Hitting approach shots from the rough will always be more difficult than from the fairway. When the grass is longer and starts to get between your clubface and the ball, a whole host of issues can arise.
One such issue is spin control. When you hit the ball from the fairway, predicting your spin is easy. When you’re hitting from the rough, not so much. It’s why sometimes you’ll hear pros talk about “fliers” out of the rough. When you get grass between the clubface and the ball, there’s less friction to generate spin. The result is a ball that rides up the clubface and flies well longer than what you’d expect.
For high-level players, the predictability of spin is one of the most important factors when choosing which club and shot to hit. So, how can you make sure you are generating ample spin from the rough for a more predictable (and reliable) shot? GOLF’s own Johnny Wunder found out during a recent visit to the Titleist Performance Institute.
Want more spin? Choose the right clubs
When it comes to the matter of generating more spin, sometimes the answer is as simple as finding the right equipment. And when it comes to equipment that generates consistent spin from the fairway and the rough, the new line of Titleist T Series irons are just the ticket.
To demonstrate this, TPI fitter Lucas Bro had Johnny hit a couple of shots with an older generation of Titleist irons from the rough, with the spin numbers for those shots in the 3,000-4,000 rpm range. Next, Bro handed Johnny one of the new T Series irons — and the results blew him away.
Titleist 2025 T150 Custom Irons
T150 Irons are crafted for added distance with unwavering accuracy. Forged into a player’s shape with progressive blade lengths, T150 offers a precise blend of speed, stability, and consistency—providing the confidence to hit and hold greens from anywhere.
Confidence-Inspiring Forged Design
Forged into a player’s shape with a slightly larger head size for pure feel with extra stability.
Elevated Ball Speed
1° stronger lofts (vs. T100) combine with an improved muscle channel through 7-iron and lower long-iron CG to help improve speed, launch, and carry.
Superior Flight and Stability
Split high-density tungsten produces optimal CG with remarkable stability for precise shotmaking.
Consistent Speed & Spin
New VFT technology and progressive groove design provide consistent spin and speed across the face in variable conditions.
$215 from Fairway Jockey
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With just one swing, Johnny went from generating spin in the 3,000-4,000 range all the way up to 6,300 rpms. The only difference was newer technology, courtesy of Titleist.
Want to learn more about the tech they employed to achieve these results? Check out Johnny’s writeup here.
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