The Flop Shot

[JonnyGutteridge]

My chipping is the weakest area of my game, so I tend to play the percentages - would never play a flop shot on the course

I play a lot of bump and runs, it basically guarantees getting on the green and giving yourself a chance with the putt. I really struggle to use the bounce effectively, so being short sided or having to get the ball up in the air quickly is a disaster which I would try to avoid with my approach shots. Course management rule #1 - play to your strengths!

my course is generally giving you very tight lies and is scarily firm in summer, which adds to the pain

 

[Singlefiguregokfer]

Stand open, aim left, open the face, lower the handle & make a full swing.
Anything else is an open faced pitch shot.

 

[clubchamp98]

You would be correct. Was a member there for about 4 years. Loved it.

Yes I was there for 25 yrs.
Great golf club imo.
Course has really come on all the trees have grown.

 

[garyinderry]

Yes I was there for 25 yrs.
Great golf club imo.
Course has really come on all the trees have grown.

Good wee test of golf too without being overly long. Especially when it firms up.

 

[Crazyface]

I’ve never really hit a flop (lob) shot on the course (other than trying an unpracticed bunker technique to clear obstacle a few times)

I’d never even practiced it & I can only remember a handful of times where I’ve aimed away from the pin because of tight pin/danger short and long etc. But over last 3-4 weeks I’ve been practicing it at short game area and the kick it gives when you pull it off is a bit like hitting a frozen rope drive, so I definitely see the attraction & satisfaction in playing it

I’m hitting a 50° blade GW with 10 ° bounce to practice it and can adjust for as little as 4/5 yards out to maybe 20yrds. I’m not sure why I might use more loft yet. All being well I'll try it on course next time the situation crops up...

Is the shot in your arsenal? Are you hitting it with more lofted clubs (& why) How often do you use it and what’s the 'make' % ? and lastly do you choose to hit that shot even when there’s no obstacles, just because it’s a fun/Hollywood shot?

I pulled off an awesome one once. Ball sitting up in fluffy grass. 20 meters away from the pub, over a big bunker. Sent it a million miles in the air to stop dead next to the pin. A pp said "that's the best shot I've ever seen here".

 

[srixon 1]

I can do it and practice it but only ever use it when I have to. If there is an easier shot choice I will always use that one.

 

[Crazyface]

I can do it and practice it but only ever use it when I have to. If there is an easier shot choice I will always use that one.

I've got a sliver of a 64deg wedge that is made for the job in summer. Gouges out lumps in winter, so stays in it's hibernation hole until may

 

[garyinderry]

There is absolutely no need to be swinging full bore at lob shots like Phil mickelson.
The majority just need flipped up in the air quickly and come down with a steep land angle.

Only hit them as hard as necessary. Full steam is rarely needed.

 

[clubchamp98]

I pulled off an awesome one once. Ball sitting up in fluffy grass. 20 meters away from the pub, over a big bunker. Sent it a million miles in the air to stop dead next to the pin. A pp said "that's the best shot I've ever seen here".

I don’t like fluffy lies you can just go straight underneath the ball.
I prefer a nice tight lie.
You just have to comit to the shot,, but I only play a flop if absolutely nessesary.

 

[Slab]

Thanks all,

Quite a variety of replies. The consensus seems to be a high risk/high reward shot, which i don't think surprises anyone, and tough to pull off with a card in hand

I'm not sure I understand the best loft to use yet. If laying open say a 60 wedge are you actually attempting this already tough shot with an impact angle of a 70/80 degree wedge? Is that a big reason why it can often knife & fail?

As I said in OP I'm trying to learn the shot with a 50 laying a bit open (I don't own a 56/60 anyway) so maybe I'm only turning it into an impact angle of 60? I've still knifed more than I'd like on short game area while I practice (but that's why its called practice) for the most part I can get it to stop on green but there's clearly a lot to learn/dial in to get the distance/line needed

Its fun to do (in practice anyway) and if the opportunity arises I hope I feel confident enough to try it on the course (what's the worse that can happen... in terms of the scorecard its no worse than spraying a drive lost/oob)

 

[Singlefiguregokfer]

Thanks all,

Quite a variety of replies. The consensus seems to be a high risk/high reward shot, which i don't think surprises anyone, and tough to pull off with a card in hand

I'm not sure I understand the best loft to use yet. If laying open say a 60 wedge are you actually attempting this already tough shot with an impact angle of a 70/80 degree wedge? Is that a big reason why it can often knife & fail?

