#82: [Inside the Mind] Steven Yellin: Get Out of Swing Prison and Stop Violating the Rule Bank for an Effective, Repeatable Swing

In this powerful and enlightening episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I’m joined by Steven Yellin, creator of the Fluid Motion Factor and one of the leading voices in understanding the neuroscience of performance in golf. 

Together, we dive deep into the mind-body connection, the neurophysiological conditions required for a fluid golf swing, and why most golfers unknowingly sabotage their own performance—especially when it matters most.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your prefrontal cortex (the CEO of your brain) needs to go offline during the swing
• What it really means to have a quiet mind before pulling the trigger
• How to check your “threshold of wholeness” with a simple shoulder test
• The truth about consistency and how to stop recreating what you already own
• What the “rules of the bank” are—and how violating them leads to inconsistent performance
• How to train like a pro by focusing on quality of space, not quantity of reps
• How the depth of your thoughts determines access to the body’s deepest intelligence

Whether you’re an elite amateur or a weekend warrior, this episode will radically reshape how you think about practice, performance, and pressure. Steven's insights are a masterclass in mastering the mind-body connection and unlocking the swing you already have—on command.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.

More About Steven

Steve Yellin is a renowned golf instructor, author, and the creator of the Fluid Motion Factor, a revolutionary approach to optimizing performance in golf and other sports. With a background in both competitive golf and deep studies into the mechanics of peak performance, Yellin’s work bridges the gap between technical training and the ability to access one's best swing under pressure.

His Fluid Motion Factor system has helped elite golfers, including PGA and LPGA Tour players, unlock their natural ability by eliminating interference in their mind-body connection. Instead of relying on mechanical swing thoughts, Yellin teaches golfers how to tap into a fluid state of motion, leading to greater consistency and confidence on the course.

• Purchase his book, “Simplicity: The Fluid Motion Factor Program”
• Follow Steven on Instagram - @steven_yellin

Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course

1. Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call
2. Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter
3. Download my “Play Your Best Round” free hypnosis audio recording.

High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching

Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential.

He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential.

Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course. 

Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist 

Twitter: @parsoverbogeys

Key Takeaways:

• The quality of the space before the swing determines the quality of the swing.
• You’re not broken—you’re just violating the rules of the bank.
• Wholeness is a threshold state of mind where motion flows without interference. You don’t need new swing thoughts—you need a new relationship with the ones you already have.
• Practicing the swing isn’t as powerful as practicing access to your best swings.

Key Quotes:

• You’re not recreating the swing—you’re trying to access what you already own.
• When the prefrontal cortex goes offline, the swing goes online.
• Do less. The most powerful message I can give any golfer.
• It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s how you're thinking it.
• Fear is the killer in a golf swing.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Understanding the Golf Swing Mechanics
• 03:06 Achieving a Quiet Mind for Fluid Motion
• 07:26 Accessing Muscle Memory and Wholeness
• 13:33 Quality of Space Before the Swing
• 20:41 The Role of Experience and Fear in Performance
• 24:08 Mind-Body Connection in Golf
• 31:50 Maintaining Consistency During a Round
• 39:18 Building a Strong Foundation for Improvement
• 42:06 The Power of Simplicity in Golf