Grip - a double ring?

[itsnoteasy]

I've read Ray Reardon's book and in it he says pick up the cue like it is a poker or hammer, firm grip but not tight, and that's all.

I do that, don't really know what finger is doing what, can't see myself when I'm playing, if I think about anything other than looking at the object ball I play crap, so pick up the damn cue, firm but not tight, and pot balls.

I like Alan Triggs explanation , hold it like your holding a delicate bird ,just tight enough so it can't fly away but not too tight that you will crush it.

[jonny66]

I think if you hold the cue lightly enough your back three fingers will open by themselves on the backswing, easier said than done though, and when to close them is the most important part.

[barrywhite]

It's very individual, the only way to find the best grip is to experiment I guess, at least for those who may be looking to improve in one way or another. If you feel successful or are happy; leave it alone! But being quite dextrous and having fast hands/coordination (juggles five clubs and a black belt in two martial arts), I can switch between grips but have terrible trouble deciding! Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses. So much spin and ball travel using single ring, more accuracy with double ring. There may be a case of altering grips for different shots maybe but I was advised to stick to one grip so it's a bit Tricky!

Let's see what Nic Barrow or Terry Davidson say.

[tetricky]

I'm pretty decent in this department, with a beautifully balanced ring grip and fingers naturally opening and closing. I am not fit to lace the boots of someone I know who holds the cue firmly like a club, with a turned in grip, that broadly resembles a Gorilla wrestling a tree.

You can grip a cue however you want to, as long as you can bring it through straight.

[Catch 22]

Judging by my recent form , I think I grip it with my toes

[itsnoteasy]

Judging by my recent form , I think I grip it with my toes

Try opening the third little piggy, the one that had roast beef ,a bit more

[Catch 22]

Try opening the third little piggy, the one that had roast beef ,a bit more

I think it's went wee wee wee wee all the way home

[KieranPaton]

I'm a left handed player and I constantly have to think about cueing... it feels more natural in my right hand than it does in my left... any tips to make my left hand feel a bit more natural because if it felt like it does when it's in my right hand I'd be laughing...

[inevermissblue]

Here's some food for thought...

If your little finger is on the cue, practice some long backswing shots and compare their accuracy with your little finger placed upon your fourth finger. This then avoids the cue being forced down by your little finger! Increasing cue range with less interruption.

Disclosure. I am not a coach, nor have I been coached. I'm just a humble amateur who believes that self discovery has more value.

P.S. The poll isn't diverse enough or it needs 'other' option.

[KieranPaton]

I'll give it a try... any advice is helpful advice since I'm struggling to make a regular 20 break because of thinking about cueing too much and not enough on potting and ball positioning. Looking to go and see a coach after new year...

[jonny66]

I find there's a bit of a balance needed, if I think about my technique I tend over think it and my technique ends up being bad, if I forget about it completely it also ends up being bad. I just try and make sure I've picked my shot completely before I get down now, then kind of feel my technique when I'm down, most importantly try and favour a smooth shot over a powerful one. Better to be a little out of position and at the table than leave your opponent bang on the next ball while you chalk your cue.

[KieranPaton]

I agree a bit of both is needed, for me it's like 85% over-thinking and 15% focusing on what I should be focusing on (potting and ball positioning). I'm not worried I've got the skill I think, just needs tightening up and worked out a bit and then i think I'll be a half decent player.

[denja]

I think the pick up the cue like a hammer is a little misleading ! using this method (In my case) makes me pull the cue off line with the back three fingers after the index finger and thumb, I would say there is more of a cupping feel with the back three fingers and they open naturaly on the back swing. Who am I to argue with the great Ray Reardon but its just my opinion.

[throtts]

I think its all BS and over baked to a degree.. Its the tightening of the grip hand on the approach and striking of the CB which is detrimental. On approach and striking the tightening will not let you get through the CB properly, thus making desired positioning ( and accuracy ) a lot harder to achieve.

EG - Hold a hammer tight with your grip hand and bang a nail in a tough piece of wood. Then bang again with a looser grip,,, the nail will go in easier due to more false..

[jonny66]

Also known as letting the hammer (or cue) do the work