Backspin

I've heard many rumours and read many articles on how to achieve backspin, however have not been able to execute it myself. I would very much apreciate it if someone would clear it all up for me, as the pros on TV make it seem as though alot of their shots are dependent on it.

Thanks
8en_C

Backspin is achieved by a steep attack angle on the ball. There can not be anything between the clubface and the ball when struck (blades of grass). The final factor is high clubhead speed. Most amateurs would need to get quite 'handsy' at impact to create the spin needed to get the ball to spin back.

Ben,

Two points

Do you hit the ball past the hole every time? If not there is no point trying to get backspin cos all you are gonna do is leave yourself a longer putt, the best thing to do is to hit down firmly on the ball and try and get what a snooker player would call 'stun' and make the ball stop where it lands, you give yourself better control this way and it prevents the ball going where you dont want it to once it lands. I had a dalliance with a wrister action to get backspin, but I found that all that was happening was the ball was taking slopes and breaks away from the hole, gathering speed and ending up 5 or 6 feet further away. I try and hit every shot at the top of the pin and stun it so if I hit the right shot im 6 or 8 feet past the pin, if i underhit it slightly (which you almost always do), I'm virtually pin high, or if I hit a bad one im front edge and the bad contact lets the ball run a few feet when it lands. Its a no lose situation if you havent got total control of your shots at all times.

The other point is that to generate real backspin you need three things, Premium Golf Balls (Pro-V1 , Apex Tour, HX Blue) that are virtually fresh out the pack. Crisp contact with a nice wristy action as Gord says. You also need perfect manicured greens. If any one of these is missing backspin like you see on TV (what I like to call 'Hollywood Spin') just cant happen.

Ask yourself if you really need it.

As Sam Snead once said to someone who asked him how he put backspin on a 2 iron:

'How far do you hit a 2-iron, son'

'About 160 yards, Mr Snead'

Returning to his practice Snead replied:

'Why the hell do you want it to stop?'

D.

Thanks for the advice, ill try to put it into play.

Cheers
Ben

Just to add to Darryl's post:

There are a few situations you need to spin the ball back. If the pin is in the front and there is a trap/hazzard in front of the green is the most likely situation you will come across. Otherwise, you have to approach each shot as it presents itself. If the pin is back and there is a lot of green to work with, you are better off letting the ball run to the hole rather than flying the ball to the hole. If the pin is in the middle of the green you want to play a hit and stick or 'stun' as Darryl put it. The reasoning you would choose these shots is because in all circumstances you are playing to the center of the green. Since all distance markers are measured to the center of the green, playing to the marked distance takes the human error of guessing out of the equation. All shots will still require a different thought even if they appear the same. Slope of the green will really make a difference in the type of shot you should play as will the speed/firmness of the greens.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

I play in Australia, and the best coasre I have ever played on is Gailes. I only acheive backspin on a couple of holes which are under shade. and usally only when they are damp. the rest of the holes, I have a one bounce and stop action. Every other coarse I have play, hehehe only 4 others the one bounce and stop is only mircle shots. the greens are so hard and fast.

Most people say backspin is through good ball striking so you hit the ball then make the divot , if you wanna perfect that goto the range and jus hit loads of balls!

Look at Pro players at impact. Their hands lead the clubhead by several degrees and they hit down on the ball then take a divot. This effectively pinches ball against the ground and spins the begeesus out of the ball. If you can copy this impact position, you'll have all the spin you need (or not when it spins off the green )

Bringing this topic back! well i was just wondering is there a way to get stop spin than real backspinn? or are they the same but stop spin has less backspin? and can you get the spin by a deeper angle of attack?

And remember everyone, backspin leads to the ball cutting and the more backspin the less control you have over direction. This is all very well if you hit it real straight anyway but if you are struggling with accuracy to begin with dont even think about trying to generate more backspin.

D.

Just to add a personal opinion, why does everyone want to add backspin so bad? Because the pros do it? Unless you are a low, single digit handicapper, you have more important things to work on that spinning the ball.

I'd still like a swing that slaps less backspin on the ball... (read: I want a draw!)

Ben, don't fight your natural ball flight (I assume by the comment you have a fade). It is good to be able to hit a draw if you need one every once in a while, but not necessary to have as your natural shot.

I guess I should say I want to draw at will... actually, after thinking about it, if I my only option was to hit it straight for the rest of my life, I'd be a very happy golfer!

I love hitting straigh but it never always happens and drawing is ok in som situations