Slimjim001:
As with so many of us who play this awesome game, I am
always thinking about how I might improve. As I moved up through the ranks, I
acquired better and better equipment, assuming that my game would improve at
the same pace as the better equipment I put in my bag. Well, it didn’t. I’ve
since concluded that my top-of-the-line equipment may have been too much for
me, that it might have been doing my game more harm than good so I began experimenting
with lesser quality stuff which might better fit my skill and ability level. I’ve
downgraded my 3 wood, irons and wedges. I’m playing better now than I have for the
past couple years. I would like to hear your
opinion. Do you think that using top of the line equipment can be more of a
detriment than a help?
Hello Jim!
Very nice question. My opinion is the following:
I remember when i started playing pool. After couple of months when i learned the basics (in general lines...), a guy comes to me and says: Play with this cue, is better!!
I played for about 2-3 hours but i didn't notice much of a difference, so i said to the guy: Sorry, but i don't know why you consider this cue stick better than my previous one.
A third guy who was watching (he was an experienced player) comes to me and says:
You can't appreciate the differences of these 2 cues cause your game is limited in the execution of 1 or 2 type of shots. When you play more and understand how many different type of shots are involved with this game, perhaps then you could appreciate the differences.
He was bang on 100% correct with his comment!!! And i realised that after a year playing pool.
Same thing goes for WGT. What benefit can give me an iron set 100+ level with certain properties and a sleeve of balls that cost 1500+ credits if don't know, or understand how to use them. Absolutely nothing!!
In my opinion, the first and most important ingredient for someone to level up, is the observation.
Start recording your rounds. Go back and play them back do understand why this shot ended up the way it did. Can be a mistake by you, can be a miscalculation, can be a VEM shot, can be the use of a wrong club, can be the use of more or less back spin...many many reasons.
When you find out what the problem was, integrate it into your gray cells (as Poirot says) or write it down. Then, try to explain why you encounter this sort of pattern on these shots in order to understand WHY this is happening.
After you have put all the above in order, then you can appreciate and choose the right clubs and balls for you. Why? Because then, you will know what to do with them.
(the ''you'' usage is in general form and not spedifically towards you Jim)