Salt and Light Archery is the ideal place if you’re into shooting arrows for the fun of it. 

The club offers a fun shoot package, where you can do archery without the formalities. Thankfully, you’d still have a coach beside you to teach you the basics.

I love that even when I was not 100% serious about the sport, the coach gave me clear instructions, ensured that I understood everything, and provided pointers when I wasn’t getting a technique or two.

I even got a pat on the back for hitting the bull’s eye twice (beginner’s luck maybe?). 

By the end of the fun shoot, I felt like doing archery beyond my original purpose of relieving stress.

I observed the other “more serious” classes going around the range, and I can say that though the competitiveness is there, the lessons are overall fun and friendly.

The indoor range in Chai Chee is also airconditioned. However, some may prefer an outdoor setup, so you need to go down to the West Coast location.

The thing with that other location, though, is that it’s below an overpass. You might want to look for another range if you prefer a site closer to nature. 

As for customer service, you’ll need to wait at least one working day for a response since Salt and Light receives plenty of inquiries daily.

You might like DM Archery’s expansive outdoor archery range if you’re like my teammates who love the great outdoors.

The outdoor range has enough space to accommodate a straight line of about 15 people facing the targets. 

That many archers lined up might look crowded, but I think the number is perfect for team-building activities.

As for our group of five, we got lucky, as we were the only team to use the range that time and day. It was a wonderful experience, almost zen-like, to hear the soft twang of the string and the swish of the arrow while surrounded by nature sounds.

We also thought that our coach, Daniel, was an angel. He was careful and thorough with his teaching, but he also ensured we got enough time for actual shooting. 

However, you can’t have the usual comforts at this archery range (no fan or air conditioner). If your slot falls in the late afternoon, bring an insect repellent, as there might be mosquitoes.

We also heard from returning archers that a few sudden downpours ruined their fun in the past.

Their advice? Time your visits on days when the chance of rain is lowest, and don’t wear white or anything that you’ll regret getting muddy after.

Parents who want to start their kids young might want to bring them to The Archery Academy to take its four-session beginner course.

Based on how my teammate’s children fared on their first session, I’d say that the course is fun, and the pacing won’t pressure little kids in the slightest!  

The lessons take place at an outdoor range, providing that much-needed breath of fresh air for family bonding. The greenery surrounding them did magic for the family I accompanied, at the very least.

The instructors provide essential support, too. They are genial, warm, and encouraging, and it’s obvious that the kids love them.

Better yet, the course isn’t limited to kids. Adults who want to get the archery basics down to a t can enroll, too! 

However, the courses here are just that—for beginners. You should find an archery range offering more classes to level up.

That said, the company rents its archery range to experienced archers who want to practice, say, for a competition or to keep in shape. 

As for booking a session, expect a few mishaps, including cancellations and rescheduling, as the Archery Academy accommodates company events and sometimes overlooks individual bookings. 

If you want some distance from the hustle and bustle of the central region, a trip to Simply Archery Club in Seletar might be helpful.

The indoor archery range has a wide selection of gorgeous recurve bows. These bows are available in various weights and materials (e.g. bamboo and aluminum) to cater to learners’ preferences.

One of my teammates and his daughter tried the fun shoot to test if he could enjoy archery enough to enroll in a course. 

He said that the cool-looking bow the coach handed him got him sold quickly. He can’t help but imagine he’s Legolas (and his daughter, Katniss). 

Better yet, the session was fun. The coach talked to the group scheduled that day as if they were bonafide archery students, citing a little history of the sport on top of the basic instructions on stance and bow-holding.

My teammate struggled a bit at the start (the arrows weren’t hitting the board!), but thanks to the coach’s kind tips, he eventually got the hang of it. Meanwhile, his daughter received praise for her bull’s eye hit.

He enrolled himself and her daughter in the beginner course in the end. Thankfully, the class is under the same approachable and knowledgeable coach.

However, prepare to feel some discomfort, as the indoor range isn’t air-conditioned. The fans and the outdoor breeze do their jobs, but some might find the ventilation subpar.

Trains going to Seletar from the CBD area also take about an hour, which can be too long for some. 

If you want to save time, you can drive via the Central Expressway instead (travel time at about 15 minutes).

Serious archers might benefit most from Flaming Arrows Archery’s comprehensive courses and seasoned coaches. 

The club designed its classes to be progressive, and the basic course is a prerequisite for you to access the more advanced lessons. 

Armed with his short archery experience, one of my teammates enrolled in the club’s basic course. He said it was unlike his previous experience. 

For instance, he said the lessons are more intensive. The coach allotted four hours to drill into him all the basics. 

Furthermore, the coach’s instructions matched his skills, potential, and quirks. He said the guidance wasn’t the usual generic tips he heard from other archery ranges.

His coach was also perceptive, as he spotted the habits that kept my teammate from getting a perfect aim right away and provided tips that were easy to understand. 

No wonder, though, as his coach George is the former Archery Association of Singapore (AAS) president. 

Flaming Arrows also offers classes designed to prepare students for inter-school competitions, which is fantastic if you have a kid who loves archery so much they would compete for it.

However, the club doesn’t hold fun shoots unless it’s for a corporate event. 

Booking an appointment might also become tedious and slow, as Flaming Arrows does not have an instant online booking form (you’ll have to communicate everything through email).

The club is also closed on weekdays, so open slots might be few.