By the time PGA Tour pro DJ Trahan was 10 years old, he was a veteran on the junior golf circuit, winning a fair share of the tournaments. (Some of his opponents might have said more than his fair share.) Off the course he was just a regular kid. But, even at that young age, his intensity on the course was obvious.
At the time, the Surge was Director of Golf Instruction at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. It wasn’t unusual to see father and son playing a few holes after DJ got out of school. But, in a sense, those few holes were a continuation of learning for DJ. His classroom was Harbour Town. His teacher was his father. His lesson: course management. The lessons were never forced, no yelling “you should have done this” or “why did you do that!”
In this video, the Surge gives some tips on how he taught DJ the finer points of the game of golf, how to manage his game. Because DJ showed such interest in golf, his father chose to treat his son, not as a ten-year-old, but as a golfer. They continue to nurture that relationship.
For parents whose children are playing a sport (any sport), the Surge’s approach to teaching the young, this conversation is priceless.
Paul
Note for Golf Schools: California PPGS schools at Talega Golf Club in beautiful San Clemente, May 17 – 19 and 20 – 22 are still on! Instructors: Derek Hardy (PGA’s 2010 Horton Smith Award winner) and Greg MacDonnell, Don’s #1 PPGS teacher.
One Day PPGS Golf Schools!
Location: Old South Golf Links, Bluffton, South Carolina
Instructor: Greg MacDonnell, PGA, PPGS Certified
Tuition: $599. (IC members receive 10% discount)
Student Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Curriculum & Dates:
Long Game – May 3, 5,10, 12; June 7, 9, 21, 23; July 5, 7,19, 21
Short Game, May 4, 11; June 8, 22; July 6, 20
Instruction: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Includes lunch and 9 holes of golf following instruction.
CALL: 888-847-9464
Recommended accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn (3 minutes from course).
1575 Fording Island Road (U.S. 278), Hilton Head Island, SC 1-877-782-9444
Airports: Savannah International Airport (45 minutes), Hilton Head Island Airport (15 minutes)
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Everyday is a chance to do better!
Priceless……Thanx Don and DJ
Best wishes for your continued recovery Surge! Here’s my quick story….I’m 58, short in stature and play to an 18. Have taken lessons from 6 different PGA pros over the years with mixed results. I purchased the videos and took my “new swing” to the range last week. This series is a joke. It actually took me three range balls before I started hitting “career” shots one after another. I’m talking every club in the bag with absolute effortless precision that I haven’t experienced in decades. Like I was playing a totally different sport. You owe me the equivalent of three wasted range balls BTW.
My 10 year old has no where near the focus on the course as DJ did when he was 10. My guy is more interested in pounding the ball, making the turn, and getting in the pool. How did you get DJ to take the game so seriously, Don?
I would like to ask Paul a question.
At the beginning of each blog since you started helping Don there is a box at the top of each
e-mail I receive from you? Are these box’s films? If so I have not been able to open any of them?
Rod
Yes this is true, I went out with my 13 year old last night and he was duffing and mishitting shots and he was getting frustrated and slaming his club on the ground. after a few holes he was walking with me to his ball and I told him that it is very important to try to keep your composure because in Match play one shot or one hole as a rule hurt you, you need to put the shot or the hole behind you and I told him after any poor shot just put the club back in your bag and say it to yourself that shot is over and I’ve put in behind me. Don’t ruin the enjoyment of the game for everyone around you. I asked him to waggle his club a little more, feel the head of the club and see the arc and follow it, and also I told him not to hit the ball but hit through the ball, I didn’t want to change anything for him in his swing, well he hit a good shot and a smile came upon his face, the rest of the front nine ended up being fun. We had no one behind us so each hole we chipped and putted from different spots around the green and it ended up being more fun. I never thougth about course managment to the fullest, I think the next time we go out I will talk to him about each hole from tee to green, good stuff.
is there any golf schools planned this year in the northeast part of the country…..thanx, tom c
Along with your many friends here in the Northeast, I want to wish you a full and speedy recovery.We hope DJ continues to play well on tour.
