Daily Video Blog

Authored by: Brady
Posted on: 21 March 2026

Don Trahan's analysis of his own swing with different clubs reveals golf's most misunderstood concept: it's your arms that swing on plane, not the club.

Most golfers focus on getting the club on plane, but Don's demonstration shows this is wrong. At address, your arms start below the plane—especially the trail arm (right arm for righties, left arm for lefties). This is correct and necessary.

During takeaway, Don rotates the clubhead first, moving the toe toward "the catcher's mitt" and "up the tree." This rotation naturally lifts his lead arm onto the plane, where it stays throughout the backswing. At the top, his lead hand and forearm align perfectly on the plane while the clubhead passes through it.

The downswing shows his lead arm maintaining plane contact until just before impact. After impact, physics takes over—the trail arm moves onto the plane while the lead arm comes off it, demonstrating equal and opposite reaction.

Don's vertical swing style... Read More

Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 8 December 2009
One of my long time students, Dan, my life insurance agent, called to discuss my policy with me. He started by discussing the previous day'€™s PPGS daily article about as we get older we... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 7 December 2009
One piece takeaway or two, asks Phil. His bigger question is how can he make a smooth backswing when he has to change direction in mid-stream in the back swing after lifting the club into... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 6 December 2009
There is an old saying that there are two things we can'€™t avoid in life: death and taxes. I'€™m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we have to add another to the list. For golfers,... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 5 December 2009
Brad, in his question below, asks what bounce is on his wedges. Let'€™s see if we can shed some light and help Brad and all of us on the importance of Bounce. Brad Kile says: I have a... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 4 December 2009
Comments: 5
I read some of the blogs after the 12/3 article on helping avoid or cure elbow pain. A few blogs mentioned using arms band wraps below the elbow. I can'€™t believe I forgot that, as I... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 3 December 2009
Comments: 1
December started off with a bang with Dr. Armstrong'€™s answer to Bruce Jones question about should he put off back surgery since using the PPGS swing his pain was diminishing. There were... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 2 December 2009
I was giving a playing lesson several days ago. My student, JM, revived an old question: should he tee it up on a par three. He'd seen a few Tour pros in the fall season NOT tee it up. And JM... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 1 December 2009
Comments: 1
Bruce has a problem. It's his back. Here's what he wrote. Surge, Help please! I am feeling very nervous. I love to play golf. I'€™m about a 15 handicap and play about once a week, I am... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 30 November 2009
How many times have you been on the same line as another player and watched their putt to see the roll. They make the putt or roll it dead stiff and you are sure the line is correct. Then... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 29 November 2009
I played 18 holes yesterday with my brother Ken and Jack, our putting coach. The day was beautiful with just a slight breeze, sun shining and perfect blue sky. By our 11:30 tee time the... Read More