Question about cues

[whirlwind78]

I've read that Doherty uses an old warped cue, and that til SH's cue got damaged in 2003 he was using the same one since he was 14. If that is so, how much difference does these expensive Parris cues make on your game? Why is there so much variety to cues, and does ash/maple/rosewood really make a difference?

I don't really play the game, just interested in all areas of snooker and was wondering why everyone pays so much attention to getting the right cue, when these pros (for whom money is no object) play with really old and 'off the rack' cues. I understand that they are use to how they 'play', but the amount the pros practice, you'd think that they would soon get used to a new cue?

[cameron0606]

when u use a old cheap cue when u are young u can not tell the diffrence but when u are older and wiser u can tell that they are smoother and alot beta to use and they get so used to them that when they brake they can not play well with out it and i think its cos they go from a cheap cue to a top cue sits just what u get used to and i think that if u can save the money u shoud get a top cue i am only 22 and have only just got the 310 for my cue to be made and i started playing when i was 15 but also the top players look after there cues like they are there babys lol and have alot of work done to them so thats why they are good with thme cos they feel like they are top cues sorry for the long reply lol good luck

[Erwan_BZH]

Yeah, Ken Doherty plays with an old rack cue he got for 10 quids, back in his young days in Dublin.

To answer your question, it's not really that the top players aren't interested in getting new cues from top cuemakers. It is generally because they have their own cue for so long that they are used to it and have no need to change. At heir level, a cue is an extension of your arm and changing, even for a better quality one, could be devastating as it takes ages to get used to it. Stephen Hendry's game has never been the same since he lost his Powerglide, plain and simple.

However, if you have a look at what the Top 16 players play with, you'll notice famous names like Parris, Hunt & Osborne, etc.
Guys like Doherty are a minority.

[flame]

you would be surprised how many top pro's play with old cues,that are not TW, JP etc.

Yeah, Ken Doherty plays with an old rack cue he got for 10 quids, back in his young days in Dublin.

To answer your question, it's not really that the top players aren't interested in getting new cues from top cuemakers. It is generally because they have their own cue for so long that they are used to it and have no need to change. At heir level, a cue is an extension of your arm and changing, even for a better quality one, could be devastating as it takes ages to get used to it. Stephen Hendry's game has never been the same since he lost his Powerglide, plain and simple.

However, if you have a look at what the Top 16 players play with, you'll notice famous names like Parris, Hunt & Osborne, etc.
Guys like Doherty are a minority.