hi Andrew, It sounds like you are snapping your wrist at the point of release. To pitch a horseshoe you really don't want to use your wrist. Try keeping your wrist in the same position throughout the release. You might want to try pitching at a closer distance to see if you can slow the turn down. And then gradually moving back so that you can keep the desired turn in your shoe. You might want to check out horseshoe pitching in North Carolina. However, I don't know if they play many sanctioned tournaments near the coast. If you want you could order some better shoes on line. I use the Deadeye Clydesdale model. Tim May 7, 2005 Oswego NY In league play does everyone have to use the same shoe or can you use your own shoes when pitching? Hi Tim, Every league has their own rules, but most sanctioned leagues only require that you use sanctioned shoes. In all NHPA sanctioned tournaments, players use their own shoes. Basically it would be like using only house balls in bowling or rental clubs in golf. Some unsanctioned leagues might have a rule requiring the use of certain shoes, but I wouldn't play in any such league. Annette April 30, 2005 Kalamazoo MI Last fall I installed a set of horseshoe pits. This spring, I'm not happy with the sand mix that is in the pits. My shoes get lost in the sand or bounce right out of the pit. What do you suggest I put in the pit to make is more user friendly? Hi Annette, If you play a lot, most tournament pitchers prefer clay. But clay takes a lot more care, so most recreation pitchers use sand or dirt. You might want to check out the local horseshoe club and see if using clay is for you. They might also have other suggestions. Since I don't like sand, I don't have any advice for using it. Greg April 24, 2005 Syracuse NY I read that you have portable horseshoe pits, but couldn't find any details. I was hoping to buy some portable pits that I could put out when I want them, and move them off the lawn at other times. Do you know if anyone sells such a thing, or has ideas on how to build them? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Greg Hi Greg, I used to have some portable courts, but I don't have them anymore. Basically you need to build a small box and then get a stake that is welded to a plate which you would connect to the box. If you want to keep it truly portable then you need to find a material that is light which the shoes won't bounce to much on. Unfortunately I don't know of any such material. But a good alternative is to have springs attached from the front of the box to the back of the box. Then use a thick rubber mat which would 'float' on the springs. The problem with the rubber mat is that it is not very good for low average players as shoes not landing flat will bounce out. Even a flat shoe may slide around quite a bit. I used to have a synthetic clay for my portable court, but it really wasn't very good and isn't sold any more. Vern April 7, 2005 Lynden WA Thanks for the Website........ You mentioned awhile back that you would put some pictures on your site of the different horseshoe grips. Are these pictures somewhere and I cannot find them? Or??? I appreciate all your comments and answers. thanks, Vern Hi Vern, Thanks for reminding me about putting those pictures on the website. It's one of those things I have been "meaning to get to". You know how that goes! Jim March 28, 2005 Jackson's Gap AL I have been searching for some information about the physics of pitching horseshoes. Recently I found the following sight which has some very good information: www.kennywolf.com/shoemath.htm Could you please look at this information and with your knowledge of physics and horseshoe pitching add a few comments? Have a great year bowling and pitching shoes. Hi Jim, Although Kenny Wolf uses some physics terms in his description of how to pitch a horseshoe he doesn't really use them properly. It is very difficult to put some things into words. I haven't really tried to apply the equations of physics to horseshoes. Like most sports, it comes down to repetition and feel. Of course there are some things that are better than others. There are optimum heights, but that would be affected by the distance pitched (e.g. 30 or 40'). Also, the exact angle of the stake, how rigid the stakes are, how solid the stakes are, how soft the clay is, how many shoes and where they are near the stake, the temper of the shoes, the temper of the stakes and even how a pitcher delivers the shoe (how much do they lean over and the height at which they release the shoe) would effect the optimum height. Generally it is regarded that somewhere between 7 and 10 feet is a good peak height for 40 footers. I think that you can see that there are some simple equations, but also some very complicated ones and I haven't put the serious thought into what I think it would require. Herman March 3, 2005 Shiller Park IL Walter Ray, I am jack stout friend and wanted to ask you one more question regarding the 1 1/4 turn. I know that you should turn the shoe side ways (at 9:00 position) when it is next to your leg and as you follow through you turn the shoe clockwise so thumb at 12:00 or shoe's bottom is hoizontal. But when I watch you and others throw, your thumb is back at 9:00 