My Lesson with Earl ? 7/23/07
Let me start the day relating the hustle and bustle of getting to Mike Gulyassy?s house , trying to use the Map Quest directions, which didn?t seem to be so direct. We found our way eventually and ended up passing Mike?s house. While we were turning around, Mike called to see if we were finding our way okay and if we needed any help getting there ? assuring that we would find our way. We didn?t end up having time to eat, and it was probably just as well, as I was very, very nervous. The only thing that was going through my mind was that I wanted to play decently in front of this World Champion. My mind was racing with things I wanted to ask him, as my wife was going over the notes that I had jotted down. Earl greeted us as we arrived, and we started unloading my cues and our camera gear. I am so glad that Earl and Mike agreed to let me video the lesson ? it is something I?ll treasure always, and having the footage to review and use for practice is invaluable! The ?staging area? for the video camera was perfect ? it was a true ?pit?, where the camera was set at the top of a landing, looking down over the beautiful, old-school Gold Crown table with Electric Blue Simonis cloth. This ultimate table was complete with Aramith balls, the ?measles? cue ball, and I can?t even begin to describe the perfect rails and how incredibly well they played. Mike offered us water and soda from the compact refrigerator and showed us where the bathroom was, making us feel completely at home. While my wife set up the camera, Earl invited me to loosen up by hitting a few balls. My friend, Matt, from Atlanta (my pool and AZ Billiard forum buddy) arrived, as Earl and Mike were very accommodating in agreeing for Matt to have a 2 hour lesson with Earl after my 4 hours. For the next 4 hours, I was entranced by Earl ?The Pearl? and all his knowledge and expertise. He showed me some of his world class shots, explaining the physics, spin, deflection, alignment, patterns and strategy behind them. We went over his use of the Diamond System and the patented ?Earl Strickland break?. With his 30 years of experience, and the thousands and thousands of hours of practice that he has had, Earl had much to share on technique, strategy and the politics of pool today and how they differ from the past. The chemistry between Earl and Mike is magic, their relationship and partnership such a great thing. The OB/1 shaft that they have created together after hours and hours of experimentation, change and creation ? Mike through his equipment expertise and true talent for cue making, and Earl with his knowledge and passion for the game - have truly come up with a work of art in this new shaft. It will change your pool playing life!! Earl invited and encouraged me to shoot with his OB/1 (no taper), and by the end of the day, I went with Mike to his shop to order an OB/1 shaft of my own. (Imagine, I am willing to toss aside my Predator 314z to play with this new shaft!!) I really enjoyed having Mike show me around his shop and ?finish room?, where I was able to see some truly beautiful shafts and butts ? really beautiful creations!! This is my opinion, based on what I was able to experience and see; Earl is truly passionate about and in love with the game of pool, and Mike?s craftsmanship speaks for itself. Mike is a quality player in his own right and gives lessons himself! I had no intentions of buying a new shaft when I set up this lesson, but the OB/1 is really a jam-up piece of equipment! I can?t begin to enumerate the tips, techniques and things that Earl showed me today. I was able to learn first-hand the benefit of his wearing a weight when he breaks and the benefit of the use of gloves. Earl was relaxed, kind, funny, patient and an excellent, excellent teacher. People talk about Larry Nevel?s stroke, Mike Massey?s stroke ? and the list goes on ? but to truly understand Earl?s passion and to see it first hand?Earl?s stroke is deadly, precise and beautiful to see, as only Earl can execute it. I love this game so much, but to see Earl play it the way it is supposed to be played is indescribable.
I could go on and on about what a great day this was for me?probably one of the best ever (other than the day I got married)! I would encourage anyone serious about improving their game ? from basic to advanced stages: Earl can cover it all ? to contact Mike about doing a lesson with Earl. I enjoyed his instruction immensely and learned so much! But more than that, I enjoyed my time ?hanging out? with Earl. We had a great time looking through some OLD photographs I had brought with me of the ?early days? of pool, and he signed one for me. And after the lesson was over, Earl even took me to a local sports store to help me purchase a glove of my own!! Stay tuned ? when I figure out how to download a clip from the lesson, I will share one with you on YouTube. My stance and form, corrected to Earl?s standards (which I had learned as a kid by emulating Mike Sigel) have my hamstrings screaming (I?m a big guy ? about 6?4?), but it is all more than worthwhile having spent such a great and memorable day with a true gentleman and the Master ? Earl ?The Pearl? Strickland.