Very best wishes, Larry
Hi Surge: Glad you are feeling better and certainly enjoy the current videos. I’m 73 and my goal is to shoot my age at a course called Gateway National in southern Illinois. It is a links styled course, always windy, and 7200 difficult yards. It’s interesting that if I leave out one of your requirements in the swing my old bad habits sneak back into my swing. I’ve always had a problem with a reverse pivot. I was not paying attention to the narrow stance, wide knees, and allowing my left knee to move to the right and slightly collapse on my back swing. This caused my left shoulder to drop and as you say for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction – my right knee came into play on the downswing. I went to the range the other day and as difficult as it was I used the narrow stance and wide knees and resisted with the left knee on the back swing. My swing became more upright and the transition to the downswing was automatic and powerful and consistent. At my age I can still put the drive out there around 250-260 yards. The one other element that has helped is having the left thumb point to my forearm at address. This has helped eliminate the closed club face at the start of the back swing. Your videos have made the golf game much more fun for me and I can now play golf thinking more about course management rather than fighting bad habits. Best, Burt Remis
Since I purchased the Peak Performance program I have worked diligently to learn, pratice and follow all the “Surge’s” principles. The daily emails have been and continue to be beneficial and informative. At 63 years old I did not think I wanted to work on changing my swing at this point in life but using the Peak Performance program has made it a lot easier. I tore both rotator cuffs last April and golf was sometimes painful. The Peak Performance swing is a lot less painful on the rotators. Not to say I am not still strugling but it is a work in progress.
Today’s post about Course Management was outstanding.
Hi Don,
This is twice in one day I’ve commented….but the former teacher in me says I need to respond to this video.
The lessons you taught your son on the golf course were life-long lessons applicable to “life” as it should be lived!
Dialogues with children are where they learn “things” they will use the rest of their life. They are sponges and as such soak up advice where ever it may be offered. Noticed I said offered, not given as a rule of thumb. Open ended questions such as you posed to your son leave room for his opinion to be given and valued. A great teaching tool!
Thank you to Paul for showing these videos…old they may be….but how entertaining and instructive.
Judy
I have yet to see a blog about wet coarse play.
yesterday i played nine holes where there had been rain for the last three days and had stopped around six P.M. the day before. A lot of puddles and mud under the grass. All three of us took
much bigger divots than usual.
I am the only one who had every heard of the PPGS and i seldom take any divots. The other two guys were much younger than me and take divots a lot but yesterday they were digging two inch holes. i was sometimes even getting a divot on my pitches and my score ballooned as did theirs. So the question is. Does a wet course need a stance or grip adjustment? Thanks for your many blogs that have really helped in following the PPGS.
Does awet couurse
Paul:
I’m not Don but the width of your soal or bounce will trigger a difference I use hogan apex blade irons and on dry normal days I pick the ball of the grass perfectly, on wet days my leading edge sometimes digs in a little more, if I use my son’s cavity back irons I don’t dig in as much when it is wet out, probably to do with the bounce factor. Can any one else comment on this as well.
Just a thought about the wet course and deeper divots. Since he ground is wet and spongy you might be sinking in a little bit. It is like having ball above your feet. You might think about the surge’s comments about the “accordian effect” with bending your knees slightly less and thus hitting the ball cleaner.
I was wondering Don, how old was DJ when he was as tall as his Dad?
I love the PPGS!!
Let Paul handle the business and you handle the more impoortant business of getting your health back one day, one moment at a time. Take care of your health and it will take care of you,
if you do not . . .??? (you tell me what then???)
take care y’all
ed
Burt,
Bravo! I discovered the exact same thing this last weekend when playing the “extra 9 holes” after my Saturday round. I couldn’t believe how much difference the wide knees made. I mean, I already knew that… just wasn’t “doing” that. I also have the fault of having the clubface “shut” in the take-a-way to the mitt. I’m going to give your suggestion there a try next.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the PPGS here on the blog (you and everyone else that does). Sometimes you just need to hear the “right thing” a couple times, and from a couple different directions
Dean
To Denver Baker:
More than likely you did not order the physical DVDs, but the online videos. Check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) link at the top of this page for instructions on how to access the online videos. If indeed you ordered the physical DVDs by checking a box at order time, you will need to contact Customer Service. Their number is under the Contact Us link above.
WOW !!!
Once again as I have stated in previous posts, “SOME OF THE BEST LESSONS”, come without a Golf Club In Your Hand, anybody who has met Don, or have been involved in PPGS Knows Why WE RESPECT HIM, D J, and His Family. The Love & Kindness HE Shows, How Can You Not Love Him? Everybody Needs A Mentor…”One Who Cares About The Outcome”…Good Job Again, D J Your a Product Of Good Mentorship ” A Father ” and a Wholesome Family. Continues Blessings for The Trahan Family, and ALL The Staff @ PPGS. Get Well Surge.
