How to Add Backspin to Your Golf Ball


Most people think that only the best golfers can hit the ball with a lot of backspin. But really anyone with sound technique can do it, although some can do it better than others.

In general, low backspin sends the ball on a low trajectory, with a long roll. If you hook or slice, it will show less with less backspin. High backspin sends the ball on a high trajectory, with less roll. If you mis-hit the ball, the problem will be aggravated.

Greg Norman is an excellent example of a golfer who can impart more backspin than just about anyone because he attacks the ball from such a steep angle on his downswing. Nick Faldo is an example of a golfer with a flatter swing plane and less vigorous release.

Golf Ball

Now, having said that, let me add that Faldo certainly has the ability to impart enough backspin. In truth, every shot in golf begins its journey with backspin, even a putt. What produces maximum backspin is the club striking the ball a descending blow and the effect is accentuated by how steep the angle is, the speed of the clubhead and the loft of the club. A wedge imparts more back spin on the ball than any other club. There are other contributing factors:

  • If the ball is in the rough and grass gets between the clubhead and ball at impact, this will markedly reduce the ability to impart backspin. This is a major contributing factor.
  • Clubhead material, whether mild steel or soft alloy or the harder stainless steel, has an effect. No matter what material the clubhead is made from, the ball stays on the clubhead for an instant at impact. With mild metals it stays there longer and as such more backspin is imparted. Clubhead material, however, is a minor contributing factor.

All the major golf ball manufacturers conduct tests but their findings vary greatly because of the conditions applied. While the differences in initial spin rates may seem minor, they have a marked effect on landing. The balata, for instance, will land more softly and will stop more quickly.

Filed Under: Sports & Fitness

Tags:

About the Author: By profession, Ralph Crutcher is a swimmer but enjoys playing football, Golf, and regularly goes to the gym to keep himself fit and healthy. This is one of the reasons; he likes to write about sports and fitness.

RSSComments (0)

Trackback URL

Comments are closed.