Spin

[gjwhite]

My question is on spin. Specifically, how to put effective backspin on the ball. How much of the equation is the ball, how much of it is the contact, and how much depends on the greens themselves?

I consider myself a fairly strong irons player, but the most I've been able to come up with is a nicely clipped divot with a soft landing ball (even when playing Pro-V1xs).

[Prodigy]

what i do to get my iron spin is to hit the ball first then go down through the ground the divot should start before the ball one more thing prov1s spin more than prov1x's

[joelq]

I think a large part of it is technique, i.e., sharp descending blow with the hands ahead of the ball on impact. As Prodigy mentions - "the divot should start before the ball". If you've ever watched those high-speed slow-motion replays on the TV broadcasts, you will see just how far after the ball is struck the pros have their divots, especially with their wedges.

Once you've got the technique, I'm sure having a soft-covered ball helps too.

[Leek]

  joelq said:

I think a large part of it is technique, i.e., sharp descending blow with the hands ahead of the ball on impact. As Prodigy mentions - "the divot should start before the ball". If you've ever watched those high-speed slow-motion replays on the TV broadcasts, you will see just how far after the ball is struck the pros have their divots, especially with their wedges.

The divot must start AFTER the ball and bottom out 4" past impact.

[Prodigy]

i think that there are two techniques to this see what one works best for you

[ericm]

  Prodigy said:

i think that there are two techniques to this see what one works best for you

If you start the divot before you hit the ball, you have hit the ball "fat" and it isn't going to have any real amount of backspin on it. Follow Leek's advise if you want to impart backspin.

As to the original question, all three matter. I'd place contact at the top of the list and then worry about the other two.

[Prodigy]

if tiger does what i said it must be right?????

[Ringer]

You have to strike the ball at a more oblique angle to the clubface.

[ericm]

  Prodigy said:

if tiger does what i said it must be right?????

Tiger's club touches grass before the ball in that video, but not the ground.

Edit: This SwingVision of KJ Choi shows this better.

[Prodigy]

but he does not make a divot before the ball now does he?

[ChvyKc]

Equipment may make a difference but you still should be able to put some spin on the ball even with cheap equipment. I just started playing again after about six or seven years of being off so I am currently using very cheap clubs and Nike Mojos but I am still able to get a little spin on the ball. I went and played with my father-in-law at River Falls in Spartanburg, SC about two weeks ago and on a par three at 165 yard I was able to stop the ball dead. You just have to practice.

[Prodigy]

i think we have been debating over the same thing the whole time ha im confused

[ChvyKc]

  Prodigy said:

i think we have been debating over the same thing the whole time ha im confused

I believe you are right, lol It sounds like both of you were agreeing the whole time.