Hello and welcome back for another tip. I have been asked many times, “how do you get the ball to spin backwards or stop right away on the green”? Being able to spin the ball more like the Pro’s is a function of:
- Descending Blow at Impact
- Speed of Impact
- Accurate Impact
All three of these elements must take place in order to spin the ball backwards with a wedge. This is a technique most mid and high handicappers have not perfected. So let’s take a look at each element and how we go about creating “spin”. It is a subject that is better taught one-on-one with a teaching professional. Even so, it is difficult for the average player to make the ball “dance” so do not get discouraged, but give it a try.
Descending Blow at Impact
Most mid and high handicappers try to lift the ball into the air rather than letting the club do its job, they “release” the club to soon. This is why you either top it, chunk it, or in the case where you do hit it correctly, the ball keeps rolling after it hits the green rather than a bounce or two then stopping.
So how do you create a descending blow at impact? I like to explain it by saying; “with your forward swing you need to get the handle (grip end) of the club to the ball first!”
When the club head gets to the ball first you are creating more loft, and an early release. This puts forward spin on the ball rather than backspin, you are trying to lift the ball into air rather than letting the club get the ball into the air. Now, if a ball lands on the green with enough height (i.e. a wedge) it is going to stop quickly. It will not spin back but will stop and jump forward a bit.
Getting the handle to the ball first sets you up for a descending blow and pinches the golf ball between the club face and the turf, as the ball leaves the club face it creates backspin rather than forward spin.
Speed of Impact
Simply put, the higher the club head speed at impact and a more descending blow (face angle), the more backspin that is created and the more the ball will spin back.
Accurate Impact
The ball is struck in the middle of the club face; it also means the club head meets the ball before it meets the turf. If there is any grass between the clubface and the ball (ball in the rough) it is impossible to create backspin to the point of the ball backing up when it hits the green, unless you happen to have Phil Michelson’s talent.
Summary
A good teacher will help you improve your technique, ball position, as well as the arm position through impact. You also need to a lesser extent the right ball, and remember to increase your cub head speed and hit it with confidence. You can’t wish spin on the ball, or whistle to make it spin back, if you can master the technique its fun to make the golf ball dance.
Hope this helps.
Later,
Al Pehrson
PGA Professional
