As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no extra cost to you. Thank you if you use our links; we appreciate it! Learn More.
Golf is a game of clubs and balls. Using the club, you have to put the ball into the holes taking as few hits as possible. The golf field is full of green with hazard here and there. You can encounter some of them in the game. Flop shot is a great way to get rid of this obstacle. I am going to discuss broadly and step by step, how to hit a flop shot perfectly. I hope it will improve your game and make you a better player. Let’s get to it:
Golf Flop Shot (or Lob Shot)
Golf Flop Shots or in other word Golf Lob Shots are a special shot in Golf. It is a kind of short pitch shot that is played with a very high-lofted wedge to make the highest height of the ball’s path. This Lob wedge shots’ target is to throw the golf ball on a high-curving trajectory while precipitously up and precipitously down so that upon landing on the green the ball stop fast with a very slight roll.
The main scheme of this shot is to regulate the distance of the golf ball rolling after landing by making a specially high shot. Or, you can say through this shot you can control the distance of the ball using a high curve shot instead of using a backswing. According to most players when it comes to controlling the distance, the trajectory is more trustworthy than backswing.
Usually, this shot is played with a high-lofted Wedge named Lob Wedge-hence the name ‘Lob Shots’. A lob wedge is made with 60-64 degrees of loft to play Flop shots. Though lob shots can be played with other wedges upon certain fixes, like laying out the club face wide open. But if you want the best result, then, lob wedges are the best option.
Flop Shot Ball Position
When setting up for a flop shot, it is important to pay attention to ball position. The ball position for a flop shot will depend on the degree of loft on the club, the distance to the green, and the desired trajectory of the shot.
Here are some general guidelines for ball position when hitting a flop shot:
- For a shorter flop shot, place the ball slightly back in your stance, just inside your left heel (for a right-handed golfer). This will help you catch the ball with a descending blow, producing a lower, more controlled trajectory.
- For a longer flop shot, place the ball slightly forward in your stance, just inside your left heel (for a right-handed golfer). This will help you catch the ball with a slightly ascending blow, producing a higher, softer trajectory.
- For a very high, soft flop shot, place the ball in the middle of your stance. This will help you produce maximum loft on the club and hit a very high, soft shot.
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and the ideal ball position for a flop shot will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific club you are using and the characteristics of your swing.
How to Hit a Flop Shot Properly?
When a player is short-sided and in need of the ball to stop promptly while landing on the green, this flop shot or Lob shot is required for him. Normally this situation occurs when a hazard is involved in the course like Bunker. So, whenever the golfer finds in need of the golf ball to stop quickly after landing in the field, lob shot golf is the best option.
Let’s know about how to hit a Lob Shot Correctly.
1. Make yourself tension free
Golf is a game of nerve. The stronger you are in your brain, you will be better in the game. You have to release all types of pressure from your mind. You can try some breathing yoga. Pranayama can be a good one for you. Breathe in with right nostril and release with left nostril. Again, inhale with left nostril and release with the right nostril. Doing it for 2-3 times will improve the blood flow of the brain and help you to get rid of increased tensions.
Usually, golfers try to skip this shot because it is definitely nerve testing. So, when you are bound to take this shot, and I know the situation is not under your control. At that point, you can’t freak out. Otherwise, it will call more damages. Focus on the game and try to motivate yourself for the best. Drink some water, feel the wind and prepare yourself for the shot. Think that it is going to be your day.
2. Select the right golf club for the flop shot
Choosing the right club is essential when you are taking the flop shot. Using a 60-degree wedge is recommended for the shot. The mission of this shot is to hit the ball high and land it near the hole. It should not take more than two bounces and stop immediately. It needs some practice and proper tools selection. Go for the high-lofted club and don’t grip it tightly. Grip it, lightly.
Do some demo shots with the golf club. Place the golf ball in the center of your stance with proper flop shot drills. Don’t aim right at the hole. It will not be a good idea for mission completion. Aim slightly left and go for the shot. As you have selected the right tools for the job, it is time to take some more precautions for the flop shot. Follow the instruction words to words, and you will get the result which you are looking for.
Read: Cleveland Launcher Hb Irons Review
3. Grass under the ball
For proper execution of the flop shot, you need some green under the ball because you need the clubface to slide under the ball to remove the ball bouncing tendency. It will create backspin in the ball and control its further movement. It will provide you better grip and control over the shot. When you can’t hit under the ball, it creates a difficult situation for you.
Slope course is the worst scenario for the shot. Flopping the golf ball is going to be harder. In this type of circumstances, you need to take some additional adjustments with your shoulder and parallel the angle with the slope. You can take the shoot as far as you can go under the ball with the clubface. But if you can’t go under the ball than it is better to leave this shot. Go with other shots which fit better.
