Unique Golf Shots

Here’s a list of unique and specialty golf shots—the kind that go beyond the standard drive, chip, and putt. These are often used in tough conditions, for recovery, or to add finesse to your game:

🪶 1. Flop Shot

• What it is: A high, soft shot that lands with minimal roll.

• When to use: Over bunkers or hazards to a tight pin.

• Club: Lob wedge (58–64°).

• Key tip: Open your stance and clubface, swing steeply with soft hands.

🌪️ 2. Punch Shot

• What it is: A low-trajectory shot to avoid wind or tree branches.

• When to use: In windy conditions or from under trees.

• Club: Mid or long iron.

• Key tip: Shorten your backswing, keep hands ahead, and finish low.

🌀 3. Draw

• What it is: A controlled shot that curves slightly right to left (for right-handers).

• When to use: To navigate dogleg-left holes or gain distance.

• Club: Any.

• Key tip: Aim slightly right, close clubface slightly, and swing inside-out.

🌬️ 4. Fade

• What it is: A controlled shot that curves slightly left to right (for right-handers).

• When to use: Dogleg-right holes or to land softly on greens.

• Club: Any.

• Key tip: Aim slightly left, open clubface slightly, swing outside-in.

🧱 5. Stinger

• What it is: A piercing, low-trajectory shot that flies straight and rolls far.

• When to use: In wind or on firm fairways.

• Club: Long iron or hybrid.

• Key tip: Narrow stance, ball back in stance, abbreviated follow-through.

⛏️ 6. Bump and Run

• What it is: A low chip shot that runs more than it flies.

• When to use: Around the green with lots of space to work with.

• Club: 7- or 8-iron, sometimes PW.

• Key tip: Use a putting-style stroke, ball back in stance, minimal wrist action.

💣 7. Bomb Drive

• What it is: A maximum-power tee shot focused on distance.

• When to use: Wide-open fairways or when you're trailing in match play.

• Club: Driver.

• Key tip: Tee it high, wide stance, full rotation with controlled aggression.

🪓 8. Texas Wedge

• What it is: Using a putter from off the green (even from the fairway or fringe).

• When to use: Tight lies where chipping is risky.

• Club: Putter.

• Key tip: Treat it like a long putt, adjusting power for longer grass.

🌋 9. Explosion Shot (Bunker Blast)

• What it is: A sand shot that "explodes" the ball out using the sand under it.

• When to use: Greenside bunkers.

• Club: Sand wedge.

• Key tip: Open face, aim behind the ball, swing through the sand.

🔄 10. Reverse Shot (Backhand or Left-Handed)

• What it is: A trick or emergency shot using the opposite hand or stance.

• When to use: Ball against a tree, wall, or other obstruction.

• Club: Any—often a short iron flipped upside down.

• Key tip: Focus on contact, not distance.