Thanks guys, this is good stuff.
my 2 cents.
I love all the inputs we are getting over the last few weeks.
But perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way. I don't think we can look for a perfect aiming system in the context playing a game pool against an opponent.
Meaning, in certain situations, we need to add english, which shifts the contact point. Sometimes the balls are closer, which makes it easier for the ghost ball method to work, etc.
Personally, within the last week, thanks to all the inputs on the forum, I was able to become a VERY very good shooter.
There is this gentleman that I play on a regular basis. He is an APA 6. I am a 3~4. He used to beat me 5 games out of 6.
This week, in one week. the tables turned where I was beating him 4 games out of 5.
The secret to my success had 2 parts and it was unconventional at best.
1. 15 ball rotation practice by myself(mainly b/c I heard Efren used to do that). When I played a APA 9 on a 9Ball game I was actually relieved to see so many fewer balls on the table. I beat the APA9 on a few racks. And I am an APA 3~4.
2. I was aiming at different parts of the pocket. even at the pocket edge point, sometimes an inch outside of the edge of the pocket...
All depending on if I was using english, if there was throw, cut angles, etc.
It was funny b/c one seasoned player noticed my sudden improvement in skill and talked to me to see if I had a coach. I told him nope, I am not aiming straight at the pocket on non straight shots.
This is the funny part. He was like NO NO NO. He grabbed the 9 ball and used the 8 ball as the ghost ball to show me where to aim it, ON A CUT SHOT, where some throw was involved.
He said "Make a straight line through the pocket, the 9 ball and the 8 ball." But BECAUSE he has played for such a long time he instinctively placed the ghostball aimed at the edge of the pocket. Before he took a closer look he sweared that he has set up the pocket, 9 ball and the 8 ball in a straight line.
I been on a tear this week. Even few racks running the last 6~7 balls against APA 8 and 9s.
Thanks AZ and all you guys.