That said, pool hall proprietors love screw-on tips for their house cues. This is where cues with screw-on tips are used most often: pool halls and bars. You can, however, buy generic pool cues with screw-on tips at Wal-Mart and, if you’re not careful, online.
Why Glue On Cue Tips Are Better Than Screw-On Tips
Why Glue On Cue Tips Are Better Than Screw-On Tips
With a glue-on tip, the ferrule and tip are connected securely. The glue hardens so much that it essentially joins the two pieces together. And when you have a nice, solid tip-ferrule connection, the transference of energy from cue to cue ball is smooth and focused.
Benefits of Screw-On Tips
But, with a screw-on tip, this is not the case after the cue has seen a decent amount of play. Even if the cue is just slightly loose on the ferrule, the transference of energy is affected. The loose connection acts as a dampener of sorts, dissipating some of the energy of the shot. And in pool— a precision game— this is the last thing you want.
This is something the players are very aware of even through the feel and sound of the shot. Glue-on tips have a more solid-sounding hit when compared to screw-on tips. Those who have been playing with glue-on tips for any decent amount of time will be able to tell you that shooting with a screw-on tip doesn’t feel the same. And feel counts for a lot in pool.
Easy to Change
However, there are some benefits of screw-on tips, and we would be remiss were we not to cover them.
Benefits of Screw-On Tips
Cheap
There are a few benefits to screw-on tips that may help you decide which type to go with. These benefits are:
Ideal for Bar/Pool Hall Usage
Easy to Change
The main draw of screw-on tips is how easy they are to change. You simply have to unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. This makes them ideal for those players who don’t want to devote the twenty or more minutes it takes to change a glue-on cue tip.
How to Make the Best of Your Screw-On Cue Tip
It’s also beneficial for those who want to use different tips during the game. You can purchase a hard tip for break shots, then switch to a medium or soft tip for the rest of the game. If you need to do a jump shot, you can switch tips again as the situation calls for it.
Cheap
In Conclusion
Most screw-on tips use a leather-like substance instead of the genuine leather that glue-on tips use. This makes them cheaper to manufacture. That cost is then passed onto the consumer. A pack of screw-on tips is usually less than ten dollars.
Ideal for Bar/Pool Hall Usage
Other Articles You May Be Interested In
The two factors above combine to make screw-on tips ideal for pool hall and bar usage. Most bars and pool halls have cheap, single-piece house cues. Having screw-on cue tips only makes sense. If a tip is damaged, it can be changed easily without greatly interrupting the gameplay.
Plus, the low cost is attractive to business owners hoping to cut down on their bottom line. They can stock up on these tips and have them on hand to keep the games going.
How to Make the Best of Your Screw-On Cue Tip
Maybe you bought a cue with a screw-on tip before you knew there was a difference in tip styles. This is common. Those just getting into the game want their own cue, even if it’s not from a big name-brand company. Not to worry. You don’t have to throw out your cue. You can make the most out of your screw-on tip. Here’s how.
Worth checking out: Top-tier chalk for serious players, take a look at the Kamui Black Chalk on Amazon.
Related Articles
For more on this topic, check out how long cue tips last, what tips pros use, best pool chalk, what chalk is made of, and chalk color.
Check out our top-rated gear picks — selected and reviewed by billiards enthusiasts.