Questions About Driver and Spin Rate

[Zippo]

I have some questions about ball spin rate or ball spin with the driver. I'm really hoping someone can answer my questions or point me in the right direction. And I also also have to admit that I'm not sure about how best to phrase my questions but here goes:

1. I often hear people (and advertisements) talking about getting a "lower spin rate" (again, I'm specifically talking about driver) and how important a lower spin rate is but I haven't really heard that lower spin rate quantified. Is there a "perfect" spin rate?

2. For a given launch angle (whatever it may be) is the distance the ball flies directly related to spin rate - other factors being equal?

3. Is it possible to have a spin rate that is too low and, if so, how would you recognize that when out on the course? How would distance be different with a spin rate that's to high?

4. What factors have the most influence on spin rate?

Thank you.

[Darkfrog]

I can’t answer the technical question, but flightscope (I think) has a neat trajectory tool that simulates ball flight with multiple adjustable variables. You might be able to use it and figure some stuff out via trial and error. 

[Zippo]

Thank you, @Darkfrog. I will check that out, too.

[saevel25]

14 minutes ago, Zippo said:

1. I often hear people (and advertisements) talking about getting a "lower spin rate" (again, I'm specifically talking about driver) and how important a lower spin rate is but I haven't really heard that lower spin rate quantified. Is there a "perfect" spin rate?

Depends on the launch velocity of the ball. Slower ball speed needs more spin because it doesn't have the high velocity to keep it in the air for maximum carry. Higher velocity benefit from lower ball spin because it keeps the ball from rising up too much. 

I would say a good range for ball spin is 2000-2600. I would stay away from sub 2000. 

16 minutes ago, Zippo said:

2. For a given launch angle (whatever it may be) is the distance the ball flies directly related to spin rate - other factors being equal

If you have the same ball speed, then spin rate will change the distance if launch angle is maintained the same. 

17 minutes ago, Zippo said:

3. Is it possible to have a spin rate that is too low and, if so, how would you recognize that when out on the course? How would distance be different with a spin rate that's to high?

Yes. The ball drops out of air too soon. I played the SLDR for a few months. If I got sub 1700 rpm, even with my ball speed, the ball would drop out of the air way sooner than it should. 

If I hit a ball with 4000 rpm, it would go out and balloon upward. The spin causes it to stall out. Its kind of what happens when you hit the ball into a strong headwind. 

19 minutes ago, Zippo said:

4. What factors have the most influence on spin rate?

1. Impact position on the club face. Lower on the club face produces higher spin. Higher up on club face produces lower spin. 

2. Club path. This is from Trackman. 

Quote

Spin Loft – The angle between the direction of the club head’s center of gravity movement (ATTACK ANGLE and CLUB PATH) and the club face orientation at the center-point of contact between club face and golf ball (DYNAMIC LOFT and FACE ANGLE).

The smaller the spin loft, the less spin. This is why hitting up with the driver, and maintaining a lower dynamic loft (loft at impact), will produce a lower spin rate. 

3. Swing Speed. Faster swing speeds produce higher spin rates. 

[phillyk]

Think of 2 shots. A ball that starts low and climbs high then looks like it drops out of the sky. Another where someone says, “oh I must’ve put top spin on it.” One has really high spin and the other low. You want the shot that looks like a bullet, Starts up and just goes not climbing or falling. 
 

2200rpm is good for high swing speeds. Up towards 2600rpm is good for slower. You want a positive attack angle into the ball. 

Launch angle, centered-ness of contact, and club head speed are the big impacts on spin. 

[Zippo]

Thanks, guys!

[Vinsk]

14 minutes ago, Zippo said:

Thanks, guys!

Or you can just get this AND HIT THE LONGEST DRIVES OF YOUR LIFE....POW!!

[boogielicious]

8 hours ago, Zippo said:

Thank you, @Darkfrog. I will check that out, too.

Here’s the tool. You can plug in your numbers and then adjust them to optimize. Use the ball speed number and not club head speed.

Trajectory optimizer - Launch Monitor, Golf Ball Tracking | Golf Simulators | FlightScope.com

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Find your optimal ball flight trajectory and add distance to your golf shots. Use FlightScope's Trajectory Optimizer to plot ball flight in real-time.

 

[Zippo]

21 hours ago, Vinsk said:

Or you can just get this AND HIT THE LONGEST DRIVES OF YOUR LIFE....POW!!

Can I get it in purple?

[saevel25]

From Taylormade's custom shaft pdf document. 

Higher ball speed = lower launch angle and lower spin rates
Slower ball speeds = higher launch angle and higher spin rates