Backspin

What is backspin in golf?

The backspin (or backspin) is the rotation of the ball on its own axis, backward, after contact with the club. Viewed from the side, the top of the ball rotates toward the player and the bottom toward the target, unlike a ball rolling on the ground.

Almost every golf shot produces it, including the driver. What varies from club to club is the amount. On average, players on the U.S. tour hit around 2,500 revolutions per minute with the driver, 7,000 with the 7-iron, and over 9,000 with the pitching wedge, according to published radar measurements.

Why does the ball have backspin?

Because the clubface is tilted toward the sky (that's the loft) and hits the ball as she moves forward. The ball slides briefly along the front face before breaking away from it: it is this friction that causes it to spin backward.

The key factor is the difference between the loft at impact and the angle of attack (the way the clubhead moves down or up toward the ball). The greater this difference, the more the ball spins. That is why a wedge generates much more spin than a driver.

What is backspin used for?

• Make the ball fly: As it spins backward, the ball creates a force that keeps it in the air. Without backspin, it would fall very quickly.
• Stop the ball: When the ball lands, the spin slows it down. With a lot of spin and a receptive green, it may even roll backward.
• Stabilize the trajectory: The right amount of lift makes the flight smoother and more predictable.

More backspin—is that always better?

No. The right level depends on the shot:

• To the driver, too much spin causes the ball to “rise” like a balloon and lose distance, especially when playing into the wind.
• With irons and wedges, the spin helps keep the ball on the green, but if it rolls back too far, it may drift away from the flag or leave the green.

The real goal isn't to make the ball roll backward, but to control how far it rolls.

How do you create backspin?

• Hit the ball before it hits the ground: With irons and wedges, the clubhead strikes the ball on the downswing and then makes contact with the turf after the ball. A "fat shot" or a "top" greatly reduces the spin.
• A clean contact: Grass or water between the clubface and the ball reduces friction. That's why a ball hit from the rough often spins much less.
• Speed: With the same technique, a faster swing produces more spin. A shot that loses speed falls short.
• Clean grooves: Clean the face. Worn or dirty grooves don't grip the ball as well.
• The Right Ball: Soft-cover balls grip the clubface better on short shots than hard balls designed for distance.

Why doesn't my ball roll back on the green?

For a ball to roll back, you need both a lot of spin and a green that “catches” the ball well. A hard or very dry green, a lie in the rough, an unsuitable ball, or a slightly thick strike are enough to prevent this from happening. For most amateurs, a ball that stops quickly at the point of landing is already an excellent result.