FLOP

[BrianDamage]

Ok I’ve missed the green (again) and I’ve got about 20 yards to the pin and a bunker right in front of me.

Realisticaly it’ll be one of two outcomes for me. Duff it straight into the bunker or blade it through the green and off the other side.

Once in a blue moon I’ll manage to flop it up nicely over the bunker and reasonably close (then I’ll miss the putt).

What do you think are the major technical factors required to execute this shot correctly?

 

[freddielong]

Ball position and confidence, get the ball further foward like a bunker shot and play it like you mean it.

 

[USER1999]

The big C.

Confidence.

And luck, don't forget luck.

 

[brendy]

To be honest, I dont bother with the flop unless I have absolutely no other means of finding any part of the green.

Remember, sometimes a long putt on the dance floor is better than another chip onto the green from an even worse lie.

 

[Macster]

I love this shot, really love it, and I think the key to playing it well is to keep everything still, and let the club return to 'slide' under the ball exactly as you set up for.

Premature admiration (head up) is bound to cause problems, and a 'thin', so stay quiet on the shot, and let the clubhead do the work.

Practiced well, its an invaluable shot.

 

[drawboy]

Not looking where it has gone until it has got there, in other words keep your head still until the ball is on it's way.

 

[HogansAlley]

Ball position forward, face open, aim left, and don't be afraid to release the face - don't hold it off at impact. This tends to result in shots slightly off the neck, so I address the ball nearer the toe.

Works for me.

 

[Region3]

You could always play to the side of the pin away from the biggest part of the bunker, and to an easier part of the green.

Leave yourself 20' or so away and take the 2 putts.

 

[john0]

A very loose grip works for me, helps to swing nice n smooth

 

[BrianDamage]

You could always play to the side of the pin away from the biggest part of the bunker, and to an easier part of the green.

Leave yourself 20' or so away and take the 2 putts.

I've done this a few times before and felt like such a big girls blouse. If it was coming down the 18th to save a score then yeah I'd probably do it but I'd rather take it on.

 

[TRS30]

Like all chip shots, keep the body as quiet as possible and just use the arms. Don't be afraid to hit it harder and if your set up right then that ball should just go higher rather than further.

 

[TheChamp]

Confidence is huge on a shot like this. If you're scared of it, it won't work. It's vital that you commit to the shot and keep the hands moving through the ball.

It's a shot i love playing and brings a great feeling when you pull it off.

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

Wide stance, open face and full swing will get ball almost hitting your nostrils

 

[HRC99]

It is a low percentage shot. Don't be afraid to take your medicine and play comfortably over the bunker or around it, you may still hole the putt.

You'll be wishing you'd done that if you thin it miles through the green or leave it in the bunker!

 

[thecraw]

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!

 

[Scott1505]

You could always play to the side of the pin away from the biggest part of the bunker, and to an easier part of the green.

Leave yourself 20' or so away and take the 2 putts.

I've done this a few times before and felt like such a big girls blouse. If it was coming down the 18th to save a score then yeah I'd probably do it but I'd rather take it on.

What looks better though a big girls blouse or thinning it through the back of the green and into rough/trees/or even lost ball.

Having recently worked on the short game handicap drills and scoring nothing on the lob shot i have realised at present i will always be better to get it on the green in one even if im not aiming at the hole and putt from there. Otherwise i could end up having a disaster.

 

[TRS30]

Confidence is huge on a shot like this. If you're scared of it, it won't work. It's vital that you commit to the shot and keep the hands moving through the ball.

It's a shot i love playing and brings a great feeling when you pull it off.

Very good point, you have to accelerate through the ball, again like all chip shots.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A lot of use of the C word (confidence) but I'd like to add another one into the equation - COMMITMENT. You have to commit to the shot

 

[brendy]

What looks better though a big girls blouse or thinning it through the back of the green and into rough/trees/or even lost ball.

As I was told as a cocky youngster many years ago, there is no room on the card for pictures. It is true, we go out in a fourball or less, its not like we are pro's being watched by mass crowds who are going to remember that incredibly risky lob or safer chip on, take the medicine and go safer.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

The main tip I'd give is to only attempt a flop shot if you have a good lie.

I prefer the ball to be sitting up on the semi-rough so that the club will slide under the ball easily.

If you don't have a good lie don't try it. Just play around the bunker.