In the beginning
Many people think that the game of billiards began in the middle ages. Billiards was originally played outdoors on grass. It evolved from a croquet-like lawn game played in Northern Europe. People began to play indoors and used a green surface to give the feeling of grass. A border was placed around the edges to contain the game. Players used a “mace”, which was a large wooden staff with a large head on one end. This instrument was used to push, rather than hit the ball. Almost all of our data related to early billiards comes from gaming accounts by royalty and other nobles, however, there is information that people from all parts of society have enjoyed the game since its inception. By 1600, this sport was so common that Shakespeare discussed it in Antony and Cleopatra.

The times they Are a changing
The current pool cue that you play pool with these days has gradually evolved from an instrument that looked much more like a golf club. The need for change arose when the players found their ball against the side of the rail. The huge rear end of the club would not allow the player to hit the ball squarely, so he would use the narrow tail end of the club to hit the ball. The term “cue” is derived from “queue”, the French word for queue. The continued use of this style of shot gave rise to the footless cue we use today.

pool cues today
Pool cues were made in two sections in the early 19th century. The top of a pool cue is described as the shaft, while the bottom section is known as the butt. Most pool cue shafts are made from Canadian maple, while other types are made from holly or ash. Some pool cue manufacturers have chosen to wrap their shafts in graphite or fiberglass. The cue shaft is normally completed with a spike. Every year new ideas come to market for the construction of the tip. It is usually designed with various types of leather and amalgamated substances. The tips vary in densities from soft to hard. Cues aren’t always for play, some are strictly collectible and can command values ​​of tens of thousands of dollars for the material from which they are made and their excellent workmanship. Modern technologies will undoubtedly continue to drive the efficiency and evolution of pool cues well into the future.