Sergio Garcia's 100-yard wedge shot: 52° or 58°?
About a hundred yards from the flag, with a slight tailwind, Sergio Garcia plays the same shot in several different ways. A three-quarter 52°, a full 58°, a low draw, a straight shot: he explains how swing speed determines spin and why the green’s slope dictates the right choice.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
For Sergio Garcia, the score range It starts around 125 to 150 yards and is played mostly with wedges. He carries three: a 47°, 52°, and 58° pitching wedge. It all comes down to consistent contact, which allows him to control the trajectory, spin, and distance. At 105 yards, with a slight tailwind, the shot plays about 100. With the 52°, with his 125-yard club, he plays three-quarters: a lower trajectory, a bounce, and then the ball comes to a stop. In his opinion, this is the easiest shot to control. For these partial swings, he narrows his stance and moves his hands down the grip slightly. He stays square, maintains the same height, keeps a little weight on the left, and positions the ball in the middle.
Spin is primarily controlled by swing speed: The faster you swing a short club, the more the ball spins. With the 58° full (he hits it 105–108 yards), his stance widens, his backswing gets longer, the ball rises higher and comes back: so he has to make it fly all the way to the flag. He emphasizes two points that are often overlooked: clean grooves, otherwise the spin varies, and the slope of the green, which can send a ball with too much spin off the green. For a low draw, he positions the ball a little further back, takes a lower swing path, and relaxes his hands. To keep the ball on the green, he aims at the flag and holds the clubface open so it doesn't close.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Estimate the actual distance, taking the wind into account, and then assess the slope of the green around the flag.
- Choose between a longer wedge played three-quarters of the way back and a more open wedge played full.
- For the three-quarter swing, bring your feet closer together and move your hands down a little on the grip.
- Stay square, keep your center of gravity up, and keep some weight on your left leg.
- For more spin, widen your stance, extend your backswing, and swing faster, sending the ball soaring toward the flag.
- For a low draw, position the ball a little further back, take the club down lower, and relax your hands.
- To hold the ball, aim for the flag and hold the face open so it doesn't close.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing with dirty grooves.
- Ignoring the slope of the green: a ball with too much spin will roll down the slope.
- Trying to return the ball from a long distance, which is difficult to control.
- Take a full swing on a partial shot instead of narrowing your stance.
- Trying to hit a wedge against the wind: short clubs are more likely to hook.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Same target at 100 yards: one series at 52° three-quarters, one series at 58° full
- For each shot, note the height and how the ball bounces on the green
- Wipe down the front panel after each shot
- Finish with a few low draws and a few well-placed shots
Your Questions
How does Sergio Garcia control the spin on his wedges?
Mainly because of the swing speed: the faster you swing a short club, the more the ball spins. A 52° played at three-quarters swing speed spins less than a 58° played at full swing speed.
Why does he prefer a bounce followed by a ball that comes to a stop?
That's the easiest shot to control at this distance. Getting the ball back a few meters is much harder, unless the flag is right behind a bunker or a slope.
How does the address change for a partial shot?
He tucks his feet in and moves his hands down the grip a little, which shortens his swing. He stays square, maintains his height, and keeps a little weight on the left, with the ball in the middle.
How does the slope of the green affect the choice of shot?
A ball with a lot of spin can bounce near the hole and then roll down the slope and off the green. So you have to choose the right shot—it's not just about hitting the ball well.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Sergio Garcia). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.