随着台球运动在我国的迅猛发展，台球爱好者的技术水平已有了很大提高，有道是：“工欲善其事，必先利其器”，对于台球而言尤其如此，拥有一支顺手的个人球杆无疑对于球技的提高有很大的帮助。

　　越来越多的朋友也意识到了这一点，但是，由于大家对球杆的知识了解不多，而市面上又充斥着大量的假冒名牌产品，因此，大家在选购球杆时遇到了很大困难。

　　那么如何挑选一支称心如意的球杆呢？

一、球杆的长度及重量：
　　现在市面销售的球杆，一般长约1.45米（57寸）、重约18盎司（510克），选杆者应根据自身条件有所选择。身材矮小者应选择较短的球杆，腕力好的选手可选择较重的球杆。

　　世界职业台联（WPBSA）推荐初学者使用17盎司的球杆。

二、球杆的木质：
　　当今世界的名牌球杆，大都采用北美白杨木、枫木、非洲黑檀木制成，这几种木材特点是：密度高，弹性好、木纹清晰，不易变形。而一些普通的球杆为了降低成本，只能选择一些质量不佳的杂木，由于木质轻，制造者会在球杆的尾部加上铁条，结果会令球杆失去平衡，大大降低了球杆质量。而且，这些球杆也较容易出现断裂及变形现象。

　　如果你想在同档次的几支球杆中挑选，可用手指轻弹杆身，密度高的球杆发出的声音结实、清脆，密度低的球杆发出的声音空虚、混浊。

　　另外，选购时还可以一手握住球杆的尾部，一手轻拍杆身，木质好的球杆传递给你的感觉是弹力均匀有力，并且持久。

　　此外，球杆后把的牌子要正对着球杆的正箭头！球杆木纹要尽量简洁、舒展，不能象鱼鳞一样密！箭头要尖，木纹向着杆头的方向为正！

　　反箭头在杆儿正箭头的反面，最好不要选中间有断纹的杆。

三、球杆的手工：
　　球杆的手工是衡量球杆好坏的重要标志。选购时要特别留意杆头铜箍与杆身结合处、杆身对接处（铜扣）（1/2、3/4）是否致密、平整。四片插花长短是否基本一致，特别提醒：有些劣质球杆的插花是画上去的，请购买时注意。

四、球杆的保养：
　　新杆买回后一般都会有漆，可以用600目左右的水磨细砂纸轻轻打掉，再用1000目左右的刨光砂纸刨光，然后上一遍橄榄油（有专用的CUE油更好），让球杆充分吃进油去，（这段时间大约要24小时）。

　　每隔三个月左右上次油，如果哪次球杆不再吃油，以后就不用上油了。

[ANTON在某国外网站上看到一篇关于球杆保养的文章，不日将翻译出来，现转登如下，E文好的朋友先睹为快拉：）]

Cue Care And Maintenance Basics
By: Jim Barr

This is the first column of what I hope to be, many columns on care and maintenance of your cue. This month I'm going to cover some of the simple basics of cue care, and in the future will touch base on some of these again in more detail, as well as other cue issues.
If you have a personal cue now, then hopefully you already have a case. If this is a soft case, then you might want to consider investing in a hard case. Preferably something with a pouch to carry all the goodies you might need while playing. A hard case will give your cue more protection from damage, as well as to help protect it from humidity and moisture that can cause the butt or shaft to warp. Another way to protect your cue from moisture is to invest in joint protectors. These are inexpensive and they will help to prevent moisture from entering your cue at the two most vulnerable parts of the cue, as well as protecting these areas from other types of damage.

Never lean your cue against a wall! This can also cause your cue to warp and can cause dents and even breakage from falling over. When I'm playing league, one of my favorite places to keep my cue between matches is flat on the floor under the pool table. You might also find my case here, but that's just to get it out of the way.

Another major cause of dents comes from using a mechanical bridge (or crutch). I often watch players bang their cue against a crutch while trying to get these two tools on the table to make a shot, as well as banging them together while trying to get them out of the way of the balls bouncing off the rail. For these types of shots, you might want to consider using a house cue.

You should never use anything abrasive on your shaft. Avoid anything that will remove any wood, this includes those green scouring pads and all sand paper. If you feel you must use these types of items then use them sparingly, if you don't, your shaft's going to end up in the shape of an hour glass. One of the best ways to help keep your shaft clean is to keep your hands clean. I personally never use any type of powder, and have found if you keep your shaft clean, then powder is not necessary. I will do something on cleaning your shaft in the future, even those shafts that appear to be beyond help.

The butt of your cue is pretty much maintenance free, but consider carrying a small, clean, soft towel to wipe down the shaft and the butt of your cue each time before you put it away.

Invest in a tip pick or a tip tapper for roughing up the tip when it won't hold chalk. Do not scrape at the tip with these tools, both are designed to tap on the tip. If you use one of these tools, your tip will have a much longer life, my personal preference is the pick. You might also want to invest in a tip shaper, you will need to determine which shape you prefer first. Only use the shaper when your tip needs shaped. You can also use sandpaper if you like, but without a little practice with it you may end up with a lopsided tip. Tappers, picks and shapers are inexpensive and well worth the investment.

I know of three things that will harden a tip. One of them is liquid, I will talk about the other two in the future. So here's a tip to help prevent mushrooming of your tip: Occasionally apply moisture to the edge of your tip. I apply a little water by wetting my finger and going around the edge of the tip. Do this as often as you can, especially when the tip is new. Try not to hit the top of the tip, if you do you may need to use your tip pick or tapper.

Never leave your cue in your car! The temperature change and humidity can cause it to warp. You could also lose your cue to theft, as I did three years ago.

One of the most important things to remember about caring for your cue is to use common sense.