I've been noticing around here that a few of the players are trying 59" and 60"cues. Does anyone know how you should go about determining what best length of cue would be for a person....based upon height and/or arm length, etc!? 
How do you decide what length of cue is best???
- Thread starter krbsailing
- Start date
PoolSleuth
Banned
57" was the Standard for YEARS. Understand the Duchess Allison Fisher play with a 57"er.... More Length is more Flex... Also more Weight. I like 57-58" 's
Try this- http://www.freepoollessons.com/cue4u.shtml
What he says makes sense and I've noticed a lot of people seem to do better with a shorter cue. I measure out for a 58" cue so no problem. There are some shorter players and wheelchair players who need a longer cue in order to gain access to a lot of shots.
Terry
What he says makes sense and I've noticed a lot of people seem to do better with a shorter cue. I measure out for a 58" cue so no problem. There are some shorter players and wheelchair players who need a longer cue in order to gain access to a lot of shots.
Terry
I have always ....
used a 58" cue, so I don't know any other, but I don't need to because I am not tall. I do know that a lot of people that 'think' they need a longer cue are ones that DO NOT have their grip arm perpendicular to the ground when they shoot, therefore having their grip hand TOO FAR BACK towards the butt cap. Same can be said for those that bridge 14-15" too. I have a friend that plays a lot, and he is 6'6" tall, and gets along just fine with a 58" cue.
used a 58" cue, so I don't know any other, but I don't need to because I am not tall. I do know that a lot of people that 'think' they need a longer cue are ones that DO NOT have their grip arm perpendicular to the ground when they shoot, therefore having their grip hand TOO FAR BACK towards the butt cap. Same can be said for those that bridge 14-15" too. I have a friend that plays a lot, and he is 6'6" tall, and gets along just fine with a 58" cue.
Watched Nick Varner
at Glass city a couple years ago and he has an almost perfect stroke. Hand positioned 6" behind balance point, contact at bottom of pendulum, etc. When he stood next to the cue, it came to just above his chin, but he is only about 5'3" tall and it dawned on me it makes no sense that someone 5'3" should play with the same length cue as someone 6'3". No other sport does, baseball players use different length bats, golfers have shafts custom made, etc. I contacted many cue makers including Shoen, Meucci, etc. and no one addresses this issue because it appears they are limited by their equipment. 60" or 61" seemed to be the limit and I already had a 60" Shoen I have played with for years. I also wanted equal length butt and shaft, not just a longer shaft.
My quest led me to Ron Powell at( http://www.queperfect.biz/). He made me a 64" cue I received in June and my game has come up at least 3 balls. Since then I have heard Jackson Cues can do out to 63" and be aware the IPT limits cue length to 63".
Just my experience, good luck. By the way I am 6'2" and a standard cue only reaches the center of my chest.
at Glass city a couple years ago and he has an almost perfect stroke. Hand positioned 6" behind balance point, contact at bottom of pendulum, etc. When he stood next to the cue, it came to just above his chin, but he is only about 5'3" tall and it dawned on me it makes no sense that someone 5'3" should play with the same length cue as someone 6'3". No other sport does, baseball players use different length bats, golfers have shafts custom made, etc. I contacted many cue makers including Shoen, Meucci, etc. and no one addresses this issue because it appears they are limited by their equipment. 60" or 61" seemed to be the limit and I already had a 60" Shoen I have played with for years. I also wanted equal length butt and shaft, not just a longer shaft.
My quest led me to Ron Powell at( http://www.queperfect.biz/). He made me a 64" cue I received in June and my game has come up at least 3 balls. Since then I have heard Jackson Cues can do out to 63" and be aware the IPT limits cue length to 63".
Just my experience, good luck. By the way I am 6'2" and a standard cue only reaches the center of my chest.
to me playing with a cue that is 57'' or 58'' inch makes a whole lot of difference in size and length of a cue you have to know which cue is the best fit and best size i play with both 57 and 58 inch cues but in my opion i think that 57 should be the standard cue lengththanks
Cue length...
As someone who is 6'2" tall, my hand is pretty much out of cue with an 8-10" bridge (i.e. barely on the cue) with a perpendicular forearm. Moving to a 60" cue "took the handcuffs off" of my stroke and I can now use a more natural stroke on more shots. Instead of my hand being on the wrap about a quarter, or less, of the time it is now on the wrap for more than half of my shots. I say that if you are a taller individual you should definitely at least give a longer cue a try!
As someone who is 6'2" tall, my hand is pretty much out of cue with an 8-10" bridge (i.e. barely on the cue) with a perpendicular forearm. Moving to a 60" cue "took the handcuffs off" of my stroke and I can now use a more natural stroke on more shots. Instead of my hand being on the wrap about a quarter, or less, of the time it is now on the wrap for more than half of my shots. I say that if you are a taller individual you should definitely at least give a longer cue a try!
I am in the market hopefully soon for a Schon,I would also like to go with a low deflection shaft ( I currenlty use a Predator 314) considering a Z-shaft. I really think I could benefit from 2-3" longer. I am sure Predator will do a inch on the shaft, but do you think Schon will do the rest on the butt.
