CONCEPT · SHORT GAME INTERMEDIATE FOCUS
A properly executed flop shot flies high and soft, stopping quickly with minimal roll on tight lies.
Skill split
01 · Overview
~2 min read
The flop shot represents golf's most dramatic escape artist—a shot that can transform a seemingly impossible lie into a soft landing just feet from the pin. Yet despite its showstopping potential, most golfers avoid attempting flop shots entirely, often settling for safer options that leave them farther from the hole. The technical demands of opening the face angle dramatically while maintaining clubhead speed intimidate players at every level.
Gabbygolfgirl revolutionizes the approach by advocating for maximum face opening—literally letting the wedge face drop to the ground before readjusting your grip and dropping your hands low. This counter-intuitive setup creates the loft needed to launch the ball skyward while maintaining control. Her emphasis on swinging fast and committing fully challenges the common misconception that delicate shots require delicate swings.
The positioning principles shared by Golf Secrets add crucial context—placing the ball off your front foot for maximum height while keeping your hands ahead through impact. These fundamentals bridge the gap between the flop shot and traditional chipping techniques, giving golfers a complete short game arsenal.
Mastering the flop shot isn't about adding flair to your game—it's about having options when conventional shots won't work, turning potential bogeys into unlikely pars.
4 components that build the move
01 · FACE POSITION
Let the wedge fall open to the ground, then regrip with the face pointing skyward. This extreme angle creates the loft needed for high, soft trajectory.
02 · BALL POSITION
Place the ball well forward in your stance to catch it on the upswing. This setup works with the open face to launch the ball high rather than driving it forward.
03 · HAND POSITION
Lower your hands to accommodate the open face while maintaining proper posture. This adjustment preserves the loft you've created without delofting the club.
04 · SWING COMMITMENT
Make an aggressive, committed swing through impact. The open face requires speed to generate proper ball flight—deceleration kills flop shots.
02 · The Reference
3 of 34 · hand-selected
Editor's Pick · #1 · 0:33
Breaks down the exact grip adjustment and hand position that most golfers miss when opening the face.
gabbygolfgirl · advanced
Editor's Pick · 0:16
Demonstrates the counterintuitive speed required and why aggressive tempo actually creates softer landings.
Jake Hutt Golf · intermediate
Editor's Pick · 1:00
Shows the specific technique adjustments needed when the ball sits on tight lies where standard chips won't work.
Dan Grieve · advanced
04 · The Experts
3 perspectives · same drill
05 · FAQ
Answered from the library
The biggest mistake is flipping the wrists through impact while trying to scoop the ball up into the air. As Gary Travis explains, this causes the club to break down at impact, leading to inconsistent contact and poor results around the greens.
According to Gabby Golf Girl, open the face all the way by literally letting it drop to the ground, then readjust your grip. Jake Hutt Golf suggests starting with the face pointed straight up, which helps create the high, soft trajectory you want.
You should actually swing it fast and not be afraid to commit to the shot, as Gabby Golf Girl emphasizes. Many golfers make the mistake of decelerating through impact, but a confident, committed swing is essential for proper flop shot execution.
Phil Mickelson teaches that your hands must be ahead of the ball and stay ahead throughout the shot. There should be an inverse line (hands leading), not a V-shape with hands behind, as this prevents the leading edge from coming up at impact.
Drop your hands low in your stance setup, which naturally makes the ball go higher according to Gabby Golf Girl. Additionally, Jake Hutt Golf's technique of starting with the face up and twisting it shut on the way down helps create that high, popping trajectory.
Tap any concept to explore the library
06 · The Library
YouTube-indexed · expert-graded
Video · 0:07
Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach
Video · 0:17
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 1:52
Jerome Rufin
Video · 0:16
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 8:41
Kirk Junge (Setup4impact Golf)
Video · 0:44
Dan Grieve
Video · 0:34
Grip & Swing Golf
Video · 12:40
AlexElliottGolf
Video · 0:12
The Golf Supply
Video · 0:28
Josh Oddy
Video · 0:55
WhyGolf
Video · 0:16
Jake Hutt Golf
Video · 0:13
Dan Grieve
Video · 1:36
Brit Golf Dad
Video · 0:28
Jake Hutt Golf
Video · 0:07
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 1:08
Jerome Rufin
Video · 0:07
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 1:38
The Lads
Video · 0:44
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 1:00
Dan Grieve
Video · 0:17
The Golf Supply
Video · 2:56
Jim Venetos Golf Academy
Video · 0:33
gabbygolfgirl
Video · 8:34
Dan Grieve
Video · 0:40
ChrisRyanGolf
Video · 1:15
TourGolfClips
Video · 7:40
Porzak Golf
Video · 0:40
Dan Grieve
Video · 1:39
Golf with Aimee
Video · 1:08
Swing Quest Golf
Video · 7:56
Golf with Aimee
Video · 3:29
AskGolfGuru
Video · 5:56
Meandmygolf
Practice the precise setup and commitment needed to execute flop shots under pressure.