Reducing Spinrate?

[Baraethon]

What's the best way to do this? The measurement at my local shop say I have a spinrate over 4000 rpm (although, it isn't the most accurate).

Still, I would like some changes to my swing I could make to reduce that. Any suggestions?

[zeg]

Well, you get spin when the face of the club is not aimed in the direction of club movement. For a driver off the tee, excessive back spin probably means you're coming down into the ball. If you adjust setup/swing to be more on the upswing, that should reduce backspin.

[misty_mountainhop]

4000 rpm with what? I assume your driver?

If I were you I would forget about things to reduce spinrate or whatever and concentrate on a) decent, consistent ball striking (particularly with your irons) and b) hitting it more or less straight on a routine basis.

Your local shop will probably suggest a new club to reduce spinrates....

[Baraethon]

Yah, it is with the driver. I do hit it pretty straight but...

I have to admit, my iron ball striking is not amazing. Should that take priority over the short game work I have been doing?

[misty_mountainhop]

  Baraethon said:

Yah, it is with the driver. I do hit it pretty straight but...

I wouldn't downgrade your short game priority at all - it's one of the most important parts of the game and where you'll save most shots.

I guess I just think that there is too much emphasis placed on equipment these days rather than simply practicing. Also, your irons are your scoring clubs; they're important. There are more of them in the bag than woods after all .

[Baraethon]

True... True.

Still, I am gonna be working on the S&T; swing for a couple weeks, along with continuing to read the Art of the Short Game.

Hopefully I will have a decent game by spring!

[hamletsdead]

What's the big deal with spin rate? I prefer hitting down on the ball with my driver rather than hitting it on the upswing -- I get better contact and I focus better on swinging through the ball. Sort of like chopping the ground with an axe, and the ball flies off like a rocket. I hit it either straight or with a kind of zooming power fade, and it goes pretty far -- 240-250 with a bit of roll.

[Baraethon]

What is your clubhead speed?

Also, do you know where you hit the ball on the face of the club.

[King Cobra II]

If you find that you are skying your driver you could always go to an 80 or 90 g shaft

[rockin johny]

I was having the same conversation a couple of days ago with the teaching pro by my house. He was watching me hit into the screen and noticed a 'high' spin rate. He said it was because I was hitting down on the ball. In order to rectify this he suggested I try to flatten my swing and come though the ball instead of down on it. Will let you know how it works out.

john

[cigarnut81]

The number one factor in spin is loft. The second factor is angle of attack on the ball. Good luck changing your swing! You have to lower your spin rate by 1500 RPM. To really make a difference in carry.

[rockin johny]

  cigarnut81 said:

The number one factor in spin is loft. The second factor is angle of attack on the ball. Good luck changing your swing! You have to lower your spin rate by 1500 RPM. To really make a difference in carry.

So, do you increase loft to lower spin rate?

[Magnus]

  rockin johny said:

So, do you increase loft to lower spin rate?

No - just the opposite.

Lower loft, shallow angle of attack = low spin Higher loft, steep angle of attack = high spin Just think of a wedge shot - high lofted club, steep angle descending into the ball = lots of spin......you want the opposite with your driver.

[zeg]

Other way to remember which loft gives more spin is to take to the extremes -- imagine a 90 degree wedge. Perfectly stroked it just nips the bottom of the ball and produces no forward motion and nothing but spin. A perfectly stroked 0 degree iron on the other hand will hit the ball squarely on the back and produce forward motion and no spin. Other lofts produce results in between these extremes.