Sometimes it is the simple things that are the most useful. Such is the case with the Shot Pad. One of the things that would benefit all pool players, is to take notes that help them to improve their game. In your practice sessions, focusing on your weaknesses with the goal of turning them into strengths is a valuable use of your time.
The question is… how do you identify your weaknesses? How many times have you been in a tournament or league play and miss a specific shot that cost you a match? Taking a quick note at these moments can be a valuable way to identify areas of your game to work on. The Shot Pad gives you a convenient way to do that.
Let’s take a look at the Shot Pad in a bit more detail and see how useful this very inexpensive, portable item can be to have in your pool arsenal.
The Shot Pad
The Shot Pad is a small booklet measuring 4 3/4 inches high by 3 inches wide
The Shot Pad is essentially a small notebook with a pool table template, stroke speed template, and cue ball aiming template, along with an area for notes. The following picture depicts the template and how to use it for note taking (Click on any of the images below to enlarge them).
From there, the booklet is a series of blank templates that allow you to take your own notes
Here are some examples of the ways you can use the Shot Pad:
Take notes at matches and league play depicting shots you miss so you can work on them:
Recording drills that you would like to practice:
Taking notes during lessons:
One of the things I really like about this product is how portable it is. You can take it with you anywhere as it fits easily in your pocket or in a compartment in your bag.
Some of the things I felt would have made the Shot Pad a bit better:
- I would have liked to see it come with a little elastic loop and a golf pencil attached. This would have made it a bit more convenient than having to carry a pen or pencil in my bag for the note taking
- I find the note taking area to be too small. So I really had to think about how to take my notes in a brief manner. I would have rather had the diagram on one page and a full page opposite it for note taking. This would be worth it, even if it made the book a bit thicker.
In Summary:
I know there are apps that exist for smart phones that have similar capabilities. But I find that there is something quite convenient about pencil and paper for quick note taking. There is also something to be said for just pulling it out and thumbing through it. Don’t get me wrong, I use the apps as well. Essentially, you don’t have to make a choice of one over the other. I think there is a place for both.
Any player can benefit by getting in the habit of taking notes. Using the Shot Pad and it’s portability allows you to easily have it with you when you need it.
Instructors can also benefit from the Shot Pad, using it as a compliment to their instruction. I can see value in instructors providing their students with these to allow students to take notes during their lessons.
Whether you are a player looking to improve, an instructor giving lessons or a student taking lessons, it is a wonderfully cost effective investment that can truly help players to improve and I highly recommend it.
