at what distance does ball spin begin to matter?

[tws1098]

Really guys? I was quoting a 15 handicap as an 18. I am speaking from my experience, not a low handicap. I wasn't stating it as fact, I was merely referring to my experience. I hit it well enough for the ball to sit between 1-3 feet from the ball mark and it makes little difference what ball I use as long as it is a name brand and in good shape. Sorry for the confusion, I did not mean to say that there is not a difference between a ball like the Pro V and a Pinnacle.

[WUTiger]

With all due respect, as handicap 18,

You're entitled to your opinion, but 18 handicappers can hit solid shots which will stop if they have a mid-spin ball.

I've tried distance balls, and they hit the green and started rolling. At a recent scramble, I tried some distance bullets from our swag bag on the front nine, and couldn't stop anything. Switched to mid-spin ball at the turn, and got some bites on iron shots on the back nine. Even spun an 8 iron back to the fringe on a false-front par 3. I had some other shots I hit fat, or skulled. Or drove OB. But, that's why I'm a 20+ HDCP. I mishit several shots a round. But, I do hit some decently. You make is sound like middle HDCP players chunk all their shots. We don't. We hit some shots "where our ball striking is good enough," and chunk some shots. Clubhead speed is also a factor. Let's say two players take 7 irons and hit a TopFlite Gamer, a mid-spin ball. If both players hit it squarely, the one with the greater clubhead speed will get the most backspin.

[Zeph]

Never said a high handicapper does not have the ability to sometimes hit a good shot, but we are still no where near a low handicapper in terms of forward swing bottom and forward shaft lean. If an 18 hcp complaints there are no difference between a Pinnacle and Pro V1, does that not stand as evidence that the player is not hitting the ball good enough?

What you consider decently is probably still not a really great shot. And it is hard to tell the difference of a few inches turf contact between two shots, which can play a huge role to the amount of backspin.

[Shanks A Million]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure they will), but a ball checking up or spinning back has more to do with your ability to hit it correctly than the makeup of the ball. Certainly a high end ball contributes but I have hit rocks "just right" on that rare occasion and had them spin back.

Yes, there's no excuse for it. I have backed up maxfli rocks 20 feet and made Top Flites dance, it's all a matter of contact. When I hit it pure, it's going to spin like crazy, and when I miss it, it's not. The higher spin balls, however, will be more noticeable on

shorter shots, like pitches and chips. If you're playing on super hard greens, then the higher spin balls will certainly help, but in the end, it's all about contact.

[James_Black]

Yes, there's no excuse for it. I have backed up maxfli rocks 20 feet and made Top Flites dance, it's all a matter of contact. When I hit it pure, it's going to spin like crazy, and when I miss it, it's not. The higher spin balls, however, will be more noticeable on

I guess you spin pro V's off the green all the time then?

[trickymicky69]

I can get a high spin ball to spin (a little) from about 50 yards.

Any less and it will either check once and stop or just stop

Its more to do with the greens and the lie than the ball imo

I can play a v1 on some courses and it doesnt matter how much it spins, it will still bounce and stop

[Shanks A Million]

I guess you spin pro V's off the green all the time then?

I have, but again, it largely depends on the hardness of the green and other factors. It takes a specific shot to rip a ball back that far, and it's an absolutely pure sand wedge.

[Williamevanl]

I spin pro vs off greens now. I just figured out one day how to do it. I'm pretty sure I could spin a top flight off from 10 feet or so as well.

I used to try to hit down sharply with my wedges but hitting down always seemed to give the ball a low spinny ball flight especially from 30-80 yards. The more down I hit, the lower the ball would squirt out. I realized while practicing one day that if I tried to hit slightly up on the ball *sounds crazy in actuality probably a more level approach* that the ball would ride up the face and go really high with a lot of spin.

It was then like flipping a light switch, I went from barely being able to back a ball up under normal conditions to bringing my friends out just to show them how much ridiculous spin I could put on a ball with a full lob from 90 yards. 20+ feet or so isn't that difficult with a green the slopes forward slightly.