By Paolo Uggetti

During the Genesis Invitational, Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging bunker shot at Torrey Pines. His ball landed awkwardly on the edge of a steep bunker. Instead of just getting the ball out, Scheffler aimed to get it as close to the green as possible, using a fairway wood. He took an unusual stance, with his right foot on the grass and his left foot partially hovering over the sand. Despite his left foot slipping into the bunker during his swing, he executed the shot perfectly, landing the ball near the green and saving par.

“These are the shots where you`re in a tough spot, need a strange stance and swing, and just try to get the ball up there,” Scheffler commented. “Sometimes I manage to pull them off.”

This moment highlighted a key aspect of Scheffler`s game often overlooked: his dedication to fitness. Beyond his natural talent and rigorous practice, Scheffler`s commitment to physical conditioning has been instrumental in his success over the past few years.

“He wasn`t always a gym enthusiast,” his trainer, Dr. Troy Van Biezen, explained. “It took a few instances in college for him to realize the importance of off-course training to prevent injuries and compete at the highest level.”

Scottie Scheffler is aiming for his third Masters victory in four years.

After a dominant year where Scheffler won the Masters and seven other tournaments, he faced a setback this year with hand surgery. Despite this, as he seeks his third Masters title, he emphasizes the importance of process, especially his pre-tournament preparation.

“In golf, many factors are uncontrollable,” Van Biezen noted. “But fitness is something we can control entirely.”

Dr. Van Biezen recalls working with a young Scheffler at 14, addressing back pain common among junior golfers during growth spurts. Rapid growth affected Scheffler`s flexibility, creating imbalances. Van Biezen focuses on mobility, stability, and strength to counteract these issues, having also worked with golf icons like Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods.

“I advocate for strong lower bodies,” Van Biezen mentioned, recalling Tiger Woods` emphasis on maintaining peak physical and mental strength throughout tournaments.

Scheffler`s physical changes during college impacted his performance. Van Biezen collaborated with Scheffler`s coaches to address these challenges, helping him regain his amateur form.

Despite early professional success, Scheffler struggled to close out tournaments. Van Biezen identified cardiovascular fitness as a key area for improvement.

The solution was an intensive offseason training program in 2021, focusing on endurance, strength, and flexibility. This metabolic training pushed Scheffler physically and mentally, preparing him for the demands of major tournaments.

Van Biezen acknowledges that fitness is not the only factor, but it has been a significant advantage for Scheffler. His enhanced fitness has contributed to his remarkable consistency, including winning all recent PGA Tour events where he held a 54-hole lead.

Scheffler highlights how fitness has eliminated aches and pains he experienced in college, leading to a healthier and more balanced body. He uses the GolfForever program with Van Biezen to maintain this.

While not focused on maximum power, Scheffler understands the importance of efficient body movement to prevent pain and optimize his swing. He emphasizes the role of workouts in sustaining his body over the long term.

Competitive drills in the gym, like rowing challenges with fellow golfers, fuel Scheffler`s workouts. Van Biezen incorporates competition to maximize Scheffler`s training.

Van Biezen and Scheffler’s swing coach closely monitor his physical state, even remotely, to adjust training as needed. They focus on mobility exercises to improve hip rotation and swing mechanics, crucial for consistent performance.

Scheffler`s curiosity and willingness to understand his training regimen are key to his progress. He has fully embraced Van Biezen`s performance philosophy, incorporating recovery methods like cold plunges and compression boots into his routine.

Van Biezen emphasizes the importance of foundational fitness work—mobility and stability—over just power training. Scheffler follows a structured weekly routine during tournaments, adjusting based on his body`s needs.

Nutrition is also crucial. Scheffler’s wife, Meredith, supports his healthy eating habits, reinforcing Van Biezen`s guidance. While Scheffler enjoys pizza, Van Biezen manages his diet to ensure optimal performance.