Custom Balance Points
Everybody who buys or makes a custom cue usually knows its balance point and it never changes unless something is modified on the cue (new shaft, wrap, weight bolt, etc.) and people will argue about whether a neutral balance is better, or a forward balance, or a rear balance.
A custom balance is DIFFERENT for each player, because not everyone is the same size and has the same bridge length. Nobody shoots with a cue perfectly level and holding the cue by the "balance point". Their grip hand is usually several inches behind the balance point in order to allow the cue to balance out between the arm span, the length and weight of the cue, and the bridge distance.
One fact that is often overlooked is the fact that a cue is almost never used while it is perfectly level because the player has to lift the butt of the cue a bit to keep it up off the rail while shooting. You almost always are shooting on a bit of a downward angle from the cue to the cue ball.
A cue's balance point is not the SAME for everyone when you are actually using the cue. If I'm using the cue on a downward elevation, that puts more weight on the forward end which makes me have to move my grip hand further back than I would on a level shot or adjust my bridge length to even it out. People with shorter arms are different than people with longer arms. Also, the more you shoot in an elevated position affects the way you hold the cue.
A cue that is a bit butt heavy allows you to hold the cue at a more elevated angle (same as shooting) without having to move your bridge hand or grip hand to accommodate the balance. The balance is moved forward because of the elevation of the cue and not the moving of the bridge and grip hand.
IMHO, cues should be "balanced" to the player, rather than saying one balance (you pick it) fits all. The length of the cue should be based upon the person's arm span and the balance should be adjusted upon the person's actual grip and bridge length while the cue is in the "normal" elevated shooting position.
This is my theory, so feel to discuss, flame, join, etc. I'm willing to learn something from anybody who can contribute.
Aloha.
Everybody who buys or makes a custom cue usually knows its balance point and it never changes unless something is modified on the cue (new shaft, wrap, weight bolt, etc.) and people will argue about whether a neutral balance is better, or a forward balance, or a rear balance.
A custom balance is DIFFERENT for each player, because not everyone is the same size and has the same bridge length. Nobody shoots with a cue perfectly level and holding the cue by the "balance point". Their grip hand is usually several inches behind the balance point in order to allow the cue to balance out between the arm span, the length and weight of the cue, and the bridge distance.
One fact that is often overlooked is the fact that a cue is almost never used while it is perfectly level because the player has to lift the butt of the cue a bit to keep it up off the rail while shooting. You almost always are shooting on a bit of a downward angle from the cue to the cue ball.
A cue's balance point is not the SAME for everyone when you are actually using the cue. If I'm using the cue on a downward elevation, that puts more weight on the forward end which makes me have to move my grip hand further back than I would on a level shot or adjust my bridge length to even it out. People with shorter arms are different than people with longer arms. Also, the more you shoot in an elevated position affects the way you hold the cue.
A cue that is a bit butt heavy allows you to hold the cue at a more elevated angle (same as shooting) without having to move your bridge hand or grip hand to accommodate the balance. The balance is moved forward because of the elevation of the cue and not the moving of the bridge and grip hand.
IMHO, cues should be "balanced" to the player, rather than saying one balance (you pick it) fits all. The length of the cue should be based upon the person's arm span and the balance should be adjusted upon the person's actual grip and bridge length while the cue is in the "normal" elevated shooting position.
This is my theory, so feel to discuss, flame, join, etc. I'm willing to learn something from anybody who can contribute.
Aloha.
