The Forgotten Wedge Shot: When to Bump and Run Instead of Flop
I watch a lot of amateur golfers practice their short game, and I see the same thing over and over. They grab a wedge, open the face, and try to hit these high, soft flop shots that land “like a butterfly with sore feet” as they say.
Sometimes it works. Most times it doesn't.
Here's the thing that drives me crazy: there's usually an easier shot available. A shot that requires less precision, has a bigger margin for error, and gets the ball closer to the hole more consistently. It's called the bump and run, and almost nobody uses it.
I'm not saying the flop shot doesn't have its place. It does. But most golfers reach for it in situations where a low running shot would be the smarter play. Let's talk about when to use each one and why the bump and run should be your default option around the green.
Why Amateurs Love the Flop
I think I know why everyone wants to hit flop shots. It's because that's what we see on TV. The pros hit these beautiful high wedges that stop on a dime, and we want to do the same thing.
The problem is that the pros are playing on perfect greens with perfect lies and they've practiced that shot ten thousand times. They also have a lower margin for error because they're trying to get up and down from tough spots to save par in a tournament.
You're not in a tournament. You're probably playing on a public course where the greens are decent but not tour quality. And you haven't hit ten thousand flop shots in your life. So why are you trying to execute the hardest short game shot in golf when an easier option exists?
The bump and run is a much simpler shot. You're taking loft off the club, hitting the ball lower, and letting it roll to the hole. Less can go wrong. The margin for error is bigger. And when you execute it properly, you'll get it closer more often than you would with a flop.
When the Bump and Run Is the Right Call
Anytime you have green to work with between you and the hole, consider the bump and run first. If there's 20 or 30 feet of putting surface, you can land the ball short and let it roll out. This is almost always easier than trying to fly it all the way to the hole.
The lie matters too. If you're in the fairway or light rough with a decent lie, the bump and run is perfect. You don't need a perfect lie to hit this shot. As long as you can make clean contact, you're good to go.
Firmness of the greens is another factor. On firm, fast greens, a high shot is hard to control. It might land and release too far, or if you're really unlucky, it might bounce over the green. A low running shot is easier to judge because you're controlling less variables. You just need to land it in the right spot and let it roll.
Wind is a big one. If it's windy, keep the ball low. A high flop shot gets caught by the wind and who knows where it ends up. A bump and run stays under the wind and is much more predictable.
Here's the general rule: if you can putt it, putt it. If you can't putt it but you can chip it low, chip it low. Only when neither of those options work should you consider hitting a high flop shot.
How to Hit the Bump and Run
The setup is simple. Take a less lofted club, something like a pitching wedge, 9 iron, or even an 8 iron depending on how far you need the ball to roll. You're not using your most lofted wedge for this shot.
Position the ball back in your stance, just inside your back foot. Put a little more weight on your front foot, maybe 60 or 70 percent. This encourages a downward strike and helps you make clean contact.
Your hands should be ahead of the ball at address. This de-lofts the club even more and ensures you're hitting down on it. The shaft should lean toward the target.
The swing itself is just a putting stroke with a wedge. Keep your wrists quiet. No flipping or scooping. Just rock your shoulders and let the club swing back and through. The ball will come off low and start rolling quickly.
The key is controlling your landing spot. You need to know how far the ball will fly and how far it will roll. This comes with practice, but a good starting point is to think about a 1 to 2 ratio. If the ball flies 10 feet, it'll probably roll about 20 feet. Adjust based on the green speed and slope.
When You Actually Need the Flop
I'm not anti-flop shot. There are times when it's the right play. You just need to recognize when those times are.
If there's a bunker or hazard between you and the hole with very little green to work with, you might need to hit it high to clear the trouble and stop it quickly. That's a flop shot situation.
If the pin is cut really tight to your side of the green and you have no room to land and roll, you need height and spin. Again, flop shot.
If you're in deep rough and need to get the ball up quickly to carry some fringe or rough before it gets to the green, the flop might be necessary.
But notice what all these scenarios have in common: you have no other choice. The bump and run won't work because of the situation. That's when you pull out the flop.
If you do have room to work with, if the lie is good, if there's no trouble in the way, hit the bump and run. It's just the smarter play.
The Risk vs Reward Reality
Let's be honest about what can go wrong with each shot.
With a flop shot, you can blade it across the green. You can chunk it and leave it in the rough. You can catch it thin and send it way past the hole. You can hit it perfect and still have it release more than you wanted because the greens are firm. There are a lot of ways to mess it up.
With a bump and run, the worst case scenario is usually that you don't get it close enough. Maybe you land it too short and it doesn't roll all the way to the hole. Or you land it too long and it rolls past. But you're probably still on the green, and you're probably not making worse than bogey.
The risk profile is just different. The bump and run has a much higher floor. Even when you don't execute perfectly, you're still in decent shape. The flop shot has a lower floor. When you mess it up, it can be really bad.
For most amateurs, the smart money is on the shot with less risk. Save the hero shots for when you actually need them.
Practice Both, Default to Simple
I'm not saying you shouldn't practice flop shots. You should. You need to have that shot in your bag for when the situation calls for it.
But you should also spend a lot of time practicing bump and runs with different clubs. Hit some with a pitching wedge, some with a 9 iron, some with an 8 iron. Figure out how each club reacts and how much the ball rolls with each one.
Get comfortable landing the ball in different spots and predicting the roll out. This is feel and touch, and it only comes with repetition. But it's easier to develop this feel than it is to master the flop shot.
When you're on the course, default to the simpler shot unless the situation demands otherwise. Your scorecard will thank you.
The Short Game Strategy Shift
Here's what I want you to take away from this. The goal around the green isn't to hit the coolest looking shot. The goal is to get up and down as often as possible with the least amount of risk.
The bump and run achieves that goal better than the flop in most situations. It's reliable, it's controllable, and it doesn't require perfect execution to get a good result.
Stop trying to be a hero with your wedges. Be smart instead. Choose the shot that gives you the best chance of getting it close and making your putt. That's how you lower your scores.
Next time you're around the green, ask yourself: can I bump and run this? If the answer is yes, that's probably what you should do. Save the flop for when you actually need it.
Your short game will get a whole lot better when you start making smarter decisions about which shots to hit. And it starts with recognizing that the easiest shot is usually the best shot.