Why Drive 1,500 Miles to Shoot Sporting Clays?

Last month, Ann, our German Shepherd Tessa, and I piled into the van and pointed the GPS toward Vero Beach, Florida. I’m not sure why we bothered with the GPS—there were only about three turns required over the entire 750‑mile stretch—but off we went.

So why make a 1,500‑mile round trip just to shoot sporting clays when there are plenty of clubs much closer to home?

I’ve got three answers.

1. Because people matter more than mileage

Vero Beach wasn’t chosen at random. My friend and fellow shooter, Keith Fancher, suggested it. Last year he and his wife Cathy joined Ann and me in Savannah for the Georgia State shoot. It was HOT, but we had a great time. That trip reminded me that the social side of this sport is one of its greatest gifts.

Keith and Cathy turned their Vero Beach trip into a full vacation—visiting friends and family across Georgia and both coasts of Florida. Ann and I even managed to meet up with Ann’s brother and his wife, who happened to be in Melbourne (just an hour north) for business.

And beyond the family visits, the four of us simply enjoyed being together. Sure, we didn’t need to drive 1,500 miles to hang out, but combining shooting, sunshine, and good company in a new environment made it feel special.

2. Because new targets wake up stale skills

As much as I love our home clubs, shooting the same targets over and over can make a hobby feel a little… predictable. Traveling to new ranges forces you to expand your target library, see different presentations, and challenge your assumptions.

The Vero Beach State Shoot delivered exactly that. They used their limited real estate in clever ways, and shooting among palm trees and palmettos was a completely different experience. Those new looks help you return home with fresh eyes—and sometimes even a renewed appreciation for the “old” targets you thought you knew.

3. Because the journey itself is part of the joy

Time in the van with Ann and Tessa is its own reward. Changing the routine—camping in the van at the Vero Beach Cracker Barrel, for example—adds a sense of adventure to life that’s easy to lose in the day‑to‑day rhythm.

Even the drive home, which we did straight through from 2:00 p.m. to about 1:30 a.m., was fun. We made a couple of Buc‑ee’s stops, and I kept everyone entertained (or at least awake) with my enthusiastic renditions of 70s and 80s classics, accompanied by YouTube videos Ann queued up to help keep me alert.

These are the moments that make a trip memorable.

So why drive 1,500 miles?

Because sometimes the best mental skills training isn’t a drill, a routine, or a cue. Sometimes it’s stepping out of your normal environment, shaking up the pattern, and letting a road trip reset your outlook—on your sport and your life.

If you’ve been feeling stale, stuck, or just ready for something different, a long drive to a new club might be exactly the refresh you didn’t know you needed.

I recommend it.