By Coleman Bentley
We see tricks shots of all shapes and sizes here at this little corner of Golf Digest where cursing is mostly permitted. Big trick shots and small trick shots. Curvy trick shots and straight trick shots. Well-behaved trick shots and trick shots that jump up and bite you on the hand. You name it, we’ve seen it, from Jenga to Dominic Toretto-inspired golf cart chip-ins. But never, and we mean NEVER, have we seen something quite like this. Phil, eat your heart out, buddy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B84T6XAHghW/?utm_source=ig_embed

Goodness gracious. This is the Big Bang of flop shots—the flop shot from which all other flop shots whence wriggled. This is a satellite-dinging, F16-scrambling, FAA violation of a flop shot. This is the kind of flop shot that gives Houston problems. Our boy Russell here lobs it over an honest-to-goodness telephone pole at Coeur d’Alene, which we assume just got telephone poles last week. He does it from maybe four feet away and still clears the top by a good six or seven feet. If we didn’t want to believe so bad, we’d maybe even question its validity, but let’s keep this above the belt, shall we?

So kudos to Russell for this mind- and physics-bending beauty. It takes a hell of a lot to make Phil look terrestrial, but this just about does it. As for this poor soul? Not so much. Not so much, indeed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ztcMDlSdR/?utm_source=ig_embed

The post Feast your eyes on the floppiest flop shot ever flopped appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Dubai Creek professional Tom Ogilvie shares a round saving shot

By Tom Ogilvie
The flop is a delicate, potentially high-risk shot but needn’t be feared. We all come across scenarios on the course where we need quick elevation and a shot that lands softly on the green.

Depending on the loft applied to the ball at impact and the speed of the swing, it’s a shot that will travel 10-25 yards and impress your pals when successfully pulled off.

Follow my tips and you’ll be able to do just that. Executed correctly, the flop is a shot that can shave plenty of shots off your scorecard.  –with Kent Gray

Weapon of Choice
The club required for this type of shot is one which has enough loft to get the ball up quickly so reach for sand or lob wedge.

Open the Clubface
When addressing the ball it is vital to open the clubface at address to add loft. To compensate for the open clubface, it is important to adjust your body alignment slightly to the left. Keep the clubface open after impact to maintain the loft, as illustrated in the picture above where you can clearly see the clubface pointing to the sky.

Posture and Stance
To help encourage a shallow angle of attack, widen the stance and add more flex to your knees, feeling slightly closer to the ground.

Ball Position
This is critical to success. Position the ball in the middle of your stance or slightly forward to help the club slide under the ball. If you position the ball too far back in the stance, it will encourage a steep angle of attack resulting in a lower trajectory.

The Swing
Fully commit to the flop shot. As a result of an open clubface, any decrease in swing speed will result in the ball landing short of the hole.

Common Mistakes
Often amateurs will lean back onto their trail foot in an effort to lift the ball up. Maintain equal balance in the feet throughout the swing.

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Tom Ogilvie is a PGA teaching professional at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Peter Cowen Academy Dubai. For more information, visit dubaigolf.com

The post VIDEO: Fret not the flop shot appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Playing in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters back in December was a massive learning curve for me, but after coming through that tough week, I’m more determined than ever to keep working hard and doing what I need to do to get my game to a level where I can compete with the girls on tour. I’ve been working hard on my full swing lately, but it’s the short game that has always been a strength of mine, and I’d like to share my favourite tips with you guys here. So check out this video, and I hope these tips help your short game!

Related: Paige Spiranac and her crazy professional debut

The post Video: Paige Spiranac’s <br />Top 3 short game tips appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.