MichaelStroke:
I've heard that excessive spin on a ball can knock a couple yards off a drive, but it's negligible.
Yea, and it seems that is a vast subject when you search it in these forums.
It can vary depending on club, ball, course, terrain, wind strength, wind direction etc.
As Apex wrote 'a bit of spin'...
and I might use 40-50% BS usually if I want more distance from a tailwind as the ball stays in the air longer for more carry, but again, the traj. has now changed, and if elevation comes into play the wow...many things to consider, plus if too much BS then the ball usually doesn't roll as much. (depending on circumstance)
I see many pros swear by all BS, and I just try different things out myself.
Top spin, natch, can change the curve and may help in fight a mean front wind. I just keep gleaning tips from the helpful comments from Apex, ScottHope, and many I can't name them all Yanc, PT, Sweetie, Aloss..etc etc. The WGT forum search is pretty good, I find it better reading than politics, nowadays