Throughout my pool-playing career I have had the opportunity to play with a variety of low deflection shafts.
This month I was asked by Sneaky Pete Mafia to write a review of McDermott’s G-Core shaft. Since I play with the G-Core on a regular basis, I found my assignment to be rather easy.
In my opinion, McDermott leads the way among all cue makers in high-performance shaft technology. G-Core technology significantly stabilizes the shaft through the use of a three- layer core positioned in the front impact area of the shaft. McDermott’s new technology increases shaft stability by 65% promoting increased accuracy with enhanced radial consistency. The G-Core shaft also utilizes a proprietary CT Tenon technology: a carbon fiber ferrule core, which results in greater strength, efficiency and precision. Carbon fiber extends through the shaft wood and into the ferrule with an additional red colored dampening device to reduce vibration. This results in a stronger ferrule assembly with maximum impact properties and enhanced feedback.
The G-Core’s triple layer design stabilizes the front impact area of the shaft, reducing vibration and minimizing shaft distortion. Its carbon fiber layer increases radial consistency, promoting enhanced accuracy and stability. The G-Core shaft also offers a 12-inch pro- taper.
Over the years, I have discovered that this taper length provides the correct amount of stiffness and stability. In fact, custom cue maker Bill McDaniel, known by many experts to produce one of the finest hitting custom cues made, questioned many professional players on the subject of shaft taper and after many years or research found that a 12 inch pro-taper seems to provide the best playing characteristics.
As for feel, the G-Core has the hit of a traditional maple shaft and doesn’t sound hollow like most of its competitors. Many players choose not to play with a low deflection shaft for this very reason. However, McDermott’s technology produces a solid, crisp hit that is preferred by top players. The shaft also comes standard with a Tiger, Everest tip which shapes like a hard tip, hits like a medium, and offers the control of soft tip. It includes a red warning layer that indicates when the tip needs to be replaced. McDermott also offers Kamui tips as an optional upgrade to players who have that preference.
Standard G-Core shafts are 13 millimeters in diameter. However, the shaft size can be customized to nearly any dimension that you want. McDermott will even customize the shaft length for you. Recently,I ordered a G-Core shaft for my child’s playing cue. Not only was the shaft perfect in size, but it also made the cue play unbelievable!
Finally, another characteristic I find desirable is the price tag.
The base McDermott G-Core shaft retails for around $149.00 and is priced well below most of its competitors. Additionally, McDermott offers 3/8X10, 5/16X14, 5/16X18, radial, quick release and uni-loc joint configurations so that nearly anyone can purchase a shaft to fit their cue. In my opinion, the G-Core shaft is the best playing high-performance shaft made.
I am very choosey about the products that I play with, and I have found the radial consistency of the G-Core to be simply amazing. Very few shafts play the same day in and day out. However, I have found this shaft to play more consistently than any other I have ever used. In fact, during 2013, I won a BCA National 9-Ball Championship and also finished 9th out of nearly 1100 players at the BCA National 8-Ball Championships. I did this all with a McDermott G-Core shaft.
So the next time you are in the market for a high performance shaft, think about all of the advantages that the McDermott G-Core offers. Visit your local McDermott dealer and take it for a test drive.
I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Anthony Beeler is a 2013 BCA National 9-Ball team champion. He also finished 9th out of 1086 players in the 2013 BCA National 8-Ball Championships. He is a certified Level 3 instructor for the American CueSports Alliance and is the founder of Maximize Your Potential Billiards Academy located in Bradfordsville, Kentucky. Beeler is also a fully licensed Kentucky Educator having, received his bachelor’s degree at Campbellsville University and his master’s degree in Education Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout his pool-playing career Anthony has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.
Photo: McDermott Cue Editor: Dana Gornall