Product Review based on the following criteria:
Purpose? What the heck is this thing used for and is there a need for it?
User-friendly? Is it easy to use and follow?
Comparison? Are there currently other products like it on the market and how does it compare?
Level? What caliber player is this product target? Beginner/Leisure, Intermediate/League-player, Advanced, or All Levels.
Appearance? Does it look cool?
Price / Value? Is it worth your dawg dollars?
Rating? One a scale of 1 to 4 pooldawg paws.
Gripes? Any possible suggestions for improvement?
Feedback? What my students had to say about it and any other comments.
Overall? Considering the pros and cons, should you own one of these?
Zone Pool
Available at PoolDawg.com
Retail price: $24.95
PoolDawg price: $19.95
CLICK HERE TO ORDER
Purpose
Zone Pool was created by Arrant Entertainment as “a tool that can be played on almost any size table and fit in any cue case or pocket.” The series of 52 shots on each card is targeted more for developing your cue ball control than on your shot-making abilities.
User-friendly
The instructions are very user-friendly. I appreciate the fact that the cards can be used as is or when incorporated with the workbook, you can create a complete training program for yourself.
Comparison
It is similar to the Ultimate Pool Challenge game only in that it comes with a deck of cards but the shots are completely different.
Level
Beginner to Intermediate, some modifications can be made to make it more advanced-friendly.
Appearance
The packaging could use a slight makeover, not the kind that includes a tummy tuck and augmentations, but the kind where you get a new hair style and some make up.
Price / Value
Retail price: $24.95
PoolDawg price: $19.95
This price includes the deck of 52 cards and the compact 38 page workbook. I consider that a good value.
Gripes
This product lost a half paw from me because of the placement of the object balls. The shots are intended to be set up very close to the jaws of the pocket. The creator of the game explains, “Because after sinking them you could position the cue ball almost anywhere on the table.” True and It did offer a slight modification where, “The games and drills can be made more difficult by moving the object ball further away from the pocket.” Even then, they only suggest moving them two balls away from the pocket.
I felt like the shots might be more appealing if the object ball was set up further out in the diagrams with the option to move them closer to the pocket for beginner players. During my clinic with my intermediate students, we moved the ball out to one diamond by one diamond and found the exercises to be more fun and challenging. Typically, the player that is ready to invest in learning materials for their pool game is beyond shooting hangers.
Rating (based on a possible 4 paws)
I give this product 3 paws!
Feedback
“It could be a useful tool for breaking up the potential monotony of every day practice. Even if you don’t swear by it, I really like the convenience of the cards. I think there’s a lot of potential. If you expand the game a bit idiosyncratically and don’t follow the instructions by rote, there are a lot of possibilities while still keeping some sort of structure in the game by referring to the cards.” Matt E.
“I thought the Zone pool game was a good exercise but felt that positioning the object ball so closely to the pocket leaves you focusing on the leave too much. I would modify the game to maybe one diamond away from the pocket or off set the object ball up the rail slightly to add equal focus to making the shot AND making the leave. Most of all I enjoyed the practice exercises in the back. I find Zone Pool to be a good addition to improve my game.” Doug L.
Overall
I support any training product that stirs new interest. Zone Pool is not perfect, but it’s also not your typical instructional textbook. The handy workbook that comes with it covers cue ball spin, angles, and cheating the pocket. The very back of the book also includes 10 drills that list a series of shots to work on, based on the card number. At $19.95, it’s a small price for a good start to position play.
