INDEX

Horseshoes Horseshoe Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]   [81-100]   [101-120]   [141-160]    [161-180] Carolyn July 28, 2006 Candler NC I am trying to find out the world record for Consecutive ringers in Horse shoe pitching ....who holds it and when it took place ...I hope someone can help me with this ...Thanks a lot **Walter Ray I was just going to send her to Nhpa site…but I couldn't find that info there….hmmm Hi Carolyn, Ted Allen holds the record for consecutive ringers in the world tournament which is 72. He did it in 1948 over 2 games and 1955 at the end of one game. Diane July 19, 2006 Tulare CA For most any other sport there are coaches, clinics, lessons, drills, etc. to improve your game. Are these available in the horseshoe pitching world? I have been practicing and manage to improve 10% each year (my 3rd year playing). But you watch people like you and Sue Snyder and think -- how can I ever get that good. Any tips? Hi Diane, To get good at anything it takes a lot of practice. As a youngster I practiced about 1 to 2 hours everyday. I really enjoyed pitching horseshoes. The other thing is to have some good fundamentals when you start so that you don't develop too many bad habits which would be hard to change later on. Fortunately I didn't seem to have too many of those bad habits as I was pretty much self taught and within a year I was averaging over 75%. I would work on your form, especially having a good strong follow through. If you can find someone to help you along that would be great, but they are few and far between. Dennis July 14, 2006 Campbell CA Walter Ray, Do you plan to pitch left-handed again this year at the W.T.? If you go righty, I predict a win (better than second). Hi Dennis, I am going to pitch left-handed. The last tournament I pitched in right handed was in Crossville, TN and it was the worst tournament of the year for me. At one time I was really good right handed, but those days might be over. Hopefully I can figure it out again, maybe even left handed. Ray May 19, 2006 Yuma AZ Hi Mr. Williams, I've been pitching for about 5 years, average 33% with a 1 and a quarter turn. I have read most of your tips on improving and noticed you put alot of emphasis on follow through. I've developed good follow through and was wondering about tempo. I really have to concentrate and swinging, stepping and following through at a slow tempo. Any ideas on how to improve and develop a consistent tempo. Thanks, and we'll see you in Gillette Hi Ray, I also need to work on keeping my arm swing slow on the downswing. Practice is one of the best things you can do assuming that you don't have too many bad habits. A good follow through is something that I need to work on with my left hand pitching. Ryan May 10, 2006 York PA Walter Ray, I have already submitted a bowling question but now I have a horseshoe question. I love to bowl but I love horseshoes just as much if not more. However, I have no place to really practice? I went on the PHA website but couldn't find any local leagues in my area. Do you know of any? Thanks, Ryan Hi Ryan, Do you mean the NHPA website? Was it www.horseshoepitching.com ? That is the official site of the National Horseshoe Pitcher's Association (NHPA). There are links to state associations. I tried to find Sicklerville, NY, but couldn't find out where it is. A league isn't necessary in order to get better. There are tournaments most weekends no matter where you live. Having a decent place to practice is a start. Good luck. Gary March 15, 2006 Kirkland WA Hi Walter Ray, good to see you on TV again. Are you still throwing horseshoe? Does your Brother throw with you? Are any horseshow matches on TV any more like in years past? Have a good bowling year Thank you Gary Pautz Hi Gary, I still pitch horseshoes, but I don't get a chance to play against my brothers as they live in California and I live in Florida. There was only one tournament on ESPN for horseshoes that I know of. There have been local shows here and there, but unfortunately there aren't many being planned in the future. Glenn March 13, 2006 Tickfaw LA I bowl quite often THS average 230. My question however pertains to Horseshoes, I like to throw at family outings only but want a good shoe. Your recommendation would be? and which one do you throw any out of the selection you have for sale. I am going to by it off of your web-site so if you recommend one make from what you sell. Thanks for your time. Glenn Hi Glenn, Horseshoes like anything takes practice. I would work on your form, especially a good follow through. The shoe that I recommend is the ones that I use, Deadeye Clydsedales. We were