so I have seen quite a few good players........ buy tip after tip because someone told them one was better than the other........... are they searching for some magic ???? what is the criteria for a good tip??? 1, it doesn't glaze over 2, it stays rough and takes chalk without constant scuffing 3, it grips the cue ball,........................................... most soft tips will mushroom at least once, some medium will ........ hard tips only mushroom for hammer mechanics,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, find a good tip and stick with it ............ they do wear (if you scuff them often)......... and they do usually harden over time especially if you are a hard striker...................... I change my tip every month or 2.................. I know some players have had the same tip for years............ it depends how often you play and how you play