We need to play leagues every so often against a team who insists on shooting out of a dive bar. While the bar has 7' Diamonds, there are many issues with the equipment at this establishment that has really affected play for the non-banger crowd.
1) They do not take any care whatsoever to brush, clean or otherwise maintain the felt, even though it is Simonis. Stains, crumbs, lint, tears in the cloth and dirt are rampant.
2) They do not clean or otherwise maintain the pool balls. Balls are dull, dirty, and some have chips and scratches in them. Debris and hair from the cloth clings to the balls.
3) The table lights are rusty, caked with dust, and worst of all, mounted far too low. If you need to stretch out even 1' beyond the end rail, you WILL hit your head and will be covered in dust. Some of the lights are also mounted incorrectly at an angle, so when you approach the table you are blinded by what appear to be 5 unfiltered/unshaded 100W incandescent bulbs. This causes your head position to be lower than normal on some shots, resulting in misses.
4) There is "decor" surrounding each table - think stuff from "American Pickers" (bicycle wheels, old shipping crates, automotive parts, statues, signs etc) that impede a full cue stroke from many areas.
5) Besides the "decor" mentioned above, seating (bar stools) and table tops are situated around/too close to the table, also preventing full cue strokes from many areas.
6) The pool tables themselves are situated too close to each other, so when playing you are constantly waiting for the player next door to finish up so you can take your shot in the same place (s)he is standing.
I am asking for advice on how to combat these conditions and level the playing field a bit for those of us not used to having to get into an advanced yoga position to shoot a routine shot.
I have thought of bringing my own table brush and cue ball at least. Also need something like an "anti-extension" for this place, if that makes sense - I might need to start bringing my son's Junior cue for those shots where the butt is banging right up against some rusty gold.
It is a shame that this place doesn't take their equipment even a little more seriously... it wouldn't take much to brush the tables once in a while, level and raise the lights, do some vacuuming, and rearrange some of the furniture.
Thanks in advance for any input.
1) They do not take any care whatsoever to brush, clean or otherwise maintain the felt, even though it is Simonis. Stains, crumbs, lint, tears in the cloth and dirt are rampant.
2) They do not clean or otherwise maintain the pool balls. Balls are dull, dirty, and some have chips and scratches in them. Debris and hair from the cloth clings to the balls.
3) The table lights are rusty, caked with dust, and worst of all, mounted far too low. If you need to stretch out even 1' beyond the end rail, you WILL hit your head and will be covered in dust. Some of the lights are also mounted incorrectly at an angle, so when you approach the table you are blinded by what appear to be 5 unfiltered/unshaded 100W incandescent bulbs. This causes your head position to be lower than normal on some shots, resulting in misses.
4) There is "decor" surrounding each table - think stuff from "American Pickers" (bicycle wheels, old shipping crates, automotive parts, statues, signs etc) that impede a full cue stroke from many areas.
5) Besides the "decor" mentioned above, seating (bar stools) and table tops are situated around/too close to the table, also preventing full cue strokes from many areas.
6) The pool tables themselves are situated too close to each other, so when playing you are constantly waiting for the player next door to finish up so you can take your shot in the same place (s)he is standing.
I am asking for advice on how to combat these conditions and level the playing field a bit for those of us not used to having to get into an advanced yoga position to shoot a routine shot.
I have thought of bringing my own table brush and cue ball at least. Also need something like an "anti-extension" for this place, if that makes sense - I might need to start bringing my son's Junior cue for those shots where the butt is banging right up against some rusty gold.
It is a shame that this place doesn't take their equipment even a little more seriously... it wouldn't take much to brush the tables once in a while, level and raise the lights, do some vacuuming, and rearrange some of the furniture.
Thanks in advance for any input.