The PowerGlide Cue|Lab — We make the cues. We know the game.
Ask most players what they look for in a new cue and weight is usually the first thing mentioned. Heavier for power, lighter for control — it feels like simple maths.
But two cues of identical weight can feel completely different in your hand. One feels stable and predictable, the other feels awkward, front-heavy, or strangely light on delivery.
That difference isn't about weight at all. It's about balance — and it's one of the most overlooked specifications when players choose new equipment.
In this article you'll learn
- ✓ Why weight alone doesn't determine how a cue feels
- ✓ What balance point actually means in practice
- ✓ How balance affects control, power and consistency
- ✓ How to find the right balance for your game
01 Weight Isn't the Whole Story
Two 18oz cues can feel entirely different depending on where that weight is distributed along the shaft, joint and butt.
A cue weighted more toward the tip can feel heavier during delivery than the label suggests, while one balanced toward the butt can feel lighter and more manoeuvrable.
This is why choosing a cue by weight alone often leads to disappointment — the number tells you very little about how it will actually feel in play.
02 What Balance Point Actually Means
Balance point refers to where a cue naturally rests when supported on a single finger — closer to the joint usually feels more stable, further away can feel more fluid.
This single measurement has a significant effect on cueing action, influencing how naturally the cue swings through the ball during delivery.
Understanding your preferred balance point is often more useful than fixating on a specific weight when selecting a new cue.
Joe O'Connor on grip and the balance point...
"You have to make sure the balance point is in the right place. I've only realised that was such a big deal recently.
My old cue was too long for me, so I used to have a bit of tape on it to show me where I needed to hold it. Now I've had those extra two inches taken off and I hold it pretty much on the end. I'm now behind the balance point."
Joe O'Connor is an English professional who has reached three ranking event finals during his career.
03 How Balance Affects Control and Power
A well-balanced cue tends to swing more predictably through the shot, helping maintain a straight cueing action under pressure.
Poor balance, by contrast, can encourage subtle compensations in technique — often without the player even realising they're adjusting for it.
Over time, this can affect consistency far more than raw weight ever would, particularly during long, high-pressure frames.
04 Finding the Right Balance for You
There's no universally "correct" balance point — only the one that complements your natural stance, grip and cueing action.
Testing different balance points, rather than different weights, often reveals far more about what actually improves your game.
This is why experienced players and coaches increasingly focus conversations on balance and feel, rather than weight specifications alone.
PowerGlide Insight
Weight is easy to print on a label. Balance is harder to get right — and far more important. Every PowerGlide cue is finished with careful attention to balance point, because that's what actually shapes how a cue feels in a player's hands.
Myth v Reality
Did you know?
Two cues can share the exact same weight yet have balance points several centimetres apart — enough to noticeably change how stable or fluid the cue feels during delivery.
How To Choose a Cue Based on Balance
- 01Try cues of similar weight but different balance points side by side.
- 02Pay attention to how naturally the cue swings through your delivery.
- 03Notice whether the cue feels front-heavy, even if the total weight seems light.
- 04Ask about balance point specifications, not just total weight.
- 05Trust how the cue feels in play over how it feels standing still.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is balance more important than weight when choosing a cue?
For most players, yes. Balance affects feel and control more directly than total weight alone.
How do I find a cue's balance point?
Rest the cue on a single finger — the point where it balances naturally is its balance point.
Can balance point be adjusted after purchase?
In some cases, minor adjustments are possible, though most players are better served choosing the right balance from the outset.
Does balance affect power as much as control?
Yes. A well-balanced cue can deliver power more efficiently, not just more accurately.
The Final Word
Weight is easy to measure and easy to compare, which is exactly why it's become the default way players think about choosing a cue.
But feel isn't determined by a single number. It's shaped by balance — something far more personal, and far more influential, than most players realise until they actually experience the difference.
Next time you're choosing a cue, don't just ask how heavy it is. Ask how it balances.
Why PowerGlide?
Every PowerGlide cue is finished with careful attention to balance, not just weight. Because the right cue doesn't just match a specification — it matches how you actually play.
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