This About.com fan writes, "I'm working on getting the classic pool stroke down, but I have a tendency to grip as far down the cue as possible, near the end of the grip despite my smaller stature. It feels like when I use the classic pool stroke and make sure my arm is less than 90 degrees, the cue feels a lot lighter and less powerful because of the lower perceived weight. Should that happen?"
Great question. The far forward grip in the pool stance is a matter of convenience for many players. It restricts the motion of the arm and makes for easy (even lazily taken) shorter strokes. Such gentle strokes are partially a need arising for games like Straight Pool and partially a contrivance for lazy pool experts.
Having said that, realize that it is far worse to have a shooting arm that is bent above 90 degrees at an obtuse angle. Pretend, for example, that your starting arm angle looks like this at the beginning of your stroke.
Players who hold their cue stick above 90 degrees to start are seeking for leverage, which is the death knell of a smooth stroke. You want control and not leverage in pool and billiards.
To answer your specific question, it is excellent that the cue feels lighter in your hands with a grip further forward. You can much better control precise distance (cue ball speed) with a "lighter" cue. The pros hit incredibly powerful strokes with sticks of 18 ounces' weight or less!
Too far forward can create some issues, but bringing the stick way back (or the shooting hand) to start the stroke can totally ruin the stroke. Grip back a bit if you must, but strive to feel a lighter, more poised cue stick throughout the stroke. Leverage means you are muscling a clenched stroke, lightness is an indicator that you are playing the balls' speeds just as you wish.
Keep those stroke questions coming in!
