Pros - How do you control backspin?

I never really had this problem playing in Sg and M'sian courses as the greens are quite sandy and unreceptive.

However here in Florida, I seem to have an issue controlling backspin for my short iron approaches. These Tifeagle greens are smooth and slick. Most of the greens at the course I play have the green sloping from back to front and this gets tough when I have a short iron in my hands. I tried hitting it a little further behind the flag to cater for the spin but I wouldn't have an idea if the ball is going to spin back 5 or 15ft. It also is more difficult if the pin is tucked at the back.

Any pros here have advice on technique for the drop and stop shot >100yds? I wouldn't want to change my wedges nor the ball type I am playing to less spinny ones. I'm sure there is a way to get over this 'problem'.

Its fun the 1st few times seeing it but after a while, those putts are getting longer and that is quite demoralising.

ha nor ha nor.

me too.

bad problem hor? spin so much.






but seriously, I would like to know the solution to this too.

If I have the chance (when the course is not so crowded) I will take a couple of videos of my shots landing on the green. They are zipping more than I require them to and its not fun anymore.

Sir , drop Joey a message and see what he says .... meanwhile, happy spinning

Sounds like a plan.

Hey Rex
The backspin comes from the speed the club is moving at. To reduce the spin you need to reduce the club head speed. A shallower angle of attack will also help. Also vary the club - instead of 56 deg drop back to p/w so ball comes in lower and releases up to the hole. I agree it is cool to see the ball spin back but it is frustrating when it ends up too far from the hole.

RSC,

I have tried that. It is especially apparent when it is into a headwind.

I did try a PW punch or a shallow 3/4 swing for a 95m shot. Sometimes it works and stops, sometimes it doesn't and still spins quite abit.

I did see a tip by Nick Faldo about rolling the wrists after impact to reduce it but it didn't seem to work too.

I was just wondering if there are other methods to do it like ball position, cut off finish etc that can help lessen it.

Thanks.

Errr .... if i may humbly suggest , check with my Master SS ... sure his TSS has something ....

It sounds like angle of attack is too steep. Try to feel you are not hinging the wrists on backswing (less lag on the way down). This will give more of a sweeping type of arc. You say you do not want to change balls, but this may be something you need to consider. It can only be angle of attack and club head speed that is creating the spin. Without seeing your swing it is hard to comment accurately however.

As for ball position, Too far back will increase the angle of attack and spin rate. Cut off will not help either as clubhead speed will be too fast.

k

I will post some vids up tmr morning during my range session.

Thanks for your help.

The last time when I had this problem was with a certain type of wedges. The only way that work for me is that i end my shot below my waist and nothing more. I think RSS advice on the reducing club head speed also make sense as if i were to end my shots somewhere less than half swing, i will tend to slow down as allowing me to control my end point.

Lamts18 wrote:

Errr .... if i may humbly suggest , check with my Master SS ... sure his TSS has something ....

TSS say: Hit Hard! Look Up! hahhaa

Or else play the ball slightly more forwards to promote a less descending/sharper angle of attack..and think soft hands/less Cock.. (hahaha sounds like RSC; but this is what lamts18 and I learnt in ChiangMai early this year)...

Ssquirrel wrote:

Lamts18 wrote:

Errr .... if i may humbly suggest , check with my Master SS ... sure his TSS has something ....

TSS say: Hit Hard! Look Up! hahhaa

Or else play the ball slightly more forwards to promote a less descending/sharper angle of attack..and think soft hands/less Cock.. (hahaha sounds like RSC; but this is what lamts18 and I learnt in ChiangMai early this year)...

I forgot how to cock and the hands hard already ... so another trip to ChiangMai for refresher course is good ....

Lamts18 wrote:

Ssquirrel wrote:

Lamts18 wrote:

Errr .... if i may humbly suggest , check with my Master SS ... sure his TSS has something ....

TSS say: Hit Hard! Look Up! hahhaa

Or else play the ball slightly more forwards to promote a less descending/sharper angle of attack..and think soft hands/less Cock.. (hahaha sounds like RSC; but this is what lamts18 and I learnt in ChiangMai early this year)...

I forgot how to cock and the hands hard already ... so another trip to ChiangMai for refresher course is good ....

wah.. there are 2 words inside there that make me misunderstand...

mervyntan wrote:

Lamts18 wrote:

Ssquirrel wrote:

Lamts18 wrote:

Errr .... if i may humbly suggest , check with my Master SS ... sure his TSS has something ....

TSS say: Hit Hard! Look Up! hahhaa

Or else play the ball slightly more forwards to promote a less descending/sharper angle of attack..and think soft hands/less Cock.. (hahaha sounds like RSC; but this is what lamts18 and I learnt in ChiangMai early this year)...

I forgot how to cock and the hands hard already ... so another trip to ChiangMai for refresher course is good ....

wah.. there are 2 words inside there that make me misunderstand...

Then join us in Chiangmai la... lai lai lai .... Sawadee ....

wow backspin.... something i have yet to experience it yet...

but do read somewhere tht the pro's do limit their follow thru to control the spin....

This is a series of shots inside 125yds. I do not do anything different on the course:

PW 125yds


PW 115yds


AW 100yds


AW 85yds


LW 70yds

Ssquirrel wrote:

...play the ball slightly more forward to promote a less descending/sharper angle of attack..and think soft hands/less Cock.. (hahaha sounds like RSC; but this is what lamts18 and I learnt in ChiangMai early this year)...

Tried that. Tend to catch it a little heavy sometimes if I put it more forward. Need to practice it more.

Rex, I noticed that the ball is placed towards the center or slightly closer to your left foot. Is this intentional for your short game shots, i.e. to obtain backspin?

I ask because traditionally, the shorter the club, the further to the right the ball should be. At least that's what I thought.

Nope. Thats what I do for my standard iron shots when I am not trying to vary height nor trajectory.

Here is my stock 7 iron shot. My ball position is the same :



There are a few schools of thought when it comes to where you position your ball for your clubs but I am a believer that it doesn't change in relation to your left foot. Its your right foot that moves back as you widen your stance as the club gets longer so it gives you the illusion that the ball is more forward than normal.

Of course, I do play the ball back to the centre or slightly right of centre if I'm trying to hit a punch but thats when I'm trying to hit the ball lower.

Right. Thanks, Rex!! Sounds like a good tip. I'll try that next.

Great swing, btw!!

Thanks...it still doesn't solve the mystery for me on how to control my spin.

It is definitely too steep angle of attack producing the spin.





This amount of lag is great for Driver and full swings and will produce alot of power. I am sure you hit the driver quite long. I can also tell from the divot that you are in a bit steep. If you eliminate the amount of lag, your divot will be alot shallower and less spin will result. By the way, nice swings!

Thanks mate. Tough to try and change that after swinging like this for quite awhile.

Just finished watching the PGA playoffs and I think I should try and visualise 'Steve Stricker' with less wrist and lag for these shots.

Thanks for the quick analysis!


....More Steve, less Sergio......