Sucking a Shot Back

[bm303]

How can I pull the ball back on an approach? Specifically, I mean on short approach shots where I see pro's pull the ball back a foot away from the hole. I have searched the forums and not found and information regarding spinning the ball back. From what I've heard, you need a good wedge, and a soft covered ball. I use a 60 degree Cobra FP lob wedge, if that has anything to do with spinning the ball back. What can I do to improve my stop shots so I can clear bunkers and get closer to the hole. My father has a Cleveland 588 RTG(i believe) lob and sand wedge sitting a around that has never been used. Should I consider switching to this for my shots? My wedges seem to go further, possibly because my loft on my sand wedge is 55 degrees. Any information on stopping or pulling a ball back would be great. Thanks

[Elsfan]

Open the face up, aim left of target, and to hit this shot you should hit it like a cut shot, out to in. Make sure to make an aggressive swing also. Don't worry about the club as much as the swing. I have hit this shot with crappy clubs and rock balls.

[Prodigy]

ok first of all scratch the cobra wedge and use the clevleand. two other big factors are that your wedge is clean(the grooves) and also what kind of ball you use . For the flop shot take a long and relaxed swing. Flop shots dont allways spin back because they go very high and hit the ground very soft. it is a very usefull shot but not one to be overused. If you want a chip shot the bites a lot get your sand wedge close the face and pintch the back of the ball.

good luck
.Chris

[tm22721]

This is a fun shot and very impressive when executed correctly especially on a downhill lie close to a tight pin, jaws will drop.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Should be your last option in the short game. If you dont have an obsticle to fly over or are trying to hit a tucked pin with the green being above your head (or something like that) then it should be used very carefully. Its one of the most risky plays in the game, IMO.

[AmenCorner]

I think you are too loose with the terminology here. A true "flop shot" won't spin, but rather go sky high and "flop" down on the ground at such an angle that it won't roll much at all.

[iacas]

I think you are too loose with the terminology here. A true "flop shot" won't spin, but rather go sky high and "flop" down on the ground at such an angle that it won't roll much at all.

Yeah, nobody else seems to be reading his shot. He's not describing a flop shot - he's asking how to suck the ball back with a full wedge or something.

Not the same thing at all. Pay attention, people.

[ShotCaLLa]

There are many different styles of shots that are used on the approach, so I won't go into specifics on the variations. The thing to remember is: if you want to spin the ball more (make it stop or come back), you have to hit DOWN on the ball. This forces the "pinch" of the ball with the grooves at a more severe angle causing more spin. This can be done with the ball in the front or back of your stance, with the club face open or closed, hands forward or back. What causes spin is the angle of attack at the moment of impact, which determines how long the ball stays on the clubface. The longer it stays on, the more time it has to be effected by the grooves.
This is something that takes a lot of practice to gain the confidence you need to really make it an effective shot on the course. Learn how to hit a 30-50 yd punch with your sand wedge first. Put the ball in back of your stance, and keep your hands forward (severely!!) Pick the club straight up and drive it straight down to pinch it. Do not worry about a follow through (hands should be in front). Just hack it. From this you can start to get a feel for what is required to have a jurassic effect on the spin, and work from there to develop consistency and variations that work for you.
Hope this helps! Good luck!

[bm303]

I apoligize for the poor title, considering that I meant "how do I spin the ball back", not hit a flop shot. I know how to hit a flop shop but what I meant was how do I pull the ball back on an approach shot. Poor terminology on my part, so thanks for changing the title.

[Dent]

its not all about the club and the ball, its tecnique also, If your talking about doing this with a low shot. I close the club face as well.

If you are talking about pulling it back with a high shot then It's all about backspin, having a steeper swing on the ball.

[iacas]

its not all about the club and the ball, its tecnique also, If your talking about doing this with a low shot. I close the club face as well.

Be fair - it's a good bit about the club and ball. I'm also not sure what closing the clubface does - nothing, really, except turn a 9-iron into an 8-iron and mess up your aim.

[Dent]

Be fair - it's a good bit about the club and ball. I'm also not sure what closing the clubface does - nothing, really, except turn a 9-iron into an 8-iron and mess up your aim.

But how does he hit a low ball with a wedge if he doesnt close the face?

[iacas]

But how does he hit a low ball with a wedge if he doesnt close the face?

Why would he want to hit a low ball? He never said anything about hitting the ball "low."

There's no need to hit the ball low to spin it back. It's counter-productive to do so.

[MrKadash]

IMO, bottom line you have to hit the ball first, period. I never do anything different with the angle of the club face, nor do I try to hit it low, high, etc. I just play the ball back in my stance a bit to better my chances for a good strike. But in all seriousness, I rarely play a shot to purposefully spin it back. I play many shots I want to stop on a dime, but not to suck back to a pin - keep it simple.

[Dent]

Why would he want to hit a low ball? He never said anything about hitting the ball "low."

I sometimes see the Pros shoot it low and then it spins back alot. I always thought that by closing the face you can capture the ball a little more on the back of it causing some backspin.

[iacas]

I sometimes see the Pros shoot it low and then it spins back alot. I always thought that by closing the face you can capture the ball a little more on the back of it causing some backspin.

Pros hit the ball pretty low because their hands lead the club through at impact. They de-loft their irons.

That has nothing to do with getting backspin, really.

[Dent]

Pros hit the ball pretty low because their hands lead the club through at address. They de-loft their irons.

oh okay, sorry. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[wachesawgolfer]

Its more in the wedge grooves than the technique, than you will ever realize. I got a Chikara wedge and all my shots spin back like crazy. With my previous wedges no spin but same technique. The Pros play with new wedges all the time that really cut the ball to pieces when new. They dull up fast with regular use but are mean tools when new.