How to play the flop shot in golf

published 21 February 2017

In this exclusive video, Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Ged Walters explains how to play the flop shot in golf with a technique designed to make a tough shot much easier!

As we all know the flop shot is one of the most dangerous in the game - especially if you don't have a close understanding for how to play the flop shot in golf. Duff and thin strikes can quickly turn a chance of a par into a card-wrecking disaster. The truth is, this is not a shot many amateurs practice and so it makes sense to have safer alternative to rely on. Rick Shiels' flop shot made easy easy explains how you can do this...

Short Game Tips Videos

If you fall into this category, try this. Set up to the ball as if you were playing a full pitch shot. Aim the clubface at the target and then stand perfectly square to your ball to target line. Now open the clubface a fraction – you’ll notice how it starts to aim to the right of the target. Now aim your body further to the left until the clubface is aiming at the target. Finally, set 65% of your weight on your left foot. This is your ideal set up position. With the swing itself, hinge your wrists early and then try to keep the clubface aiming at the sky in the finish position. If you can follow this simple step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to cut the legs from underneath it and hit a high-flying, soft landing flop shot much more consistently. This is the key to understanding how to play the flop shot in golf.

1 Square to open

Set up square, then open the face of your wedge so that it points right. Shuffle your feet to aim left until the clubface is aiming at the target.

Golf Swing Tips Videos

2 Wrist hinge

Start the swing by hinging your wrists. This opens the clubface to help you maximise the loft on offer through impact.

3 Finish position

Notice how the clubface is not pointing to the left of the target. It is aiming more upwards – feel that you are retaining the loft of the club for longer after impact to achieve this.

In his current role, Neil is responsible for testing drivers and golf balls. Having been a part of the Golf Monthly team for over 15 years and playing off a handicap of 3, he has the experience to compare performance between models, brands and generations. For 2022 he thinks the main trend in drivers is: "In a word, consistency. Whilst all the brands are talking about ball speed (and the new drivers are certainly long), my biggest finding has been how much more consistent the ball flights are. Mishits don't seem to be causing the same level of drop-off or increase in the spin numbers. This means that more shots seem to be flying the way you want them to!" As far as golf balls are concerned the biggest development is in the, "three piece, non-Tour, urethane-covered section. For regular golfers, these models offer superb performance at both ends of the bag without denting your wallet quite as much as the premium Tour-played options."

Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he is now the brand's Digital Editor and covers everything from Tour player interviews to gear reviews. In his time at Golf Monthly, he has covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSi2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons (4-9): Mizuno JPX 919 Forged Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 46˚, 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X