Producing Spin and a Soft Touch Around the Green

I cannot remember the number of times I have talked about producing spin on the ball around the green. I am okay at this skill, but I would never consider myself an expert. I understand the concept of placing spin on the ball and in my mind this transfer to a soft touch during contact. It might seem like a stretch for many players who find it challenging to land the ball softly in their landing area. Regardless of where your thoughts are, it is important to understand that having the ability to place spin on the ball (even slightly) helps us control the ball all the way to the end result.

Placing spin on the ball is something that I have worked on my entire career. I am able to control the release of my ball, most of the time, and as such it affects my landing area during a chip. If you have no control on the release of the ball, it is very difficult to judge from one shot to another how the ball will release to the pin. To have control of your ball, it is important to put spin on the ball. Fortunately, I found a simple video that might help you improve your up and down short game.

So, how does this skill of placing spin on the ball equate to better touch. Well, to answer that question, I need to delve into feel as well. I am using the definitions provided by the Golf Doctor to explain the difference.

“Feel is about using all your senses and knowing what your body and the club are doing, along with being able to correctly perform what you’re attempting to do. Feel is translating what you have perceived, imagined and planned into something that is almost perfect in its correctness.

Touch, on the other hand, is more in the interpretation and execution. With touch, think of playing the piano or violin. You can be a skilled reader of music, knowing each note, bar and innuendo; but if your fingers don’t accomplish the polished striking of the keys, frets and strings (touch) the music will lose something.” (The Las Cruses Bulletin)

Using the descriptions above, I draw a conclusion between placing spin on the ball and touch. The greater the touch, the easier it is to put spin on the ball, hence the improved ability to control the ball on the green. All of this blah blah will lead to lower golf scores. Imagine knocking 2 or 3 strokes off your game just by being able to put spin on the ball. In some cases, it will be much more!

Golf is a game of inches. Our ability to control the release of the ball on the green through spin is a skill everyone can develop. It does take a bit to time to find the exact technique that works for you, but I am confident that when you find your groove, lower scores are in your future.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!