Backspin

Often, golfers ask me how to generate backspin on a golf shot. It reminds me of the famous Arnold Palmer golf story in which he's giving a swing clinic and hitting 3 irons. During the Q & A session following the clinic, a fellow in the gallery asked Arnie how to get backspin on the 3 iron. Arnie's reply: "What's your name? Bill. Great, how far do you hit the 3 iron Bill? I hit it about 160 yards. Bill, why do you want to put backspin on a 3 iron that's only flying 160 yards?!" Even if it's not funny, it makes a few points: number one, no need to stop a shot that's underutilized and number two, backspin is the result of a good golf swing; it's like asking how gravity works!

Sometimes backspin is not a help; you've all seen that happen, shots seemingly close to the hole, backing off a green! It's a matter of utilizing both sides of the vise. The ground and clubface compress the ball and it climbs up the scoring, (grooves) of the clubface to create backspin. By the way, dirty clubfaces, filled with dirt and grass, deter backspin. Remember, grass is chlorophyl and water which is the formula for slime. Slime is not good for backspin! If you're not hitting the ball on a slight downswing, you will not compress it, you will fly it without spin and with less distance.

There are more dynamics involved relative to swing and ball that greatly affect spinnage. I am only addressing in this article how the blade of the club, its angle of descent, and speed of swing interact to create spin. The main thought is to understand, backspin is a direct result of a proper swing and there are ways to enhance or minimize that action.