Finally Some Real Golf!

[What'saScore]

After months of simply whacking away at the range, some of our courses have opened, and yesterday, Saturday, I was finally able to play some real golf. Sort of. My 12 year old daughter wanted to play too, and with the open courses pretty much overloaded with good players, we decided to go to the local 9-hole pitch and put course. We did the course twice, and I figure I got at least 100 bad swings out of my system. Simply amazing how I can hit 75%-80% pretty well at the range, but get me on real grass and I barely hit 20%. Worm burner after worm burner. I did have a couple of nice shots that dropped in real close, which gave me some hope. It also made me wonder about backspin. On one particular hole, I hit a real nice 8-iron shot. Great arc and it dropped about 3 feet from the flag. But then it rolled clear off the green. With the right backspin, I think it would have stayed put. Is the backspin achieved more from the face of the club or more from the way the ball is struck? I set up with the ball pretty much dead center between my legs.
Any help would be appreciated.

[egriffith45]

how long was the shot you hit with the 8 iron? for me to be able to stick it or back it up, i have to be taking a full swing with a nice descending blow, or if im trying to stick a pitch i try to cut across it to get more spin on the ball.

[What'saScore]

how long was the shot you hit with the 8 iron? for me to be able to stick it or back it up, i have to be taking a full swing with a nice descending blow, or if im trying to stick a pitch i try to cut across it to get more spin on the ball.

The posted distance was 78 yards.

[ezra76]

At 78 yards the ball was probably moving a lot faster forward than you want. I hit an 8 iron about 150-155yds. From 78 you shold be hitting a 3/4 PW or SW. I've seen your pic on the snowmobile, a guy your size would have no problem hitting an 8iron 150. You may have effectively (without knowing) hit a knockdown. That would be hitting a lower club a shorter distance without a full swing to take the backspin off and stay under the wind.