Understanding Golf Ball Spin: Backspin, Sidespin, and Shot Shape

Question
Hello Ken,

My question concern the ball spin during the flight.
As we know golf ball which is hitted straight have backspin due to the loft of the club.
But what happen if we hit fade (slice) or draw (hook) ?
Of course I know that the ball will have a sidespin which make curve the ball flight.
But still the ball have backspin because it goes up to the air.
How it is possible that ball can have 2 spins at the same time or in other words how the ball is spinning while making fade or draw ?
Thanks for the answer.
Chris

Answer
Hi Chris,

The ball actually only has one spin, but the axis about which it spins is tilted. If the ball only has backspin, it spins about a horizontal axis. If it has only sidespin, it spins about a vertical axis. A ball with both actually spins about an axis which is slightly tilted away from the vertical axis.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Ken Tannar
www.probablegolfinstruction.com
www.golfexpertconsulting.com