having problem with the shoe manufacture, but hopefully we will have those back on our website for sale. Charlie February 5, 2006 Bpt CT. I wonder if you might have some advice on or a solution to a problem.I throw a 1 7/8 shoe that opens just fine about 90% of the time.I just cant get it to open at the peg.Im eithe left or right of it most of the time.Im right handed but left eye dominant.Any and all ideas would be welcome. THKS. Hi Charlie, If I understand correctly, then alignment is your problem. I don't think that being left or right eye dominant should make any difference. You might want to work on your form so that you have a strong follow through where your arm goes straight up after letting go of the shoe. And practice, practice, practice. Hang in there, you will get it! Dennis February 14, 2006 Campbell CA Hi WR, Will you be at the World Championships in Wyoming in August? I don't know if I can go, but I will be at the California State Championships and the NorCal. How about you? Do you compete in any of the regionals or state tournaments? I realize that the state in Bakersfield may conflict with a PBA event. Thanks, Dennis Andrews Hi Dennis, I do plan on playing in the World Horseshoe Championships in Wyoming in July this year. I don't live in California, so I am not eligible to participate in the state championships. Every once in a while when I am in the area I will play in tournaments in California, but it doesn't look that will happen this year. Eric January 22, 2006 Rancho Cucamonga CA Hey Walter Ray, how you doing?do you rember bowling in so cal back in the mid 80s or in a place called the "bowlium"in montclair ca. if you dont thats okay. is it true that horseshoes makes you more accurate with your spares if so what the distance from stake to stake thx eric espinoza Hi Eric, I do remember bowling at the 'Bowlium'. It is where I really started to bowl when I was in college. To be good in both horseshoe pitching and bowling, not just spares, you need to be accurate. I pitched horseshoes first and I believe that helped me to be a better bowler without as much practice. The men's distance is 37' from the foul line to the stake for horseshoes. The stakes are normally set at 40' apart with the foul line being 3 feet closer to the opposite stake. Check out www.horseshoepitching.com for more information. Ken January 11, 2006 Georgetown TX Hi Walter Ray, I'm 55 and have been pitching horseshoes at Sun City Texas for 2-3 months now. I practice about 4x per week for an hour. Not knowing any better I started and currently throw a one turn flip (end over end) from 40' and am currently throwing 25% ringers. Reading through this information I see that the correct way to pitch (if you really want to get good) is to use the 1-1/4 or 1-3/4 turn which I believe is what you would suggest. If I continue with the flip turn is there a specific horseshoe made specifically for the flip that might help me get to say 50% ringers with practice? I read on your website that you can get very good using the flip from 30' but from 40' you should use the 1-1/4 or 1-3/4 turns. Any advice would be appreciated. Hi Ken, I would advise changing to a turn if you really want to be the best that you can. Other than that, there are many shoes out that will work for a flip, but it is a personal choice and I don't throw a flip, so it's hard for me to say. Good luck! Patrick December 30, 2005 Waterloo IA Walter Ray; I enjoy your site and the Q&A section. I have been reading through some of the old ones and found one from someone who asked about the game you played against Dad, (Ralph Simon) at the 1980 LA County Fair. I printed it off and gave it to MOM. She was excited that people are still talking about that game so many years later. You guys pitched an awesome game that day. I do have a question of my own for you also. During the winter we pitch four tournaments a month on 9 indoor courts which must be much like what you play on at the world tournaments. Indoor clay pits which are raised up about six inches from the floor on which we stand. My question is how is the 40' distance measured on this type of court? I seem to have a problem getting the shoe up to the stake and I want to make certain that the courts are set correctly. Also if you should happen to be passing through central Iowa on your travels, we hold sanctioned tournaments on Saturday and Sunday of the first two weekends of each month from November through March at the Putt Mossman Arena on the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Eldora Iowa. We would be honored and thrilled if you could join us if your schedule were to allow. Thanks for your time. Pat Hi