Tip From the Archives
The Flop Shot
Problem
You desperately need a high lob that will stop quickly because there is very little green to work with, the green is fast, or sloping way from you.
Cure
A flop shot is great as long as there is enough room to move the club under the ball. Do not attempt this swing if the ball is buried deeply in the rough, on a hard or bare lie. If you have a fluffy lie you will need a shallow swinging angle at contact.
Therapy
Use your highest lofted club; ideally it should be your sand wedge. Instead of hovering above the grass at address, ground the sole of the wedge about two inches behind the ball. This will help relax your arms and determine how deep the ball is in the grass without disturbing the lie. Aim your body left of the target. Open the clubface and place the ball off of the inside of the heel on your forward foot. Make sure that the buttons on your shirt is behind the ball. Keep your lower body still as you take a full backswing. Your trailing hand should allow the weight of the clubhead to bring the club down about an inch behind the ball so that the clubhead slides under it. Keep the clubface open through impact so that points to the sky. It is okay to allow your trailing hand to turn under a little at impact but be careful; if you try flicking the ball up with your wrists, you will either skull the ball or hit too much ground, causing a fat or chunked shot.
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