Golf vs pool

[Saijin]

You guys have any advice or links to videos for a newbie who can draw, masse and jump balls, but can't run a table and have difficulties doing cuts, rail shots, long shots, etc? <--- No consistency

I mean... where do I start to become a player like Ken?

[Sean2]

Golf.

In my misspent youth I played a lot of pool. Would have probably been considered a +3. I find golf to be much more of a challenge.

[rafal]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1384730093' post='8163640']
Ever wonder why there are golf instructors around every corner and pool/snooker instructors are next to non-existent? A number of years ago I started to play eight-ball again and wanted some help (book instruction was only so good). I asked around and no one taught the game for a living. Does that mean that golf is harder?
[/quote]

There's no "secret" that people are after in pool. But golf....it's like black magic, everyone wants to crack that secret.

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Saijin' timestamp='1384728921' post='8163544']
You guys have any advice or links to videos for a newbie who can draw, masse and jump balls, but can't run a table and have difficulties doing cuts, rail shots, long shots, etc? <--- No consistency

I mean... where do I start to become a player like Ken?
[/quote]

There is no secret formula similar to golf..

Play, play and play

What's funny is the attributes to good pool is similar to good golf

Golf grip - hand position (bridge)

Swing tempo - pool cue control (not herky jerky)

Release after impact - follow thru the cue ball

Course management - strategy (when to play safe)

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1384734136' post='8164004']
[quote name='KjBowenWRX' timestamp='1384730851' post='8163708']
[quote name='Saijin' timestamp='1384728921' post='8163544']
You guys have any advice or links to videos for a newbie who can draw, masse and jump balls, but can't run a table and have difficulties doing cuts, rail shots, long shots, etc? <--- No consistency

I mean... where do I start to become a player like Ken?
[/quote]

There is no secret formula similar to golf..

Play, play and play

What's funny is the attributes to good pool is similar to good golf
Golf grip - hand position (bridge)
[b]Swing tempo - pool cue control (not herky jerky)[/b]
Release after impact - follow thru the cue ball
Course management - strategy (when to play safe)
[/quote]
Same issues I had with putting plagued me in pool. I had all the right intentions but couldn't execute. Poor control of the butt end leading to all things bad. Bowling is looking good. Big ball. Big pins. What can go wrong?
[/quote]

The key to a smooth pool cue is holding the butt end of the stick in your fingertips.

It's a must

[Thrillhouse]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1384730093' post='8163640']
Ever wonder why there are golf instructors around every corner and pool/snooker instructors are next to non-existent? A number of years ago I started to play eight-ball again and wanted some help (book instruction was only so good). I asked around and no one taught the game for a living. Does that mean that golf is harder?
[/quote]

I'd bet it's because there is money in teaching golf and it may be harder to make money teaching pool.

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Thrillhouse' timestamp='1384735972' post='8164168']
[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1384730093' post='8163640']
Ever wonder why there are golf instructors around every corner and pool/snooker instructors are next to non-existent? A number of years ago I started to play eight-ball again and wanted some help (book instruction was only so good). I asked around and no one taught the game for a living. Does that mean that golf is harder?
[/quote]

I'd bet it's because there is money in teaching golf and it may be harder to make money teaching pool.
[/quote]

In pool...

There is people who help.. Other fellow pros help out rising players.. There are no coaches or teachers as the best people to teach pool are the ones that perform at a high level.. Getting good at pool is having proper mechanics and developing a "great eye" for the angles

[KjBowen]

Another random practice video from the vault in my man cave
http://youtu.be/dY8Umu3NSJA

[Saijin]

Ken, I tend to do a lot of either follow through or draw shots as my staple , is that a bad thing? Every time I tried hitting the cue on the side spins, I mess up my shot.

PS: It's funny I get a lot more reply in a golf forum about pool than at the biggest pool forum =P

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Saijin' timestamp='1384741495' post='8164626']
Ken, I tend to do a lot of either follow through or draw shots as my staple , is that a bad thing? Every time I tried hitting the cue on the side spins, I mess up my shot.

