I have been in and out of this shop for years, i bought my first bow from sonny 20 years ago, he gets a bad rap, yea he's a hard ass but he truly knows his stuff and i respect him for that. he has always helped me with my questions and told me what i might not want to hear but i need to hear.. mabye a little old school, but if you want someone who truly knows the art of archery and you're willing to put up with his teaching you will learn something guaranteed. not too many old guys like sonny left in this world.. close your mouth open your ears and enjoy what this man who has dedicated his entire life to this sport has to say.. read more

Sonny was great. He is very sure you understand the safety and rules. It's simple pay attention to what he is telling you. You have a dangerous tool you need to be aware on how to use it properly. His life long experience and knowledge is unmatched. I had an extremely great experience. read more

Walked into this place with my son and had every intention of purchasing a crossbow. We walked in and must have woke the owner up from a nap on the couch, there was a pool of drool and saw him snoring. The guy couldn't care less to answer our questions or seriously help us out. Did not feel like they care one bit. Suffice it to say we did not purchase anything there. Strictly Archery in Shorewood is now our preferred place to shoot and buy all our archery needs. STAY AWAY from this spot in Plainfield read more

Ive been here 3 times, each time worse than the last. The owner is a very disgruntled, elderly man that does not care for his customers. He has screamed at my brother, who is 11 years old on more than one occasion because of his foot placement, keep in mind him and I were the only ones in the store. He does not know how to speak to customers, he talks at people and demands, and so we will not be returning there anymore. I have not been there in three months, and I do not plan on returning. read more

Had a fantastic time. The owner has a wealth of knowledge about the sport. He shares his knowledge, runs a safe place, has reasonable prices, and welcomes all comers. read more

Went to Glisson to get my wife a bow for deer hunting and couldn't be happier. We stopped by on a Sunday and didn't realize only the range is open on Sundays but Mr. Glisson opened the shop up for us and got her setup. He spent a lot of time explaining everything and even had her shooting that day. Mr. Glisson and staff are very knowledgeable and easy to work with. I was a little skeptical to give this shop a try based on reviews but so glad we did. If your reading some of the negative reviews, disregard them and head over to the shop. You won't regret it. read more

Love this place... we are here at least 2x a week... funny thing is... my BF and I decided we want to learn archery... we went here 6 weeks ago, purchased bows and arrows first BEFORE getting some lessons... haha... Sonny, the owner... has been in the business for many years and a professional archer.. he has a gazillion trophies on the wall... and he knows archery like no other... The whole place is a lodge house with an indoor archery range and an ouotdoor range. Inside the indoor archery, there's a shop. Ron is one of their trainers... he is such a cool guy... We feel right at home... everyone who goes there are friendly, and you get to know these people... We are not good yet... but its just awesome to shoot and hit the target... My kids love this place too, and we even bring their friends... read more

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I have always had positive experiences at Glisson's. Mr. and Mrs. Glisson have always made me and my friends feel welcome and safe on the range. I think some people who have reviewed this business, sometimes mistake Mr. Glissons attention to details on safety as putting them down or making them feel inferior. This is NOT the case. Mr. Glisson simply does not want any accidents to occur. You are handling a live weapon and all it takes is someone not to be paying attention or doing something silly and someone could get hurt. However, I have brought friends and organizations like Chikara Martial Arts Academy, Chicago Jedi and the like to there and we all have an amazing day of archery. They have a fully supplied Pro-Shop. Mr. Glisson has repaired and updated two of my bows and they work great. I recommend this as a great place to go, and all should experience it for themselves. read more

Came here recently, was helped by the owner Sonny. Nice guy and he really knows what he's doing, he's very focused on people learning the range rules and being safe. For your first time here they do a short safety course, and then let you shoot all you want. Place is set up like a hunting lodge and was homey and relaxed, we really enjoyed our experience! read more

I had not touched a bow/arrow since high school, when I suddenly decided to try archery again. I walked into Glisson's on a quiet Sunday afternoon and felt very welcome. I got a thorough lesson, as well as equipment rental for a great price. I came back a week later, and had the same comfortable experience. For me, the low pressure, casual yet careful ambiance works. The place has decades of memorabilia all over the walls, which I found amusing and interesting. read more

