Correct me if I'm wrong here...

[JimmyWhite]

Is it my idea or most of the pros use medium or hard tips?
I have seen many amateur players use soft tips (like Kamui S or SS) but I have never heard of a pro playing with soft tips.

I have only used soft tips so far. I always thought that the softer the tip, the more the spin I could apply on the CB because it compresses more. But sometimes, if my stroke gets "twisty" I apply a little too much spin and my position or aim are ruined. So maybe harder tips can make you shoot more consistently? I know that many replies are going to be like "The best tip is whatever feels best for you" which I don't think is wrong, but really, is it true that pros use harder tips because they are more consistent overall?

Cheers in advance

 

[dr_dave]

Is it my idea or most of the pros use medium or hard tips?
I have seen many amateur players use soft tips (like Kamui S or SS) but I have never heard of a pro playing with soft tips.

I have only used soft tips so far. I always thought that the softer the tip, the more the spin I could apply on the CB because it compresses more. But sometimes, if my stroke gets "twisty" I apply a little too much spin and my position or aim are ruined. So maybe harder tips can make you shoot more consistently? I know that many replies are going to be like "The best tip is whatever feels best for you" which I don't think is wrong, but really, is it true that pros use harder tips because they are more consistent overall?

FYI, this topic is covered in fairly good detail here:

cue tip hardness effects​

Check it out,
Dave

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

FYI, this topic is covered in fairly good detail here:

cue tip hardness effects​

Check it out,
Dave

Dave,

Several years ago, I recollect Tom Ross recommending that I use a soft tip as he thought they were more "accurate." In looking at your web link above, I don't see anything in there about cue tip hardness affecting accuracy. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not quite sure what is meant by "accuracy" in this context.

 

[snipershot]

I started using hard tips a couple years ago and havent looked back (for long anyways). I like how they hold their shape and the feedback is better than that of a soft tip. I dont like that squishy tip feeling, well, at least not in pool :thumbup:

Joe

 

[JimmyWhite]

FYI, this topic is covered in fairly good detail here:

cue tip hardness effects​

Check it out,
Dave

Thanks for the link dave.
So according to this article, the thought that the soft tip produces more spin is not true.
So why are soft tips produced and used anyway? Why not use only medium/hard tips in the first place?

 

[BKB]

For me, the time of contact between the cueball and the tip during shots is very important. The longer you keep the Q-ball "on the tip", the more you can do with the cueball.(IMXO that contradicts the opinion in that link) When it comes to the tip hardness, -- depends on the game I play. If it is pool (lighter ball) I use a hard tip and still get a decent time of contact between the tip and the ball during the shot without miscuing. The hard tip deforms less during the shot and I get less deflection because of that (do not kick me -- this is my IMXO). When I play Russian Pyramid (by the way, nice photo of young Zhenja ) I am forced to use a softer tip to avoid miscues. do not know why -- maybe I need more chalk to put a spin on the heavier Q-ball... I tried playing RP with a pressed triangle, but it feels like I need to change my stroke big time to achieve the same time of contact between tip and Q-ball as I get with the soft tip. I hope this helps (but I doubt it :shrug: especially given the fact that what I say contradicts some of the things that are written in that link)

 

[thrash attack]

Thanks for the link dave.
So according to this article, the thought that the soft tip produces more spin is not true.
So why are soft tips produced and used anyway? Why not use only medium/hard tips in the first place?

Like everything in pool it all boils down to feedback and feel

 

[dr_dave]

Dave,

Several years ago, I recollect Tom Ross recommending that I use a soft tip as he thought they were more "accurate." In looking at your web link above, I don't see anything in there about cue tip hardness affecting accuracy. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not quite sure what is meant by "accuracy" in this context.

If you explain what you mean by "accuracy" and how or why you think a soft tip might provide more "accuracy," then I can give an opinion.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, this topic is covered in fairly good detail here:

cue tip hardness effects​

Check it out,
Dave

Thanks for the link dave.
So according to this article, the thought that the soft tip produces more spin is not true.

That's correct.

So why are soft tips produced and used anyway? Why not use only medium/hard tips in the first place?

Some people prefer the sound, "feel," "hit," or "feedback" that comes with a soft tip. Some soft tips might also tend to hold chalk better.

Regards,
Dave

 

[9BallPaul]

That's correct.

Some people prefer the sound, "feel," "hit," or "feedback" that comes with a soft tip. Some soft tips might also tend to hold chalk better.

Regards,
Dave

Same goes for me. Kamui black SS is my latest, and greatest.

 

[Rich R.]

Tips, like cues, are chosen by personal preference. What feels good to one person may not feel good to the next person. That's why there are so many tips being produced and they stay in business from year to year.

Pros are no different than amateurs in that they use a variety of tips. Some pros like hard tips, some like medium tips and some like soft tips.

 

[Island Drive]

Thanks for the link dave.
So according to this article, the thought that the soft tip produces more spin is not true.
So why are soft tips produced and used anyway? Why not use only medium/hard tips in the first place?

Soft tips are better for house cues where cuesticks are dropped allot, ''especially '' on hard flooring. Soft tips absorb the glue more within the fiber and don't pop off as easliy as a hard tip.

 

[genomachino]

All tips are not equal for sure...........

Is it my idea or most of the pros use medium or hard tips?
I have seen many amateur players use soft tips (like Kamui S or SS) but I have never heard of a pro playing with soft tips.

I have only used soft tips so far. I always thought that the softer the tip, the more the spin I could apply on the CB because it compresses more. But sometimes, if my stroke gets "twisty" I apply a little too much spin and my position or aim are ruined. So maybe harder tips can make you shoot more consistently? I know that many replies are going to be like "The best tip is whatever feels best for you" which I don't think is wrong, but really, is it true that pros use harder tips because they are more consistent overall?

Cheers in advance

I read alot of things but when it comes to tips I know what works and why for myself.

Some players might be used to a hard tip or have used the soft one they have until it becomes hard. And they will all become hard.

if a player is not real good with using alot of english then the hard tip will help them keep from getting unwanted spin.

On the other hand they will never get real good at using the english because they are limited with how much spin they can put on the ball.

I myself personally have always strived to find a tip that i can draw with consistently and doesn't sound like i'm hitting cement when I contact the cue ball.

For me the hard tip just limits how much you can do and where you can get with the cue ball. Plus I just seem to miscue alot with any hard tip that I ever have used. And if you have a soft tip on for too long it will eventually get hard and it will miscue alot.

Years back I always used LaPros and when I would get one that was nice and soft it wouldn't last very long but I played really well with it.

The kamui tan SS that i had put on about a year ago played better than any tip I ever had in my life. Softness with durability. It took about 2 to 3 months to get a little harder and lose some of it's bounce.

Then I had another one put on but I think the guy i got it from had it out of the sealed package for awhile because it played like the other one I had on after 3 months. still played good but not as good as the first one.

Me personally, i can't see why someone would want to use a tip that was hard unless they didn't want to use hardly any english or put it on a break cue. It just limits your possibilities when it comes to getting whitey where you want it to go.

My advice, get a ss tan kamui and learn how to play with it. Plays unbelievably consistent and it holds it's shape pretty darn good.

Have a great day geno. For what it's worth.............