What is a cue’s “hit”?

Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fargo 1000 on VP4
Silver Member
We often hear how good a cue’s “hit” is, but I don’t recall ever hearing what the “hit” is. Can it be described in more detail? Is it specific objective qualities or just the overall experience of hitting a ball with it? Can the difference(s) between “good” and “bad” hits be described in any detail?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

pj
chgo
 
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Patrick Johnson said:
We often hear how good a cue’s “hit” is, but I don’t recall ever hearing what the “hit” is. Can it be described in more detail? Is it specific objective qualities or just the overall experience of hitting a ball with it? Can the difference(s) between “good” and “bad” hits be described in any detail?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
In 3c, a cue that gives the player the, 'Maximum' effect to the CB with the 'Least' amount of effort!
 
I feel this question is a first cousin to which chalk or cue tip is best . Everyone has a certain quality they prefer in how a pool cue hitting a cue ball into a object ball and what the final outcome is for the cue ball .

I enjoy playing pool with a cue that if I tap the heel of my hand the shaft will vibrate enough that I can feel it in my hand holding it .
 
The hit is a combination of the acoustical sound produced, the roll of a cue ball after being struck, the amount of energy you can feel as feedback after striking a stationary cue ball relative to your grip position, the tactile sense of vibration created that’s transmitted and felt in your finger pads presuming your grip isn’t too tight and whether the cue ball rolled smoothly or like a NHRA dragster because of the length of your follow through or stroke speed. There is a feel to your stroke and if you haven’t discovered that to be true, you still have much to learn about pool cue anatomy and experimenting with lots of cues.
 
does it feel stiff when you hit the ball or does it feel mushy?

the biggest difference i can personally attest to this is using a cue with an ob1+ shaft and then using the same cue with the same shaft with a tomahawk ferrule instead of wood.

all the same equipment except the ferrule material and the “hit” was night and day.

i think even a non-pool player would have been able to feel the difference.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Far as I can tell, these are all (except "Least Vibration") about transmission of power.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
You're Not a 3C player!

Your interpitation of my definition is Not a Generalzation of what happens on many 3C shots!

In 3C we most likely use/require 'More Effect' than in Pool!

I did mention my Opinion/Expertice is concerning a 3C cue!

I think Bafa had a good explanation of what He conciders 'Hit'!
 
Patrick Johnson said:
We often hear how good a cue’s “hit” is, but I don’t recall ever hearing what the “hit” is. Can it be described in more detail? Is it specific objective qualities or just the overall experience of hitting a ball with it? Can the difference(s) between “good” and “bad” hits be described in any detail?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

Here's my "take" on it:


For those who don't want to visit the link, here's the short answer:

"hit:" qualitative phrase used to describe the force, shock (impulse), vibration, and sound a player feels and/or hears during and after (but mostly after) the cue tip hits the cue ball.​
 
What did the SupremeCourt justice say about pornography? "I can't describe it but i know it when i see it" I can't define a cue's hit but i know it when i feel it. Everyone has their own aspects of a cue's hit/feel that they feel is important. PJ has played long enough to know that there is no definite answer to this.
 
It's mostly the sound for me. I like some pingy tones in my cue. But not too pingy, which I've had in a few cues.

To some, the sound means very little and I respect that. But I think almost everyone hates the sound of a miscue.

On a different tangent, I might like one guitar player's tone more than another's, even if they play the same part.
 
as just said, most will like or not like the feel, but that feel to them relates to the sound.

and height and hardness of your tip will contribute to most of that.
 
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