How and Why Golf Ball Spin Rates Impact Your Shot

Your golf ball spins in two different ways -- backward and sideways -- and how much of each type of spin you create is determined by your swing and equipment.

You often see a great illustration of backspin when watching professional golfers hit approach shots into greens. It’s the magic they make when their golf ball lands just past the pin, jumps once, and sucks back. Most amateur players wish they could incorporate that beautiful backspin into their games, but the skill takes a lot of practice and a great understanding of your game.

Even if your ball doesn't suck back after landing, it still has backspin. When a shot doesn't have enough backspin to outweigh the forward momentum, it will roll forward after landing, given the conditions oblige. That's why longer, less-lofted clubs that don't create as much spin don't hold greens as easily as short irons or wedges.

Sidespin is created by the relationship between your club face and path at impact, and it's what causes draws, fades, slices and hooks. Sidespin can work to your advantage, but it is the least desirable type of spin in golf when you don't have it under control.

There are several factors that help determine the spin of your golf shots.

Your swing mechanics, for better or worse, have a big impact on the spin of your golf ball. Players with an outside-in or inside-out swing path put much more sidespin on their golf ball which causes a slice or hook. When this is done intentionally and under control, the result is a beautiful draw or a silky fade.

Players who know how to hit down on the golf ball generate much more backspin, which is why the best golfers in the world can hit shots that stop immediately or spin back to the hole.

Different types of golf clubs impact spin and there is plenty of statistical data that shows why certain models of clubs are ideal for low, mid, and high handicap players.

Your shorter, more lofted clubs are designed to hit the ball shorter distances but with more spin. They give you more control over where the ball lands.

The longer clubs are designed to create less backspin. With each longer club, the loft angle of the clubface is lower, producing lower-flying, less-spinning shots that travel farther.

Optimizing spin with your driver is key to your game. Low spin drivers are designed for players who want maximum distance and don't need help getting the ball in the air. Less skilled players, however, may find that the lower launch angle that comes with a low-spin driver is less than ideal for their game and actually hinders distance. That's why being properly fit for golf clubs is important.

Your irons produce backspin. How much spin, however, depends on the type of iron and the player using them. The combination of loft, CG placement and the club's MOI, paired with the characteristics of the swing and the golf ball, influence how much sidespin and backspin is created with your irons.

All players should have wedges fit to their game and swing. Greenside spin greatly helps golfers of all levels whether it's on a chip shot, bunker shot, or shorter approach shots. Having wedges that will hold greens instead of spinning off of them leads to shorter putts.

Spin is measured in RPMs, which stands for revolutions per minute. Each club in your bag has an ideal spin rate. A good rule of thumb for spin on your irons is to multiply the iron number by 1,000 to find the ideal spin rate. For example, 7-iron x 1,000 = 7,000 RPMs. Here is a chart of the ideal spin for every club.

Every player's spin rates vary slightly, depending on their swing, clubs and ball. If your spin rates are within about 500 RPMs of these figures, you're in good shape.

Golf ball manufacturers produce different balls to cater to different types of players. While all golf balls are round and have dimples, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Compression, core, and materials all factor into a golf ball's spin rate. Here are some examples of high and low spin golf balls.

Higher-handicap players usually desire a low-spin distance ball to eliminate sidespin and keep the ball in play more often.

Players who hit the ball farther and generate high swing speeds may want a ball with a lower spin, as their faster swing puts naturally puts more spin on the ball.

Golfers who prioritize greenside control and desire the ability to shape shots and stop the ball on the green favor a higher-spinning ball.

In golf, some spin is helpful, while some is not. The important thing is to know your numbers and optimize your spin with your swing, clubs, and golf balls.