Pat, It was a pleasure pitching against your father back in the early 80's as we both were pitching very well. The game we had at the L.A. county fair was one of the best I have played in. I think that they measure the distance of the stakes from the ground level before the clay is put into the box. The distance is still 40'. You are technically having to pitch uphill both ways, so I have learned how to deal with this by practicing about almost foot farther back so that I am 12" from the foul line. I don't know when I will be getting back through Iowa. I wish you the best. Sonny November 28, 2005 Bradley IL Hi Walter Ray. My name is Sonny Davis.I threw a little in my early teens, but didnt get back to it until I was in my mid thirties. Im ok,Im a 40yr old 12% one flip shoe thrower, but I cant find the groove. I do practice, but I find Im making the same mistakes, and dont know how to correct them can you or Do you know of a flip shoe thrower that could help me out. I love the game,and have been givin the position of Aroma Park Legion Hall Horse shoe club Vice President, after one year in the league.Can someone help me? Thank you, Sonny Davis Hi Sonny, You might want to contact someone in the state association. Check out http://www.fourdead.com for more info. I would recommend learning a turn shoe and working on your follow through. Larry October 21, 2005 Sandy UT Where can I find information on how to construct indoor horseshoe pits? Specifically how to anchor the stake to the six by three box. Can't get over 44% playing 6 months of the year. Need to practice in the winter and especially on indoor courts that I only throw 3days a year at the world tournaments. Never throw quite as good indoors as outdoors, and do believe this due to lack frequency on indoor courts. Have none in Utah so would like to build a couple and put in a warehouse for some of us to practice when the snow falls. Thanks Your input is appreciated. Hi Larry, The stakes are welded to a plate, which is attached (bolted) to the box. With this setup the stakes are about 19-20 inches tall. Here is information at the official site of the NHPA which has some information http://www.horseshoepitching.com/gameinfo/bldcourt.shtml . I usually practice about 6 inches back of where I might play in a tournament so that when I pitch uphill both ways at the world tournament it doesn't hurt me that much. Jeff September 22, 2005 Cambridge Ontario Canada Hi Walter Ray First I would like to say congrats on the amazing performance you put on at worlds Left handed. Im a stat buff and follow the game to see in a news article that Alan francis has a great respect for you and was impressed to. Thats great to see amongst athletes. My question is about tourney set up. Up here we have a silver shoe tournament that is 40 years old. Each year we have attracted former champs at world level. Its non sanctioned last few years the numbers have been down so we got feed back and it was saying people in a class dont want to come because theres No mens trophy as a junior was winning it Drew. Now he is a good player and we couldnt tell him not to play so we decided to use a mixed format that many have used where there would be a womens champ men and junior. As a classe ranges from 55-75% range depending on who shows up. We did that this year and took flack from executive that we tried to discourage him. Now we did this for best of tourney. I just want feedback as if there is a better solution? Handicap? 30 40 class . I just want to keep happy as I love this game so much! ANy advice would be great! Thanks Ya big fan JEFF Hi Jeff, One of the biggest problems with horseshoes is the disparity between the top players. It is difficult to find really good competition for the top players. I like to play in mixed classes, but there are many men who don't like to get beat by women, juniors or elder men who are pitching at a shorter distance. I don't like to get beat (by anyone) either, but it is also no fun pitching against someone who you are going to beat 99.999% of the time. I know a lot of places are going to handicap, but I would use it a lot less than most places like to use it. If tournaments are going to use a handicap system then they should go to a shoe limit count-all system and have everybody in one big group. Have everybody play the same number of games as you don't have to play everybody else in the tournament and have two payouts, one for the scratch division and another for the handicap division. That way the top players have something to shoot for and the lower players do too. Wes August 17, 2005 Laguna Beach CA I just recently started pitching after playing with friends