Pitch ShotsWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 3 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

How to Hit a Flop Shot: Phil Mickelson's 4-Step Method

Name: How to Hit a Flop Shot: Phil Mickelson's 4-Step Method
Uploaded: 2015-02-06T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 3 min 16 s
Description: On the Golf Channel’s *School of Golf*, the host teaches his student Phil Mickelson’s method for hitting a high ball, inspired by Dave Stockton. Four steps, to be done one after the other—never all at once.

On the Golf Channel’s *School of Golf*, the host teaches his student Phil Mickelson’s method for hitting a high ball, inspired by Dave Stockton. Four steps, to be done one after the other—never all at once.

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Golf Channel · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

15 minSame problemBall Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert 5 minSame problemHigh-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger Woods · Intermediate / Expert 13 minNext Level UpJustin Thomas's chip shot: the “nippy”Justin Thomas · Expert

What the lesson shows

The method distinguishes between two types of strokes—high and low—and for the flop shot Phil Mickelson is next four steps in order. One: we're aiming the face and the body's lines toward the target. Two: we open the face wide, but by turning it in your hands, using your fingers; rotating your hands does not mean opening the clubface. The grip should be light enough to allow the club to rotate in either direction.

Three: we opens the body to the left for a right-hander; as you do this, the clubface almost turns toward the target. Four: Double-check your grip to make sure the club is still open in your hands. Then swing along the body line, not along the target line, with a little more weight on the front foot to slide the club under the ball. Phil Mickelson is said to have learned this sliding motion as a child, in his backyard, because he didn't want to damage the grass.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Aim at the target using the front of your body and your body lines.
Hold the club with a light grip and open the clubface clearly by rotating it with your fingers.
Next, open your body to the left: your face will turn almost toward the target.
Double-check your grip to make sure the clubface is still open in your hands.
Put a little more weight on your front foot.
Swing along the line of your body and slide the club under the ball.

Key Takeaways

Four steps in order—never all at once.

Step One: Face and body lines are aimed at the target.

Step two: Open the face by rotating it in your hands, not by rotating your hands.

Step three: Open your body; your face should be almost facing the target.

Step Four: Double-check that the club is open in your hands.

Swing along the line of your body, with your weight slightly on your front foot.

Mistakes to Avoid

Rotate your hands instead of opening your palms.
Grip the club so tightly that you can no longer turn it.
Open the clubface without opening the body: the ball will go to the right.
Swing along the target line instead of the body line.
Do all four steps at the same time.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

The four steps repeated at the address, without a ball
Flop shots by double-checking your grip before each shot
Swing along the body's line, with your weight slightly on your front foot

Your Questions

What are the four steps of Phil Mickelson's flop shot?

Aim your face and body toward the target, open your face in your hands, open your body to the left, and then double-check your grip. Then swing along the line of your body.

What's the difference between opening the face and rotating the hands?

Opening the clubface means rotating the club in your fingers with a light grip. Rotating your hands does not change the clubface angle in the grip.

Where should you place your body weight?

Move your front foot a little further forward to slide the club under the ball.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Justin Thomas's chip shot: the “nippy”The “nippy,” a low chip that stops on the second bounce: the ball is played back, the face is shielded by the body, and the three-ball drill (high, medium, low). Ball Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaToo much loft at impact causes the ball to rise off the clubface: Morikawa demonstrates how to avoid this with a 40-yard wedge shot, a lob, and an uphill pitch. High-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger and Scheffler first assess the lie: if the ball is sitting well, a high chip off the bounce; if the ball is buried, a low chip with hands high, the toe down, and a hook.

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