when your arm is all the way forward. Do you as you are following through only turn your wrist 45 degree clockwise to 10:30 allowing the flight for the shoe to turn the other 45 degrees in the air to have it flat when it hits ground. And as the shoe is released and turned 45 degree, you turn your hand back counterclockwise to get your fingers out of the way of the shoe leaving your thumb at 9:00? Herman Hi Herman, I am having a little bit of trouble following your description of how you think I let go of the shoe. When I let go of the shoe, my thumb is pretty close to pointing towards the other stake (12 o'clock). The shoe isn't perfectly flat at release, but probably at about a 10 degree angle. The hand is opened at the time of release so that the shoe will actually slide off of the fingers. If you have more questions, I am sure that Jack can help you especially if he can observe your release. Rob January 9, 2005 Pendleton OR I was reading some of the q&a you have posted to find my answers but there were too many to go through. I have been pitching shoes for 9 years now. I pitch a flip now but would like to learn how to turn. I would like to know how much you pratice now. I also would like to know what kind of shoes you wear while pitching. I wear tennis shoes but I have noticed that my lead foot rolls a little and I believe it is throwing me off. I had someone suggest using bowling shoes. I was able to participate in the world tournament in pocatello last year. I had a blast and wished I could have stayed for the 2nd week. I normally pitch in sand and did very well the first two days but struggled on day 3. I still ended up placing 4th and had a higher percentage than my average. I saw your commercial on ESPN where you brought the wrong pair of shoes to the bowling alley. I loved it and thought it was a great plug for horseshoes. Thank you for your time. Rob Hi Rob, I have several answers on how to pitch a turn shoe. I use 'walking' athletic shoes. I am not sure what you mean by your foot 'rolling'. Maybe your foot work needs to be adjusted so that you are better balanced. When I was young, I used to practice 1 to 2 hours almost every day. Now I try to practice 3 or 4 times a week for an hour, but there are many weeks that I don't get even 2 days in due to my busier schedule. Pitching in clay is a bit different than sand. As long as you try to hit the stake first when practicing in sand, clay should be no problem. Good luck. Mark December 17, 2004 West Seneca NY This is a suggestion I have about the way the distance in pitching horseshoes varies with age and sex (male, female). I am about to turn 70 in May of next year. I am trying to decide about pitching from 30 feet. I used to be over 40% at times but now I'm under 25%. Below is my suggestion of what I think would be fair for everyone. Males under 16 30 feet Males 16 thru 17 35 " Males 18 thru 69 40 " Males 70 thru 74 35 " Males 75 & over 30 " Females under 16 30 feet Females 16 thru 55 35 " Females 55 & over 30 " If I go to 30 I think I would be getting a better percentage than I ever did before. Doing what I have suggested would make it, in my opinion, fair. What do you think???? Hi Mark, Your ideas have merit. I would make some other minor adjustments to them. Unfortunately, I don't make the decisions on distances. You are probably right about improving if you move to 30'. Good luck and have fun. Jeff December 14, 2004 Cambridge Ontario Canada Hello Walter Ray Recently in the sports world there are many Pinnacle Marks for the game. You are close to one yourself in bowling. Baseball has hank aarons 756 homers which barry bonds is catching, and Nfl has most touchdowns in a season which Peyton Mannings catching. As someone whos been around the Horseshoe world personally what do you think is Horseshoe Pitching s Most remarkable stat? Total World titles? Perfect Games? Fernando Isias 69 game winnign streak in worlds or Ted Allens 771 Career wins at worlds. Well I hope to hear from you and Have a merry xmas and all best to you and your family Hi Jeff, I would say the two records for horseshoes that I would most covet are the most World Championships and the highest average in a world tournament. Alan Francis tied Ted Allen this last season when he won his 10th championship in the Men's division and will probably win several more as he is about 35 years old. Elmer Hohl's record of 88.2% was pitched in over 2500 shoes back in 1968. The tournaments are much shorter these days with a little over 1000 shoes which would make it a pinch easier to reach a really high percentage, but it still would be tough to do. Currently there are 2 players with the talent to reach that average, Alan Francis and Brian Simmons who averaged 87.6% a few years ago. I used to pitch that well (88.1% in 1981, 86.2% in 1991), but in the last 10 years I haven't been pitching quite as well. Buddy September 28, 2004 Catoosa OK mr. williams recently i picked up the horseshoe pitching bug and been practiceing to much. i am a old bowler also lucky enough to roll a 3 and after lost interest. my question being in horseshoe's. i've been throwing ted allens and are happy enough with them its like bowling its general not the equipment but handler that makes the success. i