Low Deflection Cues: Pros And Cons

“Deflection” is a term used in billiards referring to when a player angles their shot so that the cue ball will spin either left or right instead of making a purely straight shot. Taking the cue ball outside of the vertical axis allows for much more control over the game, and it is usually what separates consummate amateurs from real high-level players.

You’ll find a ton of debate on low-deflection cues all over the internet, arguments about how they feel, if they’re actually useful, if they’re worth it, etc. Many pro-level pool players use low-deflection shafts, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone.

In this article, we’re going over low-deflection shafts (also called LD shafts or LD pool cues) and what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using them

What Are Low Deflection Pool Cues?

Low-deflection shafts have lower endmass, which means that the shaft has less weight at its end (i.e., the opposite side of the cue tip) than regular shafts. This translates into the cue ball tracing closer to the line of aim when you hit it off-center. In short, when using a low-deflection shaft, the cue ball travels in a straighter path when hit with a sidespin (also called “squirt” or cue ball deflection) than when using regular or standard shafts.

All shafts deflect up to a certain extent. The advantage of low-deflection shafts is that they are more forgiving with your cue tip placement, which can be off by a bit and still allow you to make the shot as you intended. LD shafts hit a little bit softer than regular ones, but it’s by design. 

That’s usually the part that turns a lot of players off on them since they place a lot of importance on the feel of each shot.

Are Low-Deflection Shafts Good?

We’ll answer that question with a question: Good for what, exactly? Don’t get us wrong, low-deflection cues have their place and are more than distinct enough to have earned themselves a niche. Pool is a game that is played very differently depending on the person. Many pros aim by feeling out the shot, and they have decades of experience on them, so switching up their main tool will definitely not help their game. Others might not even think that the difference they make is worth the hassle. Yet others will still swear up and down by them

Want to see some of the more specific ups and downs of using an LD shaft on your cue? Here are the main pros and cons that a vast majority of players who have used low-deflection shafts will agree on:

Pros Of Using A Low-Deflection Shaft

• You don’t need to adjust your aim as much when you don’t hit the cue ball dead center. This is particularly helpful for players who struggle when compensating for sidespin, which means that there’s also less margin of error when hitting the ball over long distances.
• There are also advantages when using a low-deflection pool cue for short shots; since you’re not compensating as much for the sidespin of the cue ball, it’s easier to make short shots.
• For making shots that require sidespin, it’s easier for experienced players to make them since there’s less need to adjust the aim, and the trajectory of the ball is more reliable overall.
• On the material side of things, it’s common for low-deflection shafts to be constructed from carbon fiber, a light and durable material that’s known for keeping its straightness more over time. Others are made with a technique called radial laminate, which consists of gluing together long wedges of wood and then giving shape on a lathe; this can lead to very strong shafts if the wood is of sufficient hardness and quality.

Cons Of Using A Low-Deflection Shaft

• For starters, low-deflection shafts tend to be on the more expensive side, so it’s not recommended for new or amateur players, only for seasoned players who know exactly what they want.
• Adjusting to a low-deflection cue might take some time for a player who is used to overcompensating their aim when using a sidespin.
• Some players might find the relatively smaller and lighter feel of the cue in their hands unappealing. Consequently, they might also not like the feel of each hit on the cue ball, nor the sound it makes, as it might throw them off their game if they’re trying to get “in the zone.”
• On the other hand, players who use and have grown accustomed to a low-deflection pool cue might find themselves thrown off when in a place where only regular cues are available (that’s in case they’re not carrying their own cue with them).
• Using a bridge can be complicated since the pivot length of the shaft might not be “compatible” with a longer bridge length. On the contrary, using a shorter bridge might result in more misaligned shots.

Are Low Deflection Shafts Better Than Regular Shafts?

Well-informed people say yes; well-informed people also say no. As with many things that make up the beautiful game of pool, it all comes down to what you want to get out of the cue instead of what the cue can do for you in a vacuum. At the end of the day, the shaft you should get is the one that suits your playstyle. The real question should be: Can a low-deflection cue help my game? And the short answer is: of course! But only if you believe that it can indeed help you.

If you find that you have found your groove using a regular shaft over time, then switching to a shaft that feels and plays differently is just putting yourself in a situation where you have to “re-learn” the game in a way. The advantages of using a low-deflection cue are documented for all to see, it’s up to you as a player to decide if they fit into your game or can help you accomplish your goals.

Find The Best Low-Deflection Cues & Shafts At Triangle Billiards

Whatever the cue that you end up choosing, whether regular, low-deflection, or any other cue, Triangle Billiards has something for you. 

Lucasi LZC48 - Features a Mystic Black forearm and butt with six-point green-blue inlays accented by Ivory, wrap-less handle, slim natural wood butt cap, and Zero Flex Slim® Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft.

Lucasi LZC2 - Features Antique Curly Maple forearm and butt with Natural Curly Maple Handle, Natural Curly Maple butt cap, and an upgraded Zero Flex Slim® Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft.

Lucasi LZC53 - Features a Grey Wash Stained Birdseye, Blue & Green veneer points, Midnight Black Handle, and Zero Flexpoint® Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft.

Lucasi LZD6 - With a Mystic black forearm and butt with a solid black double-pressed Irish linen wrap, exotic Cocobola bordered by slim silver ring sets, black Implex joint and butt cap, and Zero Flexpoint® Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft.

LZSE7 Lucasi - Features a Mystic Black maple forearm and butt with imitation bone inlays and sky blue crush velvet poly ring, lizard embossed black leather wrap, custom 3/8 x 10 joint and Zero Flexpoint® Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft.