Do Thicker or Thinner Shafts Increase Performance??

[Dakota Cues]

OK here's something I've been thinking about for a while, but wanted to see what the AZ community thinks.

I know some players, bad to pro, use different size shafts. At first I was thinking that this was just a preference thing. After seeing such wide variation, as well as some opinions on this in different threads, I wanted to pose this question:


"Do you think a certain size shaft (Either Thick or Thin) gives a performance advantage, or do you feel it's just a matter of either personal preference?"

I have also attached a poll to see what kind of shaft sizes are used by the AZ community.
Thanks in advance!

***NOTE: I just want to clarify something here. I am NOT talking about TAPER – Just DIAMETER.

I know the taper makes a huge difference.

What I am talking about here is this: I had always thought that the diameter was a result of personal preference, like maybe somebody with smaller hands prefers a thinner shaft, or somebody with bigger hands preferred a thicker one.

What I’ve seen in some posts is that people are talking about a difference in the way a shaft PLAYS that was taken down to a different diameter by the same cuemaker, using the same taper.

That’s what I’m talking about here.

 

[RobertR]

For me it wasn't a matter of thicker vs. thinner. My game improved dramatically when I went to a stiffer shaft.

 

[jdxprs]

mostly personal preference, however a thicker shaft may be a bit easier for a lower skill level player imo.

 

[woody_968]

IMO I think most performance differences when talking about shaft diameter are more mental than physics.

If you took a 13mm shaft and had it turned down, there would be less mass at the tip which would mean less deflection. But I dont know that it would be enough to really notice. This sounds like an experiment for Dave

Some say they get more spin with a smaller shaft. I have always felt that if the tips were shaped the same the "footprint" of the tip on the cueball would still be the same size and couldnt see how it would increase the spin. The only time I would think greater spin could be acheived from a smaller diameter would be on a draw stroke. A smaller shaft could let you get lower on the cueball before contacting the table, but again we are talking a VERY small difference.

One area that I do think a smaller diameter may help some players is for those that dont understand what part of the tip is actually contacting the cueball. As an example, when hitting a draw shot it is the top part of the tip that makes contact. A lot of players aim the middle of the tip where they want to strike, when actually they will be hitting the cueball higher then they think they will. A smaller tip would slightly shrink this offset and get them a little closer to striking the correct place. So to go to the extreme you would be much more accurate with where you strike the cueball with a toothpick compared to a broomstick Unless of course you just want to hit center ball, then get a big flat broomstick and you will always hit center ball LOL.

Dont get me wrong, pool is a very accurate game, and a mm variance in where the cueball is struck will make a difference. I just dont think the claims of "greatly" increased spin are true.

That being said, in pool confidence is king. So if a certain diameter shaft increases ones confidence then it could improve their game.

Woody

 

[brandonspitler]

i play with about a 11.85. i used to play, years ago with a "standard" 13mm. but i have gone thinner and thinner as i play. i always prefered a very stiff playing cue, but then trim the shaft way down. it just plays comfortably in my hands. and im a big dude, 6'3, 250 pounds, and a guitar player! my hands are NOT small lol, but when i address the cueball, it seems with an 11.85 (or there abouts) that i can see more of the cueball. and its nicer that way.

just my opinion,
BLS

 

[Hidy Ho]

"Do you think a certain size shaft (Either Thick or Thin) gives a performance advantage, or do you feel it's just a matter of either personal preference?"

She told me it was the girth not the length that matters!!!! :shocked:

Hidy Ho <-- prefers 12.5 to 12.75 ish (please don't mis-interpret this ..)

 

[muddawg]

I shoot with a 11.75mm shaft but I think that it's mostly subjective.

 

[Underclocked]

It partly depends upon how you bridge and what feels natural and is controllable in your hand. I play mostly a closed bridge and a pencil thin shaft just doesn't feel nor fit properly in my fingers. I'm noticing a lot more players now seem to use an open bridge and perhaps that explains the preference for a thin shaft.

I used to play snooker with a shaft of just over 13mm and played quite well. My preference for pool is 13.25mm.

