World No. 1, four-time major champion, and Olympic gold medalist Scottie Scheffler reveals his approach to playing irons, wedges, and on the green.
Scottie Scheffler is the world's No. 1 player: four major championships, one Olympic gold medal, two FedEx Cups, and 22 PGA Tour victories. Here is his biography, list of achievements, and a summary of his video lessons.
Who is Scottie Scheffler?
Scottie Scheffler is an American golfer born on June 21, 1996, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. After winning the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2013, he played for the University of Texas before turning pro in 2018. He was named the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year in 2020.
He won his first Masters in 2022 and became the world No. 1 that same year. Since then, he has added a second Masters (2024), the Olympic gold medal in Paris (2024), the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship (2025). In 2026, he won three tournaments, including the Tour Championship, and claimed his second FedEx Cup. He was named PGA Tour Player of the Year four years in a row, from 2022 to 2025.
His coach, Randy Smith, has been coaching him since he was seven years old. He is known for his exceptional consistency and his very distinctive footwork.
Scottie Scheffler's Career Highlights
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | 4 |
| Masters | 2: 2022, 2024 |
| PGA Championship | 1: 2025 |
| Open Championship | 1: 2025 |
| PGA Tour Victories | 22 |
| The Players Championship | 2: 2023, 2024 |
| FedEx Cup | 2: 2024, 2026 |
| Olympic Games | Gold Medal, Paris 2024 |
| PGA Tour Player of the Year | 4 times: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| World Rankings | No. 1 for the first time in March 2022, No. 1 in November 2026 |
| PGA Tour Rookie of the Year | 2020 |
| Amateur Career | 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2017 Walker Cup |
Key Points of Scottie Scheffler's Swing
Scottie Scheffler has worked with Randy Smith since his junior days, and Smith has always let him keep his natural footwork. His swing is one of the most unusual on tour, and one of the most effective.
- Grip and setup: A neutral to weak grip that he checks constantly with his coach; a wide stance, fairly straight legs and little hip bend. (National Club Golfer, 2025)
- Backswing: A wide backswing, trail arm almost straight at the top, hands very high and close to the body, in an upright position reminiscent of Jack Nicklaus. (National Club Golfer, 2025)
- Downswing and hips: His legs and hips drive toward the target more than any other tour player's, which shallows the club and stops his shoulders from opening too early. (National Club Golfer, 2025)
- Footwork: His feet jump and slide back through impact, especially with the driver: a by-product of his lateral shift, his rotation and his vertical push into the ground. (GOLF.com, 2024)
- Ball flight: His stock shot is a fade. The spectacular follow-through mostly appears off the tee, when he tries to hit a draw. (GOLF.com, 2022)
- Speed: 120.9 mph of clubhead speed in 2026 after switching drivers in March, about 2 mph faster than two years earlier. (Australian Golf Digest, 2026)
What Amateurs Can Copy from Scottie Scheffler's Swing
- Work on your setup and check your grip regularly, as he does. See our grip lessons.
- Widen your arc in the backswing and follow-through for more speed and height. Only copy his foot slide if your hands get as high as his. See our speed, power and distance lessons.
- Make slow swings with a pause at impact, and let your head follow the ball instead of keeping it frozen. See our impact position lessons.
Compare with other pros' swings.
Scottie Scheffler's Swing
Scottie Scheffler's Backswing
With Randy Smith, he uses a very simple drill: an extension cord—or even a pencil—tucked into the end of the grip. At the top of the backswing, it shows whether the club crosses the line and helps him maintain his posture. Scottie Scheffler's Backswing Drill with Randy Smith.
The Driver and Footwork
His footwork with the driver often intrigues fans. He comments on it himself in Scottie Scheffler's Ideal Stance at the Driving Tee. At the driving range, Randy Smith has him vary each shot in terms of height, spin, and distance: Scottie Scheffler's driving range session with Randy Smith.
Scottie Scheffler's irons, short game, and putting
Scottie Scheffler's irons
Depending on the flag's position, he chooses the club and the shot that will bring the ball from the center of the green toward the hole: the safest shot. Hitting the flags with iron shots like Scottie Scheffler. With Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, he also practices long irons in a crosswind: Long Irons: Tiger Woods' Clinic with Rory McIlroy and Scheffler.
Wedges and Chipping
As Collin Morikawa and Nelly Korda, he rarely hits a wedge full: a longer club, a smoother swing, and less spin for a low ball and consistent control. Ribbed Wedges: The Scheffler, Morikawa, and Korda Method. Around the green, he first assesses the lie before choosing his chip shot: The high-hand chip: Tiger Woods and Scheffler's go-to shot.
Scottie Scheffler's Putting
With Nelly Korda, he compares his reading of the green and his practice shots. His target: the point where the ball enters the hole, rather than an intermediate point. Read the greens and putt like Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda.
Scottie Scheffler's Best Lessons by Topic
- Iron and Strategy (irons, Course Management, draw or fade): Hitting the flags with iron shots like Scottie Scheffler, Long Irons: Tiger Woods' Clinic with Rory McIlroy and Scheffler.
- Short Game (wedge play, pitching, and chipping, Pitch Shots): Ribbed Wedges: The Scheffler, Morikawa, and Korda Method, The chip with hands held high, the tip of the club, Chips, rough, and bunkers: Scheffler and McIlroy's wedge clinic.
- Putting and Reading the Green (Putting, Psychology and Mental Game): Read the greens and putt like Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda.
- Swing (Backswing, Body Rotation): The Backswing Exercise with Randy Smith.
- Bunker shot (Bunker shot): Bunker Shot: Tiger Woods Aims for a Draw, Scheffler Follows Suit.
- Practice and Driving (Range Practice, Driving): A practice session with Randy Smith, The Ideal Stance for Driving.
See also the fact sheets on Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Nelly Korda and Collin Morikawa.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scottie Scheffler
How old is Scottie Scheffler?
Scottie Scheffler was born on June 21, 1996, in Ridgewood, New Jersey; he is 30 years old.
How many majors has Scottie Scheffler won?
Four: the 2022 and 2024 Masters, the 2025 PGA Championship, and the 2025 Open Championship.
How many wins does Scottie Scheffler have on the PGA Tour?
22 wins, including three in 2026: The American Express, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the Tour Championship.
Is Scottie Scheffler an Olympic champion?
Yes, he won the gold medal in the men's tournament at the 2024 Paris Games.
Who is Scottie Scheffler's coach?
Randy Smith, his swing coach since he was seven years old. Phil Kenyon has been working with him on his putting since 2023.
Is Scottie Scheffler the world No. 1?
Yes. He first became number one in March 2022, and he still holds the top spot in November 2026.
Why do Scottie Scheffler's feet move so much?
It comes from his shift toward the target, his rotation and his push into the ground, especially with the driver. His coach Randy Smith has always let him keep this natural footwork.
