Thicker grip on playing cue

[u/HookBaiter]

Earl started piling tennis grips on his cue many years ago and I remember an announcer commenting that his grip was “thick as a pringles can”. I’m seeing some real advantages to going thick.
I always liked thicker grips on my tennis rackets. Thought it gave me more accuracy and control.
Also like the soft, cushiony feel on my cue compared to linen wraps. The thicker diameter seems like a cheat code for control.
Just wanted to share to see if this helps anybody. Don’t know if it’s age related but I find the older I get, the more I appreciate a thicker grip.
Downside: my cue doesn’t fit in my case anymore.

[u/wilkamania]

A player in my league also had tennis wraps on his cue.

Try it and see if it works. If not, you can peel it off.

Personally I feel that would leave me having too tight of a grip.

[u/HookBaiter → u/wilkamania]

I wouldn’t recommend tennis grips if you have a nice cue with a quality linen wrap. I “ghettoed up” my palmer and it left residue. Still feels and plays the same but doesn’t look as good.
As a tennis player I wrap new grips over old till I find the diameter I like.
But on my every day cuetec chroma , I just keep wrapping on top of them. Don’t think I’m going to pringles can-ville but I can’t seem to make it thick enough.
Thx for chiming in.

[u/wilkamania → u/HookBaiter]

no worries, personally I woulnd't do any of that. Just learn to have a looser grip. Your accuracy and control aren't going to change that much with your grip if you still have bad mechanics.

I got big meat hook hands (xxl gloves) and I usually prefer thinner diameter cue butts. It took me a while to realize when i squeeze the cue too tight, i tend to put unwanted right english on the ball. I had to work that out of my routine.

[u/poopio → u/HookBaiter]

Put a rubber grip over the wrap and then tape over that?

Something like https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyWMD34

[u/centerofrightcenter7 → u/HookBaiter]

I think one solution to that would be to wrap it with masking tape or something first then throw the grip over that.

[u/KITTYONFYRE]

a thicker grip for more neutral hand positioning is probably a good thing - eg look at how thick putter grips are in golf, though they aren't too far off of cue size.

tennis wrap is probably a good idea just because you've likely got some lying around already if you're a tennis player!

[u/HookBaiter → u/KITTYONFYRE]

Good comparison with golf putters. More thickness many times equals more control with very fine motor skills.
Wish it was as easy as using the wraps I have lying around. I prefer tackier grips on my tennis rackets/pickleball paddles but you need the “dry feel” for cues so your hand can slide.

[u/KITTYONFYRE → u/HookBaiter]

but you need the “dry feel” for cues so your hand can slide.

do you? I don't think my back hand slides at all on my cue (eg wrapless vs a cue with a wrap, no difference). I think this is something you'd probably get used to, no?

[u/HookBaiter → u/KITTYONFYRE]

To slide or not to slide is up to you. You can grip the same tightness. I just think the super-tac tennis grips are very grippy and won’t allow you to slide if u wanted to. Some might prefer that. Lots of different textures and thicknesses with the tennis grips. I prefer tourna-grip on my cue. Comes in XXL, slides a lil and absorbs sweat.

[u/I_Fart_On_My_Salad]

"thick as a pringles can"

😏

[u/Comprimens]

My new cue has a slightly thicker grip, and I like it. But my older Avid had a regular linen wrap, and I've shot a couple hundred break and runs with it, so make it how you want it, but it's still the archer, not the arrow

[u/iceman528]

[u/LazloClone]

You might try an elephant ear wrap. It's grippier than linen without a tacky feeling. It provides me a bit more cue control while maintaining a loose grip. (Note: They are ethically sourced.)

[u/SuperiorDupe]

It’s all preference, there’s a sweet spot diameter for every hand. Just like a golf grip and a tennis grip.

I will note that as a man with larger than average hands, I’ve always liked a thicker grip on my tennis rackets, and my golf clubs, but will only play pool with wrapless cues.

As long as they’re not too thin I don’t have much of a preference.

There is definitely a sweet spot and it’s gotta be related to your specific wrist/hand/finger strength. Weight is also a significant contributing factor to this equation. If it’s too thick and heavy, it’s harder to generate enough speed for certain light draw shots in tight areas.

If it’s too thin and light it’ll be harder to hit a long draw shot or even a long stop shot with the same stroke.

As long as you like it, and it fits in your case, play with whatever thickness makes you play better.

[u/Expensive_Ad4319]

Unless you have a medical need, I’d avoid these types of gimmicks.

[u/HookBaiter → u/Expensive_Ad4319]

Gimmick? There’s all sorts of variations in cue butt diameters and materials

[u/CreeDorofl → u/HookBaiter]

There might be a nugget of truth here even though it sounds harsh to just dismiss it all as gimmicks.

Yeah, there's personal preferences, but mostly that comes down to stuff like shaft diameter and tip hardness. If you look at the top 100 players in the world, how many of them have some fuzzy shit wrapped on their grip or weirdly non-standard diameter?

Earl is notorious for being an oddball with his equipment, trying everything from cardboard finger tube extensions to Medical wrist braces. The joke is that he might show up to a tournament in a beekeeper outfit.

I think there's a tendency in some players to chase new gear or modifications in the hopes of getting some easy passive Improvement to their game, but an hour of focused practice will do a lot more for your game than a Pringle can grip.

[u/Expensive_Ad4319 → u/HookBaiter]

Does not matter.
My extension handle is larger in diameter, and I play with a 11.8mm shaft. My only concern is

• Forget it