As I said in OP I'm trying to learn the shot with a 50 laying a bit open (I don't own a 56/60 anyway) so maybe I'm only turning it into an impact angle of 60? I've still knifed more than I'd like on short game area while I practice (but that's why its called practice) for the most part I can get it to stop on green but there's clearly a lot to learn/dial in to get the distance/line needed

Its fun to do (in practice anyway) and if the opportunity arises I hope I feel confident enough to try it on the course (what's the worse that can happen... in terms of the scorecard its no worse than spraying a drive lost/oob)

Biggest issue with doing it with a 50* wedge is whether the bounce is suitable. Also, you have to lower the handle even more otherwise the club will be aiming miles right.

 

[Slab]

Biggest issue with doing it with a 50* wedge is whether the bounce is suitable. Also, you have to lower the handle even more otherwise the club will be aiming miles right.

Bounce is 10 on my 50 (good fairway grass to practice on). I actually found (for my swing) that I had to raise the handle a wee bit because I was setting up too low causing duffs
I'm usually a bump and run for chips so its been really hard to trust having the stance left and face open for the ball to go straight

I have a no-stakes casual game tomorrow but sods law I won't put myself in any position to try it!

 

[garyinderry]

What do you use in deep bunkers?

I don't understand someone not using a sand wedge or lob wedge.

 

[Hobbit]

Not keen on it. For some bizarre reason I’m inclined to hit the odd shank when trying a flop shot. Think I’m sitting back on my heels too much at address.

 

[Deleted member 35577]

I consider it an absolute 'last resort' shot. Only do it if I have no other choice.

 

[Slab]

What do you use in deep bunkers?

I don't understand someone not using a sand wedge or lob wedge.

Bunkers of all kinds on local courses but the 50 has seemed adequate to get out from even the deepest

After changing irons last year I was thinking of getting rid of the 50 in favour of a pair of Mizuno 48 & 54 for even gapping but somethings telling me that dropping £300 for a pair isn't the best use & anyway it just adds an extra club to the bag so I'm holding off just now

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Thanks all,

Quite a variety of replies. The consensus seems to be a high risk/high reward shot, which i don't think surprises anyone, and tough to pull off with a card in hand

I'm not sure I understand the best loft to use yet. If laying open say a 60 wedge are you actually attempting this already tough shot with an impact angle of a 70/80 degree wedge? Is that a big reason why it can often knife & fail?

As I said in OP I'm trying to learn the shot with a 50 laying a bit open (I don't own a 56/60 anyway) so maybe I'm only turning it into an impact angle of 60? I've still knifed more than I'd like on short game area while I practice (but that's why its called practice) for the most part I can get it to stop on green but there's clearly a lot to learn/dial in to get the distance/line needed

Its fun to do (in practice anyway) and if the opportunity arises I hope I feel confident enough to try it on the course (what's the worse that can happen... in terms of the scorecard its no worse than spraying a drive lost/oob)

The problem, imo, of using a 50 and opening it up is that the club can be in an artificial position by the time you swing through. Have you opened it enough, too much. Are your hands fighting what your eyes are seeing and what your brain is saying it wants to do? If you have the right club, 60°, then you just play the shot, no manipulation required and more chance of repeatability.

 

[garyinderry]

Getting out of a deep bunker is possible with a 50 but why make it harder for yourself?

 

[Slab]

The problem, imo, of using a 50 and opening it up is that the club can be in an artificial position by the time you swing through. Have you opened it enough, too much. Are your hands fighting what your eyes are seeing and what your brain is saying it wants to do? If you have the right club, 60°, then you just play the shot, no manipulation required and more chance of repeatability.

You could be right, or are those yielding a 60 maybe laying it open to 70 resulting in the knifing that scares folk from using the shot in the first place, given thats the recommended set up Even if struck at a 60 angle with a 60 wedge its a steep climb and I'd imagine much easier to inadvertently close the face if going in 'square'

But for sure there's no way I'm gonna buy a 60 wedge just on the off chance there's a 6ft wall between my ball and the flag 10 steps away

 

[Slab]

Getting out of a deep bunker is possible with a 50 but why make it harder for yourself?

There’s many players who can competently wield a variety of lofted wedges round the green, it’s also true that the overwhelming number of thin/fat shots I see are made with those same high lofted wedges whereas I’ve found a bump & run with a 50 to be much safer and more reliable, also I don’t go into deep bunkers very often meaning something like a 56/60 is pretty much a specialist/one dimensional club to me