At my two leagues last Sunday, afternoon 8&9 Ball APA and evening straight pool leagues I think I missed every shot when I used a bridge so when I got home I ordered a cheap extension on line. It came today. Although I did try it on my cue, I didn't get a chance to shoot with it. Basically it's a plastic tube. How do you guys feel about using one. Is it harder to shoot with with both hands on thicker parts? Is it better to just practice using a bridge? I saw one guy actually use a bridge & an extension at the same time. I don't know why as he wasn't short and it was a 9 foot table.
How do you guys feel about cue extensions?
- Thread starter Jeff Rosen
- Start date
I never liked them, always had better look shooting lefty (off handed) instead.
Takes practice though for most I'm sure.
Takes practice though for most I'm sure.
I really should use my cue extension more... The only reason I don't is that it doesn't fit my current case, so I get lazy to carry it along.
But if you have one then you should practice with it, use it as much as you can, because pool is a game of eliminating variables to achieve consistency (well, like many other games). The bridge is yet another variable you don't want to introduce into your game.
There are pros who even bring their own bridge attachment, if they don't have a cue extension.
But if you have one then you should practice with it, use it as much as you can, because pool is a game of eliminating variables to achieve consistency (well, like many other games). The bridge is yet another variable you don't want to introduce into your game.
There are pros who even bring their own bridge attachment, if they don't have a cue extension.
If a cue extension will work I'll usually choose it over a bridge; it's just a more natural motion. But just as when using the bridge I don't try to get fancy or do too much with the shot. Even then, I can usually do more with the shot using an an extension than a bridge.
Truthfully, I don't care for the store bought ones. I tried a friends that was fairly decent quality, (aluminum), and it still felt wobbly, as in flexing a bit.
Some of the cue makers have made nice ones that screw thru a bumper and into an insert, much like a short snooker cue extension. I have pondered the idea of making one.
But, for the most part, I just pop my Moose Head bridge onto my jump cue and use that.
Some of the cue makers have made nice ones that screw thru a bumper and into an insert, much like a short snooker cue extension. I have pondered the idea of making one.
But, for the most part, I just pop my Moose Head bridge onto my jump cue and use that.
Loose the extension and learn to shoot with the bridge.
You play 14.1... learn to use the bridge.
Practice is the key.
Dale
I think it is good to be able to use both. If I have a choice I use my extension. It is closer to regular stroke. I have the one that extends so can adjust the length
When fully extended my cue is out of balance. Too light. I added weight inside the handle. Much easier to use now.
When fully extended my cue is out of balance. Too light. I added weight inside the handle. Much easier to use now.
I use an extension infrequently but won't go to any important match without one. In fact, I had Dennis Swift make me a case and we included a dedicated extension pocket on the rear of the case (see below).
The extension you see pictured is one of the highly sought after Hagars, however, for me, these seemed too unnatural in that they are way thicker than what our cue butts would be.
So, I ended up buying a Tony Ryan and couldn't be happier. It fits snug as it should, will not mark my cue, and the handle is slender like the butt would be - it feels very natural.
You mentioned about a guy you saw using an extension *and* a bridge at the same time and I will say, I have done the same in certain shots. I might not have ever tried until I saw Steevie Moore do it a couple of times in the same match with perfect results. Both were stretch shots that he wanted to put a big stroke on and using the two together made it possible. You can get a big stroke shot for position with them. :thumbup:
best,
brian kc
The extension you see pictured is one of the highly sought after Hagars, however, for me, these seemed too unnatural in that they are way thicker than what our cue butts would be.
So, I ended up buying a Tony Ryan and couldn't be happier. It fits snug as it should, will not mark my cue, and the handle is slender like the butt would be - it feels very natural.
You mentioned about a guy you saw using an extension *and* a bridge at the same time and I will say, I have done the same in certain shots. I might not have ever tried until I saw Steevie Moore do it a couple of times in the same match with perfect results. Both were stretch shots that he wanted to put a big stroke on and using the two together made it possible. You can get a big stroke shot for position with them. :thumbup:
best,
brian kc
Attachments
I've tried using an extension and ended up going back to the bridge - the extension hasn't come out of the trunk of my car since the first time I used it. The issue I have (and maybe someone here can help point me in the right direction) is that all the extensions I've tried are really light, which moves the balance point on my cue so far forward that the stroke feels really odd and unnatural. If I could find a heavier one that kept my cue balanced properly, I'd probably use it a lot.
Anyone else have that issue? I really don't understand how people stroke the cue with those light extensions.
Anyone else have that issue? I really don't understand how people stroke the cue with those light extensions.
Yes, a change in the length of the cue will cause the balance point to move but at least you are still using your normal stroking motion. But I'm kind of surprised you really find this less natural than using the bridge, where you go from your normal pool stroke to one that more resembles throwing a dart.
I grew up on straight pool and learned to use the bridge early on, before extensions really existed. But to me using an extension, even with the change in weight and balance, is still closer to my normal stroke than the bridge is. My speed control is better and the level cue is particularly better on shots requiring draw.
Maybe I wrote it off too quickly. I kind of look at the bridge like I do a draw shot or the really soft safety stroke where you choke up on the cue so you can't move it that far - it's a specialty stroke. I'm a bit more comfortable with the bridge than most players I know, so that may be part of it, too. I'm actually heading over to the pool hall now to get some practice in during lunch, so I'll pull it out when I see a stretch shot and see if I can get more comfortable.
I have a 16" Hager is is wonderful.
IMHO - even tho you say you learned to use the bridge, you didn't
learn well enough.
Dale(still learning after all these years)
I'm curious what about my post tells you I didn't really learn to use the bridge? All I said is I find the extension more natural than using the bridge.
Do you think use of the bridge is more similar to the set up, stance, and stroke you use on every other shot than one using an extension, which is really nothing more than using a longer bridge length with a slightly longer cue?
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