What is the purpose of the spine in arrow selection?

The spine of an arrow refers to its stiffness, which is a critical factor in the selection process for archers. When shooting an arrow, it will flex or bend during the shot, and this flexing is referred to as the arrow's spine. Choosing an arrow with the correct spine ensures that it will behave properly when released from the bow. If an arrow is too stiff, it may not flex enough to stabilize during flight, leading to poor accuracy. Conversely, if an arrow is too weak, it might flex excessively, resulting in erratic flight paths and potential loss of accuracy as well.

Understanding the spine helps archers match the arrow to their bow setup, including the draw weight and style. This precise matching allows archers to achieve better performance and consistency while shooting, which is essential for both recreational and competitive archery.