Guest post by LG: An interview with Julie Golob

Smith & Wesson’s team captain, Julie Golob, is an amazing competitor, mother and friend. I’ve followed her shooting and story for some time and wish to become an incredible shooter like her some day.

I was so excited to finally meet Julie at the NRA convention in Indianapolis, this past spring. I couldn’t wait to run up and talk to her her in person. I had so many questions to ask her. She is an inspiration to me and to other shooters. I hope she inspires you, too.

 

LG: How did you become interested in shooting?

Julie: My dad loves to shoot and hunt. I started going to the range with him when I was pretty small. Because of him, and all the wonderful people I met at the range, I fell in love with hunting and the shooting sports.

 

LG: How old were you when you started shooting?

Julie: Even though I was at the range as a little kid, I didn’t start shooting until I was 14. That was when both my dad and I felt I was ready to start competing.

 

LG: Who taught you to shoot?

Julie: My dad. I learned the basic fundamentals from him. By working as a range officer, I also learned a lot, too. It was like having a front row seat to watch and learn from other competitors as well.

 

 

 

LG: Why did you choose to do this kind of shooting?

Julie: My dad participated in a bunch of different disciplines, but we both really enjoyed how dynamic and fast-paced the action-shooting sports are. I was also inspired by the professional shooters I had the chance to meet as a kid. They were all decked out in their colorful shooting uniforms, shooting through courses of fire with blazing fast times. I knew I wanted to be one of them one day.

 

LG: Do you have a lot of free time?

Julie: I have to laugh. I did when I was younger, before I became a mom. Now, I am happy to have a few minutes a day. The key is that I love everything I do. I love shooting. It’s my job, but I enjoy it so much. Being a mom? It’s the toughest job I have ever had and by far the most rewarding. So between family and working hard to be the best shooter and representative of the shooting sports I can be, I stay very busy.

 

LG: Who taught you to shoot?

Julie: My dad. I learned the basic fundamentals from him. By working as a range officer though, I also learned a lot, too. It was like having a front row seat to watch and learn from other competitors as well.

 

 

LG: What is your favorite gun to shoot?

Julie: That’s such a tough question. I have always enjoyed shooting shotgun, even though that is not my specialty, and I just love my Benellis. I also love my M&P-15s and M&P-10. They are so much fun and easy to handle. It’s funny, handguns are my specialty, but I usually don’t shoot them for fun. Whenever I have one in my hand, I want to get to work to be better.

 

LG: How should younger girls get into shooting?

Julie: Shooting has been such a male-dominated sport for so long, but I find when young girls give it a try, they really enjoy it. I am a fan of starting all shooters out with fun, interactive targets and .22 caliber firearms. It’s one of the best ways to learn the fundamentals without the distraction of heavy recoil. Add some targets that make sounds, fall over or burst into pieces and young shooters really get hooked.  Make it fun; make it safe!

 

LG: What is your best advice for a new shooter?

Julie: Always be safe. Never take firearm safety for granted. After that, remember that your fundamental skills are the key to success. If you’re stuck and cannot improve, go back to the basics and build a strong foundation of grip and stance, sight alignment and trigger control.

 

For more information on champion shooter Julie Golob, visit her website.

• 

  About The WON

  The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON →