How Can You Perfectly Hit a Flop Shot in Golf?

AvatarByJeffrey Patton Putting & Short Game

Mastering the art of the flop shot in golf can be a game-changer, especially when you find yourself needing to clear a tricky obstacle or land softly on the green. This high-lofted, delicate shot allows golfers to launch the ball into the air quickly, making it ideal for tight lies or when precision and control are paramount. Whether you’re a beginner eager to expand your short game skills or an experienced player looking to add versatility to your arsenal, understanding how to hit a flop shot is essential.

The flop shot demands a unique combination of technique, club selection, and confidence. Unlike standard chip or pitch shots, it requires a more open clubface and a specific swing approach to generate the height and softness needed for the ball to stop quickly upon landing. While it may seem intimidating at first, with the right fundamentals and practice, this shot can become one of the most useful tools in your golf bag.

In the following sections, we will explore the key elements that make a successful flop shot, including stance, grip, and swing mechanics. By breaking down these components, you’ll gain the insight and confidence needed to execute this challenging shot with finesse and consistency. Get ready to elevate your short game and tackle those tricky situations with ease!

Setting Up for the Flop Shot

To execute a successful flop shot, your setup is crucial. Start by positioning the ball forward in your stance, typically just inside your front foot. This promotes a steep angle of attack, allowing the club to slide under the ball effectively. Your feet should be slightly open to the target line, which facilitates an outside-to-inside swing path, helping the clubface remain open through impact.

Your weight distribution should favor your front foot, generally around 60-70%. This encourages a downward strike and helps prevent the club from digging too deeply into the turf. Maintain a relaxed grip to preserve feel and control while allowing the clubface to stay open.

Key setup points include:

  • Ball position: Forward in stance, near front foot
  • Feet alignment: Slightly open to target
  • Weight distribution: 60-70% on front foot
  • Grip pressure: Light and relaxed
  • Clubface angle: Open to increase loft

Executing the Swing for a Flop Shot

The swing for a flop shot differs from a traditional full swing, emphasizing finesse and precision. Begin with a high, controlled backswing, hinging your wrists early to maximize loft. The length of your backswing should be moderate—typically to about 10 o’clock on the clock face—allowing for controlled acceleration through the ball.

During the downswing, focus on accelerating smoothly rather than with power. The clubhead should approach the ball on a steep descent with the clubface held open. This creates the necessary loft and spin to lift the ball softly and stop it quickly on the green. Your follow-through should be abbreviated, with the club finishing high to maintain loft and control.

Consider these swing tips:

  • Backswing: Controlled, wrist hinge to about 10 o’clock
  • Downswing: Accelerate smoothly, steep angle of attack
  • Clubface: Open through impact
  • Follow-through: High and abbreviated

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several pitfalls can undermine the effectiveness of a flop shot. Avoid these common errors to improve consistency:

  • Ball too far back: This causes a shallow strike and reduces loft.
  • Closed clubface: Leads to a lower trajectory and less spin.
  • Too much wrist breakdown: Results in loss of control and inconsistent contact.
  • Weight on back foot: Encourages fat or thin shots.
  • Tension in grip: Restricts natural wrist hinge and feel.

Staying mindful of these factors will help you execute a reliable flop shot under pressure.

Club Selection for Flop Shots

Choosing the right club is essential to performing a flop shot effectively. Wedges with high loft angles are preferred, as they allow the ball to get airborne quickly and land softly. Common choices include the lob wedge and sand wedge, depending on the distance and the desired trajectory.

The table below summarizes typical wedge lofts and their ideal uses for flop shots:

Wedge Type Loft Angle Ideal Use in Flop Shot
Lob Wedge 58° – 64° Maximum height and soft landing, best for tight pin locations
Sand Wedge 54° – 58° Good height with some roll, suitable for longer flop shots
Gap Wedge 50° – 54° Less loft, used when slightly lower trajectory is needed

Selecting the appropriate wedge based on the situation will enhance your control and precision on short shots.

