Golf tips: Backspin

• Friday, 11 June 2010
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Creating backspin

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The key to creating spin is the angle the club attacks the ball. This should be relatively steep, allowing you to catch the ball cleanly before the ground. To find the ideal angle of attack you need to make a few simple changes to your address position. The ball should sit two inches back from centre in your stance. This will help you find a clean strike and a steeper angle of attack. Crucially, feel that your weight is loaded onto your left hip. You should still feel balanced at address, but with your weight firmly on your left side this further encourages the downward strike you're after.

As I have already mentioned, to create backspin you need to hit down into the back of the ball, 
so you'll need to find a steeper angle of attack than usual by setting your wrists early in the swing. As you can see from this photo, there is far more wrist hinge here than for a normal chip shot. This generates the angle into the ball that you need for a spinning chip shot.

The swing itself should be relatively short, with a quick tempo. Think of the motion as compact and drive the club into the back of the ball - you can't create spin without a certain amount of clubhead speed. Notice how my body rotates to face the target in the finish position. As with all chipping and pitching this is crucial to keep the clubhead accelerating smoothly through the downswing. With a clean, crisp contact you'll find all the spin and control you are after.

Some amateurs find it hard to commit to a downward strike, wanting instead to scoop the ball into the air. So whether you are trying to create spin or simply looking for a more consistent contact, this drill is a great practice technique. Place an object behind the ball at address, as shown. This forces you to visualise the perfect angle of attack. Now hit a series of shots, if your swing is too shallow, you'll strike the object before the ball.

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