Playing with a hat on, does it help?

I have tried it to block glare from lights.It works pretty good but gets in the way on some long shots.One of those green visors like card dealers wear might be just the thing.
 
Wearing a hat while playing pool for me is like having "radar" on the shot, it helps me to focus on the shot and also block out all the railbirds walking around or moving at their tables, I have worn a hat all my life, back when I had hair and I still wear one now that I don't.

I don't mine being bald, I don't have to look at it, you do!:)


David Harcrow
 
jschelin99 said:
Does a hat help your pool game? So many thoughts:

1. Uh... YEAH! And not just cuz of the aforementioned reduction in glare, but also cuz it keeps your head warm, which helps the blood flow more easily to your brain, which makes you smarter, which makes you play better.

2. Uh... YEAH! Cuz as Billy Crystal said "To look good is to feel good." And if you feel good, you play better.

3. Uh... YEAH! Cuz hats make you look cool, and if you look cool, your opponent will feel intimidated and not play well.

Then again... NO! How many pros wear hats while they're playing? If hats gave any advantage to all, don't you think they'd wear them?

What's next? Short sleeve shirts are better cuz they reduce the restriction in your stroke? Shaving your arm hair to make your stroke smoother?

You wanna know what improves your pool game? Practice.
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Never once in my initial post did I even hint that wearing a hat was going to make me pro. This thread was meant as a hypothetical and to see what everyone thought. You took it over the top as if I seemed to think wearing a hat is going to pocket balls for me. I don't appreciate your attitude or sarcasm.

Oh by the way, I have probably logged way more practice time then you ever have. Unless you win regional events on the regular, you wouldn't stand a chance against me.


I appreciate everyone else's input, it was informative so thank you.
 
smoooothstroke said:
I have tried it to block glare from lights.It works pretty good but gets in the way on some long shots.One of those green visors like card dealers wear might be just the thing.
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Smooth...just try adjusting the angle of the brim to each shot.
On the shots that I go 'chin on cue', I raise the brim.

I've tried the dealer shade......it's more distracting 'cause you get
reflections from the inside of the visor.
 
West Point 1987 said:
My mama taught me it was impolite to wear a hat indoors...
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Yeah, but did your mama play pool in rooms that have light bouncing all
over the place?
As soon as I feel myself squinting...all shots look hard.

My mama gave me the same advice, btw....God rest her.
 
center pocket said:
I have seen several people wear hats when they play. Last night I saw one fellow wearing one and thought maybe it helps see only the light coming from the balls and the shot your looking at. Think about when you are outside and it is very sunny out, you put your hand across your eyebrow to block the sun so you can see better; sorta the same thing.

The more I think about the more I think it has merit. With a diamond light I dont think you have to worry to much about this, but with the standard 3 light bulbs over most tables I can see the hat being helpful.

What do all of you think?
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I am bald and always wear a cap. Not because of looks, but because I live in Texas and it keeps me from getting head burn. Also keeps the head warm in winter.

I have always thought it was helpful in pool because it blocks the glare from the table light. I feel odd playing without one and I even have a hat just for pool. I only wear it to play because it smells like an ash tray.
 
I always wear a cap but it has to be a special cap with a short wide bill. I find that it helps block glare and I seem to focus better. Many bills are too long and interferes with vision, which forces me to wear those backwards.
 
I never play without one. On many shots, I can't see anything but the table when I'm down on the ball - the ultimate sharkbuster, IMO.

Aaron
 
I love to wear hats, but whenever I shoot pool I tend to tip it up a bit so it doesn't block part of my peripheral (sp) vision....most likely a mental thing.
 
I typically do not wear a hat while playing, but on occasion I will after a day in the sun wearing a hat, my hat hair won't scare the natives. :) But once, I was glad I did wear one while playing...

I wanted to play some cheap sets of 1-pocket to practice up for a tournament, I had a hat on that day. The guy I played was so obnoxious (loud & always in my line of sight) that I was able to adjust my hat to not see him standing in front of me, but still able to see the table. Because I couldn't see him most of the time, it even seemed to help block out some of the noise coming from his mouth. I was glad I had a hat on that day for sure.

Moral of the story, yes, I think a hat can help your pool game by increasing your focus to the pool table and not your surroundings. It's just not for me most of the time.

Dave
 
Hey Evan,

Are you back in the States?

Anyhoo, I've worn a baseball cap to play sometimes. Usually it's because I just got out of the pool and don't want to be seen with pool hair, LOL. No biggie, I don't play better or worse. The glare of the lights has never bothered me, so no factor there.
 
If im wearing a hat while playing its on backwards because the brim blocks my view of the table when down on a shot.
 
Icon of Sin said:
If im wearing a hat while playing its on backwards because the brim blocks my view of the table when down on a shot.
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On a 9ft. table I noticed the brim would get in my view sometimes. I would just tip it up a bit. If I played a long session, sometimes I would flip it around backwards.
 
Mosconi was wearing a hat when he ran 537. It must help! I think wearing a hat backwards helps more though. I know one guy that wears one off to the side of his dominant eye and he never misses. :rolleyes:
 
JMW said:
I only wear it to play because it smells like an ash tray.
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Hmm...there could be a reason for that...

a377_h1.jpg
 
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