WHAT IS A BLADED PUTT OR TEXAS WEDGE? 

Ever hit your shot long and your golf ball is backed up to a starched collar around the green? Don Pohl of Hopkins Golf gives a great lesson on how to use the old, bladed putt (Texas wedge) with a sand wedge in this case. He describes that club choice and setup are key for this shot, where you definitely want the ball a bit back in your stance, but you want your weight on your target side leg so that your stroke is parallel to the slight down slope. Your goal is to have the sole of the club to push through the collar and make good even contact so the ball will roll out like a putt.

Bladed Putt or Texas Wedge Shot

If you've ever knocked it over the green and find your golf ball up against a collar or a fringe that is a little bit downhill, you know coin flip choice most of us make between either putting or chipping the ball. But there's actually a third option, that is a cross between putting and chipping.  It's often called the bladed putt or the "Texas wedge".

If you have a little bit of downhill lie with a little grass behind you, a 60-degree wide sole sand wedge is perfect for this shot. Because of the sole being down low and the weight being distributed down lower it's easier to keep that head of that club moving down. The keys to this shot are getting the ball slightly back into your stance while lining up your body (shoulders) to be parallel with the slope of the hill. 

We're not trying to chip this shot. We're not trying to get the ball into the air. We're going to run this ball right along the ground like a putt.  So, use a putting grip. You want to keep the club moving through the fringe and into the ball.  Remember to keep your weight on your downhill leg so that you can go upwards in your backswing. The ball will be struck with the "belly" or blade of the sand wedge. The ball should come out almost like a putt and roll onto the green.