I have seen many players miss and don't know why they miss, then go to an LD shaft and make more shots with them. That is how quite a few players I know found out about deflection, until I showed them where the cueball was hitting with side spin using their shafts, they really had no idea that aiming had to be adjusted when using spin. I noticed someone I know missing a shot that should be pretty easy, I asked if he was using spin. Then I setup a straight shot up table with spin to show him where the cueball was hitting with his shaft. As I was doing it, 2 or 3 other players gathered around and were amazed that putting side spin on the cueball made it miss the object ball by almost a full ball across the table.
I'll be rather blunt, so I hope I don't hurt anybody's feelings.
If you DON'T know why you miss, then you probably DON'T know much about the game overall.
If you have played for any length of time, using spin, you had to have noticed the effects on the cue ball. If you HAVEN'T then you are a BANGER who just shoots the ball and pays no attention to what is going on.
Whether you use a regular shaft or an LD shaft, you are going to have to get used to shooting with it and knowing its advantages and disadvantages.
Using the same shaft and putting in the time with it allows you to see how it reacts on the various shots you will encounter playing the game.
Some people prefer as low deflection as possible and other prefer a bit more deflection.
The more you play, the more you will be able to decide what is best for YOU.
Shafts that have low deflection don't have to be labelled LD or sold as LD. Some just naturally "happen" to deflect less than others by virtue of the wood, taper, ferrule, etc. Even cues that are labelled "LD" have some deflection.
I use a "LD" shaft on my playing cue, but my break cue is a CHEAP Players Sneaky Pete that has noticeably more deflection. Sometimes, when I have a shot that requires more deflection on the cue ball, I will use the Players for that shot.
