Scottie Scheffler’s Path to Golfing Excellence: Rooted in Off-Course Training

It wasn`t the kind of shot Scottie Scheffler would ever intentionally practice.

During the Genesis Invitational`s second round at Torrey Pines in February, on the challenging, cliffside fourth hole, Scheffler`s drive landed awkwardly on the edge of a steep fairway bunker.

The situation was unusual, but not insurmountable for the world`s top-ranked golfer. Scheffler wasn`t just aiming to escape the bunker; he selected a fairway wood with the intention of getting as close to the green as possible. Adjusting his tall frame, he positioned his right foot on the grass surrounding the bunker, with most of his left foot hovering above the sand.

Scheffler swung, making solid contact while maintaining his signature sliding swing, which caused his left foot to slip into the bunker and his right leg to buckle beneath him. Despite the awkward stance, he maintained his composure, sending the ball soaring towards the green. He managed to make par.

`It`s one of those shots where you`re in a tricky spot, you have to adopt a strange stance and swing in an unusual way, just to get the ball moving forward,` Scheffler explained. `Sometimes, I`m quite adept at those situations.`

This moment offered a glimpse into a less visible aspect of Scheffler`s success. Beyond his exceptional ball-striking and fluid swing with its distinctive footwork, lies a strong foundation built on not only remarkable talent, relentless practice, and technical dedication, but also a significant emphasis on fitness. This fitness regimen has been instrumental in unlocking Scheffler`s peak performance over the last three years.

`He wasn`t initially a gym enthusiast,` Scheffler`s performance coach, Dr. Troy Van Biezen, shared with ESPN. `It took a couple of incidents during his college years for him to realize that dedicating time off the course is essential for staying pain-free and competing at an elite level.`

Last year was exceptionally successful for Scheffler, highlighted by a Masters victory and seven other tournament wins. This year, following hand surgery due to a cooking mishap and missing the season`s initial two events, Scheffler is still seeking a win, demonstrating that even he experiences the sport`s unpredictable nature. This serves as a reminder as he pursues his third Masters title in four years, that focusing on his process, especially his pre-game preparation, remains crucial.

`In golf, elements like wind, bad bounces, and even your swing can be uncontrollable at times,` Van Biezen noted. `However, we have control over fitness levels; we can manage every aspect of that.`

Van Biezen recalls when he and Scheffler began their collaboration, with Scheffler just a `youngster` at 14. Like many young golfers experiencing back discomfort in their early teens, Scheffler`s growth spurt from high school to college marked a critical phase in his early career.

`Natural growth can cause imbalances and asymmetries,` Van Biezen explained. `Given that the golf swing involves repetitive motions using specific muscle groups, these imbalances and asymmetries can lead to pain and injuries. … Scottie grew very rapidly and lost considerable flexibility.`

Van Biezen, currently performance director for the Dallas Stars, views his role as refining these physical weaknesses by focusing on mobility, stability, and strength. His prior work with Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods further shaped his training philosophy and goals.

`Coming from a hockey background, I`ve always advocated for strong glutes and legs,` Van Biezen mentioned. `Tiger once told me that physically, emotionally, and mentally, he wanted to be as robust on Sunday afternoon`s back nine as he was on Thursday morning.`

Due to his growth spurt, Scheffler`s freshman year at Texas went from promising to challenging as he struggled to maintain par. Van Biezen collaborated closely with Scheffler`s swing coach, Randy Smith, and Texas coach, John Fields, to counteract the factors affecting Scheffler`s development, as he physically grew 13 inches in 14 months and mentally matured into a top amateur.

Despite two Korn Ferry Tour wins and earning his PGA Tour card for the 2020 season, Scheffler faced difficulties in closing tournaments, holding leads, and converting good weeks into victories. Van Biezen continually sought out weaknesses, and a closer look at Scheffler revealed a stark reality.

`From a cardiovascular standpoint, he wasn`t at the desired level to secure wins on Sunday afternoons,` Van Biezen stated.

The solution was an offseason boot camp before 2021, designed to enhance Scheffler`s strength, flexibility, power, and especially his endurance.

