What is a flop shot in golf? A flop shot is a high-flying golf shot designed to travel a short distance and stop almost immediately upon landing on the green. This shot uses high loft to get the ball up quickly over obstacles.
Mastering the flop shot takes practice. It is one of the hardest shots in golf. But knowing the right steps makes it much easier. This guide will walk you through everything you need for mastering the flop shot. We focus on making those soft landing golf shots near the pin.
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Deciphering the Flop Shot Technique
The flop shot technique is different from a normal chip or pitch. It relies on maximum loft and speed to stop the ball fast. Think of it as an emergency shot for tight spots. You often need this when you face a tight lie or have to clear a bunker or a tricky fringe.
When Should You Use a Flop Shot?
Not every situation calls for a flop shot. If you have room to run the ball up, use a chip or a bump-and-run. The flop shot is for when you have zero room to roll.
Use a flop shot when:
- The pin is very close to the edge of the green.
- There is a hazard, like a bunker or deep rough, between you and the hole.
- You must stop the ball instantly to avoid going past the hole.
A common tricky spot is hitting a bunker shot from rough near the green, where the ball sits up slightly, allowing for a lofted explosion. However, the true flop shot applies when you are not in the sand but still need that vertical trajectory.
Key Difference: Flop vs. Pitch
| Feature | Flop Shot | Pitch Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Flight | Very high, very short carry. | Medium to high trajectory. |
| Landing | Stops almost dead. | Rolls out a bit more. |
| Clubface | Widely open. | Slightly open or square. |
| Swing Length | Full swing motion (though short distance). | Varies based on desired distance. |
Setting Up for Success: The Flop Shot Setup
Getting the right flop shot setup is half the battle. Small changes here create huge differences in flight and spin.
Grip Adjustments
Hold the club firmly but not too tight. You need feel for this shot. Choke down slightly on the club. This gives you more control. Many players grip it a little lower than normal for better wrist action later.
Stance and Ball Position
Your stance needs to promote sweeping the ball up, not hitting down sharply.
- Stance Width: Keep your feet fairly wide. This gives you a stable base for the fast swing.
- Weight Distribution: Put most of your weight—about 70% to 80%—on your front (lead) foot. This weight stays there throughout the swing. You are not trying to shift weight forward during impact.
- Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward in your stance. This helps ensure you catch the ball on the upswing, maximizing loft.
The Crucial Step: Opening the Clubface Flop
This is the defining feature of the flop shot. You must open the clubface before taking your stance.
To achieve this opening the clubface flop:
- Take your lofted wedge (usually a Sand Wedge or Lob Wedge).
- Rotate the clubface open until the toe points nearly straight toward the sky. It should look like you are aiming well left of your target (for a right-handed golfer).
- Keep the clubface open as you place the club down behind the ball. The sole (bottom) of the club should rest gently on the grass, almost flat.
If you try to open the face at impact, you will likely mishit the ball. Open it first!
Executing the Swing: The Mechanics of Loft
The actual swing is faster than a standard chip but feels shorter overall. It relies heavily on wrist hinge and clean striking. This is where short game finesse comes into play.
Hitting Greenside Flop Shots: The Path
The goal is a sweeping motion, not a steep chop. You want to glide the club under the ball.
- Address Position Recap: Weight forward, ball slightly forward, clubface wide open. Your hands should feel slightly behind the ball because the shaft is leaning away from the target (due to the open face).
- The Takeaway: Keep the hands passive. The primary movement at the start should be turning your shoulders. Do not try to lift the club with your wrists too early.
- The Backswing: The backswing motion resembles a half to three-quarter swing. Stop the backswing when your left arm (for right-handers) is about parallel to the ground. The open clubface stays open.
Impact and Release
Impact is where most amateurs struggle. You are not trying to hit down on the ball hard.
- Weight Constant: Keep your weight firmly planted on your front foot. Do not let your lower body move toward the target.
- Acceleration: Swing through the ball with speed. The speed provides the necessary height and spin.
- The “Slide” or “Slam”: Because the face is open, you are essentially hitting the equator of the ball while sliding the sole of the club underneath it. The open face ensures the loft gets the ball airborne immediately.
Do not try to flip your wrists at the ball. If you opened the face correctly on the ground, the loft is already built in. Trying to add loft at impact causes thin or chunky shots. Let the clubface do the work.
The Follow-Through
The follow-through is often high and abbreviated because you need to stop the club quickly after contact.
- The club should end up pointing high, maybe toward the sky or slightly past the target line.
- Your body rotation will still occur, but the finish will feel less drawn out than a full swing.
This technique is essential for creating those soft landing golf shots that stop near the hole.
Lofted Ball Flight: Creating Height and Spin
To achieve the signature high flight of a high loft wedge shot, you need to maximize loft and speed.
