My suggestion is to go try different cues, go to your local billiards store and ask to shoot with different weights, shaft diameters, makers, etc. Post up here on AZB asking to meet others so you can try their sticks. If you were near Boise I have quite a few different cues you could try.
Then, follow poolguy4u's advice, quoted below.
I shot with a $150 cue for over 20 years. I decided I wanted a new cue so I went out and bought a $500 Pechaur, turns out I don't like the way they hit so it has become my break cue. 14 years later when I got back into pool I wanted "nice" stick so I bought a cue that was well over $1000, turns out I'm not a huge fan of that cue either (but I'm getting used to it). I'm now back to shooting with my almost 30 year old Huebler or a $350 Ned Morris I picked up.
In short - you can and should be able to buy a great quality cue that could easily last you a lifetime within your given budget.
Then, follow poolguy4u's advice, quoted below.
I shot with a $150 cue for over 20 years. I decided I wanted a new cue so I went out and bought a $500 Pechaur, turns out I don't like the way they hit so it has become my break cue. 14 years later when I got back into pool I wanted "nice" stick so I bought a cue that was well over $1000, turns out I'm not a huge fan of that cue either (but I'm getting used to it). I'm now back to shooting with my almost 30 year old Huebler or a $350 Ned Morris I picked up.
In short - you can and should be able to buy a great quality cue that could easily last you a lifetime within your given budget.
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Well my beginner's cue was an Adam but that's only because I didn't know about Meucci.
I started using a Meucci in the early 1980's and now today I still use a Meucci.
So with $300 to buy a beginner's cue, why not just buy something good from the start.
A cue you can use for a lifetime....
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