John Alan
Hey Denver Baker,
Don’t write Questions here. You’ll get upset when nobody answers them. Write or call customer support at the bottom of this page.
There are no DVD’s coming in the mail. You download them from the site.
Happy Hacking,
The Tater
SURGE, I AM HAVING A BALL LEARNING FROM YOU. I AM A 73 YEAR OLD YOUNGTER AND I HAVE NOT PLAY TO MUCH GOLF IN MY LIFE BUT NOW,I AM EAGER TO PLAY AND WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS LEARNING THE RIGHT WAY TO PLAY. I DO HAVE A QUESTION…….I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE PROS WHEN THEY TIE/OFF AND USING A DRIVER,I SEE THAT BECAUSE THE LENGTH OF THE SHAF,THE PROS STAND BACK ALLOWING FOR THE SWING TO COME THROUGH PROPERLY.I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT AND WHERE DO I PUT THE CLUB HEAD SO I CAN GET THE SWEET SPOT FOR A GOOD DRIVE?
Don,
Good to hear that you are doing well and best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
I look forward to your daily lessons and it’s gratifying that you are so dedicated to teaching your students.
Would you help explain the feeling at the top of the backswing. I take the club back outside or inside and it seems everywhere but the right place. I am aware of the catchers mitt and the tree, but this doesn’t seem to be the right message for me. The “catchers mitt” causes me to lay the club off and with the “tree”, I fail to turn the shoulders much at all. I even lay the club off on the downswing much too often and swinging up to the finish helps some but when I am so poorly positioned at the top, I can’t recover. Please help.
TO PAUL OATMAN CONCERNING WET CONDITIONS
As usual with most questions, it WAS COVERED AT LEAST TWICE IN THIS BLOG previously. Where you ask? I did what I always recomend to all of my fellow PPGS fans who need answers, simply go up to the top right of this page where it says”SEARCH” ………………..GO
and type in WET, then press go. Two articles are in that list about playing in wet and or muddy conditions.
It’s that simple Paul. You know know you can do that with any golf question and then see if it has not been answered.Your welcome!
Down the middle,
Robert
David:
Let me see if I can help you. When the club is not vertical at the end of your backswing, i.e. “laid off” the weight of the club head will cause a rotational force on your arms (most likely you will feel the force in your forearms and the muscles opposite your forearms) . This rotational force is what makes the club feel “heavy”.
Try this, pick up your driver (since it is the club with the most mass) and take it to the top of your backswing. Rotate your arms so that the club is extremely “laid off” or in the “sacred burial ground” and hold it there for a few seconds. You should feel the weight of the club pulling on your arms to rotate even farther.
With the proper backswing and the club vertical, you will not feel this rotational force.
Surge, I hope your feeling a bit better each and every day. I miss your daily input and help.
But even in your absents you continue to help me. Today I spent 3 hours on the practice putting green
working on nearly every drill and tip from your PUTTING VIDEO. Great stuff. This is three weeks in row I have been really making a sinsere effort to get better on the geens.
Those of you out there who are not using these great drills and tips from Surges Putting Video are iether really good on the green and don’t need to improve or you just don’t realise how much it can help you The other option is that you are more like I was, and that is you just don’t want to put in the time practicing.
Most of us would rather hit driver than practice putting.
Anyhow, SURGE I hope you reading this. I am getting much better all the time with the “long stick”.
What, LONG STICK? Yes, I got the 42 inch belly putter. The toughest part is leaning to use a pure pendulem stroke and quiet hands. More later Surge,in the mean time I have question for my fellow golfers who did get the putting video, have any of you dedicated yourselves to using and practicing the ideas and drills?? Am I the only one or just the only one who has been talking about it?? Comments please.
Down the middle,
Robert
Rod,
The boxes are short videos.
HI SURGE
HOPE THINGS ARE GOING WELL?HEY FINALLY GOT MY DRAW BACK THANKS TO YOU
REGARDS ZAB
Rod,
The boxes are short videos. If you right click on them you should get an option to view them on YouTube.
I do this and then have no problem. They don’t play in the blog for me.
To Robert Meade:
You’re always so helpful, especially to the newbies. I finished the putting videos last night and was practicing on the carpet. I guess I have some question on the difference between ‘releasing the putterhead’ and letting the left wrist break down. I know the former is good and latter is bad, but what are the dynamics of ‘releasing’ the putterhead? Tiger is always talking about releasing the putterhead. Dan
I have never been more serious about improving my game but my scores still don’t reflect it. I tend to have several good holes followed by a triple bogey and sometimes a quad. I am still shooting in the low to mid 90s with an occassional 88. Last week I shot a 91 with 8 -3putts. I think I figured out the short putt woes but could it be that I get tired physically and then the concentration goes. I can ‘t figure it out!
