Short Game · Tip
Flop or Bump and Run? How to Choose
Part of our short game programs for distance control, high, soft shots. Build a program with it
Here's the rule. Keep it on the ground when you can. Go in the air when you have to. A bump and run has fewer moving parts and more room for error. A flop is for when you must carry something and have very little green. Look at what's between you and the hole. Check your lie, too. A tight lie favors a low shot. Pick the shot first. Then commit to it.
Step by step
- See what's between you and the hole.
- Clear ground: bump and run.
- Must carry trouble: go higher.
- Tight lie: keep it low.
- Commit to your choice.
Why it works
A low shot rolls like a putt, so distance depends mostly on how far you swing, and small contact errors change the result less. A flop needs a lofted face, a long swing, and clean contact under the ball, so small errors cost more. Choosing the lower-risk shot whenever the ground allows keeps your misses small. Choosing the air only when you must carry something keeps you from forcing a shot you don't need.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the flop because it looks good, even when there is clear ground to roll the ball.Ask if you can keep it on the ground, and if the answer is yes, play the bump and run.
- Trying a high shot from a tight lie.Treat a tight lie as a reason to keep the ball low, because there is little room to slide the club under the ball.
- Changing your mind halfway through the setup and swinging with doubt.Pick the shot before you take your stance, then make one committed swing for that shot.
How you'll know it's working
- You can name the shot and the reason for it before you set up, such as clear ground or a bunker to carry.
- Your bump and run lands on the green's edge and rolls toward the hole like a putt.
- When you do go high, the ball clears the trouble and stops near where it lands.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice with a clear, flat path to the hole and a good lie so you only have to decide between low and high.
Harder: Drop balls in mixed lies and spots around the green, and make yourself name and play the right shot for each one.
Common questions
When should I use a bump and run instead of a flop shot?
Use the bump and run when there is clear ground between you and the hole and enough green to let the ball roll. It has fewer moving parts and more room for error.
Can I hit a flop shot from a tight lie?
It is possible, but it is a poor choice because there is very little room to get under the ball. A tight lie favors a low shot.
