In this high-energy and value-packed episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Shaun Diachkoff, founder of Fairway Performance, to dive deep into how golf-specific fitness transforms not just your physical game, but your mental edge as well.

Shaun’s background in the Australian military, paired with his deep experience in strength and conditioning, offers a no-BS, high-accountability approach to training that’s rooted in discipline, structure, and personalization.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• How discipline and daily structure from Shaun’s military background translate to golf and business success
• The difference between mobility, flexibility, and stability—and why most golfers get it wrong
• What golf fitness really means, and how to tailor your workouts to your specific swing, body type, and performance goals
• Why strength is your ultimate insurance policy against injury
• The critical importance of power and speed training—and how to implement them safely and effectively
• How better fitness directly fuels your mental stamina, clarity, and confidence during every round

Whether you’re recovering from injury, struggling to break 80, or want to future-proof your body for decades of better golf, this episode lays out the exact roadmap to do so. Shaun delivers clear, actionable insight on how to train smarter, not harder—and how your body is your greatest golf asset when properly trained.

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 Shaun

Shaun is a golf fitness coach with over 15 years of personal training experience, including nearly a decade as a gym owner and the past five years specialising in coaching golfers. He believes in assessing, not guessing, to create personalised programs tailored to each golfer’s unique needs and goals.

His expertise lies in improving strength, mobility, and performance on the course, helping clients eliminate back pain, hit longer drives, and build consistent training habits. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Shaun delivers results by cutting through the fluff and focusing on what works so clients spend the least amount of time in the gym possible for the best results on course!

Have questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

Paul Salter is a performance coach and certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping golfers overcome mental blocks, build confidence, and reach their full potential. With over 16 years of coaching experience, Paul has worked with high performers across multiple fields, helping them get unstuck and unlock their potential through subconscious reprogramming. Paul hosts the Scratch Golfers Mindset Podcast and publishes a newsletter called "More Pars Than Bogies."

In this episode Paul dispels common misconceptions about hypnotherapy, explains how our childhood programming affects our golf performance, and shares practical mental tools to help you play with more confidence, focus, and freedom. Whether you struggle with performance anxiety, lack confidence under pressure, or simply want to elevate your mental game, this conversation provides valuable insights for golfers of all levels.

Episode Highlights

• [00:01] Introduction and background on Paul Salter
• [06:01] What hypnotherapy actually is and debunking common misconceptions
• [09:31] How hypnotherapy relates to golf performance and visualization
• [12:32] The process of working with a golf hypnotherapist
• [15:07] Practical mental techniques anyone can implement
• [18:18] Real client example: From "average guy" to "warrior" mindset
• [22:04] How parents can instill growth mindset in children
• [28:44] Why fear of success is often more limiting than fear of failure
• [31:20] Understanding and working through fear on the golf course
• [34:52] The critical difference between unconscious reactions and conscious responses
• [38:17] How to integrate hypnotherapy with other golf training
• [40:28] The importance of visualization that includes mistakes and recoveries
• [42:44] Resources to learn more about golf hypnotherapy

You can find Paul here:

https://thegolfhypnotherapist.com/

Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist

Have questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

In this episode I dive into seven critical variables that golfers need to adjust in their training programs to overcome plateaus and improve performance on the course. Drawing insights from past interviews with muscle hypertrophy expert Andy Galpin, there are many actionable tips on exercise selection, order, volume, intensity, frequency, rest, and progression. Whether you’re not seeing results from your current training or just need a better structured program, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge to make effective changes.

If you want to talk about building a customised fitness program to improve your best asset on the golf course click here to book a call to chat with Shaun!

Or follow on Instagram: @shaun.diachkoff

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Have questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!