The Flop Shot
The high lob, or flop shot, is a short game shot that every golfer needs to be able to execute. No matter if you are a tour pro or a 30-handicapper, you will be faced with this shot often.What this shot requires more than anything is imagination. There are not a lot of mechanics you can, or should, think of. It’s not like hitting a full 7-iron from 160 yards. In that case, you would be able to key on 1 or 2 mechanics, then hit the shot.
On a short flop shot, the lie of the ball, the distance you have to hit it, and the amount of "flop" that you need will all vary from shot to shot. So you shouldn't think mechanics on this type of swing. Instead, you need to visualize the shot and then get a good image of how to hit that high lob. Checking the lie of the ball is the most important thing. It will determine how hard you need to swing and how much spin the ball will have when it lands. If you have a clean lie in the fairway, perhaps just short of the green, then you can produce optimum spin with your normal swing. If you are in the rough, there are two problems that can arise: You can get a poor lie, with the ball sitting way down. In that case just getting it on the green would be good. Or you could get too good a lie, in which case the ball may explode off your clubface because grass gets between the club and the ball.
Once you have looked at your lie and determined what the ball will do when it comes out, you are ready to hit the shot. When you make your practice swings, feel that your clubface faces the sky through impact. Don't release the toe. In other words, don’t rotate the toe of the club through impact like you would on a normal shot. The heel of the club should lead the way, and your clubface should face the sky when you are done.
Here’s how a flop shot should be played:Set up to the ball with your body aiming left. Use the same set-up position for a flop from a bunker, the fairway, or deep rough.
Play the ball in the middle, to slightly ahead of middle, of your stance.
Aim your clubface at the target.
Swing along your body line with your clubface facing the sky.If you want to experiment with ball position or a more open stance, then that’s fine. But in terms of the actual shot, don’t think of things like turning your shoulders, rotating the clubface open, or bracing your knees. Summary
Point the clubface at the sky in order to hit it high.
---
Learn more about the #1 rated golf instruction book in the game today, 1 Step to Better Golf.
On a short flop shot, the lie of the ball, the distance you have to hit it, and the amount of "flop" that you need will all vary from shot to shot. So you shouldn't think mechanics on this type of swing. Instead, you need to visualize the shot and then get a good image of how to hit that high lob. Checking the lie of the ball is the most important thing. It will determine how hard you need to swing and how much spin the ball will have when it lands. If you have a clean lie in the fairway, perhaps just short of the green, then you can produce optimum spin with your normal swing. If you are in the rough, there are two problems that can arise: You can get a poor lie, with the ball sitting way down. In that case just getting it on the green would be good. Or you could get too good a lie, in which case the ball may explode off your clubface because grass gets between the club and the ball.
Once you have looked at your lie and determined what the ball will do when it comes out, you are ready to hit the shot. When you make your practice swings, feel that your clubface faces the sky through impact. Don't release the toe. In other words, don’t rotate the toe of the club through impact like you would on a normal shot. The heel of the club should lead the way, and your clubface should face the sky when you are done.
Here’s how a flop shot should be played:Set up to the ball with your body aiming left. Use the same set-up position for a flop from a bunker, the fairway, or deep rough.
Play the ball in the middle, to slightly ahead of middle, of your stance.
Aim your clubface at the target.
Swing along your body line with your clubface facing the sky.If you want to experiment with ball position or a more open stance, then that’s fine. But in terms of the actual shot, don’t think of things like turning your shoulders, rotating the clubface open, or bracing your knees. Summary
Point the clubface at the sky in order to hit it high.
---
Learn more about the #1 rated golf instruction book in the game today, 1 Step to Better Golf.
posted by Best Golf Tips at
10:16 AM
0 Comments
