Extension Length

THam

THam

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey, so I am having a custom cue made and having a custom extension built to match it. On the cue I went with all the accessories including a screw in extension. Now my question was what are people's opinions on the ideal length of an extension to use only for the shots that you can't quite reach or for playing on a 10-12 foot table? I requested that an 8" extension be made for my cue, I was wondering if slightly shorter might be better or if I should perhaps add an additional shorter extension for different situations? Like I said I intend to only use it on reaches and big tables. I was considering maybe 4" or 6" instead of 8" but I'm really unsure I've never used a screw in extension.
 
For pool, I like an 8”. Any longer and I’m bridging at the joint and it’s just uncomfortable for me. That’s a 9’ table, but the issue is the same when I’m playing snooker on a 12’ table. More than that, I’m looking for the bridge anyway.

I’m also a fan of carbon fiber for the extension because it doesn’t make the cue too butt heavy. Not as pretty, but in that case I’m willing to sacrifice a bit of form for function…
 
THam said:
Hey, so I am having a custom cue made and having a custom extension built to match it. On the cue I went with all the accessories including a screw in extension. Now my question was what are people's opinions on the ideal length of an extension to use only for the shots that you can't quite reach or for playing on a 10-12 foot table? I requested that an 8" extension be made for my cue, I was wondering if slightly shorter might be better or if I should perhaps add an additional shorter extension for different situations? Like I said I intend to only use it on reaches and big tables. I was considering maybe 4" or 6" instead of 8" but I'm really unsure I've never used a screw in extension.
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Heres mine. It is 14 inches and is a lot lighter then it looks. It is hollow and filled with expanding foam. It only weighes a few ounces. It also doubles as the handle for my jump cue. I added it later. I put an actual shaft incert in the butt under the bumper. The bumper has a hole in it.
The main butt I have played with off and on for about 35 years old.

Its Birdseye and purple heart with a phenolic joint and butt cap. I also have a 6" extension that goes between the shaft and the joint but I never use it. Too much trouble installing.
 

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David in FL said:
For pool, I like an 8”. Any longer and I’m bridging at the joint and it’s just uncomfortable for me. That’s a 9’ table, but the issue is the same when I’m playing snooker on a 12’ table. More than that, I’m looking for the bridge anyway.

I’m also a fan of carbon fiber for the extension because it doesn’t make the cue too butt heavy. Not as pretty, but in that case I’m willing to sacrifice a bit of form for function…
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Why should the length of the extension make a difference where are your bridging ? :unsure:
wouldn’t it be due to the distance to the cueball and how far you have to reach ?
 
I am for the most part, against the use of extensions. I think using a mechanical bridge is a skill that must be learnt just like any other. That said, when I bought my new cue it came with a 6" matching extension, and every once in a long while I pull it out of the bag.

Although I think that if during game play you need an extension more than a couple of inches long, you should be using a the mechanical bridge. You're always better off having one slightly longer than you'll think you'd need. Better to have and not need sort of thing.

If I was forced into buying one for some weird reason, I wouldn't go longer than 6", and depending on the price difference maybe even lean toward a 4.
 
bbb said:
Why should the length of the extension make a difference where are your bridging ? :unsure:
wouldn’t it be due to the distance to the cueball and how far you have to reach ?
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Yep.

The further the distance, the more rearward the bridge point. The only reason I use an extension at all is to reach further without having to resort to a mechanical bridge. The longer the extension, the further you can reach, but for me, the utility runs out and I begin to lose tip control when I’m bridging close to the joint, which is with an 8” extension.

Again, that’s pool though. On a 12’ snooker table, a long extension used in conjunction with a mechanical bridge could certainly be useful…
 
David in FL said:
Again, that’s pool though. On a 12’ snooker table, a long extension used in conjunction with a mechanical bridge could certainly be useful…
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Most definitely... The typical 'fishing pole' cue and bridge found at snooker rooms generally has a tip the size a quarter...lol
 
an advantage of a longer extension is you can use the bridge for the shaft but grip the cue and stroke normal
not using a bridge stroke on many shots that you cant do with a smaller extension
 
David in FL said:
Yep.

The further the distance, the more rearward the bridge point. The only reason I use an extension at all is to reach further without having to resort to a mechanical bridge. The longer the extension, the further you can reach, but for me, the utility runs out and I begin to lose tip control when I’m bridging close to the joint, which is with an 8” extension.

Again, that’s pool though. On a 12’ snooker table, a long extension used in conjunction with a mechanical bridge could certainly be useful…
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The difference with an extension then a bridge is, you shoot fundamentally the same.

With the bridge you use a completely different stance, different body position and so on. In most cases a bridge is a survival tool. With an extension you can actually play. It's a tool worth having.
 
middleofnowhere said:
The difference with an extension then a bridge is, you shoot fundamentally the same.

With the bridge you use a completely different stance, different body position and so on. In most cases a bridge is a survival tool. With an extension you can actually play. It's a tool worth having.
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Exactly. And that’s why I don’t use an extension over 8”. Beyond that, I’m tempted to try to use it, but tip control breaks down such that it becomes counter productive and I’m better off with a mechanical bridge.
 
