The FLOP

[Adam Pettman]

GRRRRRR I have practised this shot for ages now- doing everthing it says in every golf magazine or instructional book I've ever read- and as a result all I've had is shanks thins or extreme pushes.The flop shot is a shot I need in my game because of the course I play on. Any and all advice is needed. Also I have decided to blame my equipment aswell because in my opinion there is too much bounce towards the heel of the club am I right??
HELP PLEASE

http://www.shottalk.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=47

[dave.]

Use a 56,NOT a 60

Have the feeling the hands and arms are loose.keep the hands ahead AND DO NOT DECELERATE.Hit the ball firmly with the ball in the middle of the stance.When you get more confident you can move it forward,open the face more and really go for it.For now,start from thye beggining and learn how to accelerate through the ball with an open face.

[Davebud]

My flops are a flop, I get that damn shot maybe 60 to 65% of the time. I have concluded that inside 12 or so yards I am going with my pop chip, outside of that, the stupid flop works, its just the really close ones that frustrate the heck out of me. Practice 25 yard flops and you will get those alot faster, then just work your way in towards the hole. Quit flopping when you get to the "this effing sucks" point, start practicing higher chips from there, because from that close most of you problems will just be bunkers. You can chip over bunkers, if its a tree you are trying to flop over, just suck it up and chip around, your scorecard will end up happier with that anyhow.

[dave.]

I haven't played a flop shot for ages.If the flag is tucked behind a bunker I always aim for the middle of the green anyway.The flop is a shot that really only gets played in exceptional circumstances,if you play it regularly maybe you are picking the worng shot.I haven;t played one for about 5 rounds.I always hit chips from the back foot using a 53 wedge,3rd bounce check.

[Adam Pettman]

I need the flop shot because the greens at my home course are treachrous ie if your chipping onto a green thats sloping away from you your next shot will be from off the green. So I need the flop shot if I want any chance around the greens. I do use a 56* wedge because me and my lob wedge dont get along anymore(we both said things we now regret and this has resulted in it living in the shed)

[Stink Crack]

The key is the lie. If it's fluffed up, go for it. If it's not, it's not going to work. Also, try swinging like it's a bunker shot, armsy and smooth. Don't try it with a 60*, if you make contact, you might pop yourself in the face.

[Davebud]

I am really working on hitting my sandwedge into a small defined area. Right now I practice hitting it into a plant pot that has a 10" opening, if I get in great, but even if I am just hitting the pot on the fly its good enough to hit the first cut and check.

[dave.]

Dave

I can stop a 48* wedge practially dead from 20 yards.You only need the higher lofts from shorter distances

[mediaguru]

You guys don't recommend a 60 for flops? That's all I use! I can sky it and fly it. Hell I can damn near knock off my own hat!

[dave.]

Exactly,a shot that is about 10 years old.So Hogan made do with a 56

[Davebud]

Originally Posted by dave.

Dave

I can stop a 48* wedge practially dead from 20 yards.You only need the higher lofts from shorter distances

Dave I will get there, right now I just hit what I can. I do not pratice enough at the course, I pratice chips in the backyard and wedges in the back field. Unfortunately I do not have a green in either,,, yet.

[dave.]

Mickelson has just put 6ft of backspin on a 20yrd pitch










from the rough
bloody hell

[wirehair]

Originally Posted by dave.

Have the feeling the hands and arms are loose.keep the hands ahead AND DO NOT DECELERATE.Hit the ball firmly with the ball in the middle of the stance.

...and blade it to the other side of the moon......

Seriously, today I was short sided & hit a flopper up a hill, over a bunker & it hit & stopped within 4 feet of the cup. That doesn't happen every day! Yes, I made the putt for par. Color me happy!

[The ball striking guru]

it is not to hard of a shot you just have to trust yourself into hitting it with confidence. The harder you swing the more spin on the ball (i.e- out of the rough, TOUR PLAYERS are an exception to this tho- they have wedges that are hand made for them. I have 2 wedges being hand made for me as we speak). The average player can hit a good flop, You need to keep your arms and wrist loose and make a wider swing like a 3wd it is more of a sweeping swing. The ball will float if you hit it rite and if you don't you just took out somebody's window! flop shot- set up with yout feet kida open like a bunker shot left of your target, make a wide sweeping swing and do not slow your swing coming into the ball, speed your hands up through the ball and watch it land nice and soft with a little spin on the green! To the only hit the flop with a 56* hit it with what you feel most comfortable with. I hit it with normally a 58* or a 64* depends on the course.

[Power Fade]

Adam - Whats your handicap?

Why do I ask? Because I have seen your swing in PUTFILE and would suggest you are a 16 at best. I wouldn't advise you to hit the FLOP unless you're 5 or less. Why? Because even for a Tour Pro it's a low % shot for success. It's such a high tariff shot for them, let alone us.

For fun games, open your stance, position the ball just inside front foot, ensure your weight is towards the front, execute like a bunker shot and most importantly... Power through the shot! For a detailed technical tip, ensure the toe of the club points towards the sky during back swing, this will ensure the club face remains open through impact. Good luck.