Should I switch to low deflection shaft?

[nagardy]

So I made a post about looking to jump into a new cue, and in doing so I have also found TONS of info on LDS. I have ALWAYS played with a reg maple shaft and do so well imo. Now the question is, should I go ahead and pick up a new LDS when getting my cue or stick with the conventional shafts? Ive read that adjusting to these shafts can be a little time consuming, but I am a fast learner and rlly dont see myself needing a lot of time to make that adjustment. Are they rlly worth it? Will help my game since I can control the cue ball relatively well as of right now? Thanks in advance and I apologize for beating a dead horse as Im sure lots have asked the same thing.

i can sell you a predator cheap since its your first time,i have a 314 viking quick release,i only use it for 2 months. i can sell you for 150

 

[EagleMan]

I think Ill call OB tomorrow, I live about 10 minutes from them, see if they will allow me to come over and check out their shafts and if they would be able to accommodate me shooting around for a bit. The next closest place to check out cues is billiards factory and their supply is LIMITED here. Already went there Fri last week and all they had were predators....they dont allow you to chalk them up (even though they are test shafts) so rlly cant get much feel for the shafts in a real shot scenario.

REALLY...that would not be a fair or practical test. It takes TIME...quite a bit of time to adjust your aim to account for the WIDE variety of differences in deflection you'll get from a given LD shaft vs. standard. That is because in your normal play, you likely use a WIDE range of cue tip offsets from the verticle center and therefore a WIDE range of deflections.

And you likely don't pocket 100% of your shots with your existing cue and it is almost impossible to tell every time whether the miss was aim-related or due to some glitch in your stroke etc.

ONE thing is for sure...regardless of whether you will eventually shoot more accurately with a LD shaft...you first have to decide if you like how it HITS which is an utterly personal issue.

So, if you stop by the factory, just HIT some shots without regard to accuracy. Just focus on how you like or don't like how it HITS.

If you LIKE it...then ask if you can give them a refundable deposit to use one of their demo shafts FOR A MONTH. I don't care how fast anyone can adapt...there is just no way to shoot a wide enough variety of shots to develop a full grasp of whether your accuracy has improved any sooner than that IF THAT SOON.

Having said all that...if you like the HIT and if you are willing to spend enough time to ADJUST YOUR AIMING to account for the lower deflection then it seems beyond debate that an LD shaft would be superior since there just isn't anything "good" about deflection...that I can think of. So, if you can reduce it...WHY NOT DO SO????????????

(Having said that, there isn't anything BAD about deflection for those who have FULLY adapted their aiming over a wide range of off-center hits.

But it seems clear to me that, everything else being equal, it just takes more time and more skill (and consistency) to master a WIDE range of deflection vs. a narrower range).

So basically, the only answers to "Why not use LDs"...it seems to me...would be that you just don't like how they hit and/or you are just unwilling to spend the considerable time it takes to adapt to them.

And those are perfectly sound reasons. But if you DO like how it hits and you WILL spend the time to adapt to them, I for one can't imagine any reason not to use them...except, of course, for pro or Master level players who would quite rightfully say..."If it ain't broke...don't fix it."

EagleMan

 

[naji]

So I made a post about looking to jump into a new cue, and in doing so I have also found TONS of info on LDS. I have ALWAYS played with a reg maple shaft and do so well imo. Now the question is, should I go ahead and pick up a new LDS when getting my cue or stick with the conventional shafts? Ive read that adjusting to these shafts can be a little time consuming, but I am a fast learner and rlly dont see myself needing a lot of time to make that adjustment. Are they rlly worth it? Will help my game since I can control the cue ball relatively well as of right now? Thanks in advance and I apologize for beating a dead horse as Im sure lots have asked the same thing.

Try everything if you can afford it, do not leave anything un turned when it comes to pool. Allow few weeks of practice shots where CB is is far from OB you got to adjust aim if you shoot with english.

 

[genomachino]

Try a 314-2 predator

So I made a post about looking to jump into a new cue, and in doing so I have also found TONS of info on LDS. I have ALWAYS played with a reg maple shaft and do so well imo. Now the question is, should I go ahead and pick up a new LDS when getting my cue or stick with the conventional shafts? Ive read that adjusting to these shafts can be a little time consuming, but I am a fast learner and rlly dont see myself needing a lot of time to make that adjustment. Are they rlly worth it? Will help my game since I can control the cue ball relatively well as of right now? Thanks in advance and I apologize for beating a dead horse as Im sure lots have asked the same thing.

You need to have someone that you know that plays well with one give you instruction on how it plays.

This will make it very easy to adjust to.

Once you learn the rest is easy and your pocketing skills will go up.

It's just easier to aim almost exactly where you are shooting and these shafts allow you to do this.

Good Luck.........

 

[ENGLISH!]

Since the thread has turned to aim & adjustment, I switched full time in June2012. I now play with an OB Classic & a McDermott i2. I have been shooting with english for 46 years using regular shafts. The transition almost seemed non exsistant to me.

That may be because I am very much a feel player & do not analyze the degrees of all of the different parameters involved. I totally trust my 'mind' to make the adjustments given the perceptions that my eyes & touch relay to my brain.

Human beings, with 'minds', are amazing creatures whether you believe they evolved or were created. Please note the similartity in the words creature & created. I believe Dorwin himself recanted by saying the complexities of the human eye alone defy a total evolution.:ignore: That's way off topic & certainly NPR. Sorry.

Regards,

 

[Hector3cushion]

I switched to a 314 ii and couldn't be happier. Reason why I switched was too much deflection.