Daily Video Blog

Forward Foot Movement
Forward Foot Movement
Authored by: Brady
Posted on: 7 March 2026

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the golf swing is the movement of the forward knee and foot during transition. This lesson from the late Don Trahan reveals
why so many golfers struggle with consistency and power.

The Common Mistake

If you've been taught the modern rotational swing, you're likely keeping your forward foot flat and your forward knee straight during the downswing. Try walking
with your feet flat and knees locked—within a few steps, you'll feel lower back stress. Your knees and ankles are flex joints designed for dynamic motion, not to be
locked rigid.

The Peak Performance Solution

In the Peak Performance Golf Swing, we use "the bump" or lateral left shift to start the forward upswing. Your belt buckle moves laterally about an inch while your
knees stay level. As you shift, your forward knee maintains its flex, creating a bow in your body that keeps your head still and gives you room to straighten your
arms... Read More

Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 25 January 2011
DJ talked about it in his video at the Bob Hope Classic: flaring the feet 30 degrees and bending his knees more. Remember, we want outward pressure on the knees. Golfers used to be taught to bend... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 25 January 2011
I was watching the Bob Hope Classic and a celebrity came on at the break to get a lesson from a teacher. This wasn'€™t just a tip, but it looked like a real "make-over." I watched the celebrity'€™s... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 23 January 2011
Saturday at the Bob Hope Classic, DJ found he had a problem with his setup. As you know, a major Surgism is, '€œSetup determines the motion.'€ DJ found his legs were not quite bent enough, that is... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 22 January 2011
DJ sent me this from the Bob Hope Classic. He had a GREAT -7 round and wanted to share some pointers with you. Someone asked me once why I wasn'€™t with DJ at every tournament as his coach. When he... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 21 January 2011
Comments: 2
Jim, from Australia, asked if there is any relationship between chin contact and the bump in the backswing. Yes, Jim, there definitely is and I'€™m going to show you in this video. I call it the... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 20 January 2011
I remember having a new student on the practice range at '€œThe Golf Stop'€ in Columbia, SC. That'€™s home to our Director of Club Fitting, J. Lynn Griffin. My student was having a horrible time... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 19 January 2011
'€œGood wrist action is no wrist action.'€ That'€™s one of the fundamentals of the '€œSurge Swing.'€ Jim, one of my students, sent me a great email, which reminded me of the '€œchin-shoulder'€... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 18 January 2011
When amateurs really want to step on the gas off the tee and crush it, most of them give it 100%. More often than not, the player loses control, destroys his balance, and the ball goes off target... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 16 January 2011
Remember, the '€œSurge Swing'€ is based on physics and physiology: The laws of nature and science. We do turn, but it is a '€œlimited'€ turn, no more than 70 degrees. We get power and distance... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 16 January 2011
DJ sent me this video just before heading off to the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs, a tournament he won in 2008. Not making the cut is always hard, yet DJ does not let it get to him, the sign... Read More