I think people are confusing "aiming system" with "pre-shot routine." Players are taught to do the same thing on every shot. Get down on the ball the same way, put the cue on the table the same way, etc. This repetition creates a consistency that minimizes errors in shot making. Just because some player might start with the edge of his tip at center ball, or the tip on the cloth when he addresses the shot, that does not mean it has anything to do with how he is actually aiming the shot.
Good players do not rely on aiming systems to know where to hit the cue ball, period. They just know where to hit it. If you do not understand that then you are not a good enough player yourself to be spouting off in this discussion. I am an OK player, certainly no world beater, and even I am good enough just to "know" where to aim the ball.
The big elephant in the room nobody is talking about is the stroke. Again, if you do not realize that the stroke is harder to master than aim by a very large margin, then you do not belong in this conversation. When I miss it is 95% caused by improper stroke. I can set up the same shot, aim at the exact same contact point and pocket the ball with a better stroke.
IMO, aiming systems created by pro players are part devices to help beginners and low intermediate players do better, and part income generating enterprises. Very few try to sell "good stroke" systems because it is hard work to achieve, and you can't sell a system for it.
Tor Lowry teaches "automatic aiming".
Kinda complicated though.
Shoot the same shot some 30 times or so.
