I've played all my serious pool using an old school maple shaft.
For those that have tried the low deflection shafts as well as non-low deflection shafts:
- What do you see as the pros and cons?
- How did it affect your level of play?
- Also, what do most of the professionals use these days?
Thanks in advance for sharing,
Matt
Matt,
I'm late for league so let me be as concise as possible:
Pros: Less variability in aiming. With practice, you will simply miss less balls when using english. Much easier to use inside english, and spinning the ball really becomes easy. Once you find a LD shaft you like, most of the manufacturers can duplicate that shaft very closely.
Cons: Feel of a solid shaft is perhaps a bit nicer, but really I prefer the feel of stroking the ball and it doing what I want. Once you get used to LD, you can't just pick up any cue and expect to be able to play well.
When I finally transitioned to the Predator 314, I was still learning...maybe a C player. So my game was going to improve anyway. But my ability to pocket balls with english went way up. I actually didn't have much issue at all making the transition.
Many pros play with LD shafts. Jayson Shaw, SVB, etc. Pretty much all the European guys use Predator.
Personally, I like the 314-2 because that is what I spent the most time with. I LOVE the taper, and the hit is good to me. OB offers a somewhat more solid hit with perhaps better feel. I really like the OB Classic +. If you are looking for very low deflection, I'd focus on Predator and OB. If you are open to the medium-low deflection shafts, Jacoby Edge is nice...hits great (if a bit soft). Also, I have a Bob danielson SS360 that hits fantastic. Plays great all around. I hear the SS360-2 is even better and lower deflection. Also the Meucci Pro shaft is excellent. Nice hit, crazy action on the ball, and pretty low deflection. You really need to try them out for yourself. If you can get to the Super Billiards Expo, all of your questions will get answered!
Overall, I think LD is a good idea.
KMRUNOUT