A good example why the flop shot is a must need in your artillery.
I was off the back of the first green at my course, the green is about 7 ft above the back, the back is covered in rough, and just as my luck was going to be all day, the ball was 6ft back from a small ish tree (9ft).
The bump and run was not an option as the ball would have stuck in the rough, or worse ran over the back into a bunker.
I couldnt play a normal chip because of the branches.
The pin was only 5ft on, so no room to try and punch one through and let it run out.
So I played the flop shot, it is pretty risky playing this shot, so really you should look at all other options first - in this instance it paid dividends, as the ball landed up next to the flag and rolled 3 - 4 ft past.
The problem is, its easy to thin, and even worse depending on what sort of lie you have, deep rough it is possible to swing the club and not make any contact at all with the ball, an air shot, and the ball still isnt out of the rough.
Its a useful shot to have, but dont overplay it.