“Meet Don Trahan, PGA Master Professional”
PGA Master Professional Don Trahan, known as the “Swing Surgeon,” has been ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the “50 Best Teachers” in America. He is the author of the popular instruction book, “Golf, Plain and Simple,” the “Peak Performance Golf Swing” and numerous articles about the golf swing in major golf publications. He is a former teaching editor for Golf Magazine and creator of numerous training aids.
However, for Don, his greatest distinctions by far is the “student” who is now a member of the PGA Tour. DJ Trahan and Don’s son, winner of two Tour events, is positioned to be one of the Tour leaders.
Don’s Playing Credentials.
- 9 time Champion of Carolina PGA Senior tournaments
- Carolinas PGA Senior Player of the Year, 2002,2007
- Carolinas PGA Senior Champion 2002
- Owner/Director: Swing Surgeon Golf Schools and Don Trahan Golf Academy
Tell me what you're thinking... and what part of the golf swing, or this great game... you'd like to know more about. If you want your pic to show with your comment, go get a 
Surge
I have been reading with interest some of your theories and like what I see.
I am going for “Surge”ry this month to have a full knee replacement. I’m told the recovery period before I once again play golf may be as much as six months so I don’t want to try to start something now while i am incapacitated but would like to know more about your golf school / academy which I would consider coming to in late spring 2010
I used to play to a 10 handicap but two back operations, my current knee problems and a lot of years has seen my game deteriorate to the point that I now shoot 88-95.
My major swing fault is that I pick up the club on the takeaway.
My trouble clubs are the fairway woods
My chipping which was a strength is now a weakness (skulled)
My distances
Driver 190 plus roll to 220
5 iron 145 plus roll to 165
Wedge 90-105
Putting- 32-34 per round
Surge,
I purchased your PPGS back in april,and mentioned the honor of playing USGA Junior golf with the likes of Beman and Majewski.Being from the “OLD” school,I need your help with getting the lower body through the shot before the hands.Is this your “bump” theory?
I think I’m skulling some shots,because of not staying “behind” the ball at impact.
HELP ME!!
Thanks , Dick
To whom it concerns:
I just finished with your ten videos, hit a bucket of balls and to my amazement was very satisfied with the results for I was ready to quit golf. I will use this winter to practice what your videos taught me and in the spring will put them to the test. If I improve 5 strokes or better you will have my word, I will definitely order your Golf swing peak performance book. Thank you
I’m not sure where I left my last comments, so will use this page from now on so I can see if I get a response from you Don! Our pro Phil Hardy (Beacon Hall) says he has played golf with you and applauds the fact that I am taking some direction from your teaching. I have been enjoying the DVD collection, and in just 3 rounds with lots of practice on the range, I am making the purest shots every time my “alignment” is correct. I have completely changed my swing path as per your instructions, and notice a huge improvement in consistency and shots that are much more on line to my targets! I have been as low as a 7 hcp. and have gone up to a 9, as well as a dismal season last year in Fla. (Lake Nona) where I began to S….K every iron I tried to hit! Even Mark McNulty couldn’t straighten me out!!!!! This all has given me renewed hope in the coming winter down south, and I am excited to be looking forward to lots of golf, whereas I was considering giving up regular playing as of the end of this season! To add to all this as a big bonus, my putting is 100% better than it was and I now can set up and stroke the putter the same way every time instead of changing it up each time I go out to play!!! You have made me a happy camper and I would love to meet you if you find yourself down in the Orlando area……we will probably be at the golf show this season – check out Kickspike.com!!!! Cheers. Karen
Have for many years watched the club go back from putting to driving ,, Having a terrible time stopping this any ideas?
To Lee
You’ve lost your natural swing motion. Go back to swinging the clubhead with your hands and the PPGS is yours forever.
Namaste
hi don
can you help me , i need help getting my fairway shots into the air maybe you could give me some tips on how to get them flotting through the air like a pro . maybe could help me after all swing tips are sent through
cheers james
hi james again
watch first video yesterday and played today with your tip and i was amazed by how much straighter the ball was going . look forward to next 9 videos
james
Hi Don. I used to be a low handicap but with an awful swing. Over the years my swing has gotten shorter to almost a half or less swing. I also have been shanking my irons(sort and long). My friends say I’m not completing the swing. Needless to say it is all frustrating. i need help. What can you do. What shall i get, a video or book or both from you? thanks in advance
hi don. over the years my swing has gotten shorter and shorter to where it is a half swing or less. My friends try to correct me but i’m afraid i will slice the ball if i break my wrist too much on the backswing. My problem has been shanking my irons(short and long). Not completing the swing or follow through. Used to be a single digit handicap, but now play like a 20 handicap. Needless to say its frustrating and i need help as i seem unable to self correct. I am willing to give up golf for a few weeks to concentrate on corrections. What do I need to do?
The Surge,
Although I have yet to purchase any of your dvd’s etc. ( at least not yet ), I want you to know that the tips I have received from you almost every day have been extremely helpful to me. The tips on alignment were especially helpful. Over the last two or three games I have hit the ball straighter and with a little more distance. As a result I am getting quite a bit more pleasure from playing. It is getting so that I look forward to my daily fix regarding my golf game.
On behalf of myself, and likely many others, thanks for what you do in promoting golf with your daily comments and suggestions.
Cheers for now.
Don– love the simplicity of your stuff, Am incorporating much of it into my game– seeing positive results already. My handicap has dropped 2 points in 6 weeks. Several of my golf buddies are interested and will be contacting YOU soon.
A favor… do you know of a proven process that will allow individual golfers to imprint/etch/ or attach a small permanant label with their name, or identyfing Club number to the sole of their clubs wheras it won’t come off with numerous strikes of the ball? If so, please advise.