Read: How to Clean Golf Club Grips, Shafts, Heads & Rust at Home
4. Prepare for the flop shots
As you have already worked with your mind, club, and field, it is time to prepare for the flop shot. Take your position for the shoot. Relax your waist and balance your body. The right balance is as outstanding as the right stance position. One-third of your body weight will be on the left leg, and the rest of the burden will be on the right leg. It will help you to get a better shot.
You are going for a shoot which will go high and land soft. Create a forward angle with your hands and open the clubface. Don’t get so tight with flop shot. Try to grip the golf club with a soft hand. It will help you to stop the ball in your desired position. You need to be careful about this step so that you can execute a proper Golf Lob Shot. A perfect Golf Lob shot Technique can take you ahead of the game.
5. Perfect aiming for the Lob shot
Playing golf is not an easy task. Spoiled aiming can make the job harder. Usually, you used to aim right at the target for a golf shot. But it is little different for the flop shot, you need to aim slightly left. Avoid swinging right at the destination. Go for the little left with the swing. During the shot, you are standing with an open stance. Your body-line is in not perpendicular to the target.
It is leaning on the left side. When you are aiming, you have to follow this line. It will help you to get a better flop shot right on target. It is an essential step of the shot. You have to be perfect and focus on your goal. Do some movement and find the right aim for you. Don’t go for the chance until you get one. Spend enough time to make it flawless and go for it.
6. Wrist movement for the flop shot
Wrist movement is an essential part of our game. You need to have good knowing what to do with the wrist when you are learning Golf flop shot Technique. Take a proper idea, what you are aiming at. Wrist hinge depends on the distance of your hole. Slightly missed wrist movement will damage the timing of the shoot. You need to follow two different procedures for long and short shots.
In the short flop shot, you need to do a quick wrist hinge so that the ball lands short. On the other hand, when you are going for the longer shots, you need to wait for the wrist hinge until the backspin. It will give you more momentum and control at the same time. In flop shots, golf balls need to cover a longer distance. You need to follow the wrist hinge and try to get as close as possible to the golf hole. There could be no reason for the failure if you did the work correctly.
7. Swing of the club
When you are swinging the club, don’t swing straight to the target. Swing slightly on the right side of the target. Let the starting point of the swing be A, golfball hitting point is B and end of the swing is C. From A to B, B to C, your pace of the rhythm should be equal. Otherwise, you can lose the aim of the target. It should be like a one-way pendulum.
No tension or pace should change on the journey. The left movement of the club is a tricky game. You have to be very accurate at these things, or you can totally miss the shot target. Don’t do the movement right after hitting the ball. Do it, when your club travels a little far from the impact point B. It will be like an acute curving angle. The flop shot is a quick procedure so there is a minimal gap between every action. You have to practice more and more and make them accurate.
Read also: Callaway Strata review : For beginner to experienced
8. Clubface should finish high
The flop shot is one of the toughest shots of golf. It does not allow much movement of your body. Still, you can have some slight rotation in your hips when taking shots. After the impact of the club and ball, you need to make sure that the clubface is facing the sky and it should always be kept open throughout the swing. A right-handed golfer should monitor their left hand for the action.
Read: Best golf Halloween costumes
You just need to release the clubface at the right pace and let the clubface to do the work. If you have done them correctly, you are going to be benefited from it. The swing starting and ending point should be on equal heights. Both the opening and ending will keep the clubface high and towards the sky. So, when you follow all the steps accurately, then your ball should hit the hole. This tip is very effective for hitting a flop shot.
What is the best club to hit a flop shot with?
The best club to hit a flop shot with in golf is generally a wedge with a high loft, such as a sand wedge or lob wedge. These clubs have a wide sole and a lot of bounce, which helps the club glide through the grass and minimize digging.
To hit a flop shot, you’ll want to open the clubface and use a sweeping, arm-controlled swing. You’ll also want to make sure you have a good amount of green to work with and that the ball is sitting up in the grass rather than buried.
It’s important to practice hitting flop shots in order to get a feel for the proper technique and distance control.
Best Flop Shot Wedge
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best flop shot wedge, including the player’s skill level, swing style, and the type of course they typically play on. Some wedges are designed specifically for flop shots, with a lot of loft and a wide sole to help the clubhead glide through the grass. Others may have a more traditional wedge design but offer a higher level of versatility for a range of shots.
Some popular wedges for flop shots include:
- Titleist Vokey SM8: This wedge has a wide sole and a high degree of loft, making it well-suited for flop shots. It also has a low, deep center of gravity, which helps to produce a high, soft shot.
- Callaway Mack Daddy 4: This wedge has a wide sole and a lot of loft, making it ideal for flop shots. It also has a C-grind sole that helps to reduce the amount of grass caught between the clubface and the ball.
