Struggling to stop the golf ball close to the hole? You're not alone. Getting the ball to check up or spin back on the green is one of the most satisfying skills in golf – and one that's more achievable than most mid-handicappers think.
As much as we'd all like to be able to stop the ball quickly when shooting wedge shots into and around the green, it's a difficult skill to master. But one that can easily be achieved with backspin.
The good news is that backspin isn't reserved for PGA Tour players. With the right technique, equipment and a bit of know-how, you can start generating maximum spin on your golf shots straight away.
What is backspin?
Backspin is the backward rotation of a golf ball as it flies through the air and lands on the green. All golf balls rotate in some direction, but not all of them come back towards you.
Why do you need it in your golf game? Well, golf balls are covered in dimples that help to create lift, allowing you to hit the ball further. However, without enough backspin, the ball's trajectory won't get as much lift, and you won't hit the ball as far.
Another thing worth noting about backspin is that it gives you more control over the golf ball once it lands on the ground, which is especially useful in the short game.
5 ways to get more backspin on your golf ball
Working on your technique and making proper contact with the ball, at home, on the driving range and on the course, will help you to increase the amount of backspin on the ball.
But there are several other things you can do. Let's take a look…
Make sure you're using the right golf ball
Selecting the right golf ball for your swing and skill level will benefit your game of golf in more ways than one.
Some golf balls are specifically designed not to spin much, and are better classified as distance golf balls. Urethane-covered golf balls (3 or 4-piece balls) tend to provide the most spin around the greens before stopping dead or backing up several yards after impact.
If you're currently playing a two-piece distance ball, switching to a urethane-covered option is likely the single biggest upgrade you can make to your short game spin, before you even change anything about your technique.
Opt for a club with a higher degree of loft
It's no secret that golf clubs offer different degrees of loft. This is the angle between the club's face and the centre of the shaft.
A club with a higher loft is generally easier to strike the ball with and produces more spin coming into the green. It will also stop the ball quicker, ensuring it doesn't roll too far past the hole.
For most greenside shots, a golf wedge in the 56 to 60 degree range will give you the best chance of generating usable backspin. If you're hitting full shots into the green and struggling to hold the surface, moving up a club and taking less swing is often more effective than trying to spin a lower-lofted iron.
Check your club's grooves are clean and sharp
All golf clubs have grooves on the face. These allow water and debris to move away from the ball's point of contact.
Crucial for generating more friction and backspin, you don't want the grooves to be filled with mud and grass. Make sure you regularly inspect them and keep them clean and sharp to get the most spin.
This matters more than most golfers realise. Even a thin layer of grass between the face and the ball at impact, known as a flyer lie, can significantly reduce the spin you're able to generate, regardless of how well you strike it. When you're playing from the rough or semi-rough, factor in that the ball will likely come out with less spin and run further than usual.
You may consider changing out your golf clubs every few years to ensure you have fresh grooves.
Strike the ball with a downward angle
This is the technique change that makes the biggest difference for most mid-handicappers. Backspin is generated by the club face compressing the ball against the ground on a downward path, hitting down through the ball rather than scooping up at it.
To do this consistently: position the ball slightly back of centre in your stance, with a forward shaft lean at address so your hands are ahead of the ball, and focus on striking the ball first, then the turf. The divot should start at the ball, not behind it.
A steep, descending angle of attack is what the professionals are doing when you watch the ball zip back across the green. It's not magic, it's geometry and spin loft. Dynamic loft is the actual loft of the club face at the moment of impact, and spin loft is the difference between that and your angle of attack. The greater that gap, the more optimal spin you generate. A descending blow with a lofted wedge maximises it, which is why getting the contact right matters more than swinging harder.
Increase your club head speed where you can, and the club will travel quicker at impact, applying more spin on the golf ball. But swing speed without a clean, descending strike won't generate the backspin you're looking for. Get the contact with the club's angle right first.
Ensure the club face is square at impact
If you're serious about generating more spin on your golf shots, pay careful attention to the club face angle. Which direction is it pointing when it comes into contact with the golf ball?
If it's open or closed, you're more likely to put a side spin on the ball, and a ball that spins sideways won't spin back towards the target.
Try to keep your club nice and square at impact. This will help to create backspin, getting you even closer to the pin.
Why aren't my shots spinning on the golf course? Common mistakes to avoid
Even when golfers do most things right, a few common errors kill backspin before it has a chance to develop:
Playing the wrong ball
A two-piece distance ball won't spin on the greens regardless of technique; urethane cover is non-negotiable for consistent backspin.
Dirty or worn grooves
Grooves clogged with grass or worn smooth from use can't grip the ball effectively. Clean them after every shot and replace wedges every 75 to 100 rounds.
Grass between the face and the ball
Even a small amount of grass at impact reduces friction dramatically. Don't expect full spin from flyer lies.
Scooping instead of striking down
If your divot starts behind the ball, you're losing spin. Ball first, then turf.
An open or closed face
Side spin cancels out backspin. A square face at impact is essential.
Explore Premium Golf Balls, Golf Clubs and More at Clarkes Golf
If you have any questions about mastering backspin on a golf course, how much backspin you should put on a ball, or even finer details like spin rates, you're more than welcome to contact the team at Clarkes Golf.
We're always on hand to help and will gladly guide and advise you. The right wedge and the right golf ball can make a significant difference to how much spin you're able to generate. Take a look at our wedge range and golf ball range in the links above to find the right equipment for your game.
Alternatively, why not arrange a golf lesson with one of our experts? We can recap the basics and lay the solid foundations for a good golf swing, whilst also teaching you how to put backspin on your short wedge shots, just like professional golfers.