Bump-and-run and flop shot: three shots around the green
Paige Spiranac demonstrates the shots she uses most often around the green: the bump-and-run and its variation, the “chip putt”—a short downhill chip shot from the rough—and the flop shot. Just two techniques: shoulders without hands, or an open face and free hands.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The short game is first and foremost a matter of excitement and commitment: The mistake Paige sees most often is tension and indecision. Club selection depends on the lie, the firmness of the ground, and the speed of the greens, and should be tested on the driving range before the round; the technique, however, remains the same. For the bump and run: Ball in the center of the stance, keep the triangle formed by your arms, and shrugs his shoulders, without using your hands, without lifting your head before impact. A simpler variation is the “chip putt”: use the same stance, grip, and putting stroke with the iron of your choice. The priority is to get the ball onto the green; never chip twice.
Whether you're short of the green, in the rough, or on a downhill slope, the goal is the same: get the ball onto the green, even if it means leaving a three-meter putt. Face open, wide stance, weight on the front foot, slight rotation, then we let go of my hands and let the weight of the clubhead do the work, without forcing it, using a 56° wedge. The flop shot Use the same technique as for a bunker shot: a very wide stance, weight shifted forward, an open clubface, and arms close to the body. The distance is controlled by the length of the backswing.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Before your round, head to the driving range to test which club works best for the firmness of the ground and the speed of the greens.
- Bump and run: Position the ball in the center of your stance, maintain the triangle formed by your arms, and rotate your shoulders without moving your hands.
- Keep your head still until after impact, without trying to watch the ball fly away.
- If you don't like this technique, try a “chip putt”: use the same stance, grip, and putting stroke as you would with an iron.
- For a short chip shot on a downhill slope: open the clubface, widen your stance, and shift your weight to your front foot.
- Turn back a little, then release your hands and let the weight of the clubhead do the work, with a slight finish.
- For a flop shot, use the same technique with a very wide stance, your arms close to your body, and a longer backswing to hit the ball farther.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Being tense, moving too fast, or not committing fully to the shot.
- Look up to see the ball: you either hit it cleanly or use a fat shot.
- Use your hands on a bump-and-run shot.
- Attempting a shot you've never practiced instead of playing it safe to the green.
- Forcing a flop shot: the hands move forward and the shaft shifts.
- Shift your weight to your back foot, which moves the lowest point of your swing behind the ball.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Bump and run with multiple clubs, same shoulder movement
- A few “putt chips” for comparison
- Chipping downhill from the rough, open face, relaxed hands
- Flop shots by varying only the length of the takeaway
Your Questions
Which club should you choose for a bump-and-run shot?
The one you feel most comfortable with. For Paige Spiranac, it depends on the lie and the firmness of the greens: on a faster course, she uses a different iron than usual, but keeps her swing exactly the same.
What is a “chip putt”?
A bump-and-run shot executed using your posture, grip, and putting stroke, with the iron of your choice. This is the variation she suggests if the shoulder movement doesn't work for you.
Why keep your weight on your front foot during a flop shot?
If your weight shifts back, the lowest point of your swing passes behind the ball. With your weight forward and a simple rotation, the center of your swing stays over the ball, and all you need to do is relax your hands to add loft.
Which wedge should I use for a short downhill chip shot?
She uses a 56° to better control her shot; a 58° or 60° also works. With too much loft, it takes more effort to get the ball moving.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Paige Spiranac). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.