My family and I went in Saturday afternoon. Norm was our instructor and he was amazing! He was so nice and coached us through the entire session. Only $20/person for an hour. Can't beat it! So much fun! Thanks Norm!! read more

Glisson Archery & Pro-Shop - Archery Near Me - Plainfield, Illinois

After going in one weekend to talk to an instructor about my goals for safety and instruction for my son, we attempted our first lesson. It was a different man in the shop today, and he was condescending and rude. My son ended up crying while doing something that he loves. I tried explaining to the instructor why my son was upset and how I was very clear on how I wanted to foster his love for archery, but also keep safety as my number one. He actually laughed in my face when I called him out on his attitude and lack of communication with my son. He blamed it on his age. He never even spoke to my son. He gave all of the instructions all at once to me. He didn't give any reasons for why you hold and position the equipment the way you do, he just seemed as though we were wasting his time in the completely empty shop. My son was trying his hardest and taking everything very seriously. I could understand if he was out of control or messing around, but he wasn't. He was listening and trying his hardest. My goal as a parent is to give my child as much knowledge as I can especially when his interest is in a sport that could potentially harm if not taught correctly. His father is a hunter and has given him that love, but sometimes hearing it again from someone else can help instill those core practices. I'm a mom who wants her son to grow up with a great deal of knowledge, safety and practice skills. I'm sadden today that my little boy was disappointed and disrespected by someone who after 50+years of archery couldn't pass that knowledge on. I wouldn't recommend this business. After reading others reviews I see that we are not the only ones that he has been rude to. I had good intentions of trying to better my sons knowledge and safety. I would think after that many years of experience he would understand and want to pass that on to a younger generation, but that is not the case. Don't waste your time, especially if it is to teach your child. read more

Quite honestly, I've never been so freaked out at a business in my life. Our daughter's scout troop was there for a field trip. Though the owner/ instructor was very thorough and clearly an archery expert, I have never felt so degraded, insulted, and borderline verbally abused. I will not return to this place EVER. read more

Do not come here! Owner is a piece of junk. Went to get my hoyt here first time archery user. The owner Sonny gives zero care about anyone except himself. He talks himself up as a know it all and looks out for no one's good. I showed up for lessons even though I was shooting good. He disregarded everything I mentioned I wanted to work on, and went back in his shop to watch television and take a nap. He then came out and showed his concern that I didn't come to buy arrows from him, he was upset I went to Bass pro shop. This is not the worst part, I bought a 1200 dollar bow, and within 3 weeks the peep is dead. He wouldn't sell me wax, within 6 days of shooting daily, the strings are coming apart, when I showed up for lessons Sonny shrugs his shoulders and says sorry shop is closed.. what the heck is this guy's issue?!?! Said he's too busy for the pig hunt at Ted Nugent's farm. He mentioned that atleast 10 times within that hour. Get some new meds son. read more

Visited for the first time a few days ago. My friend and I were looking for a range where we could rent equipment and Glisson looked like it had pretty good prices. Well, the prices were good, for 2 people, equipment and an hour of shooting on the indoor range it was $20. Unfortunately, the customer service was not as good as the price. The owner was very gruff and intimidating; I appreciate that he wanted us to be safe and obey the rules, but he was condescending when we did not understand what he was asking us to do. Instead of explaining things in a different way, he would repeat the same phrase until we got it. However, after the instructions, we enjoyed a very pleasant hour of shooting, the bows seemed to be in good condition and the indoor range seemed comparable to some shooting ranges I've been to. My friend (who was more experienced with archery) said it wasn't well-lit enough. There were also stuffed animal heads everywhere, but that's kind of to be expected. The shop (where we went to pay when we were done) was quite cluttered! If I was looking to buy a bow, I wouldn't know where to start, but that very well could be because I'm not looking to buy a bow. We were also the only people at the range- the 'open' sign was there, but it took the owner a few minutes to come from the attached house when we rang the doorbell; we had to turn on the lights, and the owner wandered off or into the back room while we were shooting, which was a bit awkward. Conclusion: cheap, brusque service, decent range. read more