- Cleveland RTX 4: This wedge has a wide sole and a lot of loft, as well as a C-grind sole that is designed to help the clubhead glide through the grass. It also has a low, deep center of gravity, which helps to produce a high, soft shot.
Ultimately, the best flop shot wedge for you will depend on your personal preferences and the characteristics of your swing. It may be helpful to try out a few different wedges to find one that feels comfortable and produces the results you want.
Flop Shot Vs Pitch Shot
In golf, a flop shot is a high, soft shot that is played with a lot of loft on the club and is designed to stop quickly on the green. It is often used when the ball is close to the green but has some grass or other obstruction between it and the hole. The ball is struck with a sweeping motion, and the clubhead passes through the grass rather than cutting through it.
A pitch shot, on the other hand, is a shot played with a lower trajectory and less loft on the club. It is typically used when the ball is further away from the green and the player needs to get some extra distance and precision in their shot. The ball is struck with a slightly downward blow, and the clubhead cuts through the grass rather than passing through it.
Both flop shots and pitch shots require a good deal of touch and feel, as well as a well-timed swing. They are advanced shots that are typically only played by more experienced golfers.
Flop Shot Vs Lob Shot
A flop shot and a lob shot are two types of short game shots that can be useful in different situations on the golf course. Both shots are designed to get the ball high into the air and stop quickly on the green, but they differ in a few key ways.
A flop shot is a high, soft shot that is hit with a lot of loft and a sweeping motion. It is often used when the ball is lying close to the green, but there is a hazard or obstacle in the way that requires the ball to be hit over. A flop shot is typically hit with a sand wedge or lob wedge and is designed to get the ball to stop quickly once it lands.
A lob shot, on the other hand, is a very high, soft shot that is hit with even more loft than a flop shot. It is often used when the ball is lying in a difficult spot, such as a bunker or deep rough, and there is not much green to work with. A lob shot is typically hit with a lob wedge and is designed to get the ball to stop quickly once it lands.
Both flop shots and lob shots can be useful shots to have in your short game arsenal, but they can be difficult to execute and require a lot of practice to master. It’s important to choose the right shot for the situation and to have a good understanding of the club and swing mechanics involved.
FAQs
How do you aim a flop shot?
For aiming a flop shot you have to use your highest lofted wedge, preferably 58-62 degrees. Now, place it to the left of the target. Then swing the club slightly to the back and look at your target and aim on it.
How do you hit a flop with a backspin shot?
To hit a flop shot take your most lofted club that has a sand wedge or a lob wedge. Position your club in the forward center of the ball and vision your shot and target. Don’t swing back too much and make sure to have a good grip of the club. Slide your clubface under the ball which will create backspin and then hit the ball towards the target.
How to hit a flop shot with a high bounce wedge?
To hit a flop shot with a high bounce wedge, follow these steps:
- Choose the correct club: A high bounce wedge is typically the best choice for a flop shot, as it will help the clubhead glide through the grass rather than digging into it. Look for a wedge with a wide sole and a high degree of loft, such as a lob wedge or a sand wedge.
- Set up properly: When setting up for a flop shot, position the ball slightly back in your stance, just inside your left heel (for a right-handed golfer). This will help you catch the ball with a descending blow, producing a lower, more controlled trajectory.
- Take a wider stance: To help you make a sweeping motion with the club, take a slightly wider stance than you normally would. This will give you more balance and stability as you swing.
- Make a smooth, sweeping swing: To hit a flop shot, you’ll need to make a smooth, sweeping swing rather than a steep, downward blow. Use a relaxed grip and keep your arms and hands soft as you swing.
- Follow through: As you make contact with the ball, let the clubhead pass through the grass rather than cutting through it. This will help you produce a high, soft shot that stops quickly on the green.
How to hit high flop shot?
To hit a high flop shot, follow these steps:
- Choose the correct club: A lob wedge or sand wedge is typically the best choice for a high flop shot, as these clubs have a lot of loft and a wide sole that helps the clubhead glide through the grass.
- Set up properly: When setting up for a high flop shot, position the ball midway through your stance. This will help you produce maximum loft on the club and hit a very high, soft shot.
- Take a wider stance: To help you make a sweeping motion with the club, take a slightly wider stance than you normally would. This will give you more balance and stability as you swing.
- Make a smooth, sweeping swing: To hit a high flop shot, you’ll need to make a smooth, sweeping swing rather than a steep, downward blow. Use a relaxed grip and keep your arms and hands soft as you swing.
- Follow through: As you make contact with the ball, let the clubhead pass through the grass rather than cutting through it. This will help you produce a high, soft shot that stops quickly on the green.
How to hit a backwards flop shot?
To hit a backwards flop shot in golf, follow these steps:
- Set up with an open stance and an open clubface. This will allow you to hit the ball with a high, lofted shot.