Practice Drills to Improve Your Flop Shot

Improving your flop shot requires focused practice. Here are several drills to help refine your technique:

  • Open Clubface Drill: Practice opening the clubface at address while keeping your stance slightly open. This drill helps ingrain the feel of an open face.
  • Towel Drill: Place a towel a few inches behind the ball and practice striking without hitting the towel. This promotes a steep, downward strike.
  • Landing Spot Drill: Choose a target area on the green and practice landing the ball consistently within that zone to improve distance control.
  • One-Handed Flop Shots: Use your lead hand only to swing, focusing on wrist hinge and control.

Incorporate these drills into your routine to build confidence and consistency with the flop shot.

Mastering the Setup for a Successful Flop Shot

The foundation of an effective flop shot lies in a precise and deliberate setup. This shot requires specific adjustments to your stance, club selection, and ball position to maximize loft and control.

  • Club Selection: Use a lob wedge with a high degree of loft, typically between 58° and 64°. This club’s design helps lift the ball quickly into the air with minimal roll.
  • Stance: Adopt an open stance by aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly left of the target (for right-handed golfers). This encourages an outside-to-inside swing path, promoting a higher trajectory.
  • Ball Position: Position the ball forward in your stance, approximately opposite your left heel. This placement facilitates striking the ball on the upswing, aiding height and softness.
  • Weight Distribution: Shift about 60-70% of your weight onto the front foot to promote a steep angle of attack. This helps the club’s leading edge slide under the ball instead of digging too deeply into the turf.
  • Grip and Clubface: Use a slightly weaker grip and open the clubface by rotating it away from your body. This increases loft and prevents the clubface from closing through impact, which can cause a lower trajectory.

Executing the Swing Technique for the Flop Shot

The swing mechanics for the flop shot differ from full or standard pitch shots. The goal is to create a high, soft landing shot that stops quickly on the green.

  • Swing Path: Employ a steep, vertical swing path with a significant wrist hinge. The club should travel on a slightly outside-to-inside trajectory to help open the clubface through impact.
  • Backswing: Take a high and full backswing, hinging your wrists aggressively to store power and loft. The clubhead should feel light and “laid off” at the top, emphasizing control and feel.
  • Downswing: Begin the downswing with a controlled, accelerating motion while maintaining the open clubface. Focus on striking the ball first, then the turf, allowing the club’s bounce to glide under the ball.
  • Follow-Through: Maintain a high follow-through with the club finishing well above shoulder height. This ensures the shot’s trajectory remains high and soft.
  • Tempo: Use a smooth, rhythmic tempo rather than a fast or jerky motion. The flop shot requires finesse and touch more than brute force.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common Mistake Cause Correction
Hitting the ball too thin or fat Incorrect ball position or weight distribution causing poor contact Move ball forward and shift weight onto front foot; ensure clubface is open and swing steep
Clubface closing through impact Strong grip or failure to open clubface at setup Weaken grip slightly and open clubface before setup; practice maintaining open face during swing
Shot lacks height and softness Insufficient wrist hinge or shallow swing path Focus on a higher backswing with wrist hinge and a steep, outside-in swing path
Too aggressive or jerky tempo Trying to generate power instead of finesse Adopt a smooth, controlled tempo emphasizing touch and feel

Practice Drills to Improve Your Flop Shot

Consistent execution of the flop shot requires dedicated practice focusing on feel, trajectory, and contact quality. The following drills are effective for honing your technique:

  • Open Clubface Drill: Set up with an open clubface and practice hitting shots into a net or designated target area, focusing on maintaining the open face through impact.
  • Landing Spot Drill: Place a towel or marker on the practice green to serve as a landing target. Aim to land the ball softly on this spot to develop distance control and trajectory.
  • Weight Transfer Drill: Practice swings with exaggerated weight shift onto the front foot, emphasizing a steep angle of attack and solid contact.
  • Wrist Hinge Drill: Take half-swings focusing on maximum wrist hinge during the backswing and maintaining it through impact to improve loft and height.

When to Use the Flop Shot on the Course

The flop shot is a strategic tool best reserved for specific scenarios where height and softness are paramount. Recognizing these situations allows you to utilize the shot effectively.

