Hi all, this is my 1st post.

Spin. Hmmm. Grooves / no grooves putting spin on a ball. It all depends on the relationship with the point of contact of the club and the centre of gravity of the ball, which, seeing as it is spherical is, well, at the centre. If you hit below the equator of the ball - you WILL impart back spin. If you hit above the equator of the ball you WILL impart top spin - grooves or no grooves. I can't say how much - that depends on the quality of contact and the distance of that contact from the equator of the ball. It's just physics - Steven Segal side kicks you in the chest - your upper body shoots back and your legs come up forwards (top spin). He sweeps the legs from under you - your legs go up backwards, your upper body falls forwards (back spin). [You can insert Jackie Chan for Steven Segal if you are younger than me. Or even Chuck Norris if you are older than me. ]

I have to say what interests me is the spin used by pros in their short games - being able to hit a low, 20 yard chip that checks up sharply then releases only a foot or so is one I'd like in my bag.