It wasn`t a shot Scottie Scheffler would typically practice. During the Genesis Invitational in February, on the fourth hole at Torrey Pines, his tee shot landed awkwardly on the edge of a steep bunker.
The lie was unusual, but manageable for the world`s top golfer. Scheffler wasn`t just aiming to escape the bunker; using a fairway wood, he wanted to get as close to the green as possible. He adjusted his stance, with his right foot on the grass and his left foot barely in the sand.
He swung, making contact and maintaining his signature sliding motion. His left foot slipped into the bunker, and his right leg bent awkwardly. Yet, he held his balance as the ball flew towards the green. Scheffler made par.
“It`s one of those shots where you`re in a strange position, and you have to take a weird stance and swing to get the ball near the green,” Scheffler explained. “Sometimes, I`m quite good at those.”
This moment highlighted a less recognized aspect of Scheffler`s game. Beyond his exceptional ball-striking and fluid swing, his success is built on a foundation of skill, repetition, technique, and a strong emphasis on fitness. This fitness commitment has been key to unlocking his best golf over the last three years.
“He wasn`t always a gym enthusiast,” said Dr. Troy Van Biezen, Scheffler`s performance coach. “It took a couple of college experiences for him to realize he needed to dedicate time off the course to prevent pain and compete at a high level.”
Last year, Scheffler dominated, winning the Masters and seven other tournaments. This year, after hand surgery due to a cooking accident and missing two starts, he is still seeking his first win, showing that even he faces golf`s challenges. As he pursues his third Masters victory, he relies on his process, especially his pre-tee time preparation.
“In golf, you can`t control the wind, bad bounces, or your swing all the time,” Van Biezen noted. “But we can control your fitness level; we can control everything in that area.”
Van Biezen recalls working with a 14-year-old Scheffler. Like many young golfers experiencing back pain during growth spurts, Scheffler`s growth from high school to college was a critical point in his early career.
“Growth spurts can cause imbalances,” Van Biezen explained. “Golf swings use repetitive motions of specific muscle groups. These imbalances can lead to pain and injury. Scottie grew rapidly and lost flexibility.”
Van Biezen, now performance director for the Dallas Stars, sees his role as addressing these physical weaknesses through mobility, stability, and strength training. His experience with Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods refined his approach.
“Coming from hockey, I`ve always valued strong legs,” Van Biezen said. “Tiger Woods emphasized being physically and mentally strong from Thursday morning to Sunday afternoon.”
Due to his growth spurt, Scheffler`s freshman year at Texas was challenging. Van Biezen collaborated with Scheffler`s swing coach Randy Smith and Texas coach John Fields to address these issues as Scheffler grew 13 inches in 14 months and returned to being a top amateur.
Despite Korn Ferry Tour wins and earning his PGA Tour card in 2020, Scheffler struggled to finish tournaments and hold leads. Van Biezen identified cardiovascular fitness as a key area.
“Cardiovascularly, he wasn`t where he needed to be to close out wins on Sundays,” Van Biezen stated.
The solution was an offseason boot camp before 2021 to enhance Scheffler`s strength, flexibility, power, and endurance.
“We focused on metabolic training, pushing him hard to stress his nervous system,” Van Biezen said. “This ensured he was ready to finish strong on Sunday afternoons, especially in majors.”
Van Biezen acknowledges fitness isn`t everything, but as Scheffler`s game improved, fitness became a crucial advantage. In the last six PGA Tour events where he held a 54-hole lead (excluding the 2024 Tour Championship), Scheffler won all of them.
“I`ve eliminated many aches and pains from college,” Scheffler mentioned regarding GolfForever, his fitness program with Van Biezen. “My body feels healthy now, but it was a long process to achieve balance and build muscle.”
Scheffler isn`t focused on extreme power, but on efficient body movement to prevent pain and optimize his swing. Understanding body mechanics is as vital as shot technique.
“When I rotate into my right hip, I can load and push off, shifting to my left side,” Scheffler explained. “Without gym work, I couldn`t sustain my body like I have for the past decade.”
Inside his Dallas gym with fellow pros Tom Kim and Ryan Palmer, rowing challenges fuel Scheffler`s competitive spirit off the course.
“Scottie enjoys gym banter,” Van Biezen shared. “During a strength day, Scottie challenged Tom Kim during skater squats. They push each other.”
Van Biezen quickly learned that competition motivates Scheffler`s workouts.
Now, Van Biezen and his team recognize when Scheffler can`t load into his right side, causing swing issues. Swing coach Smith often sends videos for Van Biezen to analyze and advise.
“I started from scratch with him,” Van Biezen said. “Knowing Scottie well, I analyze his movements, reverse engineer them, and use gym exercises to correct bad patterns or activate specific muscles.”
They have mobility exercises targeting hip rotation, crucial for ball-striking consistency and top performance.
Van Biezen describes Scheffler as curious and willing to learn. The results have solidified Scheffler`s commitment to performance fitness. He`s added cold plunges, red light therapy, and compression boots to his recovery routine.
“Everyone admires power and speed, but it`s the routine that matters,” Van Biezen stated. “Scottie understands the importance of corrective exercises, mobility, and stability daily.”
Even when not traveling with Scheffler, Van Biezen ensures a consistent tournament week routine. Monday is for heavy lifting, Tuesday for mobility, and Wednesday is lighter. Pre-round mobility routines adjust based on tee times.
“The body is dynamic, always changing,” Van Biezen said. “We adapt week by week.”
Nutrition is another key area, with Scheffler`s wife Meredith playing a vital role.
“Meredith is very health-focused,” Van Biezen noted. “She ensures he eats healthily, reinforcing my guidance.”
While Scheffler generally eats well, Van Biezen educates him on nutrition, allowing some flexibility. Even the best have weaknesses.
“He loves pizza,” Van Biezen laughed. “We compromise, and I decide when he can enjoy it.”