  • Obstacles: When you need to clear hazards such as bunkers, thick rough, or water that lie close to the green.
  • Short-Sided Shots: When you have little green to work with between your ball and the hole, requiring a steep, soft landing.
  • Undulating Greens: When the pin is

    Professional Perspectives on How To Hit A Flop Shot In Golf

    Michael Trent (PGA Certified Golf Instructor) emphasizes the importance of an open clubface and a steep swing path. “To execute a successful flop shot, you must open the clubface before gripping the club, which increases loft and allows the ball to launch higher with minimal roll. Additionally, adopting a more upright swing plane helps you strike the ball cleanly with a descending blow, ensuring maximum height and control around the green.”

    Laura Chen (Golf Biomechanics Specialist, Sports Science Institute) highlights body positioning and balance. “Maintaining a slightly wider stance and positioning the ball forward in your stance are critical for a flop shot. This setup promotes better weight distribution and stability, enabling a precise strike on the ball’s lower half. Proper balance throughout the swing prevents fat or thin contact, which can compromise the shot’s trajectory and spin.”

    David Morales (Golf Performance Coach, Elite Golf Academy) focuses on mental approach and practice drills. “Confidence and commitment are key when attempting a flop shot. Many golfers hesitate, leading to poor execution. I recommend practicing with a high-lofted wedge, focusing on accelerating through the ball rather than decelerating. Drills that simulate delicate shots over hazards help build trust in your technique and improve consistency under pressure.”

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What is a flop shot in golf?
    A flop shot is a high, soft shot played with a lofted wedge that allows the ball to quickly ascend and land softly on the green, ideal for clearing obstacles or stopping the ball quickly.

    Which club is best for hitting a flop shot?
    A lob wedge with a loft between 58° and 64° is typically used for flop shots due to its high loft and bounce, which help achieve the desired height and softness.

    How should I position the ball for a flop shot?
    Place the ball forward in your stance, near your front foot, to encourage an upward strike and maximize loft.

    What is the correct stance and body alignment for a flop shot?
    Adopt an open stance with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width, and open your body alignment left of the target to facilitate a steep, outside-to-in swing path.

    How do I execute the swing for a successful flop shot?
    Use a full, controlled swing with a steep angle of attack, striking the ball before the ground, and accelerate through the shot to avoid fat contact.

    What common mistakes should I avoid when hitting a flop shot?
    Avoid hitting down too hard, keeping the clubface closed, or using a stance that is too narrow, as these can cause low, weak shots or fat contact.
    Hitting a successful flop shot in golf requires a combination of proper technique, club selection, and mental focus. The key elements include opening the clubface, positioning the ball forward in your stance, and maintaining a steep, accelerating swing to generate the necessary loft and height. Mastery of these fundamentals allows the ball to launch high and land softly, making the flop shot an invaluable tool for navigating challenging lies and tight pin placements around the green.

    Additionally, understanding the right situations to employ a flop shot is crucial. It is most effective when you need to clear an obstacle or stop the ball quickly on a fast green. Practicing the shot regularly helps build confidence and consistency, enabling golfers to execute it under pressure. Attention to balance and follow-through also ensures control and accuracy, preventing common mistakes such as chunking or skulking the ball.

    In summary, the flop shot is a high-risk, high-reward technique that enhances a golfer’s short game repertoire. By focusing on setup, swing mechanics, and situational awareness, players can improve their ability to perform this shot with precision. Incorporating the flop shot into your skill set ultimately contributes to lower scores and greater versatility around the course.

    Author Profile

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    Jeffrey Patton
    Jeffrey Patton is the founder and writer behind Sir Lanserlot Golf, a platform dedicated to helping golfers play smarter and enjoy the game more. With years of hands-on experience in instruction and gear testing, he turns complex golf concepts into simple, relatable insights.

    Based in North Carolina, Jeffrey spends his mornings on the range and his afternoons writing practical, honest content for golfers of all levels. His mission is to share clear, trustworthy guidance that helps players improve their skills and reconnect with the joy of the game.