It was an improbable shot, one rarely, if ever, practiced by Scottie Scheffler.
During the Genesis Invitational`s second round at Torrey Pines, the challenging fourth hole saw Scheffler`s drive land in an awkward lie on the steep edge of a fairway bunker.
Despite the unusual position, it wasn`t insurmountable for the world`s top golfer. Instead of merely escaping the bunker, Scheffler chose a fairway wood, aiming to place the ball near the green. He adjusted his tall frame, positioning his right foot on the bunker`s grassy fringe, with his left foot mostly suspended above the sand.
He swung, maintaining his signature sliding motion, which caused his left foot to slip into the bunker as his right leg buckled. Yet, his composure held, and the well-struck ball soared towards the green, resulting in a par.
`Those are the shots where you find yourself in a strange position, needing an unconventional stance and swing just to get the ball forward,` Scheffler explained. `Sometimes, I manage them quite well.`
This moment offered a glimpse into a less recognized aspect of Scheffler`s game. Beyond his exceptional ball-striking and fluid swing, underpinned by dedicated practice and technique, lies a strong emphasis on fitness. This commitment has been instrumental in unlocking Scheffler`s peak performance over the last three years.
`Initially, he wasn`t a gym enthusiast,` revealed Dr. Troy Van Biezen, Scheffler`s performance coach. `It took a couple of college incidents for him to realize the necessity of off-course work to prevent pain and compete effectively.`
Last year was exceptional for Scheffler, marked by a Masters win and seven other tournament victories. This year, despite hand surgery recovery from a cooking mishap and a delayed season start, he`s still seeking his first win, demonstrating that even he experiences golf`s unpredictable nature. As he prepares for another Masters, it reinforces the importance of his preparation, especially his pre-tee time routines.
`In golf, factors like wind, bad bounces, or even your swing can be uncontrollable,` Van Biezen noted. `However, we can manage fitness levels; we have control over that.`
Van Biezen recalls Scheffler as a `small kid` of 14 when they began their collaboration. Like many young golfers experiencing back pain during growth spurts, Scheffler`s transition from high school to college was a critical phase in his early career.
`Rapid growth can cause imbalances and asymmetries,` Van Biezen explained. `Golf`s repetitive motions targeting specific muscles can exacerbate these issues, leading to pain and injury. … Scottie`s rapid growth reduced his flexibility.`
Van Biezen, currently performance director for the Dallas Stars, sees his role in rectifying these physical vulnerabilities through mobility, stability, and strength training. His past work with Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods solidified his training philosophy.
`Coming from a hockey background, I`ve always advocated for strong lower bodies,` Van Biezen mentioned. `Tiger emphasized the importance of maintaining peak physical and mental strength from Thursday morning through Sunday`s final nine holes.`
Due to his growth spurt, Scheffler`s freshman year at Texas became challenging as he struggled to achieve par. Van Biezen collaborated with Scheffler`s swing coach, Randy Smith, and Texas coach, John Fields, to address these growth-related challenges, helping Scheffler regain his form as a top amateur.
Despite Korn Ferry Tour wins and earning a PGA Tour card for 2020, Scheffler struggled to close out tournaments. Van Biezen identified cardiovascular fitness as a key area for improvement.
`Cardiovascularly, he wasn`t at the desired level to secure wins on Sundays,` Van Biezen stated.
The solution was a pre-2021 season boot camp focused on enhancing strength, flexibility, power, and especially endurance.
`We incorporated intense metabolic training, pushing him hard to stress his nervous system,` Van Biezen described. `This ensured he was prepared to finish strongly, especially in majors during demanding weeks.`
Van Biezen acknowledges that fitness alone isn`t the sole determinant of success. However, as Scheffler`s game matured, his fitness focus became a significant advantage, contributing to his consistent top performances. Scheffler has won all six PGA Tour events where he held a 54-hole lead (excluding the 2024 Tour Championship).
`We`ve reached a point where I`ve eliminated many of the aches I experienced in college,` Scheffler noted regarding GolfForever, his fitness program with Van Biezen. `My body feels healthy now, but it was a journey to achieve consistent balance to build muscle.`
Scheffler emphasizes that he isn`t solely focused on power or speed. Understanding efficient body movement to prevent pain and optimize golf-specific motions is as vital as mastering a 7-iron.
`Proper hip rotation allows me to load and push effectively, maintaining balance, unlike a reverse pivot,` Scheffler explained. `Without gym work, sustaining my body for golf over the past decade wouldn`t have been possible.`
`How fast can you row in 30 seconds?`
In his Dallas gym, alongside pros Tom Kim and Ryan Palmer, this challenge sparks Scheffler`s competitive spirit off the course.
`Scottie enjoys gym banter,` Van Biezen said. `Once, during strength training, he challenged Tom Kim during weighted skater squats, fostering mutual encouragement and competition.`
Van Biezen quickly learned that incorporating competition maximizes Scheffler`s offseason workouts.
Today, Van Biezen and his team can identify when Scheffler struggles to load into his right side, causing swing imbalances. Swing coach Smith recognizes this issue and often sends videos to Van Biezen for analysis and guidance.
`I started from scratch with him,` Van Biezen stated. `Knowing his movement patterns, we tailor gym exercises to correct inefficiencies and activate specific muscle groups.`
The routine includes mobility exercises targeting hip rotation, enhancing his swing. This subtle adjustment can be the difference between a good and an exceptional ball-striking week, between second and first place.
Scheffler`s curiosity and willingness to understand his training have been crucial. His success has reinforced his commitment to Van Biezen`s performance philosophy, leading him to incorporate cold plunges, red light therapy, and compression boots for recovery.
`Everyone admires power and speed, like Rory or Tiger`s,` Van Biezen noted. `But it`s the routine. Scottie understands the importance of consistent corrective exercises, mobility, and stability work.`
During tournament weeks, Scheffler follows a routine. Monday is for heavy lifting, Tuesday for functional mobility, and Wednesday is lighter. Pre-round mobility routines are adjusted based on tee times.
`The body is dynamic, always changing due to travel, beds, etc.,` Van Biezen explained. `We adapt weekly.`
Nutrition is another key area, with Scheffler`s wife, Meredith, playing a vital role.
`Meredith is very health-conscious,` Van Biezen said. `She ensures he eats healthily, reinforcing my nutritional guidance.`
While generally good, Van Biezen educates Scheffler about nutrition, allowing some flexibility. Despite striving for peak performance, even Scheffler has indulgences.
`He loves pizza,` Van Biezen laughed. `We compromise, and I decide when pizza is allowed.`
