cue weights

[jacklutzfla@msn.com]

What is the best way to determine the proper cue weight for an individual :?: Or is this only determined through trial and error :?:

[jkraft]

I could be wrong, and if I am someone correct me, but -- the way I look at it is your height/build. I am 5'6-1/2" and 145lbs. Average build. So, I like to use an 18oz cue. My girlfriend bought me a 19oz cue and I use that alot more then my 18oz just because she bought it. I have no problem with the 19oz cue, but like using something a little lighter instead. Im not sure if I can really even tell the difference in weights between an 18 and 19oz.

If your a real big guy though, you may want to use a 20oz, or if your small (like my girlfriend-- 5 feet almost on the nose) , you'd want to use something around a 17oz.

She still is deciding on her cue purchase (women take forever, dont they? :) ) -- but she's thinking 26" shaft & 17oz.

Again, it could be more personal preference, but I think those are the guidelines you should follow.

8O Since I was going to buy several cues, I worked pretty hard at finding an answer to this question. (1) It makes sense to make all your playing cues the same weight. (2) The CB does not care how tall you are, or in my case, how fat. The CB is 6 oz. (3) The one source I found said to go with 19oz cues whether I like it or not. Most pro's do 19oz. Get used to it. (4) Now you can run the momentum (kvM) and energy (kvvM) equations for a 19oz cue and 6oz CB. (4) Now that you have done the math, you have noticed that different weights for break cues is appropriate. If you have big slow muscles, use a heavier BC. If you are quick, use a light BC.

[CJK]

I've tried everything from 18 to 21, and when I bought my Predator, I got it in 18-18.5 (I can't remember which it is), which was lighter than the cue I had been using, a 19.5. I like the lighter cue, because it just feels better. I don't give a damn about transferring energy or anything. If I can't hit a cue ball the length of a table in a straight line, then a heavier or lighter cue isn't going to change that. Go with what feels right. I'm actually a larger person (size wise, not height) but I would never go back to a heavy cue.

im 5'7 and i weight 145 but i don't like the 18 or 19 ounce cues. i thought they were too light. then i bought a 21 ounce and i been winning more often

[Kokopuffs]

Whatever feels good and that's no joke, either. I love a 20 or 20 1/4 ounce stick.

[parrothead]

I have found that balance is really the important thing in a cue. A well balanced 19.5oz cue can feel lighter than a poorly balanced 18oz. It's all in your arm, and how you like to hold your cue. There is no formula you can use, you just have to try it and find out. Although I would advise getting a cue with a weight bolt, and get it on the heavy side, that way you can adjust the weight if you want to so you can find a sweet spot.

[dags_lax]

Balance point does make a difference in how heavy a cue feels. The closer to the joint that the balance point is the lighter the cue feels when stroking. Production cues with adjustable weights are balance by using interchangeable weight bolts in the but of the cue. Some custom cue makers balance their cues by putting the weight bolts in the forearm where the handle meets the fore arm. The draw back to this method of construction being that once the cue is assembled there is no changing the weight.

Most players that have tried my Chester Krick cue prefer the feel of their rear balanced cue. They feel that rear weighting gives their cues a more substantial feel in the grip hand. To me a my CK cue has just an natural, effortless feel to it that none of my other cues have.

As for the feedback from striking the cue ball I think a lighter cue would be better but the difference is probably more theoretical than practical. Of bigger concern would be how well the cue is constructed, straightness, fit of the joint, and especially what kind of tip is on the shaft

I think the bottom line is that players prefer what they get used to. Changing weights, or different balance points (for most players), while it may feel awkward or uncomfortable, doesn't make a difference once they have had a chance to used to a different cue.

[maughanm]

I know I am in the wrong section for this, but since it got started....Exactly how do you determine a cue to be well balanced or poorly balanced? Also, what is the best procedure you use to find the exact balance point? Last, where is the best place to grip your cue in relation to this point once the balance point if found? Looking for a anyway to improve...I'm in a rut here :x . mike

[Kokopuffs]

IMHO it's whatever feels good in your hands.

[parrothead]

I tend to agree with Kokopuffs, balance is really a personal preference. I do however think that in general cues that would be considered well balanced feel deceptively light for their actual weight.

[dags_lax]

To answer Maughanm's question balance point and grip should have no relation to each other. As a general rule your grip arm should form a right angle between the upper arm and the forearm with the stroke pivoting at the elbow, no shoulder or upper arm movement. This being the case then where the butt of the cue is griped depends upon how close to the cue tip you make your bridge.

If you are not already using the right angle I described, force yourself to shoot that way and see if you can get used to it. If you cannot get used to it then the cue has the wrong weight/balance point for you. One thing that I see a lot of is players griping the cue to far back which would indicate that, A) they never learned the proper grip or, B) the cue is to butt heavy for them.

[dags_lax]

BTW a quick and dirty method of finding a balance point is to set something small and square on the pool table (a nine volt battery works fine) then just move the cue around so that it doesn't touch the table.