GolfTEC | Momentum

Creating Back Spin
by Tom Gibbs, Director of Instruction - Park Meadows, Colorado

I consistently get asked how a player can achieve backspin from 100 yards and in. In this article I will address proper techniques to create backspin from close range. However, let me first address a few key points that are important to understand before you attempt to back the ball up. First of all, shots you see backing up on TV are largely produced from course conditions. Tightly mown fairways and greens can produce more backspin on the ball. A lot of times, public and even some private course conditions do not favor backspin on the ball. Also, Championship courses usually have more undulation on the greens that typically do not show on TV. At times when a ball backs up on the green it can be just as much the undulation as actual backspin. Finally, I find amateurs think Touring Professionals can back the ball up at will and this is only true with the right conditions. In other words, from 100 yards and in, understand that more times than not, players of all abilities need to plan on the ball rolling forward, and not backwards.

There are three main objectives that will help create backspin on the ball from 100 yards and in.

Use a club that is properly fit for you and with at least 52 degrees of loft
A steep enough angle of approach into the ball is needed to promote hitting down on the ball with a divot after impact…the ball rolls up the face of the club thus creating backspin
Acceleration through the shot all help promote backspin. The faster the swing speed the more accelerated backspin rotation on the ball.

Be sure that you go through a g-FIT session with your coach and have a focus on your wedges. If you have a tendency to dig the toe or heel into the ground with an incorrect shaft flex, backspin will be a challenge to create. When you and your coach meet, it is also good to discuss how your wedge make up should be…two, three or four wedges? What wedges would be best for your game is something you need to find out first and foremost.

A steeper angle of approach can promote more shaft lean at impact and more backspin. A steeper angle of approach on the ball is created by hinging your wrists earlier in the back swing. By the time your left arm is parallel to the ground on the back swing you should have created a 90 degree angle between your left arm and the shaft. The idea is to maintain this angle for as long as possible to promote forward shaft lean at impact, and a descending blow on the ball. Hands need to be ahead of the ball at impact and a divot after impact should occur. Ideally for shots under 100 yards, an abbreviated follow through will help maintain the wrist angle. Practice these angles with your coach in the bay on video first, then work on it outdoors.

Acceleration through the ball is also needed to create backspin. I find most players gain acceleration by simply speeding up their arm movement. Arm speed is important to gain acceleration, but the speed of your core rotation through the ball is a more consistent way of going about it. After you have created your 90 degree wrist hinge angle on the back swing a good forward movement thought is to turn your torso into the ball. The wrist angle back will promote steepness and the torso turn through the ball will promote the correct acceleration. Core turn through the ball is generally easier to work on in ladder drill speeds…start with lower accelerations and gradually increase the speed to help feel it. The more acceleration generally the more backspin is created.


	\| CREDIBLE GUIDANCE \|
		Creating Back Spin by Tom Gibbs, Director of Instruction - Park Meadows, Colorado I consistently get asked how a player can achieve backspin from 100 yards and in. In this article I will address proper techniques to create backspin from close range. However, let me first address a few key points that are important to understand before you attempt to back the ball up. First of all, shots you see backing up on TV are largely produced from course conditions. Tightly mown fairways and greens can produce more backspin on the ball. A lot of times, public and even some private course conditions do not favor backspin on the ball. Also, Championship courses usually have more undulation on the greens that typically do not show on TV. At times when a ball backs up on the green it can be just as much the undulation as actual backspin. Finally, I find amateurs think Touring Professionals can back the ball up at will and this is only true with the right conditions. In other words, from 100 yards and in, understand that more times than not, players of all abilities need to plan on the ball rolling forward, and not backwards. There are three main objectives that will help create backspin on the ball from 100 yards and in. Use a club that is properly fit for you and with at least 52 degrees of loft A steep enough angle of approach into the ball is needed to promote hitting down on the ball with a divot after impact…the ball rolls up the face of the club thus creating backspin Acceleration through the shot all help promote backspin. The faster the swing speed the more accelerated backspin rotation on the ball. Be sure that you go through a g-FIT session with your coach and have a focus on your wedges. If you have a tendency to dig the toe or heel into the ground with an incorrect shaft flex, backspin will be a challenge to create. When you and your coach meet, it is also good to discuss how your wedge make up should be…two, three or four wedges? What wedges would be best for your game is something you need to find out first and foremost. A steeper angle of approach can promote more shaft lean at impact and more backspin. A steeper angle of approach on the ball is created by hinging your wrists earlier in the back swing. By the time your left arm is parallel to the ground on the back swing you should have created a 90 degree angle between your left arm and the shaft. The idea is to maintain this angle for as long as possible to promote forward shaft lean at impact, and a descending blow on the ball. Hands need to be ahead of the ball at impact and a divot after impact should occur. Ideally for shots under 100 yards, an abbreviated follow through will help maintain the wrist angle. Practice these angles with your coach in the bay on video first, then work on it outdoors. Acceleration through the ball is also needed to create backspin. I find most players gain acceleration by simply speeding up their arm movement. Arm speed is important to gain acceleration, but the speed of your core rotation through the ball is a more consistent way of going about it. After you have created your 90 degree wrist hinge angle on the back swing a good forward movement thought is to turn your torso into the ball. The wrist angle back will promote steepness and the torso turn through the ball will promote the correct acceleration. Core turn through the ball is generally easier to work on in ladder drill speeds…start with lower accelerations and gradually increase the speed to help feel it. The more acceleration generally the more backspin is created.
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