Iam about 6'3" if have been playing with a 60 inch cue for all most ten years...the deflection originally was limited due to the taper in the shaft..Then I bought a Predator a few years later....even less deflection...I can pick up a house cue and play well but for a money spent on a cue comfortable and longer is a way to go...
dirty dog are you still on this thread?
Actually...Allison plays with a 54" inch cue. Trust me. A lot of the old school makers made their cues 57". I play with a 57" and I believe that the shorter cue plays better. I am not alone in my belief...Joe Gold of Cognoscenti cues will flat hang up on you if you try to order a longer cue. All of his cues are 57 1/2 in because he too feels shorter cues play better. I had heard that Earl was trying a shorter cue as well.
Help with lengths
When measuring a cue is the cue measured from the top of the tip to the end of the rubber bumper. Or is it measured from the end of the ferrule to end of the butt cap. I think this makes a big difference in telling whether you have a 57" 58" or other. Who can clarify this for me. While we are at it, when measuring the balance point i.e. 18-1/2". Is it measured from the end of the bumper or the end of the butt cap to the balance point. How important is it to know all of these dimensions as well? I have no idea how long my cue is or what the measured length of the balance point is, all I know is what feels right to me.
When measuring a cue is the cue measured from the top of the tip to the end of the rubber bumper. Or is it measured from the end of the ferrule to end of the butt cap. I think this makes a big difference in telling whether you have a 57" 58" or other. Who can clarify this for me. While we are at it, when measuring the balance point i.e. 18-1/2". Is it measured from the end of the bumper or the end of the butt cap to the balance point. How important is it to know all of these dimensions as well? I have no idea how long my cue is or what the measured length of the balance point is, all I know is what feels right to me.
Cue Length
I got a custom cue with two (2) shafts. Owned the cue for 20+ years.
When I got the shafts refinished recently, it was pointed out the two (2) shaft were slightly different lengths. I had never noticed. Then it was explained the difficulties in getting two (2) shafts precisely the same length.
Not six (6) inches different, but points out you might not know unless you do an inspection by tape measure.
I got a custom cue with two (2) shafts. Owned the cue for 20+ years.
When I got the shafts refinished recently, it was pointed out the two (2) shaft were slightly different lengths. I had never noticed. Then it was explained the difficulties in getting two (2) shafts precisely the same length.
Not six (6) inches different, but points out you might not know unless you do an inspection by tape measure.
I think it depends less on height and more on how you hold your shoulders and bridge arm. I'm 6'2" with about a 77-78" wingspan, so you'd think a 58" cue would be short for me, but I shoot with my shoulders fairly square, a bent bridge arm, and an 8-10" bridge, and my hand naturally fits right at the back of the wrap.
Standing in this same stance, though, if I turned my shoulders more in line with the shot (instead of square to the shot) the width of my shoulders would contribute to the distance between my hands. Also, if I straightened my left arm out, my bridge would move forward away from my grip. If I did both those things, I would probably need a 64" cue in order to keep gripping at the back of the wrap.
So it's not just about height. If you're wondering what the best length of cue is, bridge at a normal length, stand in your normal stance, and grip the cue with your shooting forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you're gripping the cue normally that way (not falling off the back of it) it's long enough. Any extra length behind your natural grip point is irrelevant to mechanics, although it can make a difference for feel, since it changes the balance point and possibly the weight.
-Andrew
Standing in this same stance, though, if I turned my shoulders more in line with the shot (instead of square to the shot) the width of my shoulders would contribute to the distance between my hands. Also, if I straightened my left arm out, my bridge would move forward away from my grip. If I did both those things, I would probably need a 64" cue in order to keep gripping at the back of the wrap.
So it's not just about height. If you're wondering what the best length of cue is, bridge at a normal length, stand in your normal stance, and grip the cue with your shooting forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you're gripping the cue normally that way (not falling off the back of it) it's long enough. Any extra length behind your natural grip point is irrelevant to mechanics, although it can make a difference for feel, since it changes the balance point and possibly the weight.
-Andrew
krbsailing said:I've been noticing around here that a few of the players are trying 59" and 60"cues. Does anyone know how you should go about determining what best length of cue would be for a person....based upon height and/or arm length, etc!?
I didn't realize how old this post was until I saw a reply from me....how'ed that get there...LOL. I have since bought a Josey sneaky pete that is a 30/30 split for a total lenght of 60", and love it. I bought it a few days prior to getting lessons with Scott Lee. Some times I wish I would of held out because now I am committed. Now when I use my Varney J/B cue that is 57" I am gripping almost off the cue and with a short brdge too. This is tough to go back and forth. I have a very long reach and was also cocerned about balance points. The cue feels comfortable and I have learned to adapt to it, but if your having doubts about your cue, I would get the opinion of a good trust worthy instructor, then upgrade the lenght if you feel your game will improve.
I am having a Sugartree built at 56" with a 6" extension. I agree that technique is the reason most people want longer cues. Even tall people. I'm 6', and I stand pretty square and tight with a bridge hand pretty close to the OB. My hand is pretty far up on the handle on most of my shots. Even with a normal length cue, I do find myself stretching a bit too. So that's why I'm going for an extension.