PS: It's funny I get a lot more reply in a golf forum about pool than at the biggest pool forum =P
[/quote]

Having a stock shot like golf is ok.. Most people like to draw the ball cause it's fun to watch.. Cue ball control is the difference between a shot maker and a top level pool player. If you watch my videos.. I keep minimal cue ball movement after pocketing a ball.. In pool you always need to be 1-2 shots ahead.

For example.. Pocketing the 1 ball and leaving the cue on the wrong side of the 2 ball which makes getting into position for the 3 almost impossible. You have to see which ball will e hard to get to and play your shots so you can set your cue ball in that position.

As far as side spin..
Yes it does affect the shot and the challenge is how much to one side do you aim to account for you hitting the side of the cue to create the desired side spin.. Again this knowledge comes from repetitive practice.

I try to refrain from a lot of side spin as it is wry difficult to predict. I would draw the ball 2 banks rather then use side spin. But keeping the cue ball in the center of the table and keeping its movement to a minimum is key

[Sean2]

I taught myself the game of pool. Compared to golf, it wasn't all that difficult. I would spend hours at the pool hall and get lost in simply hitting shot after shot, trying all kinds of things. Could really make the ball dance. Had a custom made stick with its own case. My favorites were nine ball and straight pool.

Golf, to me, is an entirely different animal. I am getting better, but compared to pool the pace has been glacial.

[Guia]

Didn't see any Schoen or Joss West sticks there.

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Guia' timestamp='1384758147' post='8165484']
Didn't see any Schoen or Joss West sticks there.
[/quote]
I play a mueci M7

[JWells]

Golf is definitely harder imo

[Guia]

I have owned Mueci in the past very nice sticks. I rarely play anymore but now play a Schoen, 9mm shaft no taper.

[KjBowen]

I also always carried a "sneaky Pete"
For those of you who don't know what that is..
It's a high end pool cue designed to look identical to a house cue. These were used for hustling in pool halls and bars. No one would expect a great pool player using a house cur

[Saijin]

Meucci eh... that's expensive.
Was thinking of getting a sneaky pete myself, but I'm definitely not at that level yet, so I'll stick with what I have for now =P

I have a Lucasi LZD6 with Predator Z2 + kamui Black SS tip . 11.5mm.
And I break with a premium line cuetec fiber glass and I modified the tip with Phenolic canvas.

Thinking of getting a predator Jump cue in December too.

[KjBowen]

[quote name='Saijin' timestamp='1384795161' post='8167048']
Meucci eh... that's expensive.
Was thinking of getting a sneaky pete myself, but I'm definitely not at that level yet, so I'll stick with what I have for now =P

I have a Lucasi LZD6 with Predator Z2 + kamui Black SS tip . 11.5mm.
And I break with a premium line cuetec fiber glass and I modified the tip with Phenolic canvas.

Thinking of getting a predator Jump cue in December too.
[/quote]

I jump by unscrewing the stock and using half a stick.. No need for a jump cue

[farmer]

Golf, because it's outside, wind, heat, cold, funky lies, odd bounces, bugs and a big movement. However, I have only played drunken barroom pool, or family reunion pool, and I suck.

[Saijin]

[quote name='KjBowenWRX' timestamp='1384798376' post='8167338']
[quote name='Saijin' timestamp='1384795161' post='8167048']
Meucci eh... that's expensive.
Was thinking of getting a sneaky pete myself, but I'm definitely not at that level yet, so I'll stick with what I have for now =P

I have a Lucasi LZD6 with Predator Z2 + kamui Black SS tip . 11.5mm.
And I break with a premium line cuetec fiber glass and I modified the tip with Phenolic canvas.

Thinking of getting a predator Jump cue in December too.
[/quote]

I jump by unscrewing the stock and using half a stick.. No need for a jump cue
[/quote]

You know, I tried that, didn't work too well for me.

[Yuck]

I feel golf is more difficult but both games share some common elements. Both can put you in a pressure situation with a still ball. You have to pull the trigger and execute.

