Do you use a Predator Z2 shaft?
- Thread starter Matt_24
- Start date
1. The pros I mentioned don't get paid to use the Z2 shaft. They choose to.
2. The pros/great players I mentioned were jam-up players with normal shafts before switching to a Predator product.
Wow Fred. "Swerve to squirt" ratio? I just cover my ears with my hands and repeat "LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa" until the hurting stops.
Matt "24" <--Not anywhere near as smart as Fred
The swerve to squirt ratio is a huge factor. I remember you mentioned this a long time ago. I never gave it much thought since I did not own any LD shafts. This year I bought a Predator shaft. I never noticed any improvement in accuracy such as follow with side english. With low side however things changed big time. It appears the shaft must be more accurate (yes I said that) because I was over cutting big time. The intended aim line had to be more accurate but because of that swerve took over and made me over cut the shot. Then if I used the opposite english (low inside vs low outside I'd hit the shot fat. Then I asked another high rated player to shoot the same shots, we both experienced the same effect.
Is a Predator more accurate? I just said it was but it really it is not. Not for me anyway so I just put it away, because I do not need to relearn how to aim. The feel was ok but to me its just to small and lacks spine.
Rod
interman
Registered
I chose a Z2 shaft for my first queue. I went to the pool hall and compared it with the 314-2, and preferred the feel. After about a year and a half of playing anything else I've tried feels like a log.
My reasoning when buying it was that I considered the Z2 to be a technological improvement, and I didn't want to have to readjust to it sometime in the future. When I'm out of stroke I'm often really out of stroke, but overall I'm very happy with my purchase and feel it allows me to do "more".
My reasoning when buying it was that I considered the Z2 to be a technological improvement, and I didn't want to have to readjust to it sometime in the future. When I'm out of stroke I'm often really out of stroke, but overall I'm very happy with my purchase and feel it allows me to do "more".
Look at it this way, a new z-2 will cost you 200-250. If you dont like it after a month, you can still sell it for 150 or more. I liked mine, but I knew I could get rid of it if I didnt. Even if everyone here said they loved it, you may not. Is the z-2 worth the $100 risk? From what I have seen, its a 50/50 gamble. Does that reduce the $100 risk further? I think so.
I am answering no to your question. Do YOU use a Z2?
I didn't say they were getting paid. I made a statement that I am not a pro and I don't get paid to use one.
I than made another statement that if I used one maybe I would be a pro.
You just read something in there that wasn't there.
Been playing with one for 4 years now.... I like it.
It's hard for me to put into words. Myself, when I'm "off" i tend to "steer" shots. Normally I'm not lining up correctly, and I tend to try to correct things by "steering" shots. If that makes sense.
With the Z2, by steering shots I'm putting a lot more unintended side english on the cue ball, which tends to make shots miss. The same problem happens with the 314-2, but not nearly as dramatic. The Z2 makes this fundamental problem show up more "in my game".
One positive to this though - when I am struggling, I tend to use the Z2 when I practice. I feel that a good session with this shaft, while working on my alignment and pre shot routine, that once I get in stroke that I know I'm doing things correct. My primary focus during these sessions is long straight in shots playing stop, draw, and follow. Once I'm hitting these shots and staying on line, I know that everything is back to the way it should be.
Sorry for the rambling reply, but like I said, it's hard for me to describe it.
I too think the small tip is more sensitive and less forgiving of cueing errors. I came to the conclusion that adjusting to the smaller tip, not necessarily the shaft performance, was my main dislike.
Chris