Complete Guide to Sporting Clays for Beginners
Everything you need to know for your first round of sporting clays
12 min read
Beginner
No experience required
Equipment can be rented
Fun for all skill levels
What is Sporting Clays?
Sporting clays is often called "golf with a shotgun." You walk through a course of 10-15 stations, each presenting different clay target challenges that simulate hunting wild birds.
Why beginners love it: Unlike trap or skeet with fixed targets, sporting clays offers variety at every station. You'll hit some and miss others—that's the fun. Even pros only hit 93-95%.
What to Expect
Course Layout
- • 10-15 stations across natural terrain
- • 50 or 100 targets per round
- • 45-60 minutes for a 50-target round
- • Shoot in squads of 2-6 people
Target Types
- • Crossing: Left-to-right or right-to-left
- • Incoming/Outgoing: Toward or away from you
- • Rabbits: Rolling along the ground
- • Chandelles: Rising arcing targets
Who is Sporting Clays For?
- Complete beginners looking for an exciting introduction to shotgun sports
- Hunters wanting off-season practice that simulates field conditions
- Social groups seeking a unique outdoor activity
- Competitive shooters wanting variety beyond trap or skeet
Learn more: For detailed rules and target presentations, see our Sporting Clays discipline guide.
Ready to try it? Find a sporting clays range near you.
Sources & References (2)
- National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA)
- National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) - Firearm Safety
Last updated: November 2024