noticed that you throw clydesdale shoes and was wondering how they compare to the allen's. i figured that you'd know i don't know anyone that either has a pair or has thrown a pair. i'm having problems getting them and the clydesdale's are availible. Bwall Hi Buddy, The Clydesdale shoes that I use are drop forged and are a bit wider than the Allen's. There is also a large ringer 'breaker' in the back of the shoe to help the shoes not bounce off. It is more of feel thing on some of the styles of shoes. I used to use Allen's many years ago, but now they feel to skinny to me. You can purchase the Deadeye shoes on our website if you decide that you want some. Robert September 27, 2004 Houston TX Hi Walter Ray, I began pitching horseshoes way back in the early to mid 1980s. At that time I recall that you were the World Champion. I then left horseshoes for some 20 years, finally returning to tournament play this year, and I see that you are still one of the game's premiere pitchers. However, in reading some of your comments, you've admitted that you're not quite the pitcher that you once were, and that you no longer pitch the 1 1/4 turn (which is what I pitch). I'm just wondering why you changed pitch turns. Thank you for considering my question, and I wish you many more years of being one of the game's top pitchers. Robert Hi Robert, Many years ago in competition, especially in major tournaments, I would have problems with my shoe over turning. So about 6 years I switched to the 1 & 3/4 turn. This past season I went back to the 1 & 1/4 turn and thought that I had it figured out a bit, but again at the world tournament I had another disappointing event. Now I have pitched left handed in a couple of events and have done very well. So I am having fun pitching again and who knows, I may even close to where I once was. Thanks. Dennis September 22, 2004 Sycamore IL Hi Walter thanks for this website, alot of good imformation here. I have just one question. We sometimes have horseshoe tournaments at work for fun. There sand pits and almost regulation my question is can you stand in the pit? Thanks Dennis Hi Dennis, Normally there should be a 'walkway' to pitch off of. Tournament courts will almost always be some sort of cement. These walkways are 18" wide are 18" from the stake. You aren't supposed to stand in the court where the sand or clay is, but if it isn't defined that may be tough. I like a solid surface as my shoe (on my feet) will dig a hole on most soft surfaces like dirt or grass. Paul August 23, 2004 Hopkinton RI I play in a local league and I toss a turn shoe. As a kid I flipped,then after a twenty year absence I can't flip. Our league just ended for the summer. We play cancellation and my average was 4.5 to 5.1. We play four games a night once a week. So I was averaging 16 to 24 points for the four games. My last night I changed my foot work and tossed 39 points. Also with the change I noticed my toss and follow thru was a little slower than normal. I have to practice this some more to see if it holds true that this new stance will help. I guess my question is have you ever experienced a shift in stance giving you more points than you threw before the change or experimenting with different things to try to improve your game? Hi Paul, I think everybody makes subtle changes. The tricky part is to figure out what works best for you and stick with it and get rid of those things which don't work. Good luck. Jeff June 19, 2004 Cambridge Ontario Canada Hey Deadeye , I ask you a question about form in throwing a horseshoe. When you started pitching horseshoes competively in State Championships and Worlds and What Have You. But did you study certain players and picked up something. or did you just use your mind and say What is easiest to get this shoe aroudn that stake ! I ask you this because people say I have a different form but It works for me as stated by YOu earlier this year shooting first and coming down on the stake will help me better then direct on. You have helped my game big time and are an idol of mine and many others world wide and would appreciate any advice. I really want you to win the PBa Player of the year one year (MVP of Bowling) And both world championships for sports! Anyways chow for now! Hi Jeff, My dad taught me how to pitch horseshoe when I was 9 (almost 10). He taught me a 1 & 1/4 turn. And from there I went out and practiced all the time. I really wasn't shown much after my initial lessons. Fortunately I developed a good pitching form and improved very quickly. Some players develop bad habits which are very difficult to get rid of because those habits are ingrained in their brain and that is what feels comfortable to them. Don June 4, 2004 Warren OH ARE YOU ATTENDING THE HORESHOE TOURNY IN NEWTON FALLS OHIO THIS YEAR????? WE MISSED YOU LAST YEAR WE THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BE THERE ON SUNDAY HOWEVER YOU WERE THERE SATURDAY. MY MOTHER IS PROBABLY YOUR BIGGEST FAN AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THANK YOU Hi Don, I didn't participate in the horseshoe tournament in Newton Falls, Ohio this year. Horseshoe Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]   [81-100]   [121-140]   [141-160]    [161-180]