Mike Wooldridge: Handmade Snooker Cues Built to Order

Mike Wooldridge is one of the most talked-about independent snooker cue makers in the UK, operating out of his workshop and selling under the HandMadeCues banner. His cues are built entirely to order, using ash shafts as standard — Wooldridge has been vocal about preferring ash over maple for the feel it gives players, though maple is available on request through his custom design process.

The Cue Range

Wooldridge's catalogue runs across several named lines, each aimed at a different type of player:

• Legend — his top-tier model, aimed at professionals, serious competitors and collectors who want the best available.

• Vintage — built with even splice points all the way round, a detail rarely matched even by other high-end makers.

• Shark — a range that has built its own following among club players.

Every current cue also comes with a laser-engraved signature and website mark on the butt, added specifically to protect buyers against the counterfeit cues that have started circulating in the secondhand snooker cue market.

The Virtual Cue Maker

One of Wooldridge's standout contributions to the custom cue world is the Virtual Cue Maker (VCM) — an interactive design tool that lets customers choose splice woods, veneer colours, joint style (one-piece, half, or three-quarter) and tip diameter, and see the finished design before ordering. It's one of the more advanced online cue-building tools offered by any independent maker.

Getting a Cue Made

Because every cue is handmade individually, lead times can run long, and Wooldridge has been open with customers about wait times during busy periods. Orders typically require a full deposit upfront. You can view current ranges, place an order, or use the VCM directly at handmadecues.com.

This article is part of Snooker 247's ongoing series profiling the world's independent snooker cue makers. Browse the full Independent Cue Makers directory for more.