Is it time for a low deflection shaft for me?

The_JV said:
Once more, I'm not saying not to buy one. Just don't expect some automatic leveling up of your performance.
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Thanks for all the replies. And I apologize if I was insinuating that I was going to jump to a B level player overnight. I know that it will take more work to get to the next level of play. I just wanted to see if investing in an LD shaft was a smart idea to get rid of those small things like a few posters here have already said or if maybe it may even up my game by one ball.

Like I said, I have very limited play time right now and I'm trying to maximize that time in case I can get out to a tournament or two whenever I can.
 
The_JV said:
Exactly... "all the work" is already done for someone that's currently hitting a solid maple. They know how to hit the shot.

As a LD user, I coud grab a solid maple and beat all the same local players I can normally. Might have 90% of my potting/CB control game right out of the gate. That 10% left on the table would be those extreme shots in power or cut angle. Given enough time I'd slowly gain that back as well. My point is, LD isn't going to make you a better player. It does make things a tad easier/forgiving, nothing more.

Once more, I'm not saying not to buy one. Just don't expect some automatic leveling up of your performance.
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I disagree with this with regard to myself and my personal experience. I shot for a few decades with solid maple shafts. When I switched to my first LD shaft, the immediate difference was astounding. My level of confidence on tough shots with a lot of spin that used to require a lot of compensation immediately went up. When you compare the two types of shafts, you still have to work harder to gain accuracy with a solid wood shaft. The work isn't already done. Not for me it wasn't. I was always guessing and hoping that I was going to compensate enough on certain big spin shots with a solid wood shaft. And for me, my game did improve with an LD shaft.
 
Positively Ralf said:
Thanks for all the replies. And I apologize if I was insinuating that I was going to jump to a B level player overnight. I know that it will take more work to get to the next level of play. I just wanted to see if investing in an LD shaft was a smart idea to get rid of those small things like a few posters here have already said or if maybe it may even up my game by one ball.

Like I said, I have very limited play time right now and I'm trying to maximize that time in case I can get out to a tournament or two whenever I can.
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I didn't get the impression that you were hoping to jump ability with the purchase. My thoughts were just a general statement based on examples I've seen from other players.

For example, I don't think you suggested CF specifically, but there's a large group of players local to me that have bit into this latest trend. I know these players very well, and although they'll say otherwise, I know their games have not improved in the slightest. To be fair those are players are coming from some other sort of LD to CF, so it's isn't a great comparison. However the point somewhat remains.

I honestly struggled with the LD 'upgrade', but that doesn't mean you will. That said, if I only had 4 hrs of playing time one day a week, the growing pains would have gone on for some time.
 
FranCrimi said:
I disagree with this with regard to myself and my personal experience. I shot for a few decades with solid maple shafts. When I switched to my first LD shaft, the immediate difference was astounding. My level of confidence on tough shots with a lot of spin that used to require a lot of compensation immediately went up. When you compare the two types of shafts, you still have to work harder to gain accuracy with a solid wood shaft. The work isn't already done. Not for me it wasn't. I was always guessing and hoping that I was going to compensate enough on certain big spin shots with a solid wood shaft. And for me, my game did improve with an LD shaft.
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I would have to believe your opinion would be the same for most that have made the switch. I'm sure you've also seen far more incredible players with solid maple shafts do amazing things with the CB then I ever will.

My stance in this thread is born from what gains can be access by a 'run of the mill' player .vs. how much time the OP has to put into their game in an effort to adapt. Really nothing more than a word of caution on expectations.
 
FranCrimi said:
I disagree with this with regard to myself and my personal experience. I shot for a few decades with solid maple shafts. When I switched to my first LD shaft, the immediate difference was astounding. My level of confidence on tough shots with a lot of spin that used to require a lot of compensation immediately went up. When you compare the two types of shafts, you still have to work harder to gain accuracy with a solid wood shaft. The work isn't already done. Not for me it wasn't. I was always guessing and hoping that I was going to compensate enough on certain big spin shots with a solid wood shaft. And for me, my game did improve with an LD shaft.
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This sums up my experience pretty well too. I immediately felt better and more confident and it just took a little bit of time to recalibrate my brain for deflection. Like a few hours.
 