THANKS for everything!!
Larry Ketring
336-674-6485
To Anthony Lemmo
Based on your comments, it is obvious to me you have long forgotten to apply the most important component to your game. You have stopped swinging the clubhead with your hands.
You have shortened your swing with the hope of controlling your wrist action. No, no, and no. A true swinging action automatically sets your wrists and automatically determines the length of the swing.
In order for the PPGS to restore you once again to a single diget handicap, pick up a copy of Ernest Jones’ classic instructional book “Swing the Clubhead Method.”
Hi Don:
It has turned cold here in WI, so i will wait till spring to order and being using the film series.
Sure did read your comments, but golf is now on the hold.
Bill
I saw you on golfwrx and man you sound like you are from Boston:
You teach a swing that was taught to my by David Huser?? From the area.
Anyway you would know him?
Almost exactly : Because I had back surgery thats exactly what he taught me..
They guy before him screwed my back up and swing went south
Leave me AKA on the golfwrx thanks you will see
Paul
Hi Don,
I´ve been practicing the “round” swing of yours, and had no succes with it.
May be I have no confidence on it, or something else.
Sory.
will you be doing any teaching in Florida Jan Feb Or March
Thanks Gerald
Dear Don, I have only one good eye, my left one. How should I adjust for that in my allinement in your swing? thanks!
Hi Don,
I am a 68 year old complete begginer, and as such was very interested in your web site. I did try to order your DVD, but was unable to complete the transaction on-line, not your fault, I hadn’t activated my replacement credit card.
A lot of your clips though were not available. When I clicked the link, as I did yesterday and again today, I got “website not available”, which happened quite often. This surprises me as your material is very well put together.
I had six lessons with the local pro, which were not entirely satisfactory, as when I started I could hit the ball pretty well 7 times out of 10. By the time I had finished the last lesson it was down to 2 out of 10. I was about to give up inspite of having been sold, by the pro, a set of irons, a bag, a wood and a year’s subscription, when I decided to see if there was any advice on the net.
Of course I found loads. In the end I bought Shawn Clements DVD, as I felt it was the least I could do after watching so many of his clips. I have to say all make sense and I have improved greatly.
See if you can get your stuff to me. I have a birthday soon and the family want to know what I would like.
Bill Thomson
What about shortening putter shat and change regular gripp for a jumbo gripp?
does affect something? influencing line? cut? speed?
Thanks J.M.Laforge
Don
I have a ridiculous terrible overswing. I have had many lessons BUT I cannot get rid of it. I guess my let arm bends a lot to allow this overswing to take place. Distance is a problem. I am now falling out with this great game – please can you help?
Derek
I have taken lessons. My problem is the over the top swing. I cannot get the club in the slot.
I have tried the single plane swing with little success. I am tired of going to the range and seeing no results. How can Don’s videos help me.
Thanks,
Larry Hinton
Dear Don,
i’ve injoyed your advice and direction, but find i can’t aford the monthly charge. Please take me off your subsription list. – Tank You
Jim Williams III
SURGE
I HAD MY FULL KNEE REPLACEMENT A YEAR AGO. I WAS DANCING TO GLENN MILLER IN
FOUR WEEKS AND GOLFING IN 6 WEEKS. I PUT IT OFF FOR TWO YEARS WHICH WAS A
DUMB MISTAKE. JUST TELL HARVEY TO DO THE PHYISCAL THERAPY. MAKE SURE
THEY PUSH ON THAT KNEE SO THAT THE BACK SIDE. OF THE KNEE HIS THE TABLE.
IT HURTS A LITTLE BUT THE KNEE WILL BE GOOD AS NEW.
OK Don, here’s one for you. I have not ordered your DVD’s simply because I am struggling with something that no one else has. Some years ago after a road traffic accident I had to have my right wrist locked with a bone graft. I cannot cock my right wrist, consequently on my back swing the club is forcing itself out of my right hand. I have tried many different ways to swing back, but whatever I try I either hook or slice or get no distance. Can you help?
Don
Have just started to use PPGS and it make sense. I note one of the fundementals is to swing up AFAP however how do you compensate when you you need a low shot as my take off angle seems high and I am having difficulty in getting under obstacles when following the vertical back & follow through swing?
Do you give private lessons? Where are you located?
do you give private lessons.? Where are you located?
Surge;
It seems most of the comments are from older golfers. Do you have any recomendations for some sort of fitness program for older golfers. Thank you
Theo.
Dear Don:
Hi! I received 9 of the 10 free E-mail video lessons. And that’s fine for I recently purchased the DVD series anyways. I really liked the additional audio stories too.
My question is, “Do you teach any specific golf stretching exercises that supports and reinforces the PPGS?” I’d appreciate any information on that. Thank you.
Marty
Congratulations on the website!!! It really turn out well!
See ya soon,
Rickey
Hi Don,
My dad was a plus handicap player in Ireland for 3 decades, then a scratch player and 4 in his late 70’s
Shot 7 under par in his mid sixties.
Nothing special except he played most of his life with six, yes six clubs. He said you don’t need fourteen clubs.
Play the 4 iron as a 4, hood it for a 3 iron or grip it down the shaft and open the face for a 5 iron — or grip the 6 iron longer and hood the face for a 5 iron. — You get the picture. — SHOT MAKING. — RARELY IF EVER TAUGHT TODAY.
Todays pros need 3 or 4 different wedges. Plus the majority of tour pros have one shot – a fade. Give most of them a draw shot and they struggle to pull it off.
On the opposite scale those few who play a draw have difficulties playing a Fade — eg. Tom Leman
When I think of shotmakers I think of Seve, Trevino, Cory Pavin.
Why do great teaching pros like yourself not teach “The Art of Shotmaking” . Also most great shotmakers are great in the wind.