Loft is King: Club Selection
While the flop is often hit with a Lob Wedge (60+ degrees), you can execute it with a standard Sand Wedge (56 degrees) or even a Gap Wedge (52 degrees) if you need more distance or are hitting from a slightly better lie.
If you are chipping around the green and facing a very short distance, use the club with the most loft you have to ensure maximum height and minimal rollout.
How Bounce Affects the Shot
The sole of the wedge, known as the bounce, is critical for the flop.
- A wedge with high bounce (more material on the sole) is designed to glide through sand or soft turf.
- For the flop shot, you want the leading edge of the club to slide under the ball cleanly, almost hovering above the turf surface. High bounce helps prevent the leading edge from digging in.
If you are hitting off firm, tight lies, using a wedge with lower bounce might require a slightly descending blow to engage the turf, but for the classic flop, you want that high bounce to skim.
The Role of Spin
The high loft combined with hitting the ball slightly higher on the face helps generate backspin. This spin is what kills the ball’s momentum quickly after landing. Clean strikes are vital for spin. Mishits result in weak, dying shots that roll too far.
Troubleshooting Common Flop Shot Mistakes
Because this shot requires precise setup and feel, mistakes are common. Here are solutions to frequent issues when attempting a hitting greenside flop shot.
Mistake 1: Hitting it Thin (Topping the Ball)
This happens when you accidentally square up the face at address or swing too level to the ground.
- Fix: Re-check your setup. Is the clubface pointing skyward before you take your stance? Did you keep your weight firmly anchored on your front foot? Swinging too level encourages you to hit the equator or top half of the ball.
Mistake 2: Hitting it Fat (Digging into the Ground)
This is usually caused by trying to scoop the ball up or shifting weight toward the target during the downswing.
- Fix: Ensure 75% of your weight stays on your lead foot. Focus on maintaining that posture throughout the swing. Visualize the club gliding under the ball, almost like you are swinging across a thin sheet of paper placed beneath the ball.
Mistake 3: Lack of Height or Distance Control Issues
If the ball flies too far or doesn’t get up high enough, it’s usually a speed or loft issue.
- Fix A (Loft): Did you open the face enough? If you are using a 56-degree wedge, ensure you are aiming the face toward the sky, not just slightly open.
- Fix B (Speed): The flop shot demands surprisingly fast speed through the impact zone. If you slow down to “help” the ball up, it will come out weak. Commit to a smooth, accelerating swing.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Simple Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Topping/Thin Shot | Trying to lift the ball; weight moves forward. | Anchor weight on the lead side; swing through. |
| Hitting Fat/Chunking | Scooping the ball; shifting weight toward the target. | Keep weight anchored; feel the club sliding under. |
| Ball Flies Too Low | Clubface not open enough at address. | Ensure the toe points toward the sky before setting down. |
Practicing for Consistency
The flop shot requires repetition to build muscle memory for that unique feel. It is not a shot you learn in one session.
Drill 1: The Face Check Drill
Set up for a flop shot. Open the clubface until the toe points straight up. Try to hover the club just above the ground. This confirms the amount of opening required. If you let the club rest, the sole should sit flat on the ground facing the sky. Do this 10 times before every practice session.
Drill 2: Towel Underneath Practice
Place a small towel about one foot behind your golf ball. When you swing, you must miss the towel completely while still making solid contact with the ball. This forces you to sweep underneath the ball and prevents a steep, digging angle, which is crucial for successful chipping around the green using this technique.
Drill 3: Distance Control Dots
If you are practicing on the practice green, place markers or tees down at 5-yard intervals. Try to hit 10 flop shots aiming for each marker. The goal is not distance, but consistency in landing spot. This develops feel for judging the required swing length for short distances.
Flop Shot Application: Beyond the Green
While most commonly associated with short chips, the principles of the flop shot technique can assist in other areas.
Using the Flop for Difficult Lies
When chipping from deep rough near the green, the grass tends to grab the hosel or shaft of the club, resulting in a fat shot. If the ball is sitting up well enough, opening the face and using the high bounce to glide through the grass can save par. This situation often overlaps with hitting a bunker shot from rough, requiring an aggressive entry into the fluffy material.
The Need for Different Wedges
If you frequently find yourself needing this high shot, examine your wedge set. Are you carrying a 52, 56, and 60 degree wedge? Having adequate loft gaps is essential for mastering the flop shot across various distances. If your gap between wedges is too large, you may over-swing a lower-lofted club, leading to inconsistency.
Final Thoughts on Short Game Finesse
The flop shot is a tool of precision. It gives you options when the normal running shot won’t work. Remember, this shot sacrifices control for immediate stopping power. It requires commitment in the setup and aggression in the swing.
Practice these easy steps regularly. Focus first on the setup—especially opening the clubface flop correctly. Once the setup is right, the swing becomes much simpler. With practice, you will add this powerful, finesse shot to your arsenal, making those tough up-and-downs much easier to manage. Learning to control the flight is key to achieving true short game finesse.