Citing examples of unorthodox yet successful techniques accomplishes little. When “standard” recommendations are made by knowledgeable instructors, they are made because the overwhelming majority of players will learn more quickly and permanently. Of course there will be the odd one for whom an unorthodox technique will work. But It’s better to play the percentages and deviate from there cautiously and judiciously, true?
Doug (Not even close to being an instructor.)
Hi Doug,
I've felt the way you felt--the time-honored fundamentals are the best, and with good reason.
Yet, the unusual draw stroke I've described has helped a lot of players including ones who'd struggled with draw strokes using traditional mechanics and for many years.
As for stepping out cautiously, you or me or any player can try a few unorthodox strokes sometime, for about five minutes at the table, and see if they will work. There's no harm in trying something new, just to freshen the mind and body--but I think there is real harm when a student is told by the instructor, "Sure, you been playing for 20 years but you need to cue a bit lower and then hit 2,000 of those to get better."
To me, that's not a lesson, that's torture.