Golf and pool similarities.
- Thread starter Deadon
- Start date
set-up is crucial in both....you can have the prettiest swing/stroke in the world, and play like crap without the proper set-up. As mentioned before, hitting through the ball in both is a major key. Personally I think a pre-shot routine is helpful in both....the same thing EVERYtime (think of shooting freethrows in basketball...2 dribbles, spin in the fingertips, and shoot...you vary it everytime, and you most likely won't be as consistant).
Now, for the things that are not similar (at least for me). My weekend teetimes at 5:30, 5:38, 5:46, and 5:54 AM (16 guys in my group). I've never "started" playing pool at that time
Waterproof spikes are not needed at the poolhall (though, beerproof shoes could come in handy). I have 3 sets of irons (all 2-pw), 5 or 6 wedges, a couple of fairway woods, a couple hybrids, surprisingly only 1 driver (right now), and at least a dozen putters to choose from VS. 2 cues hahahaha. And lastly, I 'KNOW' how to play golf!!!! I've had my handicap as low as a 1.2 in golf (and as high as a 3 or so) in the last 5-6 years (currently a 2.2 - due to the new addition to my family). I had a round this year that only required 67 strokes, and I sure I've had somewhere around that in one game of 8ball as well 
Now, for the things that are not similar (at least for me). My weekend teetimes at 5:30, 5:38, 5:46, and 5:54 AM (16 guys in my group). I've never "started" playing pool at that time
Waterproof spikes are not needed at the poolhall (though, beerproof shoes could come in handy). I have 3 sets of irons (all 2-pw), 5 or 6 wedges, a couple of fairway woods, a couple hybrids, surprisingly only 1 driver (right now), and at least a dozen putters to choose from VS. 2 cues hahahaha. And lastly, I 'KNOW' how to play golf!!!! I've had my handicap as low as a 1.2 in golf (and as high as a 3 or so) in the last 5-6 years (currently a 2.2 - due to the new addition to my family). I had a round this year that only required 67 strokes, and I sure I've had somewhere around that in one game of 8ball as well 
I had a student last year (a highly regarded doctor in our area) who was an avid golfer. He wanted to learn pool to give him a sport he could play after work in the winter when the sun sets too early to golf after work.
At least a half dozen times during our sessions, I would explain a particular concept to him, and his response was often "That's the same thing my golf pro taught me." Pre-shot/stroke routines, personal eye patterns, proper alignment to the shot, smooth back stroke, finish the stroke/swing, controlling the white ball, aiming and focus, the proper time to think about the shot vs when to just execute...the list goes on an on.
Steve
At least a half dozen times during our sessions, I would explain a particular concept to him, and his response was often "That's the same thing my golf pro taught me." Pre-shot/stroke routines, personal eye patterns, proper alignment to the shot, smooth back stroke, finish the stroke/swing, controlling the white ball, aiming and focus, the proper time to think about the shot vs when to just execute...the list goes on an on.
Steve
Yes, you're right. To that point, putting specifically would be the closest common stroke in golf to standard pool strokes. There is the ball target, and a hole target, warm up strokes, pre-shot routine, alignment, re-aligment, speed control, less body movement, eye patterns.....Deadon said:
Fred <~~~ stole some from pooltchr's post
golf and pool
Without trying to repeat from previous posters, here are some of the similarities that I see between the two – some are mechanic related, others I would view as an overall approach. My apologies in advance for being a bit wordy....
* Strategy: Ball control and placement is critical in order to be good in either game. We all know in pool to think multiple shots ahead to obtain the correct angle and ball position, same is true in golf. On a par 4, play the hole backwards to know the yardages needed to hit the club you feel confident hitting into the green. Sure I can crush a drive off the tee on a par 4, and be 50 yards off the green with a difficult approach pitch, but it might be better to tee off with an iron and hit an 8 or 9 iron to the green.
* Alignment: Correct alignment in pool is the first step to being able to consistently make shots, same as in golf. Sure you can hit the golf ball with poor alignment; however, consistency, accuracy, and distance will likely suffer. Before you know it, your strategy has changed because you are chipping out from behind a tree.