Does anybody remember when we didn't use Bridges or extensions you just climbed on the table. Even in tournament play. There's a picture of Boston shorty laying in the middle of the table shooting a ball. I think I had a picture somewhere of Danny DiLiberto on his hands and knees on the table shooting a ball.
 
middleofnowhere said:
The difference with an extension then a bridge is, you shoot fundamentally the same.
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...and the bridge hand being so far back magnifies the errors in your stroke. Players using shafts with pro tapers also get to enjoy that change in pitch if the bridge happens to land in the right spot.
middleofnowhere said:
With the bridge you use a completely different stance, different body position and so on. In most cases a bridge is a survival tool. With an extension you can actually play. It's a tool worth having.
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This type of thinking provides me a distinct advantage. I really do love it when an opponent is intimidated by the mechanical bridge and rather stretch out way too far or play legos with cue extensions, which again amplfies the errors in otherwise decent mechanics.

The stance, grip, and general method for using a mechanical bridge is really easy to learn. I've taught many within a few minutes. I really don't understand why some avoid it like the plague.
 
middleofnowhere said:
Does anybody remember when we didn't use Bridges or extensions you just climbed on the table. Even in tournament play. There's a picture of Boston shorty laying in the middle of the table shooting a ball. I think I had a picture somewhere of Danny DiLiberto on his hands and knees on the table shooting a ball.
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There are places that still do that, but that pretty much ignores one of the core rules of billiard games, one foot on the floor during the shot.
 
The_JV said:
...and the bridge hand being so far back magnifies the errors in your stroke. Players using shafts with pro tapers also get to enjoy that change in pitch if the bridge happens to land in the right spot.

This type of thinking provides me a distinct advantage. I really do love it when an opponent is intimidated by the mechanical bridge and rather stretch out way too far or play legos with cue extensions, which again amplfies the errors in otherwise decent mechanics.

The stance, grip, and general method for using a mechanical bridge is really easy to learn. I've taught many within a few minutes. I really don't understand why some avoid it like the plague.
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You make assumptions. One of my gaffs used to be I would play a guy and shoot every shot with the bridge. Any competent pool player knows how to use the bridge.

The use of an extension just provides you a little extra when the bridge may just barely be needed and avoided the use of a mechanical obstacle.

I got interested in an extension when I first saw Ray Martin using them. He had a set of maybe four extensions that screwed in between the shaft and the butt. Miz as well often used extension on his cue.

Miz carried a special bridge as well. And would occasionally use both his extension bridge and cue extension in combination. Whatever you thought gave him his maximum advantage.

Almost every professional will shoot left-handed, stretch ridiculous lengths to avoid having to use the mechanical bridge.

It's nothing to do with not knowing how to use the bridge, the bridge has obvious drawbacks that if you can not have to deal with them it is better.

You can't compare being properly down on the ball to, holding a cue near the butt cap extended out in front of you with your elbow out trying to judge the speed of the stroke to play position. In most all cases you're doing little more than attempting to cinch the ball.
 
middleofnowhere said:
You make assumptions. One of my gaffs used to be I would play a guy and shoot every shot with the bridge. Any competent pool player knows how to use the bridge.
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No general observations. I don't know you, but do know the players that I have encountered that appear intimidated by the mechanical bridge. I'd hazard to agree with you about competent players and the bridge. I wouldn't go as far as assuming they know the best mechanics for it's use.
middleofnowhere said:
You can't compare being properly down on the ball to, holding a cue near the butt cap extended out in front of you with your elbow out trying to judge the speed of the stroke to play position. In most all cases you're doing little more than attempting to cinch the ball.
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Now you're making assumptions. I can legitimately compare my use of a bridge to my regular cuing stance, stroke. Just as much action, probably 80% power. Hell I'm even very good at using it with a jump stick. I would say my ability is no different than any player that spent a good amount of time playing snooker at a low to decent level.

Whether I'm using a bridge or not, I find holding the butt end of the cue the most comfortable.
 
middleofnowhere said:
Almost every professional will shoot left-handed, stretch ridiculous lengths to avoid having to use the mechanical bridge.
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Will "attempt to shoot" you mean... I know what you're saying. Attempting something that's so visually awkward for them and stretching out are really some of the more comical things about professional pool. Very very few can shoot with their opposite hand with any competency.

For how easy it should be for a 24/7 player to learn proficiency with the bridge, it borders on being just sad.
 
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The_JV said:
Will "attempt to shoot" you mean... I know what you're saying. Attempting something that's so visually awkward for them and stretching out are really some of the more comical things about professional pool. Very very few can shoot with their opposite hand with any competency.

For how easy it should be for a 24/7 player to learn proficiency with the bridge, it borders on being just sad.
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You know where a lot of this rejection of a bridge actually starts? It starts with the fact that most mechanical bridges are a piece of junk.

Cast metal heads that will actually scratch up your shaft. Plastic bridge heads that are mounted on nothing more than an old house cue which is in itself too short and too heavy to even function as a bridge. Essentially nothing in their design that is technically thought out to meet the needs of a pool player.

I got one of the original bridgeheads that's called the Spinelli bridge. Later it was knocked off and most people just refer to it as a moosehead or moose antler bridge

One of those mounted on a proper stick say about 6 ft long and not an old house cue, now that can actually be a functional piece of equipment.
 
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