Short Game · Lesson
Two Flop Shots: Simple and Advanced
Part of our short game programs for high, soft shots. Build a program with it
Short-sided with no green to work with? You need a flop. Start with the simple version. Open the face a little. Play the ball in the middle or just forward. Raise the handle and keep your arms wide. Make a half to three-quarter swing that slides through the grass. The advanced version uses a wider stance. Bend your front knee so it sits above your front foot and acts as a pivot. Open the face more and lower the handle. Then make a bigger, slower swing with soft arms.
Step by step
- Simple: face slightly open, ball middle-forward.
- Raise the handle, arms wide, slide through.
- Advanced: wide stance, lead knee over lead foot.
- Open the face, lower the handle.
- Make a bigger, softer swing.
Why it works
An open face adds loft, and the sliding contact lets the club's bounce glide under the ball instead of digging. A raised handle and wide arms keep the club traveling shallow, so the ball launches high and lands softly. In the advanced version, the bent lead knee gives you a pivot point, and the longer, slower swing creates height without a fast, jabbing strike.
Common mistakes
- You close the face back down at address or through impact, so the ball comes out low.Set the face open before you take your grip and keep it pointing up at the sky through the strike.
- You decelerate and quit on the swing, which leads to chunks or thin shots.Make a fuller, steady swing and keep the club moving until you finish, even if the shot only needs to travel a short way.
- You hit down steeply and the club digs into the turf.Keep your arms wide, raise the handle, and let the sole slide along the grass under the ball.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball launches high and lands softly with little roll.
- The club brushes the grass, leaving a shallow scuff instead of a deep divot.
- The swing feels long and slow, but contact stays clean and the ball goes where you aimed.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Start with the simple version from a good lie, using a half swing and a ball sitting up on the grass.
Harder: Try the advanced version from a tighter lie or over a bunker or obstacle, keeping the swing slow and soft.
Common questions
What club should I use for a flop shot?
A lob wedge is the usual choice because it has the most loft. Open the face a little more to add extra height.
Why do I keep hitting the ball thin on flop shots?
Thin shots usually come from slowing down or from the handle drifting forward, which makes the leading edge hit the ball. Keep the handle raised, hold a steady speed, and let the sole slide under the ball.
