Bob Jewett said:
Most players have no idea why they are having a hard time adjusting. Most still don't know that squirt exists and is very different among cues, or that a change in balance can make a cue of the same weight feel very, very different. Unless they want to take the time to understand what's going on, they definitely should seek a cue they are comfortable with. Otherwise they are wasting their time and money.
One of the reasons I argue against beginning players buying a custom cue is that they will then be imprinted with that style of cue forever, or until they spend a lot of frustrating time with other kinds of cues. I think it's much better for beginners to try a lot of different styles before they pick their first custom cue. Unfortunately, there is no way for most people to do that.
Bob, I have had the pleasure of using just about every brand on the market, all high end cues. I use to determine a cues quality by the amount of spin a cue would generate, now days you really cant attain a cue that will generate spin like I have always favored.. The cues have changed...
What Im getting at is that although you might continue using the same brands some have changed and do not offer what they used to, my stroke hasnt changed, and the tables and equipment I have been playing on is alot better than it was before.. I have been buying on average 2 to 3 new cues a year, searching for a cue that compliments my stroke, to no avail.. I mean I can shoot with anything, I still run out when I need to, my shot making is the same, its just not fun anymore..
I use to be able to walk up to the table and know, there isnt a shot on the table I cant make somewhere, and I had the confidence to know I could get anywhere on the table I wanted.. in the way I wanted to get there...
Granted, I have been acused of playing to "fansy" at times, but in reality to me, Im playing the way I feel I need to, and I play to win... Its a style that comes natural to me, and Im left with cues Im rarely happy with..
If you ask me a custom cue is a risk, as with any cue, unless your custom cue maker can relate to your style its a gamble... I do speak from experiance here as well...
Im almost ready to hang it up, if I cant find a cue I truely like, I really cant enjoy playing, no matter if I never lose a match, the enjoyment just isnt there...
2wld4u
