Backspin question?

Question

what are the best type of irons to generate backspin?

Right now I am using cavity backs that were $150, 7 years ago and the best I can do with spin is stop the ball after a few bounces. Does the shaft type/flex matter at all?

Answer 1

More than the irons, it is your swing and type of ball.  Though newer technology can create a bit more spin, Your downswing and ability to hit the ball first, then take a divot, will impart more spin.  Then the type of ball, with higher spin characterstics (like Pro V1, Nike One or Callaway Tour).  Finally, your greens need to be receptive (softer) to promote that grab.  Sounds like you are doing fine with stopping it, just factor that into your distances.   Too much backspin is not always a good thing.

Answer 2

In fact most pro golfers are removing some spin on approach shots. They find landing it a specific distance with predictable bounce is more accurate than trying to guess how much a ball will spin back. They prefer to hit a "cut" shot, almost a mini-slice, that floats and lands like a butterfly with sore feet.

If you like spin, play when the greens are wet.

Answer 3

Like the other reply mentioned, I don't think shaft flex or type is as important.  Another big contributor, however, are the grooves in your club face.  If the swing is correct with your wedges, the ball will roll up the club face as you take your divot.  As it rolls, the sharper the club's grooves, the more backspin will be generated.  I have cavity-back Clevelands and the grooves are so sharp (factory/unaltered) that after a wedge shot I often have to remove ball shavings from the point of impact.  I almost always have enough backspin to stop the ball within a few feet - unfortunately, I am not very good at getting roll when I want it :(

Answer 4

As the others have stated....its not about the Irons....Spin is totally conditional upon pure contact.  Shaft type and flex also have no bearing on spin.  With pure contact even a rock will spin back.

Answer 5

Hi,

Sharpening your golf club grooves will help give you more consistent backspin.

Answer 6

It is actually a combination of 1) the club you're hitting, 2) club-to-ball contact, 3) swing speed, 4) the conditions of the greens you are playing, and 5) the ball you're hitting.

1. The longest club most people can use to spin the ball backwards is probably a 9-iron (assuming normal green conditions) because you need the ball to land on the ground at a steep enough angle to stop its momentum, and then the spin kicks in.

2. The most important thing is to get solid contact with the ball; either hit the ball just before you hit the ground, or hit the ground and ball at the same time. A "fat" shot (when you hit the ground before the ball) will almost never get enough backspin and velocity to spin backwards. You also need to hit the ball with a descending blow or at the bottom of the arc of your swing. Obviously, you wouldn't be able to hit the ball before the ground without doing this, unless the ball is teed up. This is important because hitting down on the ball makes the ball roll up the club more during the few milliseconds of contact, thus creating more backspin on the ball.

3. If you're hitting a 9-iron 100 yards, you probably won't be able to get a ball to spin back.

4. Green conditions may be the most, or second most, important to spinning the ball back. If you're playing on hard greens, there is probably very little chance to spin a shot back. Ideal greens for backspin are soft and fast. These may be hard to come by in some areas.

5. A Top Flite Super Long will not do the job.

Shaft type and flex do not matter. However, grooves do, and if your clubs are 7 years old, the grooves may be too worn out to produce enough spin on the ball.

Answer 7

You can get spin with any set of golf clubs.  It's more of an issue with the type of ball you use and the contact you make with it.  A high spin ball(Nike One, Pro V, Bridgestone B330s) will spin with solid contact.  You should be content to get the ball to stop in a few bounces depending on how far it is from the hole.  If it goes too far, you're flying the ball to close to the hole.  Don't fly it as far and you'll stop it where you want to.  It takes practice.