There are very few sights in the golf game that are as breathtaking and exhilarating as a perfect backspin on a wedge shot. Pro players make it look magnificent and easy, but it is pretty hard to pull off in reality. Without proper technique and understanding, you can’t produce a backspin, no matter how much you try.
But don’t worry, because, in this article, we will provide an in-depth guide on how to put a backspin on a golf ball. We are confident that once you have gone through this article, you will do perfect backspins in all of your shots. Why wait then? Read on to know everything now!
What Is Backspin In Golf?
Before you question how to put backspin on a golf ball, you first need to answer what is backspin in golf?’
Just as the name suggests, backspin is a technique that directs towards the backward rotation of a golf ball while it goes through the air. Once it hits the ground, instead of going forward to the greens, the ball bites back and comes towards the pin. The technique is a backspin shot as the ball goes through the air spinning backwards.
How Does The Backspin Shot Work?
The overall process of a backspin shot is quite simple. Generally, a golf ball rotates or spins in some direction. But in this case, the ball spins towards the back. During this period, the ball also gains incredible speed.
When the ball hits the ground, the backward momentum of the ball ensures that the ball bounces towards the back. If you can aim it properly and get the favour of the wind, the ball will spin back to the pin or will be located close to the pin. The more speed you can generate on the ball, the more it will spin.
How To Put Backspin On A Golf Ball: A Step-By-Step Guide
Knowing how to put a backspin on a golf ball can guarantee you a sure win in many cases. And here are the steps that you will need to follow in order to do it right:
Step – 1: Get Your Equipment Ready And Cleaned
You are having the proper prep before any shot is the key to success. Unlike any other sport, golf requires you to have your gear neat and tidy all the time. Otherwise, the shots you have made might not provide the result you were looking for. This is especially true for a backspin shot.
So, start off by ensuring that your golf club is properly clean. Because no matter how good your technique is if the grooves of your golf club are blunted or muddy, then your shot won’t be as effective as you want it to be.
This is why cleaning the grooves of the club is always recommended after every shot you take. This way, the clubface will remain dry. Keeping the clubface will ensure that you don’t lose out on friction, as your ball will need that to gain the maximum speed.
You should also bring in golf clubs that you are comfortable with. We recommend that you have fresh grooves when you are doing a backspin. So, you should definitely change the wedges after a few months or years.
Being comfortable with your golf club is the most crucial requirement for any shots. That’s why the first step that you will need to follow regarding how to put a backspin on a golf ball is preparing and cleaning your equipment beforehand.
Step -2: Do A Proper Mapping Of The Shot
Mapping or predicting how your shot will end up is something that you will be able to develop in time. This crucial step sets the difference between an amateur and a professional.
A few tricks that you can use to map the area is to figure out how far your shot can go. If you play regularly, then you will have a rough idea of the distance that your full power shots travel. Use that knowledge and create a mental picture.
You won’t be able to get it right the first time. But after a few sessions, you will be able to map out your backspin very easily. Mapping out before a shot can also increase your confidence and provide you with peace of mind. So, we suggest you do this before every photo you take on the golf course.
Step – 3: Putting The Ball In The Correct Position
Many ignore this step when learning how to put a backspin on a golf ball and try to place the ball in the middle stance. Placing the ball mid-stance meant for short clubs. But if you want to go for a backspin, you will need a high spinning shot.
For that reason, you should place the ball a bit forward from the centre position. Make sure that you can get in a wide swing with your club. This will ensure that you will have maximum force on the ball.
But putting full force isn’t always the best option, even for backspin. So, map out your position from the pin. The height of your club should also play a role in determining where you should put the ball.
Step – 4: Hit Low On The Open Clubface
You need a high level of friction for a backspin shot to go well, which can be done without hitting low on the face. The clubface will need to stay open as the ball connects with the club.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to keep the club to a fixed degree. Instead, you will have to make sure that you don’t end up rotating your wrists during the impact.
Do keep in mind that this is a tricky skill to master; you will need hours of practice to master it completely. So, don’t lose hope even if you aren’t getting your desired performance. Keep on practising, and eventually, you will be able to do it without any issues.
