How to Play the Flop Shot From Skinny Lies

Trouble Shots - Learn to Play the Flop Shot From Skinny Lies For Duffers
by Wayne Hudler

Have you ever been in a tight match and your approach shot has missed right? To make matters worse you find the ball is lying on bare ground, a green side bunker sits between you and your target. Now the bad news. The pin is just six paces off your side of the green. Do you have this shot? Learn the special techniques you'll need to stick it close.

Phil Mickelson hits accurate flop shots from difficult lies-including bare ground. He is the absolute master of the trouble shots. He can imagine and execute some of the most amazing shots you will ever see around the green.

Now if he were faced with a short sided, bare lie flop shot opportunity like the one described above he might not even think twice. He's practiced this shot. I am not as confident, but can make it happen if necessary.

Hitting a flop shot from bare ground with little or no grass underneath the ball is a high risk, high reward type of shot. It requires skill and confidence. The tendency is to blade the ball across the green into more trouble. If you mis-hit it, it can cost you strokes big time. That's why golfers stay away from hitting a flop shot from this type of lie.

But when you have to do it, like from behind a bunker to a tight pin placement, a flop shot from bare ground can help turn three strokes into two. Saving you shots is what this article is all about.

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Here are six keys to hitting a flop shop from bare ground:

Use your most lofted club - a lob wedge usually
Keep the shaft vertical or leaning away from the target
Use an open stance and swing along this line
Swing longer for higher shots
The legs should remain quiet throughout the shot similar to a bunker shot
Complete your follow-through to a full high finish

Don't miss this important key to this shot. The secret to a successful flop shot from a skinny lie is the club's sole. Use the highest lofted wedge available. You'll need a club with a sole that has minimal bounce-particularly in the heel. Bounce is the flange flat part on the club's sole that extends below or behind the leading edge. The key to hitting a good shot is the proper use of this bounce.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Also, keep the shaft vertical or slightly leaning away from the target, which means your hands will be even with or slightly behind the ball.

Keeping the shaft vertical exposes the club's bounce and enables its leading edge to slide under the ball. You want the trailing edge to strike the ground rather than the leading edge.

If the leading edge strikes the ground first the club will want to dig into the ground. If the ground in hard the club will bounce up off the ground and the leading edge will contact the center of the ball. That becomes a bladed shot.

If the ground is soft the club will dig in and dirt will come between the clubface and the ball dampening the impact. That becomes a chunk or chili dip.

And keep your legs still throughout the shot. Open your stance and swing along your stance line with an open clubface. As you follow-through swing your arms to the left (right for right-handers) to help keep the clubface open. This prevents the club from delofting and bouncing off the ground and into the ball. Remember, the longer your swing the higher the ball goes. But it only travels a bit farther. That is why you see the pros swing so fast yet the ball only goes a short distance.

This method of hitting a flop shot works for most any lie. Be on notice though that there is no such thing as a flop shot approach that is safe and sure.

Be very careful about when you use it. Find a better solution if you can. But if you decide to go with it, make sure you are 100% committed to the shot before swinging. Nothing but bad can come from uncertainty

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Golf Trouble Shot Tips Will Save You Strokes.

A slice is among the most hated and embarrassing ball flights a golfer can know. And those promising to cure the slice abound all over the internet. Some don't have a clue. Some do.

Try this simple but effective tip. If you are like most and slice because of open shoulders at address then you have found your permanent solution here today.

Find your golf swing help here: Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of over 30 years and golf writer. He has been recognized as an expert by the leading online article directory.

Dooley Duffer Golf is devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve. Are you a duffer? Visit Dooley Duffer Golf where you will find an ever growing collection of improvement resources.

www.DooleyDuffer.com

Contact Dooley: dooley@dooleyduffer.com