LONDON — For over four decades, one man has been entrusted with crafting the perfect cues for snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan. John Parris, the master cue maker behind Parris Cues, has been shaping and refining O'Sullivan's instruments since the 1980s, a partnership that has become the stuff of sporting lore.
The Quest for Perfection
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the seven-time World Snooker Champion, is known not just for his unparalleled talent but also for his relentless pursuit of the perfect cue. "It's like looking for the holy grail," O'Sullivan has often said about his search for the ideal stick. That search led him to John Parris, a craftsman whose cues are revered in the snooker world.
Parris, who founded his workshop in 1984, has handcrafted cues for many of the sport's greats, but his relationship with O'Sullivan stands out. "Ronnie is unique," Parris explains. "He has an almost spiritual connection with his cue. When he picks one up, he knows within seconds if it's right."
The Art of Cue Making
Creating a cue for a player like O'Sullivan is no small feat. Each cue is meticulously crafted from select ash or maple wood, with the process taking weeks—sometimes months—to complete. Key elements include:
- Weight: Typically between 17.5 and 19 ounces, tailored to the player's preference.
- Balance: The distribution of weight affects control and feel.
- Tip Size: Usually between 9mm and 10mm, influencing spin and accuracy.
- Shaft Flexibility: Determines how the cue responds to power shots.
Parris emphasizes that intuition plays a huge role. "You can measure everything, but in the end, it's about how it feels in the player's hands. Ronnie has an uncanny ability to sense that."
A Bond Forged in the 1980s
O'Sullivan first approached Parris as a teenager, already showing signs of his future greatness. "Even back then, he was obsessive about his equipment," Parris recalls. "Most kids his age wouldn’t notice the nuances, but Ronnie did."
Over the years, O'Sullivan has used several Parris cues, each fine-tuned to his evolving style. One of his most famous cues, dubbed "The Wand," helped him secure multiple world titles. Yet, even the best cues don’t last forever. "Wood ages, it warps, it loses its magic," Parris says. "Ronnie knows when it's time to move on, even if it’s painful."
The Search Continues
Despite their long collaboration, O'Sullivan’s quest for perfection means he’s always testing new cues. In recent years, he’s experimented with cues from other makers, but he invariably returns to Parris. "John understands me," O'Sullivan has said. "When I’m struggling, he knows how to tweak a cue to get me back on track."
Legacy of a Craftsman
Parris, now in his 70s, still works in his London workshop, though he admits the physical demands of cue making are getting harder. "I’ll keep going as long as I can," he says. "Knowing that my cues have been part of Ronnie’s journey is something I’ll always cherish."
For O'Sullivan, the partnership is equally meaningful. "A great cue is like an extension of your arm," he reflects. "When it’s right, you don’t think about it—you just play. And John has given me that feeling more times than I can count."
As O'Sullivan continues to chase records and redefine the sport, one thing remains certain: his search for the perfect cue will never truly end. But with John Parris by his side, he’s closer than most to finding that elusive "holy grail."
In the world of snooker, where precision is everything, the bond between player and craftsman is rare and remarkable. As Parris puts it: "Ronnie could play with a broomstick and still be brilliant. But when he finds that perfect cue, it’s like watching magic happen."