 

[greenlight]

This may not be the best analogy, but there may be a similarity between pool cues and golf irons, if you have a big enough imagination. 13mm+ being compared to a nice oversized cavity back, and 12.5mm (just throwing that number out there, give or take) being compared to a nice blade. I know, completely different sport and clubs, but this is the first thing that came to mind while i was thinking if one has an advantage over the other. i was always under the impression that 13mm shafts were more forgiving if hit the cue ball a little off center your intended contact point, where with smaller shaft needing to be struck with more precision, or less forgiving. You can play a great game with either so i think its all about what you like and are comfortable with. This rings true for me anyway.

 

[Guerra Cues]

Do Thicker or Thinner Shafts Increase Performance??

I thought that VIAGRA would increase performance. :lmao:

On a serious note all comes down to what is the taper you feel more comfortable with. You will hear that thinner ferrules (less weight in front of the shaft) decreases deflection.

 

[Paul Dayton]

3 cushion players really need to be able to spin the ball and they use 11.5 mm tips. Your personal comfort is a huge factor. If you don't like the shaft you're using you won't play your best.

 

[George Fels]

another perspective

Changing from one to the other isn't a bad idea if you're in a slump, because just about any reasonable change (speed up or slow down, hit harder or softer, etc.) is usually good for a SHORT-term improvement. Otherwise, I'd say you could get as many responses to your question as people whom you ask for an opinion. It's every bit as subjective as the matter of soft, medium or hard tips, steel or synthetic joints, etc. GF

 

[maldito]

3 cushion players really need to be able to spin the ball and they use 11.5 mm tips. Your personal comfort is a huge factor. If you don't like the shaft you're using you won't play your best.

BTW - the late Allen Gilbert who won USA 3-c Nationals more than once played with a 13mm.

 

[snipershot]

I have a 12.3mm Mottey shaft, and a 12.8mm Scruggs shaft that play 100% opposite of each other. The Mottey shaft has an ivory ferrule, and I tend to put too much juice on the cue ball, while the Scruggs shaft has a ivorine ferrule and it feels like making balls is much easier. Both have hard tips, and both are stiff, but the taper on the Mottey is totally different. Im no expert, but I can definately tell a HUGE difference in the two shafts. I guess Im not good enough to play with the Mottey shaft, even though I love the way it hits, but I struggle with cueball control with it.



Joe

 

[HollyWood]

I play with a few each time out.

I usually play with whatever the cue maker's shaft is!! thinner is accurate if you can stroke the small shafts- looks at billiards and snooker 8mm,9mm 10mm. but look at szam,balabuska, are heavier shafts and 13.25mm, and smaller mm mark

 

[PaulieB]

For me it's not so much the diameter as it is the taper. I prefer a 12.5 with a 15 inch pro taper but the taper matters more to me than the diameter.

 

[Dakota Cues]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I just want to clarify something here. I am NOT talking about TAPER – Just DIAMETER.

I know the taper makes a huge difference.

What I am talking about here is this: I had always thought that the diameter was a result of personal preference, like maybe somebody with smaller hands prefers a thinner shaft, or somebody with bigger hands preferred a thicker one.

What I’ve seen in some posts is that people are talking about a difference in the way a shaft PLAYS that was taken down to a different diameter by the same cuemaker, using the same taper.

That’s what I’m talking about here.

 

[metallicane]

Personal preference, but I like thinner.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

What is "performance"? I can think of four things:

Two are real:

1. More or less squirt. It's proven that less end mass (thinner diameter) = less squirt. You may or may not prefer less squirt, but the effect is real.

2. See more or less clearly where you're contacting the CB. A smaller diameter tip can make it easier to see exactly where your tip contacts the CB. This may or may not be an advantage for you, but the effect is real.

Two are not real:

3. More or less sensitivity to inaccurate hit on the CB. A tip with a smaller diameter curvature may be slightly more sensitive to inaccurate hits, but this has nothing to do with tip width.

4. More or less spin (for the same hit on the CB). No stick produces significantly more or less spin for the same hit on the CB.

pj
chgo

 

[qbilder]

I'm in the comfort camp. You play best with the shaft that feels most comfortable. I know players who prefer 13.5-14mm shafts because they simply have big hands & that's what feels good. They are great players, too. They can do anything with the cueball anybody else can do. I also know the players who prefer thinner shafts and generally they are smaller guys with smaller hands. You can trick yourself into believing one thing is better than another but one thing you can't do is shrink or grow your extremeties to fit your theories. From what I have seen over the years of building cues is that the players who know enough to "fit" the shaft to their bridge & hand size, are generally solid, strong & seasoned players.