How to Hit a Flop Shot

The flop shot is a high, soft-landing golf shot that’s perfect for tricky situations like tight pins, clearing obstacles, or fast greens. It requires precision and the right technique to pull off successfully. Here’s a quick breakdown:

When to Use It: Tight pin locations, clearing bunkers or obstacles, and controlling roll on fast greens.
Best Club: A wedge with a loft angle between 58° and 64° for maximum height and spin.
Key Setup: Open stance, ball forward in your stance, weight on your front foot, and an open clubface.
Technique: Relaxed swing, early wrist hinge, and full follow-through to maintain height and spin.

Quick Setup Guide

Element	Position
Ball Position	Forward, near left heel
Club Face	Open (45° to target line)
Weight	60% on front foot

Practice drills like landing spot accuracy and shot height control to refine your skills. Use resources like the How To Break 80 eBooks and videos for step-by-step guidance.

Understanding the Flop Shot

A flop shot is a short game technique that sends the ball high into the air and lands it softly, offering precise control. It’s a go-to move when you need height and minimal roll on the green.

How a Flop Shot Stands Out

This shot isn’t your typical chip or pitch. Here’s what sets it apart:

Maximum loft: The wedge face is fully opened.
Steep angle: A downward strike creates the necessary height.
High spin: Adds backspin to stop the ball quickly.
Minimal roll: Limits movement after landing.

When a Flop Shot Comes in Handy

The flop shot is ideal in tricky situations, but it’s not without risk. Here’s when it makes sense:

Tight Pin Locations
Use this when the pin is near the edge of the green, and you need a steep descent to land close.
Clearing Obstacles
Perfect for getting over bunkers, low-hanging branches, or steep mounds that block your path.
Fast Greens
If a standard chip would roll too far, a flop shot offers better control over where the ball stops.

Situation	Risk Level	Best Approach
Standard Pin Position	High	Stick to a traditional chip for safety.
Tight Pin Near Edge	Medium	Use when other shots won’t get the job done.
Obstacle Clearance	Medium-High	Only attempt if there’s no safer alternative.
Fast Downhill Green	High	Opt for this to control roll on slick surfaces.

Mastering the mechanics and knowing when to use it can make this shot a game-changer. Just make sure to pick the right club and approach with confidence.

Selecting Your Club

Choosing the right wedge is key to pulling off a reliable flop shot. The wedge provides the loft you need for a high, controlled trajectory and a soft landing.

Best Wedges for Flop Shots

The loft of your wedge plays a major role in a successful flop shot. Wedges with a loft angle between 58° and 64° are typically the go-to choice. This range helps to create the height and stopping power needed for this type of shot.

Feature	Recommended Loft Range
Loft Angle	58°–64°

Now that you know the ideal loft range, let’s explore how the wedge’s characteristics affect your shot.

Club Selection Effects

The loft you choose directly impacts the ball’s flight. A wedge with a 64° loft creates a higher shot with a softer landing, perfect for getting over obstacles. On the other hand, a wedge closer to 58° offers a slightly lower trajectory, which can be useful in situations where height isn’t as critical. Match the wedge’s loft to the specific demands of your shot to achieve consistent results.

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Flop Shot Steps and Technique

With your wedge in hand, follow these steps to perfect your flop shot.

Proper Setup Position

Getting your setup right is key for a reliable flop shot. Position the ball forward in your stance, lining it up with your left heel (for right-handers). Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, and shift roughly 60% of your weight onto your front foot.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key setup details:

Setup Element	Position
Ball Position	Forward, aligned with your left heel
Stance Width	Shoulder-width apart
Weight	About 60% on your front foot
Club Face	Open (around 45° to the target line)

Slightly open your stance toward the target, but keep the clubface aimed at your landing spot. This adjustment helps create the loft needed for the high, soft trajectory typical of a flop shot. Once your setup is locked in, you’re ready to focus on the swing.

Swing Mechanics

The flop shot swing isn’t like your standard chip shot. Start with a long, upright backswing while keeping the clubface open. To ensure a shallow angle of attack:

Hinge your wrists early in the backswing.
Stay relaxed – keep your arms loose and your grip soft.
Let the clubhead stay ahead of your hands as you swing back.

As you transition to the downswing, keep the clubface open and swing along your body line. Make sure to accelerate through impact; slowing down can cause the ball to lose the height and loft you’re aiming for.

Practice Drills

Once you’ve got the basics of your setup and swing down, these drills will help sharpen your control and consistency.

Landing Spot Accuracy

Work on hitting your target by focusing on distance and trajectory. Use alignment sticks or towels to mark a small target area, and aim to land the ball consistently within that zone. Start at a manageable distance, then either shrink the target area or move farther back to make it tougher. This type of practice helps you build the precision needed to pull off successful flop shots on the course.

Afterward, take it up a notch by tweaking shot height and spin for even more control.

Shot Height and Spin Control

Create target zones at different distances and experiment with your swing. Change your swing speed and wrist hinge to see how they affect the shot’s height and spin. This exercise lets you see how small adjustments impact the ball’s apex, spin rate, and how softly it lands. Getting a handle on these factors will prepare you to handle a variety of course conditions with your flop shot.

Learning Resources

Sharpen your flop shot skills with tools and materials from How To Break 80.

How To Break 80 Overview

How To Break 80 provides a variety of resources like eBooks, video courses, and free guides that simplify complex golf techniques. For instance, the Essential Golf Improvement eBook Bundle ($19.00) includes drills designed to help you tackle tough shots like the flop shot. These resources are tailored to help you improve specific aspects of your game, including your flop shot technique.

Flop Shot Training Materials

How To Break 80 offers specialized resources to help you refine your flop shot:

Resource Type	What’s Included
Video Courses	Step-by-step visual lessons for short game skills
eBook Guides	In-depth guides with drills and practice plans
Free Blog Content	Quick tips and advice for better shot selection

The How To Break 80 eBook ($29.00) dives into strategies and drills you can easily incorporate into your practice sessions. Whether you prefer visual demonstrations or written instructions, these materials are designed to help you master the flop shot with confidence.

Key Points Review

Here’s a quick summary of the main techniques and practice tips discussed earlier.

Setup Basics
To master the flop shot, focus on three key elements: stance, swing, and landing precision. Getting the setup right is critical for a successful shot.

Practice Focus
Hone your skills by practicing landing accuracy drills. Work on controlling shot heights and spin to handle a variety of course challenges with confidence.

Key Element	Focus Areas	Practice Tips
Setup	Open stance, square clubface	Use alignment sticks for proper setup
Swing	Full follow-through, smooth tempo	Focus on maintaining rhythm
Landing Control	Spot accuracy, height control	Aim for targets at varying distances

These areas can be improved through specific drills designed to build consistency.

Training Materials
The Essential Golf Improvement eBook Bundle from How To Break 80 offers structured drills to help you perfect the flop shot. Additional resources are also available to support your progress.

Fine-Tuning Technique
As highlighted in the swing mechanics section, keeping a steady tempo and an open clubface is key. Regularly practicing landing accuracy drills will help you develop the touch and precision needed for reliable flop shots.

How to Hit a Flop Shot

Quick Setup Guide