Learning to Spin the Ball

Pete Mogg

Golf is such a layered sport. It takes multiple clubs, multiple shots, multiple partners and offers countless answers for “How’d you shoot?”

In this onion of a sport, the thinnest of layers are many times overlooked. However, those transparent layers can be the difference between carding a 90 and breaking 80 for the first time.

One of those normally foreign aspects of the game is spinning the golf ball. It is one thing to take aim and fire at the green, but golf is completely different with the mindset to gyrate a Titleist to your liking. Pete Mogg, head golf pro at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, knows a thing or two about the spin of a golf ball. – Sean Zak, Golf Page Editor

Many amateur golfers always ask me the question, “How can I spin the ball like the professionals on TV?”

My answer is simple, you probably won’t be able to spin it like the pros and might not even want to! Most players want to spin the ball on approach shots into the green. Usually the wedges are the club of choice to do this. Backspin of the golf ball comes from a descending strike on the ball, pinching it against the turf and causing backspin. This shot takes strength and club head speed to create the revolving motion.

The reason I said you might not want spin is because it’s hard to judge the distance to the flag if you spin the ball too much. Many times, it is easier to land the ball short and let it release to the hole.

Furthermore, today’s golf balls don’t spin as much as the old balata balls because the outer covers are harder and more durable. Usually the high-end balls like the Titleist Pro V1 will spin a little more.

The other area that spin comes into play is off the driver. The more spin on a tee shot the less the ball will travel. Tour professionals create about 2200 rpm’s, while the average player is 4000-6000.

I use a launch monitor that measures spin to help fit our members at the club. Usually the shaft in a driver has direct influence on the spin rate. The lower the spin the longer the carry.

So spinning the golf ball is a two-edged sword. It can help or hurt depending on the club and choice of shot your hitting!