I actually have seen Pro golfers hit at least a chip or pitch from the green. There are courses played on the Champions and other tours that have bunkers in the middle of the green and sometimes they have no choice but to use some club other than a putter. Have you ever heard of the steimy? A while back when golfers were not required to mark their balls on the greens, if a ball was blocking yours, you would have to chip over it to hole yours. This was perfectly acceptable and had no penalty. IMO as long as there is no damage done to the green, I don't see a problem with a chip or pitch. Currently, if you try to chip on the green it goes about half the distance stated by the club. I don't think a flop on the green, however, is necessary.