`We incorporated significant metabolic training, intense workouts, really pushing his limits to stress the nervous system,` Van Biezen described. `So that when Sunday afternoon arrived, particularly in majors during extended weeks, he`d be ready to finish strong.`

Van Biezen is cautious about overemphasizing fitness alone, but as Scheffler`s golf skills sharpened and his Tour experience grew, this intense focus on fitness became a crucial advantage, propelling Scheffler to consistent success. Notably, in the last six PGA Tour events where Scheffler held a 54-hole lead (excluding the 2024 Tour Championship), he won every time.

`We`ve reached a point where I`ve eliminated many of the aches and pains I experienced in college,` Scheffler said in an interview about GolfForever, the fitness program he uses with Van Biezen. `And I`ve gotten to a state where my body feels very healthy, although it was a long process to achieve balance for a sustained period, allowing us to start building muscle.`

Scheffler has previously noted that his aim isn`t to drastically increase power or speed for longer drives. Instead, understanding how to efficiently move his body to minimize pain and optimize the very specific movements of a golf swing is as vital as mastering a 7-iron shot.

`When I rotate correctly into my right hip, I can load and push off, easily shifting back to my left side, rather than reversing,` Scheffler explained. `Without the workouts and gym routines that I do for golf, I wouldn`t be able to maintain my body in the way I have for the past decade.`

`How fast can you row in 30 seconds?`

Inside the Dallas gym where Scheffler trains with fellow professionals Tom Kim and Ryan Palmer, this challenge often ignites Scheffler`s competitive spirit when he`s not on the course.

`Scottie enjoys playful banter in the gym,` Van Biezen mentioned. `Once, during a strength session, Scottie, wearing a weighted vest, was doing skater squats and telling Tom, “You can`t do that,” which motivated Tom to try it. They constantly challenge and push each other.`

Van Biezen quickly realized that incorporating a competitive element into offseason workouts and training was key to maximizing Scheffler`s effort.

These days, Van Biezen doesn`t need to be physically present to understand Scheffler`s needs. He and his team recognize the indicators that arise when Scheffler can`t properly load into his right side, causing his swing to tilt and potentially strain his back. Whether on the practice range or the course, swing coach Smith is now adept at spotting this issue and often sends Van Biezen videos or texts from the range for his input.

`I started from the ground up with him,` Van Biezen said. `Having known Scottie for so long, I can observe his body movements and then reverse engineer those movements. We then introduce gym exercises to correct poor movement patterns or activate specific body parts or muscle groups.`

The team has established a set of mobility exercises for Scheffler to target internal hip rotation and encourage turning rather than tilting. Although seemingly minor, this subtle adjustment is significant and can often differentiate between a good ball-striking week and an exceptional one, the difference between second and first place.

Scheffler, according to Van Biezen, is inquisitive and unafraid to question the rationale behind gym exercises. However, with proven results, he wholeheartedly embraces Van Biezen`s performance philosophy. The evident link between improved fitness and enhanced golf performance has motivated Scheffler to adopt additional recovery methods at home, including cold plunges, red light therapy, and Normatec compression boots.

`Everyone is drawn to the exciting aspects—power, speed, strength, plyometrics, box jumps, which we do,` Van Biezen notes. `But it`s the consistency that`s key. He`s come to understand the necessity of sticking with corrective exercises, mobility, stability, and foundational work. He incorporates these daily.`

Although Van Biezen isn`t always traveling with Scheffler, a typical tournament week routine is followed. Monday is usually the primary heavy lifting day. Tuesday focuses on functional mobility. Wednesday, typically involving a pro-am and additional practice, includes no extra workout. Once the tournament starts, his pre-round mobility routine is scheduled around his tee time, allowing for adjustments as needed.

`Your body is dynamic and constantly changing due to various factors like poor bedding or air travel,` Van Biezen explains. `So, we adapt and react each week accordingly.`

Adding the final touch to optimization, Van Biezen, who is also a nutritionist, has ensured Scheffler`s dietary habits are refined, with the help of Scheffler`s wife, Meredith.

`She is very health-conscious,` Van Biezen remarks. `She monitors his diet and ensures he eats healthily. He receives guidance from both of us, leaving little room to deviate.`

Healthy eating wasn`t a major issue for Scheffler, but Van Biezen has become an educator in this area, explaining the `what` and `why` to Scheffler, while allowing some flexibility. While the ultimate goal is to prepare Scheffler optimally before competition, even the world`s best player has indulgences.

`He loves pizza,` Van Biezen admits with a laugh. `So, we compromise, and I decide when he gets to enjoy it.`