How to play for spin

[Rugger]

I'm not good enough to really worry about this but I am curious. When I hear pros or low handicappers say that they can really spin it, I wonder what they do or change to inflict more spin.

When I use my wedges close in, say <25yrds, my ball doesn't seem to spin much. Now I don't have the newest wedges and they are probably dull, but I do use a soft ball.

If I could begin to understand how to increase spin around the greens I could begin to work on it. I know the fundamental physics but don't know how to fine tune for more performance.

Thanks!

[brgolf]

Rugger

I've followed your topics carefully and what you need to focus on, before you look to advanced techniques is to get a basic repeatable chipping and pitching action enabling you to hit the middle of the green on pitches and get the right distance control on chips. Dare I say that just with the correct tecnique spin will come naturally.

From 50 yards and in a 16 HC must be getting the ball on the green with pitches and threatening the hole with chips. For a 10HC extend to 100 yards, for an 8HC 125, 5HC 150. That would be my estimation. If you can't be sure that your next chip or pitch is going to end up with a profitable result then you need to start researching those basic techniques.

[JML22]

First you have to learn how to hit those 3-5 footers a high% before your excellent chipping is gonna help

[Rugger]

Rugger

First you have to learn how to hit those 3-5 footers a high% before your excellent chipping is gonna help

Please note the first sentance in this thread.

[acegolfer]

If you want to know how to spin it with the wedge, check phil mickelson's DVD.

[brgolf]

Please note the first sentance in this thread.

I feel you have got yourself confused about what information you actually want here Rugger.

[jamo]

To really spin a normal wedge (or iron) shot I just add in some wrist cock. For pitch shots I play the ball back farther and also use some more wrist action. It takes a lot of practice though. I just visualize Sergio's swing, a what his wrists do at the transition.

[GolfBear]

I'm not good enough to really worry about this but I am curious. When I hear pros or low handicappers say that they can really spin it, I wonder what they do or change to inflict more spin.

Swing hard, finish high. Assuming the contact is clean that's all there is to it.

[Shanks A Million]

Hit the center of the face, and it will dance for you. To hit the really high spin shot, I just swing steep. To take spin off the ball, swing flatter, and easier. Since short game shots have never been much trouble, I just hit everything vertical outside of about 10 yards from the hole.

[misty_mountainhop]

It's all about contact. The ball, grooves, muck etc will influence the spin you can get but it's all in the contact. CoG contact, acceleration into impact, ball-turf.

[mrbillinoc]

A steeper downward angle of attack will generate more back-spin, but remember to continue to swing down and THROUGH the ball. The common mistake is usually trying to "help" the ball get airborne. I was watching the AT&T; the other day on TV and Justin Rose had an 80 yard approach shot over a bunker. He hit the ball about 20 feet past the pin and "pulled-the-string" and the ball ended up about 2 feet from the hole. If you want to "pull-the-string" on wedge shot, watch the replay of the tour pro's wedge shots...Rose's 80 yard wedge shot included a 4 to 5 inch long divot that ended up 20 feet down the fairway!!! That's what you call "hitting down and THRU the ball"!!!