Training cue balls are incredibly helpful for developing your skill as a pool player. Not only do they make clear where you need to strike the ball with your cue for desired results, but practicing with them ingrains these skills and makes them automatic. Personally, I call these training cue balls pool hacks because you can get the same results practicing with regular balls, but it generally takes much longer. Using a training cue ball can speed your progress. So read on as we take a look at 6 training cue balls every pool shark should own.
1. Aramith Super Pro Cup Cue Ball With 6 Red Dots
- 100% Genuine Aramith Phenolic Resin Ball
- Regulation Size: 2 ¼” in Diameter.
- Impact Resistant
- Burn Spot Resistant
- Meets Strict Specifications for Density, Balance, Glossiness, Diameter, Roundness, Hardness, and Weight.
The Aramith name is synonymous with quality in the pool world. And this cue ball is no different. Although it is the most basic training cue ball on this list, I would also argue that it’s a must-have for anyone serious about upping their game. In fact, most pro tournaments use these very balls so people viewing at home (and the players) can see how the ball is spinning. Let me explain.
This Aramith cue ball has six red dots on it, each one the same size and big enough to see even if you’re not standing right at the table. These red dots (sometimes called the measles pattern) let you see how the ball is spinning when you make a shot. This is invaluable in determining if you’re hitting the ball in the right spot — especially when during shots with English.
There’s really no trick to using one of these balls. You simply play with the ball like you would any other cue ball, but pay close attention to the movement of the dots. This will help you gauge how much spin you’re putting on the ball either intentionally or unintentionally. It gives you a better grasp of the physics of your shots and the movement of the cue ball.
2. Aramith Jim Rempe Training Cue
- 100% Genuine Aramith Phenolic Resin
- Regulation Size 2 ¼”
- Coated With a Unique Wear-Resistant Layer
- Good for Both Beginner and Advanced Players
- Made to Aramith’s Strict Standards
- Includes 56 Page Instruction Booklet
Once again, Aramith comes through with another great training ball. If you don’t know, Jim Rempe is a BCA Hall of Famer. So the fact that his name is on this ball is saying something. While the Aramith Pro Cup Ball above is a basic way to get a grip on how you’re shooting, this Jim Rempe ball takes it further so you can improve your skills when it comes to English.
This ball has two different diagrams, one on each side of the ball. One is basic and easy to understand for beginners. The other is a little more in-depth and is designed for advanced players. Plus, this cue ball comes with a little instruction booklet so you can get the best out of the ball!
It’s pretty easy to use. In essence, the ball tells you where to aim to get certain amounts of English on the ball. When you’ve made a shot, you can check on the ball for your chalk mark to see where you actually hit the ball vs where you should have hit it. It’s a great way to see if you’re a little off on some of your shots. Just remember to chalk up before every shot!
You can also set up your phone to take video of your shot and then analyze it in slow motion to see what you’re doing right and what you could be doing better!
3. Marhynchus Practice Training Ball
- Impact Resistant
- Made of Resin Material
- 2.3-Inches in Diameter
- High Temperature Resistance
- Long Lasting
Although hard to pronounce, this ball is also designed to help players improve their shots. Like the Jim Rempe ball, this Marhynchus training ball is also two-sided. One side is for beginners and the other is for advanced players.
But, where the Jim Rempe ball is pretty clear and easy to understand, this ball is a little bit less so. Only one side has words to guide your shots, while the other side has a series of lines that it takes a bit of trial-and-error to figure out. But, once you get over the initial learning curve, it’s a great ball for practicing with.
It’s nicely colored and has a high glossy shine. But, like all other training balls, make sure you chalk up before your shots, otherwise you won’t be able to tell where you hit the ball. So if you’re looking for a training ball but don’t want to spend money on a high-priced (and high quality) Aramith ball, this one may fit your budget better.
4. GSE Games & Sports Practice Training Cue Ball
- Polyester Resin Designed for Scratch and Impact-Resistance
- Engineered for Roundness, Balance, and Weight
- Regulation Size (2 ¼”) and Weight (5.9 Ounces +/- 3 Grams)
- Excellent, American-Based Customer Service
- Easy to Use
This GSE training cue ball is the most budget-friendly option on this list, coming in at under $10. For a price like that, you really can’t go wrong with this. Even if you don’t end up liking it, you’ll have an extra cue ball that is regulation size (2 ¼”) and weight (5.9 ounces).
Unlike some of the more involved practice balls on this list, the GSE practice ball is elegantly designed for simplicity. It has five dots on four dashes on one side of the ball, placed precisely so you can see where to shoot. Chalk marks after your shot will tell you where you actually hit the ball in relation to where you were trying to hit it.
However, keep in mind that while other balls have aiming markers on both sides, this ball only has them on one side. The ball is made from polyester resin and is precision designed for balance, weight, and roundness.
5. Aramith Champion Training Pool Cue Ball
- Phenolic Resin and a Unique Outer Coating
- Regulation Size and Weight
- Great for Beginner or Advanced Players
- For Practicing Ball Control and Pocketing
- Ideal Density, Balance, and Hardness
This cue ball is another great one from Belgian company Sulac, the makers of all Aramith balls. As such, you can expect it to be high-quality phenolic resin with a unique outer coating to reduce scratches and burn spots on your pool table’s felt.
This two-sided ball features a training diagram on one side for cue ball control and a training diagram on the other side for cue ball pocketing. For the ball control side, you use the ball as a cue ball. But for the pocketing side, you use it as an object ball. This makes it great for rounding out your skills, no matter how long you’ve been playing.
It comes with a 30-page training booklet and also has a Cue-Ball-Disc and a Home Practice Pocket so you can even use it at home without a pool table. Of course, being an Aramith ball, it is precision engineered to exacting measurements so it will last for years and years.
6. CutShots Aim Trainer Balls
- Quality Regulation Size Aramith Balls
- Unique Outer Coating for Longevity and Durability
- Great for Beginner and Advanced Players
- Precision Designed to Exacting Standards for Weight, Density, Balance, and Hardness
- Instruction Manual Included
Last on the list of training cue balls every pool shark should own is CutShots, which is perhaps the best training system on the market. These balls are unique among training balls in many ways, and their design is ingenious. They come in different sets, but you need at least two for them to be effective.
Each ball is covered on all sides with precision-placed shapes: stars, circles, triangles, and squares. These shapes are of many different colors. At a glance, they simply look like busy pool balls that might be good for a child’s pool table. But, they’re much more than this.
They’re designed to help you make cut shots, which are about 90% of shots in pool. A cut shot is when you must strike the object ball at an angle in order to get it to go where you want. And this is where all the different colored shapes come in. The unique shapes and colors allow you to pick a spot on the object ball where you need the cue ball to hit. Then, with this spot in mind, you pick a corresponding spot on the cue ball. You line up your shot and shoot!
Here’s a quick little video to give you a better idea:
As if to add icing on the cake, these balls are manufactured by Aramith, so you know that they’re quality balls that will last for shot after shot after shot. These are ideal for any player, no matter what skill level.
The CutShot training balls are likely to be the best bang for your book. Once you get used to shooting on these balls, the process will be second nature and you’ll have no problem moving to regular balls while still sinking difficult cut shots! If you want to check out the CutShots Aim Trainer for yourself, head on over to their website. If you want more info on the CutShots Aim Trainer system, you can check out my article here.