Step – 5: Maintain A Good Speed Balance
It is simply that the more impact and speed the ball will get, the higher the spin rate will be. So, make sure that you have put enough speed on your shot. If you aren’t able to deliver your most powerful shot at first, then you should consider changing your standing position, ball’s position, or your golf club entirely.
Step – 6: Hitting Towards the Green
This is a crucial step regarding backspin. A backspin shot allows the ball to turn back instead of going forward. So, if you want to hit your target or get the ball closer to the flagstick or the pin, then you will need to target hitting the ball close to the edge of the greens. But don’t go overboard with it.
Factors to Keep in Mind During Backspin
Here are a few factors that you will have to keep in mind when performing a backspin. If you don’t get one of them right, you won’t be able to execute a perfect backspin on the golf ball.
And there you have it, and this is how you can put a backspin on a golf ball if you follow the mentioned steps correctly and practice regularly; then you will master how to put a backspin on a golf ball in no time.
Angle Of Impact
Make sure that the head of your club connects with the ball. You should go for a steeper angle. Because if you pick a more vertical option, it will grant more spinning power on the ball, and the better the spin, the perfect the backspin will be.
Face Angle Of The Club
Now, we have already discussed how the face of the club will be during impact. But if you are facing the ball spinning sideways when you keep the club open, then you will need to opt for a different option because a ball that is spinning on the side isn’t capable of any sort of backspin.
Therefore, to avoid any issues, you should go square face during impact so that you can have guaranteed backwards spinning motion on your golf ball.
The loft Of The Club
The higher your loft is, the better, as this will ensure more spin on the ball as you will be able to put more force on the shot. For this reason, if you haven’t picked any specific type of golf club, then you should try the ones with the highest possible lofts.
Avoid Hitting The Turf
When you are hitting the ball, you will always end up hitting the turf as well. But if you want to make a perfect backspin shot, then you will need to hit the ball first and then the turf.
This is because once you hit the ball first, you will get more control over the trajectory and the overall spin rate of the ball. But if you hit the turf before the ball, you will lose the shot’s overall power and won’t get much elevation or spin on your shot.
Air Pressure
A clear sky with no unruly wind is best for any golf session. The air pressure can make huge differences when it comes to backspin. For example, a headwind will support your backspin shot with greater elevation. But on the other hand, if you encounter a downwind, then it is definitely not a good time for a backspin.
Grass Of Golf Course
Short grass is the best for making backspin shots in general. This is because if you are shooting from a long grass course, the chances are very high that you will end up losing power and friction, and this will make all of your effort meaningless, and you will end up with an unsatisfactory result.
As you will need solid contact with the ball, we highly recommend you try backspin on a short grass surface. This doesn’t mean you can’t do a backspin on long grass areas. But they won’t be as good as a backspin shot compared to a short grass golf course.
Importance Of Backspin
Now that you know how to put a backspin on a golf ball, you might be wondering why you should even learn this in the first place. This is because there are many skills and techniques that will allow you to reach the top of your golfing career. But none of them is as effective as a backspin shot. The two most important quality of backspin shot is:
1. You Can Hit Further
Going with a backspin ensures that your ball will have a higher loft than any other shooting method. This is due to the small dimples that are located all over the ball. These little dimples will help the ball to create lift. This way, the ball will travel faster and higher than ever.
2. Control Over The Ball
You’re not alone if you’re surprised to see this. Well, when you are implementing backspin on the game, you will have complete control over where the ball should be placed, and this will highly depend on how you have struck the ball.
But if you have done everything right, then you can easily predict where the ball will land. This way, you can manipulate the game just by using a shooting style. For this reason, professional players always opt for backspin in short games as they intend on finishing quickly and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Backspin looks beautiful when it is executed properly. But most don’t understand how to put a backspin on a golf ball and end up with poor results. But if you have come this far in the article, then we hope that you now know everything regarding how to put a backspin on a golf ball. So, practice the mentioned steps, and best of luck playing golf.
