How to Hit a Flop Shot

The flop shot is an amazing shot that can stick the ball close. -Or leave it long when hit improperly. The flop is relatively easy to hit well and also really easy to hit bad. Hitting the flop for score will take some practice before you are comfortable attempting it on the golf course.

We know that a flop shot is one that sails tremendously high and lands softly and often with backspin to stick it close to where it landed -hopefully close to the hole. The flop is a shot that should not be expected to travel more than 30 yards for the best results. Theoretically, the flop could be played with any club, but for optimal results play the flop with either a pitching wedge, sand wedge or a lob wedge depending on the distance needed.

1. Position the ball forward in the stance, open the clubface fully and aim the body well left of the intended target.

2. Tilt the spine away from the ball.

3. Make a shallow backswing. Swing along the body lines which will be inside to out. The backswing should be close to full as this shot requires lots of speed to get the ball high into the air.

4. On the downswing, the goal here is slide the clubhead underneath the ball to launch it high. There is no hitting down on this shot!

5. Finish in a high swing position to ensure you hit the ball hard and high.

6. Because the clubface is wide open and the clubface slides underneath the ball, it will require a hefty swing to launch it a short distance but high.

Caution: Because this shot requires a full swing to hit the ball a short distance, but high, a thinly hit shot will send the ball on a long drive and way too far past the hole. Be sure to work the clubhead underneath the ball.

Caution: Never attempt to hit a flop shot from a tight lie. The flop should only be attempted from either a perfect lie in the fairway or when the ball is sitting up ontop of thick grass to ensure that the clubface will be able to work underneath it.