The professionals make it look easy to stop the golf ball close to the hole, don’t they?
As much as we’d all like to be able to stop the ball quickly when chipping into and around the green, it’s a difficult skill to master. But one that can easily be achieved with backspin.
What is backspin?
Backspin is the backward rotation of a golf ball as it flies through the air and lands on the green. All golf balls rotate in some direction, but not all of them come back towards you.
Why do you need it? Well, golf balls are covered in dimples that help to create lift – allowing you to hit the ball further. However, without enough backspin, the ball won’t get as much lift and you won’t hit the ball as far.
Another thing worth noting about backspin is that it gives you more control over the golf ball once it lands on the ground, which is especially useful in the short game.
5 easy ways to get more spin on your golf ball
Working on your technique and making proper contact with the ball – at home, on the driving range and on the course – will help you to increase the amount of backspin on the ball.
But there are a number of other things you can do.
Let’s take a look at them.
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Make sure you’re using the right golf ball
Selecting the right golf ball for your swing and skill level will benefit your game of golf in more ways than one.
Some golf balls are specifically designed not to spin much so they can achieve long distances. Urethane-covered golf balls (3 or 4-piece balls) tend to provide the most spin around the greens before stopping dead or backing up several yards after impact.
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Opt for a club with a higher degree of loft
It’s no secret that golf clubs offer different degrees of loft. This is the angle between the club’s face and the centre of the shaft.
A club with a higher loft is generally easier to strike the ball with and produces more spin coming into the green. It will also stop the ball quicker, ensuring it doesn’t roll too far past the hole.
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Check your club’s grooves are clean
All golf clubs have grooves on the face. These allow water and debris to move away from the ball’s point of contact.
Crucial for generating more friction and backspin, you don’t want the grooves to be filled with mud and grass. Make sure you regularly inspect them and keep them clean and sharp to get the most spin.
You may consider changing out your golf clubs every few years to ensure you have fresh grooves.
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Increase your swing speed
How quickly you swing your club and strike the ball can have a knock-on effect on the backspin.
For instance, if you have a faster swing speed, the club will travel quicker at impact and, therefore, apply more spin on the golf ball as it lands on the green (hopefully near the hole).
To boost your swing speed and benefit from more backspin, concentrate on your set-up and address to create the right attack angle and dynamic impact/loft. It’s also helpful to keep your movements smooth and coordinated, rather than snatching the club back and through.
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Ensure the club face is square at impact
If you’re serious about generating more spin on your golf shots, pay careful attention to the club face angle. Which direction is it pointing in when it comes into contact with the golf ball?
If it’s open or closed, you’re more likely to put a side spin on the ball, and a ball that spins sideways won’t spin back towards the target.
Try and keep your club nice and square at impact. This will help to create backspin, getting you even closer to the pin.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about creating more spin, you’re more than welcome to contact the team at Clarkes’ Golf Centre.
We’re always on hand to help and will gladly guide and advise you. Just give us a call on 01744 419 914 or email admin@clarkesgolf.co.uk.
Alternatively, why not arrange a golf lesson with one of our experts? We can recap the basics and lay the solid foundations for a good golf swing, whilst also teaching you how to get the most spin on your shots.