Drop it on a dime

There’s something so satisfying about successfully executing a flop or lob shot. It suggests a level of skill that you might not have ascended to. If you watch the pros hit them, you might think this is a shot that requires technical precision, great hand-eye coordination and a whole lotta guts. I think that might be a bit overblown, and if you need to hit a flop, you can get it done with some easy-to-remember adjustments to your stance and swing.

Before we get into the “how to” of this shot, let’s first discuss when is the appropriate time to flop it. There aren’t many. You basically need this shot only in situations where you have to get the ball up high and stop it quickly, and there’s not enough room to put checking spin on the ball or let it roll any distance. The scenario I’m demonstrating here (below) is a classic one. I’ve got a tucked pin and there’s a bunker lip between me and the cup. I’ve got to get the ball up and let it land with a thud.

Sometimes you’re in thick rough and the hole is only a few yards away. That’s another situation when you can’t put spin on the ball to stop it. And if it rolls, it’s going to leave you with a monster putt to save par. So a shot that "sticks the landing" is your best hope.

OK, now that you know the when, let’s work on the how.

Setup is crucial. If you look at this photo of me (below), a few things should stand out. The first is the width of my stance. Other than in a greenside bunker, this is about as wide as you’ll ever stand to a ball with a wedge in your hand. Speaking of wedges, you need all the height you can get, so if you have a 58-degree or a 60-degree in your bag, go get it. The second thing you’ll see is that the backside of my club—the bounce—is resting on the ground. That means the clubface is pointing skyward, which adds even more loft to this shot. It also allows the club to glide through the turf, instead of digging, and that shallow, gliding approach is another factor in putting height on the shot. Be sure to open the face before you take your grip.

The other thing you’ll notice is ball position and the handle of the shaft. Unlike most greenside shots, you need to play the ball more forward (off the forward foot’s heel) and feel like the shaft is leaning slightly away from the target. Your weight should still be favoring your front foot, but you don’t want your sternum out in front of the ball the way it would be for a standard chip shot.

My favorite swing thought for this shot is to visualize a crescent moon laying down on the ground with the golf ball sitting right in its center. After you get in the right setup with the face open, just think about taking a walk around the moon, meaning the club travels on a shallow, arcing downward path through the ball and then back up again on a shallow path. If you keep the face open and let the bounce glide along the turf through the hitting area, you can hit even a few inches behind the ball and it will still pop up.

Notice I didn’t mention anything about the backswing. Like most short-game shots, I think you’ll intuitively take the club back as far as you need to create the right amount of tempo and speed to pop the ball up. In fact, I think your focus should be on the front side of the ball. If you get into a full finish like I am here with the club re-hinged on the forward side, my body facing the target (below), you’re going to hit this shot pretty well. Just remember to keep your torso moving in the downswing. It’s the engine for this shot, so don’t just throw your arms down to the ball. Let your body swing your arms through the hitting area instead.

The flop looks so cool when you hit it right. Just don’t be scared to go for it!

Jason Baile, the 2025 PGA National Teacher & Coach of the Year, is director of instruction at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Fla. He is one of Golf Digest’s 50 Best Teachers in America.