Golfer Ryan Gerard 'Obsessed' with Scottie Scheffler's Signature Shot

Gerard aims to master Scheffler's high, spinning iron shot that bridges the gap between full numbers.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, is known for his exceptional iron play and ability to hit high, spinning shots that land softly on the green. After playing alongside Scheffler during the final round of the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open, fellow PGA Tour player Ryan Gerard has become "obsessed" with mastering Scheffler's signature shot. Gerard has been working to replicate Scheffler's technique of using a shortened swing and less grip speed to launch the ball higher with more spin, even though he admits he hasn't quite matched Scheffler's extra spin on the shot.

Why it matters

Scheffler's iron play, particularly his ability to hit these in-between shots that bridge the gap between full yardages, is a key part of what has made him the world's top-ranked player over the past three seasons. By studying and trying to emulate this shot, Gerard is hoping to improve his own game and potentially close the gap on the dominant Scheffler.

The details

According to Gerard, Scheffler's technique involves playing the ball a little more forward in his stance, choking down on the club, and feeling like he's slowing down through impact but speeding up after. This allows Scheffler to launch the ball higher with less swing speed, while still generating plenty of spin. While Gerard has been able to replicate the higher launch and softer landing, he admits he hasn't quite matched Scheffler's extra spin on the shot.

  • In February 2025, Ryan Gerard played alongside Scottie Scheffler during the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open.

The players

Scottie Scheffler

The world's top-ranked golfer, known for his exceptional iron play and ability to hit high, spinning shots that land softly on the green.

Ryan Gerard

A fellow PGA Tour player who has become "obsessed" with mastering Scheffler's signature shot after playing alongside him in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of guys, when they take speed off a golf club, the ball flight comes down. Scottie hits this shot with this smooth knockdown swing, but he launches it higher, spins it more, and it bridges the gap between two full numbers. I've kind of been obsessed with this shot since I played with him the final round of Houston last year, and I've gone about learning how to hit it.”

— Ryan Gerard, PGA Tour Player (The Golf Channel)

The takeaway

Scottie Scheffler's mastery of an in-between iron shot that combines high launch, high spin, and soft landing has become a key part of his dominance on the PGA Tour. By studying and attempting to replicate this shot, fellow player Ryan Gerard is hoping to improve his own game and potentially close the gap on the world's top-ranked golfer.