Wood Cues vs. Fiberglass Cues and the differences of the billiard cue sticks

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One of the major decisions you'll have to make when you're ready to buy new billiard cue sticks is what material you want the cue to be made from. The two main options that you will have to choose between are wood cues and fiberglass cues. If you buy your billiard cue sticks from a reputable brand it will be hard to go wrong regardless of what you choose, however you'll find that these materials have different properties and will be available in different price ranges as well.

Fiberglass cues have been gaining some steam in the last few years as more players have been turning to them. They are a cheap and durable alternative to wood cues, and fiberglass or graphite billiard cue sticks have emerged as the only true, viable option outside of pure wood billiard cue sticks. When made properly by a company such as Cuetec, fiberglass cues will be completely resistant to warping and other damage. They will hold up to the test of time, and they will provide a lot of bang for their buck, coming in generally less expensive than mid-range wood cues.

However, the major trade-off that you will be making with a fiberglass cue is that you lose a lot of the fine touch that you enjoy when you use a wood cue. The fiberglass basically dulls the vibrations and feelings that you receive when you strike the ball, so while you won't have any trouble aiming you may have a more difficult time making adjustments. That's why many advanced and highly experienced players avoid fiberglass cues, and instead opt for the refined precision and pinpoint touch that high quality wood billiard cue sticks provide.

For beginners and intermediate players, the difference will probably be somewhat negligible, and the cost savings and durability should more than make up for it. Even many professionals use fiberglass cues once they become used to the difference in touch sensitivity, however upper echelon wood cues are still generally seen as being the best option available at the highest levels.

Of course, just because you purchase a wood cue it doesn't mean that you have to spend a ton of money. While intricately designed cues, featuring extravagant inlays and exotic materials can quickly skyrocket in terms of cost, there are plenty of affordable options that still provide excellent play and performance. Plus, with a wooden stick you will be able to enjoy those inlays featuring different materials whereas with a fiberglass cue you're looking at different colors and designs on the fiberglass itself.

The best wooden pool cues aren't just for performance; they are also unique pieces of art, each one featuring its own characteristics. This is opposed to a fiberglass cue, where every unit off of the production line will be exactly the same, and even good looking cues won't have the level of artistic design or detail that handmade or hand designed wooden cues have.

The bottom line is that different people will prefer different billiard cue sticks. That's the way it has always been and it holds true today as well. For maximum touch and precision, as well as the use of finer materials, a wooden cue is your best bet. To save on some cash and get a high quality stick that will hold up perfectly over time, a fiberglass cue can be a great choice, particularly for beginners and intermediate players.

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