Pool is more strategic than golf. Planning your leaves is more critical in straight pool for example than in golf. In pool if you can execute your shot but cannot plan appropriately, you will never be a player. In golf if you can aim and execute at a high level you can be quite a good player. There is still some strategy on position, but it is not as layered as in pool.

[alam]

No way pool is easier than golf. Golf has a much wider range of different types of shots needed in order to become good.

[BreakingPar]

Snooker. Hands down. Then golf.

Pool isn't even in the same league, a 4 year old can play that!

[Guia]

Snooker is a great game, I was weaned on it. But not harder than golf. 2 different animals. As a kid we played 6 ball and 9 ball on a snooker table to sharpen our pool game. I'll bet KJ has done the same?

[fowlerscousin]

Both games you can rent but can't own.

[puttnforthe8]

This thread is kind of fun and cool. Too many though saying that pool is so easy and they can get someone decent in a few hours.(the person that gets "decent" would not win a single game (unless pure luck) against even a very low level pool player. I'm sure someone could make the same claim about golf. Point is, If you have someone that has the aptitude for either, you could get them "decent".

I personally think they are equal. If you look at the number of top players in the world, there are far less pro pool players than golfers. If you could track the numbers, it might be equal percentage based on total numbers.

Both sports have different requirements to excel. Each set of requirements are very difficult to acquire and take 1000s of hours to get to the top.

You can say golf has elements, course design, course length, etc. But in pool you could have a match that includes multiple games. The best pool players excel at each of these games: 9, 8, 1pocket, snooker, 3 cushion, etc.

Another consideration that is not discussed is that one mistake in pool could cost you the whole match. In golf it may cost you the tournament, but you also have a chance to come back....in pool you may never get that chance.

They are both wonderful sports/games with great skill needed....I don't think you can truly say one is more difficult than the other. I mean, wouldn't you have to define what is point in each game is considered the baseline to measure? Sure, it is very hard to shoot under par....that's why only a certain group of people can do it. But in pool only a small subset of people could run a game of straight pool or snooker for the win. Now if you say breaking 90 is the baseline well then the discussion shifts...is breaking 100 easier than say running a rack in pool? I may say no...but who knows really.

I learned to play years ago from Cowboy Jimmy Moore and many other top players. Cowboy was a great athlete who said many times he felt pool was much harder than any other sport he played...(he was a very good golfer btw). I just don't you can say with certainty.

BTW...if anyone wants to play a round of golf and then a set of pool....let me know....would be a pretty cool event. There are a lot of Poker and Golf events happening these days....no Pool and Golf.

Oh.....which is harder Poker or Golf?

[Guia]

I presume that you are in Albuquerque since that is where Jimmy lived for many years. I played more than a few times with Jimmy
(by the way he has a beautiful daughter), but never heard him speak of any other sport. Jimmy told me that he never worked a day in his life. He was a great hustler with an ego to match. I played with him once and he asked me how many balls I had run in 14.1,
I said 56, he smiled and said I ran that many this morning. He was in his early 80s at that time.

[puttnforthe8]

Yup. From ABQ. Yup...perhaps the best hustler....many stories said he lost tournaments intentionally to get back to the cash games and hustle.

He ran 111 after his 80th bday btw.

....he played pro baseball(AAA) as well as took up golf and was good at that as well.

[Guia]

Yes, he was a money player, he and Puckett were the best around. Mosconi was great but not a great money player. More money is won and lost in the Green Room than in tournaments. There used to be a yearly meeting of money players in Johnson City, I was able to go watch once in the early 60s, a lot of great characters.

As I said my dad owned a snooker/pool hall, with football and horse bettering, and of course a poker room. It was a great way to grown up, I used to love the action, or watching the action. I probably broke his heart when I eventually went into law enforcement.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='Guia' timestamp='1384831332' post='8170356']

As I said my dad owned a snooker/pool hall, with football and horse bettering, and of course a poker room. It was a great way to grown up, I used to love the action, or watching the action. I probably broke his heart when I eventually went into law enforcement.
[/quote]

CLASSIC!!!!!!