on a camping trip. We were all novices and throwing some variation of a flip. Now I'm trying to learn a turn and don't quite understand how by rotating your forearm clockwise up to the release you get the shoe to turn on a plane parallel to the ground . Seems like this would put a twist on that would corkscrew thru the air. Is the rotation converted into the turn by the shoe pivoting between the thumb and forefinger prior to release? If so is your thumb directly over the forefinger and is the pressure fairly firm? Thanks, Wes Hi Wes, Technically you are correct about the shoe having a type of 'corkscrew' turn on it if your arm, wrist and hand did exactly as described. But normally when following those basic instructions, the shoe will turn a little bit. I would try pitching about 15 or 20 feet to get some feel for how a shoe should turn. And then everyday that you practice (100 to 200 shoes), move back a few feet. After a week you should be at the regulation distance and have a pretty good feel for the turn. There used to be a club in Orange. I would check out the southern California horseshoe association's website, www.NHPA.com. Hopefully you could meet some other players who could help you with your turn. I usually teach having the thumb on the other side of the shoe in between the forefinger and middle finger. I would say that the pressure is medium. Red August 12, 2005 Windsor Locks CT Hi Walter Ray…I see you are still out tossing those horseshoes and did well in the recently held tournament...what I would like to know is whay did you toss the shoes "lefthanded?" hope all is going well with you and Paige and will be looking forward to seeing you bowl again this coming season and hopefully you will get #41 and more... red burnham Hi Red, It is nice hearing from you. The last couple of years I pitched very, for me, and I wasn't having any fun. When I was 13 I broke a finger and learned how to pitch left handed. When I was 18 I broke my wrist and did quite a bit of practicing left handed and even entered a tournament. For around 10 years I kept an average left handed of around 50-55%. With my poor performances of the last 2 years I decided to try left handed again, but a bit more seriously. I got my average up over 60% in practice last year, but still played right handed. Then after another poor performance, I decided to play full time left handed. Since I averaged under 70% at the world tournament the last 2 years, my average of almost 72.5% shows that it wasn't such a bad decision. I am having fun again and finishing 2nd at the world was something I wasn't planning on starting the season. Peter August 2, 2005 Wilton CT Dear Walter Ray, I have read the instructions on the NHPA website how to pitch a shoe. But I am not clear on one point. My question is ... When they talk about "turns" is the shoe turning end-over-end or is it rotating horizontally in flight? Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Peter Engstrom Hi Peter, The better horseshoe pitchers from 40' use a turning shoe that rotates like a slow frisbee. There are many who use the flip method but it doesn't seem to work as well from 40'. However from 30' many top players use a flip very well, but I still prefer the turn method. Andrew July 2, 2005 Brownville ME Dear Walter Ray- My father has a non-profit horseshoe club in our community, which is rather small. He has six pits set up and we play mostly round robin type tournaments. 75% of the players throw a flip shoe, but a handful throw a turn. I started with a flip shoe, and tried that for three years or so, and never really got it to work. I always threw it too low and to fast. Plus it was hurting my hand. I decided to start throwing a turn shoe. It feels a lot better and gets to the pit better. I started with a 1 1/4 turn but it was hard to control, then I tried the 1 3/4 and it started turning really well and felt really good. But, I still throw them too hard and too low. I think I have gotten myself into a bad habit that is hard to break. I try throwing higher and it hits the backboard. Do you have any tips that could help me get more arc and "lob" my shoe a little better? Thank you very much for your time!! Hi Andrew, It sounds like you need to figure out how to pitch the shoe and not 'throw' it. You might want to try pitching a closer distance (30') for 100 shoes or so. When you go back to 40' you shouldn't want to throw it as hard and getting the shoe higher should be something that you want to do. You might want to slow your armswing down a bit and take a smaller step. Horseshoe Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]   [81-100]   [101-120]   [141-160]    [161-180]