Do I need a longer than normal cue?

J

jsteezy

JP Stearns
I am 6'4 180 lbs do I need a longer than standard cue? I play mostly with house cues and I notice I grip them toward the way back.
 
I think it largely depends upon your wingspan, but I have no definitive answer. You might try posing your question in the Cuemakers section of the forum. There are some really smart people there and I'm sure you'll have an answer very soon.
Also, I see that you are new here so don't forget to sign up for next weeks field trip. We're all going to the International Midget Museum in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It's not a very big place, but fun to visit. :)
 
earl strickland is a bit of a taller shooter, and he uses a longer cue at times. he said it works for him, but everyone is different.
 
jsteezy said:
I am 6'4 180 lbs do I need a longer than standard cue? I play mostly with house cues and I notice I grip them toward the way back.
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You could do with a 60" cue, that's pretty much the standard for a non 58" one. Not sure if any non-custom brands offer a 60" cue, but a custom sneaky pete from a non-collectible maker should run about $300.
 
I am 5 foot 8 & I hold the cue at the very end sometimes I actually go past the end .Its all a matter of how you are confortable IMHO
 
I'm only 6'1" tall, but I will only use a 60" cue now (well, I sometimes use a 58" cue on a barbox). I have long arms. I got tired of trying to stroke the cue when the cueball was in an awkward position with a 58" cue, with only my thumb and index finger holding onto the buttcap of the cue.

So yes, you may very well be better satisfied with a longer cue, given your physical dimensions.

Maniac
 
The cue with the points in my avatar is a 60" cue. I bought it for the opposite reason. I'm only 5'8, but play primarily on 9 footers and want the extra reach. I'm looking for another old Widowmaker with the extension in the butt now for even more reach.
 
I'm 5'10 and I play with a 60" cue. My best friend is 6'5, and he plays with a 58" cue. Point is, it's all a matter of preference. I play with a long cue, and a lot of the time I'm still gripping the cue near the end of the butt. My natural bridge length is a bit longer than normal. Do you play good with a standard length cue? Have you ever played with a "long" cue? I'd say to go play with one and see if you like how it fits. If you feel restricted playing with a 58" cue, then I would try the longer cue. Use what works best for you, and most the time it's all a bunch of trial and error to find out what that is.
 
FWIW, before I sprung for my own personal 60" playing cue, I had a fellow AZB'er let me "test drive" one that he had for sale. I didn't purchase his cue for personal reasons, but I got to play with it long enough to know that 60" was the right length for me.

Maybe you can find a longer cue from a friend/acquaintance's stable that you could "test drive".

Maniac
 
Thank you everybody for the advice i am looking at cue's on the internet, but I am going to head up to the billiards store to feel out a couple sizes.
 
If you can't find a 60" cue locally. I have one you can try out. We could workout some of plan if you like.

Larry
 
offer by 63kcode

jsteezy said:
I am 6'4 180 lbs do I need a longer than standard cue? I play mostly with house cues and I notice I grip them toward the way back.
Click to expand...

I would not pass up on Larry's offer He is a first class cue maker,
and he is honest.................................................................................

I can shoot with any lenth of cue from 57 to 60 inches. I am 6.2 and 250 lbs.

might want to go heavy like a 60 in 21oz cue. only problem is you will need the right case.
MMike
 
63Kcode said:
If you can't find a 60" cue locally. I have one you can try out. We could workout some of plan if you like.

Larry
Click to expand...

Generous offer Larry. I agree with the majority that jsteezy probably has a long wingspan being 6'4" and his elbow is not at 90 deg. at the correct shooting balance point on the cue. I would take Larry up on it i a min.
 
Ok....I am 6'4 with a long wingspan...

I play with a 62" John Bender custom cue that with sunken wood shafts

I have a custom Erofey Evladin case that he did not charge extra to make it longer and holds my cues with joint protectors and plenty of room.

I tried several length cues. I then found the easiest way to find out what length cue you need is to fine a table and get down like you are shooting a shot with a imaginary cue...make sure your arm is at 90 degrees and your bridge arm is where you want it to be. Have someone mark where your back hand and front hand are....add length of bridge you prefer and space you would like behind your back hand. That is the length you should need. Now if you do not want a heavy cue you need to choose woods that will keep it in the weight range you prefer. Mine is 19.25 ,to get it to that weight I had to make some changes including having the stainless steel joint changed to phenolic

The age of every cue should be X length or X weight is gone. Pat Fleming plays with a 54" cue...Earl Strickland has played with a 70" cue. The WPA has rules on maximum length and weight though which I believe is 65" and 26 oz so you might want to stay under that if your league/tour/whatever follows those rules

Rick
 
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