How to Put Backspin on a Golf Ball – 6 Easy Steps

Backspin can be extremely useful in some situations in golf. However, it can often seem like a complicated concept for a lot of beginners. We think of professional players using backspin with ease, but can never do the same ourselves.

It took me a while to understand the technique behind backspin. But, luckily for you, I have condensed what I know so that you can easily learn how to put backspin on a golf ball in your next game.

What is Backspin? 

It is like that you are familiar with backspin, as you have chosen to read this article. 

However, if you are not, backspin is when the ball rotates backwards after being struck. This leads to it stopping more quickly when it hits the ground. If done particularly well, it may even spin backwards when it lands.

Why is Backspin Useful?

Personally, I try to use backspin when chipping onto the green. As greens can often be fast (i.e. the ball runs quickly when it hits the green), it can be useful to have backspin so that the ball stops quicker and doesn’t run off the other side.

As a beginner/intermediate, this will be your main use of backspin. Professionals have more control over their backspin, and can therefore utilise it in a wider variety of circumstances. For example:

• On the green: pros will also use backspin to slow the ball down when it hits the green. However, they may also increase their backspin so that they can aim past the flag. This is useful if the flag is at the front as they can target the back of the green and have the ball spin back towards the flag.
• To shape shots: pros can read the lie of where they are aiming and apply backspin in order to hit higher shots that land more softly, preventing less carry.
• To combat wind: putting backspin on a ball can counteract the effects of headwind (wing blowing towards you).

As you improve your backspin technique, as well as your technique in general, you can use backspin in more situations to your advantage.

How do you put Backspin on a Golf Ball?

So, we have discussed the use cases of backspin. Now, we will look at how to put backspin on a golf ball.

It is really important to remember that your golf shots need to be consistent in order to implement new techniques. Otherwise, trying to do so may cause your shots to become distorted.

1. Create a Steeper Angle of Attack

The first step of using backspin comes before the swing. This is done by creating a steep angle of attack. We do this in two ways:

1. Placing the ball towards your front leg
2. Striking the ball with a descending blow

Place the ball towards your front leg

Good backspin comes when you put the ball slightly forward in your stance – towards the front foot. You want to set up similar to how you align when you are driving the ball, except you shouldn’t be as aggressive.

Strike the ball with a descending blow

Another technique that you can use is to strike the ball with a “descending blow”. This can be done by shifting your weight to the front foot when striking the ball. Imagine that you are transitioning your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you downswing.

These two techniques will create a steeper angle when hitting the ball, which will consequently create more backspin on the ball.

If you think about it, when you place the ball further forward, you are going to hit it when your clubface is more open. This will result in you hitting under the ball slightly, generating backspin.

2. Strike Down on the Ball

We want to strike down on the ball:

• Striking down on the ball will ensure that you hit the ball before the turf.
• Friction between the ball and the clubface.
• This will generate backspin, as the bottom of the swing is moved slightly forward. 

This can be done easily by:

1. Moving the handle infront of the ball. 
2. Swinding through the ball with your leading hand. 

The reason for doing these techniques is to move the bottom of the swing forward – i.e. you reach the bottom of your swing later. This will ensure that you hit the ball first, hence striking down on the ball.

Combining this technique with the above technique will do the majority of the work in increasing backspin on the ball. However, there are some other technique-related tips that are important for getting this right.

3. Accelerate Through the Ball

Sometimes, golfers will attempt to decelrate or scoop the ball when they first attempt to apply backspin. This is because they believe that a delicate swing will add more spin, while a harder swing has less spin.

I used to believe this aswell. However, after many years of practice, it doesn’t matter what technique you are applying, you always want a good and fast strike of the ball. The backspin will come from having the correct alignment and positioning. Having consistent success with this technique comes from having a good swing in the first place.

Therefore, it is important to hit the ball like you normally would; don’t change your swing when trying to add spin.

Equally, don’t swing too hard as this will likely lead to other problems, as explained in my article on increasing golf swing speed.

4. Keep your Wrists Firm

As explained above, you don’t want to scoop the ball. This is a common mistake among beginners – I used to do it myself. It is common to believe that scooping the ball will lead to it spinning more. This isn’t the case.

Instead, keep your wrists firm and strong when striking through the ball.

5. Follow Through the Ball

Use a full follow-through on your swings. While this obviously applies to most golf shots (except pitching and chipping), you want to fully follow through your shots to ensure a clean contact and fast spin.

6. Consider the Condition of the Course

Remember that it is harder to achieve backspin on wetter surfaces. When the turf is softer, the surface is less abrasive, which creates less friction on the ball, and therefore less backspin.

I am not advising you to never use backspin on wet grass, but rather to maximise your use when the course is slightly harder.

Other Important Factors for Backspin

• Ensure that your clubface is clean to avoid interference of debris/dirt.
• Use a lofted club such as a wedge or a short iron to generate backspin more easily.
• Use a good quality ball.
• Practice the technique at the driving range.

Mistakes to Avoid when Attempting Backspin Shots

• Scooping the ball.
• Swinging too quickly and disrupting the temp of your swing.
• Overusing arms/hands. Don’t fall into this trap; rely on your upper body and technique.
• Using a shallow angle of attack, which will skim the surface of the grass, resulting in less backspin.
• Getting a poor contact on the ball.

Summary

Overall, it can be fun to play around with backspin on the golf course. Provided that you practice it enough beforehand, learning how to put backspin on a golf ball can be useful in a lot of situations.

But, don’t become too obsessed with this technique as a beginner, and ensure that your swing is consistently good before trying to implement backspin.