Handle Diameter

No there isn't. Every maker does something different and it can vary depending on whether they use a weight or not to achieve the final cue weight. Also depending on the taper they want.
What feels good to some may not to others as far as playability. I like a little smaller diameter.
 
Not as big as they used to be. A lot of older cues measured as much as 1.30" at the big end. Rarely see that anymore. Most are 1.25"-ish or less these days. Gilbert's and Josey's still run a little on the thick side unless you ask for smaller.
 
Not as big as they used to be. A lot of older cues measured as much as 1.30" at the big end. Rarely see that anymore. Most are 1.25"-ish or less these days. Gilbert's and Josey's still run a little on the thick side unless you ask for smaller.

I thought he was talking about the handle.

Most handles start at about 1.00” at the top of the handle and then taper a bit down to the butt sleeve in a gradual taper.

Some makers are keeping the handle almost a straight taper until it gets down to the butt sleeve.

I am finding that I like the feel of the slimmer cues now.
 
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I would think a top end pro's grip diameter would be very important.
Like a putter in golf.
Every player has different size hands.
An earlier poster mentioned they use what they get from the mfg they work for.
But I've know of pros before that represented a cue mfg and they had their personal cue milled to their needs even tho it looked production.
 
How do you guys even measure the "handle". At what distance from the tip or butt end is the measurement taken? That would have the biggest influence to its diameter IMO.
 
Not as big as they used to be. A lot of older cues measured as much as 1.30" at the big end. Rarely see that anymore. Most are 1.25"-ish or less these days. Gilbert's and Josey's still run a little on the thick side unless you ask for smaller.
Many of my Brunswick Titlists and Master Strokes are above 1.40. Big fat butts...they feel good.
 
Is there a common denominator that most pros prefer or not?
Typically there is a .42 degree taper and a joint size of .84 and a butt size of 1.25; however, as has been stated, it can vary, and of course, if the butt is longer than 29 inches, then either the taper will differ or the diameter of the butt cap will differ. Also, if it is a straight taper, the size of the handle will vary depending on how long the forearm and butt are, so IOW, WHERE the handle is at will vary how large the diameter of it is.

Jaden
 
After many years of observing the top pros up close, and viewing, in my mind, the most effective cue stroke training techniques, if I was going to have a cue made for me today, I would pay close attention to the cue handle area with respect to both my choice of wrap material and the ideal cue handle dimensions that best allow me to keep my grip hand relaxed, but steady through the entire stroke from beginning to end.

I personally lean heavily towards a linen wrap, but one with a particular amount of slickness and very well pressed to the cue's handle. For the cue handle diameter, I think that a player, if serious enough, needs to experiment with different cue butt diameters and tapers to find the best match for their cue grip - if you want something truly custom- you can't just guess or estimate.

The more that I learn and observe, the more that I think the cue handle area is one that has been overlooked in most discussions about a custom cue. I am now starting to think that having the proper matching cue handle dimensions can be as important to play as the much more discussed cue shaft dimensions.

Weight distribution, i.e. "balance" for a cue has much to do about helping to maintain the cue grip hand pressure steady throughout the stroke as it does in keeping the front of the cue aligned to the shot in a straight delivery
 
Mike whats interesting is looking at these pics, one of Judd Trump and another Orcullo. Both players Obviously have quite different handle diameters, ones a normal 2 piece cue stick the other is a snooker cue.
I'll try and load those pics of JT and DO.
 
1635768992681.jpeg
 
Earl experiments with Many different aspects of the game.
His....Increasing/experimenting with his handle thickness was obviously important.
I'm glad he made it to the Mosconi Cup.
I've all along thought each team should Have, one of their HOF elders to be in the group to add that little extra to the production.
 
After many years of observing the top pros up close, and viewing, in my mind, the most effective cue stroke training techniques, if I was going to have a cue made for me today, I would pay close attention to the cue handle area with respect to both my choice of wrap material and the ideal cue handle dimensions that best allow me to keep my grip hand relaxed, but steady through the entire stroke from beginning to end.

I personally lean heavily towards a linen wrap, but one with a particular amount of slickness and very well pressed to the cue's handle. For the cue handle diameter, I think that a player, if serious enough, needs to experiment with different cue butt diameters and tapers to find the best match for their cue grip - if you want something truly custom- you can't just guess or estimate.

The more that I learn and observe, the more that I think the cue handle area is one that has been overlooked in most discussions about a custom cue. I am now starting to think that having the proper matching cue handle dimensions can be as important to play as the much more discussed cue shaft dimensions.

Weight distribution, i.e. "balance" for a cue has much to do about helping to maintain the cue grip hand pressure steady throughout the stroke as it does in keeping the front of the cue aligned to the shot in a straight delivery
It certainly can't be a one size fits all. Players also have different types of grips as well. Players use from 1 to 4 fingers to grip their cue. I use my second and third fingers with my pinky and first finger hardly touching the cue at all. DiLiberto didn't wrap his fingers around the cue at all. He clinches it between his thumb and finger tips.

I remember an old time player named Gene Skinner telling me the grip, wrist and fingers was everything, it was the motor that makes everything else happen. He by the way is the man who Freddy the Beard credited in his book with him learning the game. When that feel and motion of the cue is right, the game can seems so easy.
 
Notice Earls grip, closed up around the handle.
Judd Trump, like a PGA golfer was taught long ago proper technique from his peers.
Here's a pic of Corey Duels back hand, On the handle end.
 

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