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: 23 July 2011
Comments: 72
In this video Greg MacDonell, my chief Director of Golf Instruction, and I review some of the things we observed in last week's golf school at Orange County National in Orlando. This year we have... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 22 July 2011
Comments: 23
As you may know, I have just returned home to South Carolina after three weeks of travel to England, Holland and then back to Orlando. We held successful golf schools in each location and I must... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 21 July 2011
Recently, Steve Smith, one of our most active bloggers on this site and a great student of the Surge Swing, did some self-analysis. He videotaped himself swinging every club in his bag to find out... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 20 July 2011
If you had a chance to watch the final round of The Open Championship this weekend, you saw a marvelous performance by Darren Clarke in the face of some pretty ferocious conditions. As you know,... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 18 July 2011
Comments: 41
One of the major reasons so many golfers have come to this site is because it's home to the most pain-free swing. Because this swing is based on physics and physiology, and because of my years of... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 17 July 2011
Comments: 61
A great deal has been written and taught about weight distribution when addressing the ball. It'€™s easy to get confused. You'€™re told to distribute your weight evenly on your right and left leg.... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 16 July 2011
I walk the course as often as I can. I highly recommend it. While it'€™s not the continuous walking that physical therapists would like you to do to increase your metabolism, it'€™s still darn good... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 15 July 2011
Lynn '€œDoc'€ Griffin came up with another amazing observation a few weeks ago after hearing one too many of the golfers who visit him complain about distance. This time the golfer added that he was... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 14 July 2011
Comments: 44
We talked about '€œmilking'€ the club or re-gripping at address and in the backswing. You really responded and had some great thoughts about that and ideas, in general, about changing bad habits.... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 13 July 2011
Today I am coming to you from the back porch'€”except, according to Google Maps, this back porch, in Melissant, Holland is 4,220.806 miles from my home in South Carolina! I'm here working with... Read More