Tournament Balls

[Richard]

Over the last few tournaments and opens it has been mentioned alot by lots of different people , myself included about the quality of the balls.

It seems to be on every table at least one of the balls are dull and reacts very differently to the other balls when hit, this causes big problems and you find yourself looking through the ball tray to find a shiny ball each time.

Will new sets of balls be used soon especially with the Grand Prix coming up this weekend ??

[SirKT]

I was told yesterday that they have 8 new sets ready for next week

[beefy]

I know what you mean shinny balls react very differently to dull ones on a pool table as well so I am not suprised they cause a similar issue here. A mixed bag is probably the worst scenario though

[milko]

sirkt said:

I was told yesterday that they have 8 new sets ready for next week

That's great news Kevin, if that is the case, because I agree with Richard that the balls have become quite an issue with a few of us lately.

I'm sure they have caused missed shots by a lot of players.

It may change my attitude towards tournaments for next year.

One other point I asked about yesterday was where the dark coloured table had gone (Bournemouth final table), the answer I got was that it was the 9th table, so will only be used when a tournament needs 9 tables (Oxford Open).

That is a shame because it is by far the best top that they have. :(



Keith.


P.S Well done Kevin & Hayley on your win yesterday, one day Kevin I'm going to give you the biggest thrashing of your life.................Well I can dream can't I. ;D

[NigelS]

As I have been to all the tournaments this year I can say with confidence that the tables have been very tough through the Autumn. I agree that the balls are the main issue, I think Brian has been very unlucky with the sets of balls he originally bought, because as well as the whites going very dull, I am convinced that some of the reds are lighter (in weight) than usual as the angle of deflection (especially on the split) I have had on a few tables were very unusual.

I also think that if the pockets were treated with linseed oil before each tournament they would also improve. Unfortunately I have not time to this myself as an early arriver, but I do know what a difference it makes.

Hopefully the new balls will make a difference on Sunday, and the matches will be of a very high quality. It is not easy for Phil and Dennis to set these tables up well in the time they have, but they will hopefully have a head start now.

I will also say that it is a testament to the players, in that I have seen a lot of very high quality billiards in the last 3 months, even though the tables have been tough.

I hope players will be patient as I am sure that these problems can be sorted, and i am sure the tables will improve, hopefully starting this weekend with the new sets of balls on the tables.