Let me start the day relating the hustle and bustle of getting to Mike Gulyassy?s house , trying to use the Map Quest directions, which didn?t seem to be so direct. We found our way eventually and ended up passing Mike?s house. While we were turning around, Mike called to see if we were finding our way okay and if we needed any help getting there ? assuring that we would find our way. We didn?t end up having time to eat, and it was probably just as well, as I was very, very nervous. The only thing that was going through my mind was that I wanted to play decently in front of this World Champion. My mind was racing with things I wanted to ask him, as my wife was going over the notes that I had jotted down. Earl greeted us as we arrived, and we started unloading my cues and our camera gear. I am so glad that Earl and Mike agreed to let me video the lesson ? it is something I?ll treasure always, and having the footage to review and use for practice is invaluable! The ?staging area? for the video camera was perfect ? it was a true ?pit?, where the camera was set at the top of a landing, looking down over the beautiful, old-school Gold Crown table with Electric Blue Simonis cloth. This ultimate table was complete with Aramith balls, the ?measles? cue ball, and I can?t even begin to describe the perfect rails and how incredibly well they played. Mike offered us water and soda from the compact refrigerator and showed us where the bathroom was, making us feel completely at home. While my wife set up the camera, Earl invited me to loosen up by hitting a few balls. My friend, Matt, from Atlanta (my pool and AZ Billiard forum buddy) arrived, as Earl and Mike were very accommodating in agreeing for Matt to have a 2 hour lesson with Earl after my 4 hours. For the next 4 hours, I was entranced by Earl ?The Pearl? and all his knowledge and expertise. He showed me some of his world class shots, explaining the physics, spin, deflection, alignment, patterns and strategy behind them. We went over his use of the Diamond System and the patented ?Earl Strickland break?. With his 30 years of experience, and the thousands and thousands of hours of practice that he has had, Earl had much to share on technique, strategy and the politics of pool today and how they differ from the past. The chemistry between Earl and Mike is magic, their relationship and partnership such a great thing. The OB/1 shaft that they have created together after hours and hours of experimentation, change and creation ? Mike through his equipment expertise and true talent for cue making, and Earl with his knowledge and passion for the game - have truly come up with a work of art in this new shaft. It will change your pool playing life!! Earl invited and encouraged me to shoot with his OB/1 (no taper), and by the end of the day, I went with Mike to his shop to order an OB/1 shaft of my own. (Imagine, I am willing to toss aside my Predator 314z to play with this new shaft!!) I really enjoyed having Mike show me around his shop and ?finish room?, where I was able to see some truly beautiful shafts and butts ? really beautiful creations!! This is my opinion, based on what I was able to experience and see; Earl is truly passionate about and in love with the game of pool, and Mike?s craftsmanship speaks for itself. Mike is a quality player in his own right and gives lessons himself! I had no intentions of buying a new shaft when I set up this lesson, but the OB/1 is really a jam-up piece of equipment! I can?t begin to enumerate the tips, techniques and things that Earl showed me today. I was able to learn first-hand the benefit of his wearing a weight when he breaks and the benefit of the use of gloves. Earl was relaxed, kind, funny, patient and an excellent, excellent teacher. People talk about Larry Nevel?s stroke, Mike Massey?s stroke ? and the list goes on ? but to truly understand Earl?s passion and to see it first hand?Earl?s stroke is deadly, precise and beautiful to see, as only Earl can execute it. I love this game so much, but to see Earl play it the way it is supposed to be played is indescribable.
I could go on and on about what a great day this was for me?probably one of the best ever (other than the day I got married)! I would encourage anyone serious about improving their game ? from basic to advanced stages: Earl can cover it all ? to contact Mike about doing a lesson with Earl. I enjoyed his instruction immensely and learned so much! But more than that, I enjoyed my time ?hanging out? with Earl. We had a great time looking through some OLD photographs I had brought with me of the ?early days? of pool, and he signed one for me. And after the lesson was over, Earl even took me to a local sports store to help me purchase a glove of my own!! Stay tuned ? when I figure out how to download a clip from the lesson, I will share one with you on YouTube. My stance and form, corrected to Earl?s standards (which I had learned as a kid by emulating Mike Sigel) have my hamstrings screaming (I?m a big guy ? about 6?4?), but it is all more than worthwhile having spent such a great and memorable day with a true gentleman and the Master ? Earl ?The Pearl? Strickland.
The OP mentioned before and after (even in the first post of this thread: "My friend, Matt, from Atlanta (my pool and AZ Billiard forum buddy) arrived, as Earl and Mike were very accommodating in agreeing for Matt to have a 2 hour lesson with Earl after my 4 hours. For the next 4 hours, I was entranced by Earl ?The Pearl? and all his knowledge and expertise"), that he was taking a 4-hr lesson. Earl charges $75/hr...a bargain imo.