About 2 1/2 years ago my daughter expressed an interest in archery. We took her to Glisson's to see if she liked it. First he handed my daughter the incorrect gear due to her eye dominance (which he never checked). Then Mr. Glisson had her on the verge of tears while explaining the safety rules of the range. My wife and I were never impressed with his professionalism (we did meet a few nice patrons who apologized for his brusque treatment) but now that my daughter has been shooting for over 2 years and now does it competitively I have become very thankful that we dodged the bullet that was Glisson's Archery. I do believe that he has knowledge to share. However when it comes to the nurturing of younger archers, that would not be his strength. Some of the reviews mention his attention to safety and I would agree with that. However it can be done without making children cry and to be fair, I've never encountered a single archery range that doesn't stress range safety. I've gotten the impression that most range owners feel that getting your customers shot is bad for business. read more

The girl friend and I did a double date event starting at the Archery shop. It cost us $10 to rent the equipment and the range for an hour each. We ended having a blast. The employees were courteous, professional, and polite. They were willing to teach us the basics and the fundamentals of archery to increase our satisfaction while were were there. I'd highly recommend it to friends if they want to shoot a Bow for an hour or two at a low price. read more

*** I walked in on a Saturday afternoon and almost thought I was tresspassing for a minute based on how RUDE THE OWNER was. *** Brought my bow in and had a few questions - told him I wanted to upgrade some of my stuff........I was blown away at how condescending and disrepectful he was. It s crazy to think this place stays in business with an owner who treats his customers that way. I will never step foot in that place again. read more

The owner has a reputation for being rude. The pro shop is outdated and small. It is a very uncomfortable shop to stand in even. He has so little room and so much clutter its a miracle he can fix a bow. Also his outdoor range is beat up and unkept. Many of his targets should have been retired years ago. My friend lost a couple of arrows from shooting right through his targets. The whole range and shop need a facelift. Would not recommend going there to anyone who wants a good impression of a professional archery range and shop. read more

I have been bow hunting for about 6 yrs so I would not consider myself a expert archer by any means but have plenty of experience in the tree. Did a search on Hoyts website for dealers and Glisson Archery was closed so I gave them a shot with my new hoyt bow purchase. Upon purchase of bow I was not offered a receipt, owners manual, box or bag for my new $1250 bow. After he told me my form was garbage and critiqued ever little movement or torque I told him i didnt need help sighting in bow...I got my stuff and was done, got home and realized one of the set screws on brace was half in, on a 45 degree angle and stripped. After taking it Nock and Feather in Aurora i found that the wrong brace was attached and putting too much pressure on the string...1" too much pressure. For someone with 50yrs experience i think it is unexceptable to not look over a bow before before releasing to customer. After talking to Hoyt who offered to send one to Glissens free of charge his wife refused and said I would need to wait for him to get back from a hunting trip...Hoyt had her on the phone and all she had to say was mail it. Well worth the drive to Aurora to Nock and Feather, bow mechanic was very friendly and knowledgable and agree a new bow in this condition is unexceptable. One bought one thing there, not saying thats how they always do business but thats what happened to me Good luck and be safe read more

The owner will talk down to you if you are not super knowledgeable while trying to make you buy an overpriced Hoyt off his shelf. I will never go back there again. Had high hopes but no freakin way read more

This place need a real bow tech ! I spend good money on a set of arrows that needed to be cut down and have the nock's and inserts glued in now in the past I've always done this myself with on troubles before but the owner insisted he do it and that when all the insults started ! No I've been shooting a bow for 20 years and I know my draw length and he fought me on it saying that it was way less than it was ? So he had one of his minions grab me and drag me over to the counter and made me pull a demo bowl with a ruler on it to see my actual draw length which was the length I told him it was . So he proceeded to cut nocks and glue the insert in my arrows and bitching the whole time and then he made a big ordeal about how I had to stand them up nock first on the ground and let them sit for 24 hours to dry which I knew and what i did actually I let them set for a week before I used them well I used them and all the nocks off and when I pulled the out of the target the inserts came out and I was using field tips. So if you've got money to burn and want to be insulted as soon as you walk through te door this is the place for you ! read more