I hit too hard

[FuzzyMemory]

I've been playing pool regularly for 1.5 years, I play about 2-3 times a week including 2 leagues. My accuracy and strategy have improved a good deal, but I have trouble controling the speed of the cue ball.

I'm not a slam-hit pool player - I've worked on maintaining a smooth stroke with followthrough. I'm not the guy hitting at break-speed on every shot :roll: I just have trouble hitting the ball slowly and developing consistent speed control - in shots that require very slow to medium-slow speed hits, I tend to over-hit and over-power the ball.

I'm looking for a way to improve - any drills/tips for speed control?

I am currently using a 18oz Players brand sneaky-pete with a wood-to-wood joint. Would a different cue provide a better feel or a softer hit? Maybe better speed control? Would a heavier cue help?

[wobster]

generally, a lighter cue makes you hit harder. At least that is my experience. Try a 19 or a 20 and see how they feel. Keep practicing, the speed control will start to come.

[parrothead]

When I was having that problem I found that using a harder tip helped me develop the speed control that I was lacking. You get pristen feedback from hard tips and you can really tell how hard you are hitting. Also there are some practice drills that will help you with ball speed. In fact, I would greatly recommend the Lesson by the Monk. They sell it here at seyberts and it has some great drills in it.

[dags_lax]

A hard tip will give you more feedback but will also cause the cueball to come of the cue faster so that may not be the solution, but it certainly worth a try. If that doesn't work try a soft tip. Tips are cheap and it is fun to experiment. More likely the problem is just a question of muscle memory and you only get that with practice.

A year and a half is not that long to be playing the game. Speed control, especially soft shots, is a very difficult part of the game to master. Just watch the pros when they lag. You would think the pros should be able to consistently leave the cue ball next to the rail but they don't.

[FuzzyMemory]

I think my cue IS part of the problem... it has a very hard tip (good for breaking).
I had a chance to play with some of my teammate's cues this week - a Meucci 18oz, a McDermott 20oz & a Viking 21oz. All hit much better than my cue, and I liked the feel of the 20oz McDermott the best. I found I had much better cue control (better cue/shaft & medium tip) and had a much better feel on low-speed shots. I think it's time for me to upgrade my $35 players cue and save up for a McDermott.
I also used some of the practice routines found on easypooltutor.com and other sites and found it helpful when warming up. I used to enter a game shooting way too fast and it would take a while for me to find my groove. Those practice routines helped me start the game shooting consistently from the get-go.

[New Kid In The Hall]

Fuz,

I have been playing the game a little over 1.5 years now too. Speed is the most difficult aspect to gain control of in my estimation and experience too. I began playing more one-pocket mixed in with 9-ball and 8-ball to improve not only my speed, but cue ball control. If you are 1/2" out of position sometimes in that game, the game can basically be over the next time your opponent shoots.

Like the others have said, practice is the best thing.

I highly recommend a McDermott. I recently bought one of the Genesis ones, put a Tiger hard tip on it, and it plays light years ahead of my old Players sneaky pete. Now my pete is used strictly for breaking. Love the setup :)

[mpabon]

when I find myself hitting hard.
I remind myself, to strike not hit.
This helps me to get back into a good stroke
and avoid hard hit.
My game always goes Up when I do that .

Mpabon