* Touch: To me, putting and chipping is a game of feel. Also, many pool shots IMO require feel. I am not at my best if I'm playing a 4 rail position shot, sometimes its hitting the ball softly with the correct english.
* Visualization: In golf you need to see the shot in order to be successful. It can be a putt with a 4 inch right to left break or a low hook around a tree. You have to see it in order to hit it. In my opinion, being able to visualize angles and shots (banks, cuts, combinations, safety, etc…) is an important aspect to being a good player.
* Stroke: I won’t go into the comparisons of the strokes between the two games, but at least one common fundamental is keeping your head still and down while completing the stroke.
Interesting discussion topic.
Without trying to repeat from previous posters, here are some of the similarities that I see between the two – some are mechanic related, others I would view as an overall approach. My apologies in advance for being a bit wordy....
* Strategy: Ball control and placement is critical in order to be good in either game. We all know in pool to think multiple shots ahead to obtain the correct angle and ball position, same is true in golf. On a par 4, play the hole backwards to know the yardages needed to hit the club you feel confident hitting into the green. Sure I can crush a drive off the tee on a par 4, and be 50 yards off the green with a difficult approach pitch, but it might be better to tee off with an iron and hit an 8 or 9 iron to the green.
* Alignment: Correct alignment in pool is the first step to being able to consistently make shots, same as in golf. Sure you can hit the golf ball with poor alignment; however, consistency, accuracy, and distance will likely suffer. Before you know it, your strategy has changed because you are chipping out from behind a tree.
* Touch: To me, putting and chipping is a game of feel. Also, many pool shots IMO require feel. I am not at my best if I'm playing a 4 rail position shot, sometimes its hitting the ball softly with the correct english.
* Visualization: In golf you need to see the shot in order to be successful. It can be a putt with a 4 inch right to left break or a low hook around a tree. You have to see it in order to hit it. In my opinion, being able to visualize angles and shots (banks, cuts, combinations, safety, etc…) is an important aspect to being a good player.
* Stroke: I won’t go into the comparisons of the strokes between the two games, but at least one common fundamental is keeping your head still and down while completing the stroke.
Interesting discussion topic.
pooltchr said:
A great example of the similarities between the two games. Those who are saying that golf and pool are completely different are overlooking the similarities in the strategy of the games and the learning process behind good mechanics. The games aren't so much the same on the surface, but the mental and conditioning areas are what they have in common and those are very fundamental aspects of both.
Deadon said:of shot and club.
Lets speak mechanics. No question, the game is with a ball and you have to hit it. What I'm curious about is how people are able to compare golf mechanics to pool mechanics? Body movements etc.
C'mon you closet golfers, chime in.
In both sports, you need to:
Mechanics:
***KEEP YOUR HEAD STILL.
***Transition properly from the backswing to the forward swing.
***Follow through properly.
***Rhythm, something that lots of pool players overlook.
***Stance/balance/etc.
***Grip - Sam Snead said that he used to hold the club just like he was holding a chicken by the neck - lightly.
Other:
***Visualize the shot (Arnold Palmer said that he could see the path of the golf ball before his wedge shot and he concentrated on having his right hand throw the ball with the speed that he had visualized.
***Preshot routine
All views given by a golfer who used to shoot in the low 70s as a teen and who gave up golf for pool
.
As already stated.
Both Stroke or Swing is based on proper Grip / Stance / Posture / Alignment.....Both use Course or Table managment...
Also...Although in Pool you only have 1-3 clubs in your bag....each rack will require multiple different types of shots...Golf has more clubs but also requires multiple types of shots to negotiate a hole.
However...the closest similarity that I have not seen listed yet is the skill to negotiate a proper spot
Golf may very well be the only sport that I can think of that may have as good or better hustlers than pool.....
Both Stroke or Swing is based on proper Grip / Stance / Posture / Alignment.....Both use Course or Table managment...
Also...Although in Pool you only have 1-3 clubs in your bag....each rack will require multiple different types of shots...Golf has more clubs but also requires multiple types of shots to negotiate a hole.
However...the closest similarity that I have not seen listed yet is the skill to negotiate a proper spot
Golf may very well be the only sport that I can think of that may have as good or better hustlers than pool.....
