When to Use a Flop Shot

Written by Brendon Elliot

Knowing when to use the flop shot can be a game-changer in golf. The ability to execute this advanced-level shot cannot only save strokes but also impress your playing partners. However, understanding the right situations to use it is crucial. There may be better overall strategies than using it as a standard part of your short game arsenal. This should be seen as more of a situational weapon and only used when necessary and if you can indeed pull it off. 

What is a Flop Shot?

The flop shot is a high, soft landing shot usually hit from short distances from the hole. It requires not just skill but precision and confidence. It can be risky if not executed properly, but it can help a player escape tricky situations around the green with finesse when used in the right circumstances. But what are these particular situations where it may be helpful to use the flop? That, my friends, will be spelled out next. 

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Flop Shot Situation #1

The flop shot can be handy when a player finds themselves in deep rough just off the green with very little green to work with. Picture this: your approach shot narrowly misses the green and lands in thick, lush rough. The pin is just a few paces onto the green, with a bunker or hazard in between. In this scenario, a well-executed flop shot can be the perfect choice. By opening the clubface and swinging with a steep descending angle of attack, you can loft the ball high into the air, allowing it to land softly on the green and minimize the distance it rolls. This is where the flop shot shines, as it allows you to get the ball up and over the rough while still landing it softly on the green, giving you a chance at saving par or avoiding a big number on the scorecard.

Flop Shot Situation #2

Another situation where the flop shot can come in handy is when faced with a tight pin placement and little room to work with. Imagine a green with a pin tucked closely behind a bunker or water hazard, leaving very little space for the ball to land and stop. In this case, a traditional chip or pitch shot may not provide enough loft or stopping power to get the ball close to the pin. The flop shot, with its high trajectory and soft landing, allows you to clear obstacles and stop the ball quickly upon landing. By mastering the flop shot, players can confidently navigate these challenging situations and give themselves a better chance at making an up-and-down for par.

Flop Shot Situation #3

One more scenario where the flop shot can be a valuable addition to your golf arsenal is when facing a downhill lie just off the green. With the ball resting below your feet, a standard chip or pitch shot might result in a low-flying trajectory that could lead to a lack of control and unpredictable roll on landing. When executed correctly, the flop shot can help counteract the downhill slope by sending the ball high into the air, allowing for a softer landing and better control of the distance the ball travels. This can be especially useful when faced with a downhill lie near the edge of the green, where stopping the ball quickly becomes crucial.

Final Thoughts

The flop shot is a valuable tool in a golfer’s repertoire, but knowing when to utilize it is key. By recognizing the situations where the flop shot can be most effective, golfers can elevate their short game and tackle challenging shots with confidence and finesse. With practice and precise execution, the flop shot can become a go-to option for navigating tricky lies and tight pin placements, ultimately leading to improved performance and lower scores on your scorecard.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is a multiple award-winning Golf Professional based in Central Florida. He is the 2017 PGA of America’s National Youth Player Development Award Winner and is the recipient of more than 25 other industry awards with a focus on Coaching & Education. He is considered by his peers as an industry expert on topics ranging from Jr. Golf Development to Operations to Industry Sustainability. He is the founder of the Little Linksters Golf Academies and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, a 501c3 nonprofit also based out of Central Florida. Brendon is also a freelance golf writer for PGA.com, Golf Range Magazine and several other golf websites and blogs. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. You can learn more about Brendon at BrendonElliott.com and Little Linksters at littlelinksters.com.