What’s All the Hype About Spin?
What’s the big deal about spinning the ball? So many of my students ask me how to spin the ball and make it stop. My answer is, why?!!.
Yes, it does look great when you watch a tour player hit the ball past the pin and draw it back close to the hole. That’s good for the pros but it may hurt the average player. Most amateurs seldom get the ball to the hole in the first place, so why do they want spin it?
If you’re into spinning the ball, the situation needs to be right. With today’s technology using square grove clubs and golf balls designed to spin, it makes it much easier to create spin. When hitting a shot with an iron from the fairway, place the ball slightly back into your stance. This will create a slight descending blow into the ball. You’ll need to accelerate through the ball squeezing the ball between the turf and club face, which should produce spin. But if the ball is sitting in the rough, it’s unlikely the ball will spin as much if at all. The grass will get between the club face and the ball, eliminating the grooves on the club which helps produce spin. They call this a flyer lie.
When it comes to the chipping and pitching, your number one priority is distance control. The less spin you have, the more control you’ll have when the ball lands on the putting surface. To reduce spin, avoid using a lot of wrist during your stroke. With chipping, use what we call a one-lever stroke. Swing the club working your hands and arms together. When pitching, use a two-lever stroke. The hands will hinge slightly on the back swing, but remain quite and firm on the forward swing. The pitch shot will produce more spin than a chip shot. I’ve always said the sign of a good short game player is knowing how the ball is going to react once it lands on the green.
If you have any questions regarding this article or any part of your game, email me at dl****@*********ke.com.
Don Leone is the director of instruction at the Coyote Creek Golf Club. He can be reached at dl****@*********ke.com.
