If you’ve ever struggled with getting the ball high and soft onto the green, the flop shot could be the game-changer you need. Here’s a simple guide to help you ace this tricky shot:
What is a Flop Shot?
The flop shot is a high-lofted shot designed to get your ball up in the air quickly and stop it on the green, making it ideal for short approaches over obstacles.
Steps to Execute a Flop Shot:
Choose the Right Club: Use a lob wedge (60-degree) or an even higher lofted club if you have one.
Setup: Position the ball more towards your front foot; this helps in elevating the shot.
Open the Clubface: Lay the clubface open, aiming it slightly left of your target (for right-handed golfers).
Grip and Stance: Use a relaxed grip and adopt a slightly wider stance for better balance.
Swing: Make a steep, full swing through the ball, focusing on contacting it with the open face.
Follow Through: Ensure your follow-through is high, which helps get that extra lift.
Tips:
Practice on the Range: Before trying it in a game, practice on the range to get a feel for the shot.
Visualize Your Shot: Imagine the path and landing zone so you can better control your aim.
Mastering the flop shot can really help with your short game. Have you tried it before or have any tips to share? Let’s discuss below!
To master the flop shot, start with a slightly open stance. Position the ball forward in your stance and use a relaxed grip. This creates space for the club to slide under the ball for that high, soft landing.
When opening your stance, aim for about 30 degrees. This helps with the follow-through and allows your club to enter the ball with the right angle, creating the loft needed for the shot.
Exactly! Make sure your follow-through matches the swing tempo. A good drill is to practice with an open clubface and focus on getting that nice, high finish.
Using a lob wedge is ideal, as it’s designed for high shots. However, you can try it with a sand wedge; just adjust your swing and aim for a more shallow angle of attack.
You could set up some alignment sticks or cones as targets. This would also simulate real on-course situations, making your practice more effective and safer too.
It definitely took me several weeks of focused practice to feel confident! Just remember, persistence is key. Enjoy the learning process; that can be half the fun!
The flop shot is notorious for being tricky! One of the most frequent errors is improper stance. Make sure to widen your stance for better balance. This could significantly improve accuracy.
Another common mistake is not opening the clubface enough. Practice that at the range; it can help achieve the necessary loft. Remember, the angle is crucial!