Why pros love this old-school wedge shot around the green

There’s a popular piece of golf advice that many amateurs — and even pros — live by: “Putt it whenever you can.”

For some, this well-intentioned phrase is practically dogma. They’ll pull their putter from 10, even 20-yards off the green if the path is clear — confident that the flatstick gives them the best chance to cozy it up to the hole.

For the players who have mastered the Texas wedge, this can be a smart, reliable play. But many amateurs find it difficult to dial-in their off-green putts. Lacking feel, their speed is inconsistent, and more often than not, they leave themselves farther than if they’d chipped it.  

If that’s you, you’re not alone and there might be a solution to your problem: the bellied wedge. 

The bellied wedge is a low-running chip that rolls like a putt, but doesn’t come off the clubface in a traditional way. As Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, demonstrates in the clip below, the key is to strike the ball with the leading edge of the club—rather than the actual face itself. That’s what gives this clever shot its unique, putt-like feel and control.

While this old-school wedge shot is trusted by many tour pros, it’s often unknown to the average golfer. But, now you know, and I’m going to teach you how to hit it. Follow McLachlin’s four simple steps to add this shot to your arsenal and boost your confidence around the green.

When to hit the bellied wedge

The bellied wedge is a bit of a utility shot that’s somewhere between a bump-and-run and an off-green putt.

“A lot of [tour] players have used this type of philosophy to get access to the back of the ball,” McLachlin says.

Hitting the back of the ball allows players to produce a shot that reacts like a putt — ideal for situations where a putter isn’t practical. Take, for example, when your ball settles where the fringe meets the second cut. Here, the putter is a risky option. The rough could grab the club and twist the face, resulting in a putt that starts off-line, has poor speed or even causes you to stub it and leave it just a few feet in front of you.

In situations like these, a bellied wedge is a reliable alternative. The wedge cuts through gnarly rough with ease, allowing you to make ball-first contact with the leading edge. The result? A low, controlled shot that rolls out predictably.

How to hit the bellied wedge

To hit the bellied wedge, McLachlin says to start by setting your hands on the club properly. For this shot, you want to take your normal putting grip. This should get the club more in your palms instead of your fingers, which keeps the clubface stable. 

Next, you want to stand closer to the ball with a narrow stance, like McLachlin demonstrates in the video above.

“I don’t want to be far away from it, having this rounded stroke,” McLachlin says, “I want to be nice and close to the ball.” 

This will help get the club more upright — reducing wrist action or shaft lean—and allows the club to travel on a path that’s more similar to your putting stroke. Which makes it easier to be consistent from these tougher lies. 

The final setup key is an important one: play the ball in the middle of your stance. A neutral ball position gives you the best chance at hitting the back of the ball with the leading edge, which is essential for a successful bellied wedge shot.

Before you pull the trigger, McLachlin says to remember one last thing. 

“You basically want to feel like you’re going to hit the middle of the ball,” he says, “we’re just trying to hit the equator of the ball with the leading edge of the club.” 

As you practice this shot, you may not always hit the equator of the ball exactly, and that’s okay — as long as you know where to miss it. According to McLachlin, it’s better to miss it slightly above the midline than slightly below it.

“I don’t want to hit underneath, because that’s going to make it come out and spin and stop,” he says, “I’d much rather hit on top of the equator of the ball.”

That’s because the “high” miss still produces a low, controlled shot that rolls out like a putt.

ShortGameChef.com, created by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized tips, drills, and expert insights, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.