Can't argue the gist of this, but it is not exactly apples to apples. For example there is a clear, measurable performance gain from shooting carbon fiber arrows. Lighter, increased FPS, etc. I am yet to be convinced that CF shafts will provide a clear, measurable performance gain over wood. I think it a given that CF is more durable, less warping, no dings, etc. But.. I have my grandfathers 40 year old dufferin and the shaft is still dead straight with very few dings.
You see it with pros who have tried CF and gone back to wood. I bet if they felt that a CF shaft helped them make just one extra ball, they would never switch back to wood.
This is right on.
The comparisons to other sports are invalid. Golf especially, which is often compared to pool. Golf tech has developed in order to hit the ball farther, which means guys can now reach the green in two shots rather than three.
The dimensions of a pool table haven't changed in decades or centuries. We don't need cues that hit the ball extra far. One would argue that
touch is the most important defining feature within a player's connection to their instrument. Wood still has a certain
je ne sais quoi when it comes to feeling good and giving good feedback, which equals good touch and (cb) control over man-made materials.
The majority of players in the world have developed their game on wood shafts. A majority still prefers them. CF is trendy, but I don't see all young players sticking with them. A guy like Filler (or Jayson, or the Kos, etc...) is going to be around for decades, and as long as he continues to beat guys while preferring and playing with wood, manufactures' claims that CF being the sole material of the future is nothing short of hysterical.
I'm sure it helped them sell a lot of black shafts this week, however.