Just wanted to see what people here thought about longer than standard shafts for average height players. Any advantages or disadvantages? I'm not talking about crazy lengths but maybe the additional inch in the 31.5" range. Personally, I don't see an advantage but I do know players who are not that tall prefer the longer cues.
Advantages of a longer shaft for average height players?
- Thread starter LHP5
- Start date
I personally play better with a shorter shaft but thats just me
My new shafts will be 30" for that reason. I am no giant, but I do have long arms and often find I'm holding on to the very end of the cue.
But what is better if you only have to pick one? A longer shaft or a screw-in style of cue extension?
.
It helps to hit the bowl.
Explains why there is an entire section devoted to aiming.
Attachments
I have a 29" shaft and a 30" shaft. I'm average height (just short of 6') but for some reason I hit MUCH better with the longer shaft. I know there isn't much weight difference but I can feel it when I put on the longer shaft. Just gives the butt a better balance point for some odd reason. I just recently conducted a lot of experiments with my shafts (none scientific) and I will tell you that I like the longer one much better. Don't know why but it works.
Disadvantages: Double hits on short draw shots.
I'm 5'10 and from personal experience with a 30.5" shaft I still own and a 60.5" sneaky I was toying with for a while (good wood, wish I'd kept it), I would always draw the cue ball back into the tip on short to medium/short straight draw shots. My bridge length and follow through are pretty textbook. Eventually I found myself yanking the cue back and no longer finishing off those kinds of shots with a clean deliberate follow through anymore.
Also: If you use a longer bridge/longer follow through you might start missing shots via extended contact/steering the cue ball with your stoke. I found out I was doing this with the longer shaft in one of my practice drills. Cue ball on the spot, draw stroke the length of the table straight back to the cue tip. I shoot lefty and was spinning the ball to the right every time.
Advantages: The smoother longer taper, and balance depending on the butt.
I went out and had a 29" shaft made to the spec's of the 30.5". No desire to use the longer shaft anymore. The cue ball goes straight back and forth on the spot drill too.
Cheers.
I'm 5'10 and from personal experience with a 30.5" shaft I still own and a 60.5" sneaky I was toying with for a while (good wood, wish I'd kept it), I would always draw the cue ball back into the tip on short to medium/short straight draw shots. My bridge length and follow through are pretty textbook. Eventually I found myself yanking the cue back and no longer finishing off those kinds of shots with a clean deliberate follow through anymore.
Also: If you use a longer bridge/longer follow through you might start missing shots via extended contact/steering the cue ball with your stoke. I found out I was doing this with the longer shaft in one of my practice drills. Cue ball on the spot, draw stroke the length of the table straight back to the cue tip. I shoot lefty and was spinning the ball to the right every time.
Advantages: The smoother longer taper, and balance depending on the butt.
I went out and had a 29" shaft made to the spec's of the 30.5". No desire to use the longer shaft anymore. The cue ball goes straight back and forth on the spot drill too.
Cheers.
Last edited:
Longer shaft
I am 5ft 9in tall and I love to shoot with a 60 inch cue. Every cue I build for the most part is 60 inches. 30 inch shaft at least. It just feels better in my hands when I shoot. The way a cue "feels" has alot to do with it. Weight, balance, ferrule, tip, joint, and length factor in to it.
I am 5ft 9in tall and I love to shoot with a 60 inch cue. Every cue I build for the most part is 60 inches. 30 inch shaft at least. It just feels better in my hands when I shoot. The way a cue "feels" has alot to do with it. Weight, balance, ferrule, tip, joint, and length factor in to it.
Jimmy Reid
US Open 9 Ball Champion
I am 5'10" tall, and I prefer a shorter cue..28 1/2" shaft. I have used 55-57 inch cues my whole life.
Best of Luck !
Best of Luck !
Last edited:
I like a 30 inch shaft over the standard 29 inch, so long as the butt was built for a 30 inch shaft. When I build Custom Conversion Cues, I always make the butt and the shaft the length so that I can keep the balance as neutral as possible. I have found that if this isn't done, a longer shaft can throw off the cues balance and make the cue front heavy.
shaft lenth
i been playing with a 28 3/4 inch shaft for about two years now i play really well with it both shafts for my joss west cue are the same lenth. alot of people told me that these cue's by bill stroud don't play well but i have 8 of them and play well with all but one and that one is just to heavy for me i like a cue that 20 oz and down the one i play with is 19 oz over christmas i ordered a ob shaft that 30 in so i going to see weather lenth mean anything or not........... oh and also if this low deflection cue work for me or not
i been playing with a 28 3/4 inch shaft for about two years now i play really well with it both shafts for my joss west cue are the same lenth. alot of people told me that these cue's by bill stroud don't play well but i have 8 of them and play well with all but one and that one is just to heavy for me i like a cue that 20 oz and down the one i play with is 19 oz over christmas i ordered a ob shaft that 30 in so i going to see weather lenth mean anything or not........... oh and also if this low deflection cue work for me or not