For several years now, almost everything in the gear space has been about cutting spin out of your bag. Low-spin driver heads, low-spin balls, tip-stiff shafts, it’s all designed to kill spin and pump distance. And yes, it works. But lately, a quiet shift has been happening on Tour: guys are trying to add spin back in the bag.
Why? Because while low spin off the tee is great, to a point, low-spin approach shots and low-spinning wedges are a problem. You lose control, especially in the wind. The ball doesn’t hold greens the way you want. And when you’re trying to get up and down while being short-sided, or grinding out birdie looks on firm conditions, that’s a big deal.
What changes are they making?
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Some players are moving away from ultra-low-spin balls. We’re seeing a shift back to the benchmark Tour balls like Pro V1 or Pro V1x, rather than something ultra-low spin like the Left Dash. They are willing to sacrifice a few yards, in exchange for spin and control. If you think about it, that’s a fair trade if you’re playing for a seven-figure paycheck on Sunday.
More players are also gravitating toward driver heads with more neutral CGs or shifting movable weights to the rear of the head to increase launch and spin.
Fairway and hybrid clubs are also following the same trend. For clubs that are typically used for control and placement off the tee, or landing on a green, spin is a must.
Ping has been one of the most played fairway woods on Tour for the last few seasons. Why? Spin and control.
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Not every Tour player needs a heavy shaft that plays like a telephone pole. Players are testing softer, higher- to mid-launch options, to get the ball up and spinning more in their irons, hybrids and even 3-woods. More playable trajectories = closer proximity to the hole and more scoring opportunities.
Players are also weakening lofts throughout the bag, especially on their longer irons, to bring spin and launch back into a better window. It’s a subtle tweak, but 200-400 rpms of additional spin matter. A 4-iron with 21° instead of 19° can be the difference between a green in reg, and a ball running off the back of the green like a toddler on a sugar high.
New grooves = more spin. Simple as that. You’ll see pros swap wedges often, especially in windy stretches or firm conditions. Some players are even playing fresh wedges every few rounds or testing grinds to get the ball to check more consistently.
A few feet of rollout can be the difference between a tap-in birdie and a slippery 8-footer.
Just to be clear — nobody is “begging” for more spin off the driver. (Well… maybe I am) This isn’t a call to action for a full reversal. It’s more like a course correction.
What we are seeing from players now is smarter spin management. Players still want low spin off the tee to maximize distance. They are just no longer sacrificing control to chase a number. The new goal? Keep spin low where it helps; bring it back where it matters.
Because hitting it long is great but hitting it close is what wins tournaments.
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