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 May 2011
Comments: 148
Mike, from Ireland, said he got in the catcher'€™s mitt and up the tree in the backswing, but was having trouble understanding where the hands were supposed to be in the downswing. Good question... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 24 May 2011
Comments: 61
You may remember my advice about practice swing. I always say you take a practice swing (or two) to feel the swing. And when you'€™re ready you swing the feel. But it was pointed out on the blog... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 22 May 2011
Comments: 164
At one of our golf schools, a student had the Surge Swing down pretty well. In the mitt, up the tree, good T-Finish. But he was lacking one important part: power. Watching him swing was like... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 21 May 2011
(A Surge Classic) The Surge Squad has been going over video tips from the past that drew some very good response last year. Since we'€™ve got so many '€œnewbies,'€ they suggested we occasionally... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 20 May 2011
Comments: 140
The Surge and Derek Hardy finished off the final day of the Swing Surgeon golf school at Golden Bear Training Center in Carrollton, Texas with a discussion on how much the students improved. They... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 18 May 2011
Comments: 114
The Surge reviews the second day of the golf school at Golden Bear Golf Center in Carrollton, Texas, just outside of Dallas. He'€™s talking with Certified Club Fitter, Russ Ryden, who helped... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 18 May 2011
We are proud to give you a great conversation with Don '€œThe Surge'€ Trahan and the head of our West Coast golf schools, Derek Hardy. Derek joined Don for a golf school at Golden Bear training... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 16 May 2011
Comments: 208
In the Surge Swing, there are two '€œcenters'€ to consider: the center of gravity of your body and the center of your swing. You'€™ll find them at the bottom of your spine and the top of your... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 13 May 2011
Two of the signature aspects of the Surge Swing are narrow stance and wide knees. The knees should be over the ball of your feet. This allows you to keep your body in dynamic balance as you make... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 12 May 2011
Richard had a very short, very good question. He wanted to know what he should be thinking during the backswing. He was asking about that phrase you hear all the time, '€œswing thoughts.'€ My... Read More