i feel like it is mostly in your head. Yes different cues may give better performance but not by a big margin. you will feel like you are playing better because you convinced yourself that having a better cue must mean playing better which ultimalty boost your confidence which leads you to play better. Thats just my 2 cents. i never played a predator but i have gone from a house pool stick to a production one and the difference aren't insanely crazy. It is more on the player than the stick imo
I just switched back to one a couple weeks ago. The biggest improvements I saw after going back to one were:
1) You can put more spin/draw on the ball with less effort
2) You can aim to the same spot on the OB without adjust for deflection. Makes for more consistency
It would be hard to tell. I've seen guys games jump up a ball almost overnight with no change in anything. People that play a lot will continue to improve almost no matter what.
I'm about to get a predator did anyones game get better? Notice big diff cuz of that shafts they have? Notice diff from a cheaper cue too a predator?
I just switched back to one a couple weeks ago. The biggest improvements I saw after going back to one were:
1) You can put more spin/draw on the ball with less effort
2) You can aim to the same spot on the OB without adjust for deflection. Makes for more consistency
Im glad I made the change actually. I was having to spend more time in practice sessions working on drawing the ball long distances, that now with a 314, I can do it with no problems. Maybe that is because I developed a stroke with a deflection based shaft and that helped when I made the switch over, not sure. But it puts more confidence in my mind when I play, because I know that cut/spin the ball with less effort. Also, when applying english, with a deflection shaft, I would have to apply a tip and 1/2 of engligh to do a certain 3 rail shot and with a 314, it only requires one tip, if that. I might be biased but I really enjoy the 314 shafts. The Z's not so much, they are too thin for me.Hmm yea I'm excited to play mine I used a buddys in a bar one night just felt better idk
IMO it doesn't matter what shaft it is as long as its LD. Some people prefer OB, or any other brand for that matter.
It all depends on how as a player you like the feel of it, I mean what feels good when you shoot ? and yes its a mind thing too. If you feel comfortable using a specific brand of LD shaft then I would say don't switch just cuz the other player says that "blah shaft" is better. I have tried a OB ld shaft too, but i like my z2 better.
Im glad I made the change actually. I was having to spend more time in practice sessions working on drawing the ball long distances, that now with a 314, I can do it with no problems. Maybe that is because I developed a stroke with a deflection based shaft and that helped when I made the switch over, not sure. But it puts more confidence in my mind when I play, because I know that cut/spin the ball with less effort. Also, when applying english, with a deflection shaft, I would have to apply a tip and 1/2 of engligh to do a certain 3 rail shot and with a 314, it only requires one tip, if that. I might be biased but I really enjoy the 314 shafts. The Z's not so much, they are too thin for me.
Well I guess I'm the odd ball. I switched to predator about 2 years and felt like I was playing better for a little while then I realized I didn't have near the cue ball control with the predator. Just switched back to regular shaft about a month ago and will never go back to predator.
I've shot with lots of cues customs, medermt, mucci, schons too me I like a stiffer hit if that helps? The cue I'm getting is the 314 2
I switched to a predator (and later to an OB when the shaft broke).
I like and recommend low deflection shafts to people. I think they're great.
But there are some important things to understand:
• It's a myth that they somehow give you extra side spin, better draw, or better control.
All they do is change where you have to aim. There's no shot you can make with a predator shaft
that you couldn't make with a decent house stick.
You just point the house stick in a slightly different direction before you swing.
• "Control" is up to the player. If you want to draw the cue ball 6 inches on 1 shot,
and 12 inches on another, the only way you'll accomplish that is with practice.
The stick can't give it to you.
• When you first get it, you are practically guaranteed to play WORSE.
Because you're adjusting to a new cue and the line of aim for spin shots will be quite different.
You'll miss balls you normally don't miss.
Eventually you'll figure out where you need to aim with the new cue and then you'll be back to normal.
And then, hopefully, you'll improve even further.
• If you decide you like it and want to stick with it,
then just sell your old one. Get rid of it. Avoid the mistake hundreds of players make...
they miss a ball and blame the stick, then they switch back to the old one and make a few.
They decide the new stick sucks and they want to return to the old one.
Then they miss a ball with the old one and go back to the predator.
I've seen guys torture themselves for MONTHS with this lousy habit.
Don't do it, it will only hurt your game to keep switching. Pick a cue and stick to it.
• Ultimately it's the indian and not the arrow.
You shouldn't expect a sudden jump in skill even after you get used to it.
Most players improve pretty gradually... months and years, not weeks.
I switched to a predator (and later to an OB when the shaft broke).
I like and recommend low deflection shafts to people. I think they're great.
But there are some important things to understand:
• It's a myth that they somehow give you extra side spin, better draw, or better control.
All they do is change where you have to aim. There's no shot you can make with a predator shaft
that you couldn't make with a decent house stick.
You just point the house stick in a slightly different direction before you swing.
• "Control" is up to the player. If you want to draw the cue ball 6 inches on 1 shot,
and 12 inches on another, the only way you'll accomplish that is with practice.
The stick can't give it to you.
• When you first get it, you are practically guaranteed to play WORSE.
Because you're adjusting to a new cue and the line of aim for spin shots will be quite different.
You'll miss balls you normally don't miss.
Eventually you'll figure out where you need to aim with the new cue and then you'll be back to normal.
And then, hopefully, you'll improve even further.
• If you decide you like it and want to stick with it,
then just sell your old one. Get rid of it. Avoid the mistake hundreds of players make...
they miss a ball and blame the stick, then they switch back to the old one and make a few.
They decide the new stick sucks and they want to return to the old one.
Then they miss a ball with the old one and go back to the predator.
I've seen guys torture themselves for MONTHS with this lousy habit.
Don't do it, it will only hurt your game to keep switching. Pick a cue and stick to it.
• Ultimately it's the indian and not the arrow.
You shouldn't expect a sudden jump in skill even after you get used to it.
Most players improve pretty gradually... months and years, not weeks.
• It's a myth that they somehow give you extra side spin, better draw, or better control.
All they do is change where you have to aim. There's no shot you can make with a predator shaft
that you couldn't make with a decent house stick.
You just point the house stick in a slightly different direction before you swing.
No myth, at least not with a Pred. You most certainly CAN draw a ball easier with a pred than most shafts.
Everyone in the UK starts off with a cheap, crap production cue they've inherited from somewhere. They then go on to a Pred. Not one says "cor! I can't draw the CB half as well with this damn Predator!" Not one.
Actually, many players here buy Preds because of how they draw, not because they are low deflecting. Many don't even realise they're LD.
Obviously, you have to be able to cue a ball good enough to appreciate the difference (he said, retiring to a safe distance...)