Daily Video Blog

Is Your Takeaway Ruining Your Swing Before It Starts?
Is Your Takeaway Ruining Your Swing Before It Starts?
Authored by: Brady
Posted on: 5 May 2026

You've probably been told your whole golfing life that you need to keep moving before you swing. Waggle, forward press, rock the knee — whatever it takes, just don't stand still. Surge heard that too. He just never agreed with it.

His thing was this: if you're pressing forward to start a swing that needs to go backward, how do you make that feel exactly the same every time? With every club, every lie, every round? After a while, you start to realize — you can't. That little forward move changes just enough, just often enough, to mess with your timing without you ever knowing why.

What Surge taught instead was to come to a full stop before starting the swing. Feet planted, waggle done, one last look at the target — then still. From there, a simple three-count: squeeze the grip equal in both hands, press the knees out slightly, and go. The toe of the club moves first, the arms follow, and the club finds its way back up the plane. Nothing fancy, just quiet and controlled... Read More

Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 20 December 2009
Continuing with my snow bound conversation with JM on swing improvement, a few other points came up that are interesting and likely points many of you can identify with. Once we had agreed... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 19 December 2009
I got a call yesterday evening from one of my long time local students, JM, who was snowed in with no power and wanted to talk golf. Cell phones are great, even with no electricity, until the... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 18 December 2009
We've had several question about the value of Sports Psychologists, since they seem to be on the rise, especially on Tour. For starters, what they do is mental coaching. Since most of them... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 17 December 2009
Many golfers, especially new golfers, are plagued with the problem of hitting the top to the ball and dribbling it along the ground. In the old days of balata golf balls, these top shots... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 16 December 2009
Comments: 1
WOW! The fairway iron problem article yesterday turned into being a treasure trove of good comments and questions. I have set aside 2 or 3 really good questions to be used for the topic... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 15 December 2009
Comments: 1
Most golfers who have problem clubs are dealing with woods. But Bob writes asking for help with his fairway irons. Bob Layte says: Hi Don, Thanks so much for the free lessons. My... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 14 December 2009
I often get asked in lessons and blogs for help on the Pre-Loaded Heavy Right (PLHR) setup position. Most of the time the question relates to not being able to transition back to impact and... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 13 December 2009
The PPGS is all about a setup and swing that is body friendly and thus reduces stress and strain on the body. Lee, in his question below, brings up a good point about the PPGS resembling the... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 12 December 2009
One of my young students, who will be going to college on scholarship next year, was concerned about more birdies. He'€™s getting close to being a scratch player. My advice to him follows '€“... Read More
Authored by: Don Trahan
Posted on: 11 December 2009
Since we've been talking quite a bit about professional club fitting, I thought Bill question was a good one to share. Bill says: The videos are great! I am hoping to save wear and tear on my... Read More