If the rods can not be moved fast enough to catch the ball or to make a planned shot, it is the most frustrating feeling in the world. Some people resort to spinning the rods to strike the ball at random. There is no fun playing this way. One could find such tables everywhere. Yes, frequent lubrication of the rods can help.
Some lubricants can even become very sticky after a while to make rod handling even harder.
The problem just doesn't go away. The foosball industry has recognized the need to reduce rod weight for easy handling. Some manufacturers use hollow rods with a small hollow hole going through the center of the rods. These hollow rods are still very heavy. They also extend outside the side walls, which can be a safety hazard.