The_JV said:
I didn't get the impression that you were hoping to jump ability with the purchase. My thoughts were just a general statement based on examples I've seen from other players.

For example, I don't think you suggested CF specifically, but there's a large group of players local to me that have bit into this latest trend. I know these players very well, and although they'll say otherwise, I know their games have not improved in the slightest. To be fair those are players are coming from some other sort of LD to CF, so it's isn't a great comparison. However the point somewhat remains.

I honestly struggled with the LD 'upgrade', but that doesn't mean you will. That said, if I only had 4 hrs of playing time one day a week, the growing pains would have gone on for some time.
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One thing I do have to say I experienced with the switch was that I seemed to be getting less side spin effect with an LD shaft. I never figured out whether it an illusion of sorts due to less cb squirt or the shaft was actually applying less side spin, if that's even possible. So when you talk about the great shots with a super amount of side spin, I think you may be right in that may be the trade off. I do still think that the benefits of the switch by far, outweighed that one little downside.
 
FranCrimi said:
I seemed to be getting less side spin effect with an LD shaft. I never figured out whether it an illusion of sorts due to less cb squirt or the shaft was actually applying less side spin, if that's even possible.
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It's an illusion. The amount of side spin is determined by the amount of tip offset on the CB, no matter the amount of deflection.

pj
chgo
 
The_JV said:
sponsorship...? Keep in mind most use CF as well. Note Filler dumped the CF and went back the wooden Z3.

Busty, Efren, and even Alex P. use solid maple. ...or at least I do recall Alex switching back to solid maple after using LD or years.
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From what i heard Filler went back due to the taper. He likes the Z taper. They're supposed to be working on a Z taper Revo.
 
garczar said:
From what i heard Filler went back due to the taper. He likes the Z taper. They're supposed to be working on a Z taper Revo.
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Well that's interesting... I'd assume they made the 'pro' taper first based on market demand. I would have to think the uniform conical taper of the Z series would be the easest to mold.
 
Positively Ralf said:
I'm a part time player and have been classified as a C-C+ player. Higher skilled players who have played me all say the same thing, I've got solid fundamentals, very good stroke, good attitude, I know when to go for a safety and I have a good idea of how the tangent line works.

I've been playing part time with a maple shaft pechauer for about 4 years now. Is it time for me to switch over to an LD shaft? Or should I just keep using the table time I have during the week(4 hours on tuesdays) to work on other things? I mainly practice straight pool and will start thinking about just working on my 9 ball break more often.

thanks in advance for any advise.
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Simple solution…. Buy it and try it.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It's an illusion. The amount of side spin is determined by the amount of tip offset on the CB, no matter the amount of deflection.

pj
chgo
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So if you have two cues with different shaft tapers, density, weights, tips and anything else you can imagine that can affect a shaft --- the cbs will have the same reaction as long as the tip offsets are the same?
 
FranCrimi said:
So if you have two cues with different shaft tapers, density, weights, tips and anything else you can imagine that can affect a shaft --- the cbs will have the same reaction as long as the tip offsets are the same?
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The same spin but there will be different deflection depending on the shaft. It may look like it's getting more spin since it's deflecting but it should be very similar.
 
FranCrimi said:
So if you have two cues with different shaft tapers, density, weights, tips and anything else you can imagine that can affect a shaft --- the cbs will have the same reaction as long as the tip offsets are the same?
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With the same tip offset they'll produce the same CB spin/speed ratio.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
With the same tip offset they'll produce the same CB spin/speed ratio.

pj
chgo
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I have a feeling that what I was experiencing when I made the conversion from solid wood to LD, was the result of the lighter shaft. I think that the ratios being the same don't necessarily yield the same results.
 
FranCrimi said:
I have a feeling that what I was experiencing when I made the conversion from solid wood to LD, was the result of the lighter shaft. I think that the ratios being the same don't necessarily yield the same results.
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Maybe not the same power transfer and likely not the same feel, but the same spin result.

pj
chgo
 
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