pinky finger coming off the cue during delivery

[cpenney]

On the backswing, my hand opens up and my fingers come off the cue. After (or before) hitting the cue ball, my pinky finger doesn't always get back on the cue, sometimes it is curled up and resting ON the cue.
I do have i think smaller than average hands, i'm wondering if a smaller butt diameter would help this or if it has nothing to do with that. I also have a VERY long backswing.
Has anyone ever noticed this problem before?

[tedisbill]

Mine comes off a bit as well on the backswing.

What problem is it causing?

[cpenney]

Not sure if it is causing a problem. I mean it could be pushing the cue to one side...
I am talking about after the shot is completed....

I do know for sure that it looks really stupid and doesnt feel great either. I would like to get rid of it somehow,

[tedisbill]

Ah right I see. Yeah mine is back on the cue and my hand is closed after the delivery.

I presume you have tried just not opening your hand up as much on the backswing? You can still have a nice loose grip without opening the hand right up and the pinky going off the cue.

[cpenney]

yes i spose i could try that

[SouthPaw]

Your pinky in theory has no purpose for the grip except an extra finger to let the cue rest with no pressure, so whether it's on or not has no relevance if that's what your worried about, are you having problems on the table which your trying to find the cause?

[cpenney]

Your pinky in theory has no purpose for the grip except an extra finger to let the cue rest with no pressure, so whether it's on or not has no relevance if that's what your worried about, are you having problems on the table which your trying to find the cause?

Well, yes, i'm missing balls!!

As long as it is not affecting the path of my cue, then i will not worry about it... just after i miss a shot i will feel my finger all curled up and off the cue and it makes me wonder if thats the reason i missed the shot,,,

[SouthPaw]

Well, yes, i'm missing balls!!

As long as it is not affecting the path of my cue, then i will not worry about it... just after i miss a shot i will feel my finger all curled up and off the cue and it makes me wonder if thats the reason i missed the shot,,,

If you could get a video up of you playing shots on a sideway view, full on and behind your grip hand, the coaches on here may be able to spot any flaws, it can be a frustrating game at times, you may be doing one of the basics incorrect which is easy to do at times...

[Terry Davidson]

colin:

As an experiment, try gripping the cue right at the back with the baby finger curled up already behind the butt. This is a very comfortable grip and it will keep the baby finger out of the delivery however the one drawback is you may have a longer length out over the 'V' of your bridge. This grip also helps with using just the top inside of the forefinger and thumb.

The ideal grip (besides being 'firm but relaxed') is one that doesn't change configuration on the delivery. By the way, Mark Allencues this way with his baby finger on top of the butt at the end of his delivery and it doesn't seem to effect his long potting at all.

Terry

[cpenney]

Don't think I could ever use that grip, feels much too weird.

[Terry Davidson]

colin:

You say it feels too weird so just check and see how you're holding the cue at the end of your long backswing. I'd be willing to bet it's between the upper part of the thumb and forefinger as the only way to avoid that is to have a too hard of a grip using the forefinger only.

Then, on delivery don't change the configuration of the grip at all, continuing to hold the butt with just the forefinger and thumb but allowing the back of the palm to come onto the cue butt as you come through the address position during the delivery.

Terry


Terrt