- Take a narrow stance, with your feet close together. This will help you maintain balance and control as you swing.
- Hold the club with a relaxed grip, using your hands to guide the club through the swing.
- Make a full backswing, keeping your arms straight and your body turning smoothly.
- As you come down into the ball, allow your wrists to hinge and release the clubhead through impact. This will give the ball a high, soft landing.
- Follow through by swinging your arms and club around your body, finishing with your club pointing towards the sky.
It may take some practice to get the timing and feel of the shot right, but with some repetition you should be able to hit this shot consistently.
How to hit a short flop shot?
To hit a short flop shot in golf, follow these steps:
- Start by selecting a wedge with a high loft, such as a sand wedge or a lob wedge. These clubs are designed to create a high, soft shot that lands gently on the green.
- Set up to the ball with a narrow stance and your weight slightly forward. This will help you maintain control over the club and generate a high, lofted shot.
- Take a wider than normal grip on the club, with your hands closer to the end of the handle. This will help you create more loft on the shot.
- Make a smooth, sweeping swing, focusing on making contact with the ball before the ground. This will help you generate the height and spin needed to stop the ball quickly on the green.
- As you swing, keep your wrists firm and maintain a stable head position to help you control the trajectory and distance of the shot.
- Practice this shot regularly to develop a feel for the correct swing and ball flight. With practice, you should be able to hit a variety of short flop shots with precision and control.
How to hit a flop shot with backspin?
To hit a flop shot with backspin, follow these steps:
- Select a wedge with a high loft, such as a sand wedge or lob wedge. These clubs are designed to create a high, soft shot that lands gently on the green.
- Set up to the ball with a narrow stance and your weight slightly forward. This will help you maintain control over the club and generate a high, lofted shot.
- Take a wider than normal grip on the club, with your hands closer to the end of the handle. This will help you create more loft on the shot.
- Make a smooth, sweeping swing, focusing on making contact with the ball before the ground. This will help you generate the height and spin needed to stop the ball quickly on the green.
- As you swing, keep your wrists firm and maintain a stable head position to help you control the trajectory and distance of the shot.
- To create backspin, focus on making a clean, crisp contact with the ball. This means striking the ball with the sweet spot of the clubface and maintaining a downward angle of attack as you swing through the ball.
- Practice this shot regularly to develop a feel for the correct swing and ball flight. With practice, you should be able to hit a variety of flop shots with backspin and control.
How far should a flop shot go?
The distance a flop shot goes will depend on several factors, including the loft of the club being used, the speed and trajectory of the swing, and the type of grass and terrain being played from.
In general, a flop shot hit with a sand wedge (which has a loft of around 56 degrees) from a good lie on a firm, well-manicured green might travel anywhere from 60 to 100 yards. A lob wedge (which has a loft of around 60 degrees) could potentially go a little further, but it’s important to remember that the primary goal of a flop shot is to get the ball close to the hole rather than to maximize distance.
It’s also worth noting that flop shots can be difficult to control, so it’s important to practice and become comfortable with the shot before trying to hit it in a high-pressure situation on the course.
Can you hit a flop shot with a 56?
Yes, it is possible to hit a flop shot with a 56-degree wedge. The 56-degree wedge is typically considered a sand wedge, and it is one of the more common clubs used for hitting flop shots. The sand wedge has a wide sole and a lot of bounce, which makes it easier to glide through the grass and minimize digging.
To hit a flop shot with a 56-degree wedge, you’ll want to open the clubface and use a sweeping, arm-controlled swing. You’ll also want to make sure you have a good amount of green to work with and that the ball is sitting up in the grass rather than buried.
It’s important to practice hitting flop shots in order to get a feel for the proper technique and distance control.
Finally…
After all the hard work, you are at the end. It is time to execute the shot flawlessly. As you know, it is not an easy shot to take. You have to spend as much time as possible with the shot. Practice and practice, until you get a good hand on the flop shot. I hope I have helped you enough with your how-to-hit a flop shot question. Thank you for your time. Now, go for the flop shot.
There are many fascinating Golf Flop Shot Videos all over the Internet. Let’s see one.
See also:
- How to fix Golf Shank
- Best Golf Forums
- How to Putt in Golf
- New Golf Rules 2019
- Rules of Golf Etiquette
- Stretching Exercise Before Golf
- Best Gift for golfers
- How to Hold a Golf Club Properly
- How to Stop Hooking the Golf Ball
- Sunglass Tint Color Guide
- How to Make a Proper Golf Stance
- Amazon Prime Day 2019
- Best Black Friday Golf Deals
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Daisy is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Golfs Hub. She is associated with Golf for more than 20 years. She got the inspiration from her father. She is a very private person & doesn't like to be photographed. She's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Now she is enjoying her retirement from day job... but not from Golf! Daisy lives in southeasternmost part of New York state with her family.