Gold Tips: Hitting a Flop Shot with a Lob Wedge

A flop shot is a high arching pitch shot into the green that will land softly by the hole. If you have this shot in your bag of tricks, you will be better equipped to escape trouble on the course and you will better your score. In particular, this shot is ideal when you need to pitch the ball over a green-side bunker, when you are playing out of high rough, or when the pin is sitting in a tough position where a bump-and-run shot is not feasible.

When playing a flop shot, it is best to use your sixty degree lob wedge. If you don't own a lob wedge, you can use your sand wedge, which typically has a loft of fifty-six degrees. However, a lob wedge is better equipped for the shot because it will facilitate getting the ball into the air more quickly and will create a softer landing. Many golf manufacturers produce lob wedges, such as Cleveland and Titleist, and you can pick up a decent lob wedge for a price between $50 to $100 at your local Golf Smith, Golf Galaxy or Edwin Watts golf shops.

To play the shot properly, place the ball in the middle to slightly to the back of your stance. Open up your stance so that you are aiming to a spot left of the flag. Now, take your club-face and open it up so that it is aligned perpendicular to the hole so that it is aiming directly at the flag. When you swing, you should pretend as if you are only using your shoulders, arms and wrists to complete the swing. Accordingly, you do not need to consciously use any hip or leg action for this shot; let that part come naturally as you are focusing on your shoulders, arms and wrists. Playing the flop shot in this manner will give you greater control and consistency in your "feel" of the shot.

When you swing, be sure to swing along the path that is parallel with your feet. If played properly, the ball should come off with a high trajectory with some spin, and it should be moving toward the flag. When you play this shot off the fairway or short rough, you virtually need to pick the ball clean when you hit it. In other words, your club will strike the ball first in a downward motion on your downswing. After striking the ball, you may actually take a small divot in the grass. Importantly, if you hit the grass or take a divot before hitting the golf ball, you will hit a "fat" shot that will be inconsistent. Practicing this shot on a driving range will help you develop the consistent feel to play this shot when you need it on the course.

If you find yourself in deep, British Open-style rough, you will need to swing harder and make a greater effort to strike the ball solidly because high grass will slow your club down and will prevent you from striking the ball cleanly. While it is difficult to land the ball near the pin from deep rough, the flop shot - due to its high arching nature and potential for a softer landing - remains the ideal shot to play from this lie.