Thanks for all of your advice to this point.
I hope you are recovering well.
Marvin,
I sounds like you might benefit from working on a few of the Surge’s putting drills. There are some free videos on YouTube (on the PPGS channel there). Check ‘em out. It’s does take some effort… but there’s no easier way to lower your scores… then to get the ball in the hole with less strokes!
http://www.youtube.com/user/PeakPerformanceGolf
Check out what Robert Meade says above on practicing Don’s drills (by the way, great job on putting in the effort Robert… that’s how you get better!)
Dean
Dan B,
in “releasing the putter head” there is a lack of stiffness in the left wrist as the putterhead swings through the ball. There is no collapsing through impact, of course, but there is a definite angle at the back of the left wrists as the putter moves toward the hole.
Swing through and up on the ball and let the putterhead swing past the hands as the ball is struck. There is no appearance of stiffness in the stroke. The putterhead is free to swing through and up into the finish.
Thanks to Mr. Griffin and Ashley for the explanation on the box’s at the top of Paul Dever’s blogs.
I never knew you could right click on anything, lol.
My computer skills are a little worse than my golf skills if you can believe that.
Rod
Hey guys,
I tried to right click in the box and got another drop down box, not a video?
Rod
To J. Lynn Griffin:
Thanks for your description of ‘releasing the putterheand”. The notion of hitting up on the putt and also releasing the putterhead seemed like there had to be almost a snapping of the putterhead upward and to the left through impact. Your description of weakening the left wrist just after impact comes the closest I’ve heard to that notion. Because, otherwise, the putterhead is somewhaat frozen open, it seems to me. Thanks, I’ll try it, Dan.
Sorry for the two typos. (putterhead and somewhat). Dan
To Dan Battles ans Dean,
First of all THANKS mto mboth of you. Especially since Don is out temporarily, it behooves us who are more familiar withy the Surge and his teachings to step up. You and several others always do, AWESOME!
Now to Dan and putting. Congrats on studying and aspplying the putting vidoes. They’re tops are’nt they? I am learning so much and am now seeing some marked improvement. As far as your question about “releasing ” the putter head, I am not qualified to say much. However, I would recomend that you watch and re- review again serveral times perhaps the set up and stoke sections. There-in we are told that the most prevalent stoke now is the pendulem with a slight arc incorperating arms and shoulders only ( or as much as possible Not using the hands. I don’t think so much about release as I do ” smooth, flowing,
square and gentle accellerating with a slightly up -stroke” as I putt. The line drill has really helped me. Again, find the flattest, straightest surface possible on a local practice geen, and iether “pop” a line as DJ does or take string tied off on two thin spikes about 15-20 feet apart with one just over the center of the hole and the length 4/5 inches above the ground (that’s what I have been doing). The practice the straight putt from 3 feet gradually on back 10 balls about 10 inches aprart back to about 12 feet or so. Make since? Anyhow, practice the staight putt because as Surge and other experts have said, ALL PUTTS are straight to a target and then break. Once you find out and get down that drill, WOW you’ll see great improvement. As far as release, I work at a smooth stroke back and forth with no hit or pop and let it naturally arc back and through.
Hope this helps. Good putting to you,
Down the middle,
Robert
ps. As you can make time do all the drills, they’ve all been helpful.
Guys and gals,
Sorry for all the typos above
oops, Robert
Rod,
All the the videos that are at the top of the blog pages are also on the PPGS Channel at YouTube. You can check that out here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PeakPerformanceGolf
If you can’t view videos on YouTube, you really need to update your browser (get the lastest version of which ever one you use). It’s free, and will allow you to enjoy a lot more content on the Web.
Dean
Listening to your conversation about course management with your 10 year old son, TJ, I am reminded of my experience with my own son, Kevin. He showed a great deal of interest at a young age in playing the game of golf. I wasn’t always as gracious as it sounds you were or Tiger’s Father. I heard Tiger saying the same things at one of his demonstrations with Anthony Kim. He stated that his Dad talked about what he felt, how did the shot look, why did you choose that certain shot. AS a youngster, most kids don’t have the experience or understanding of the concepts of the golf swing to be technical when talking golf. They just won’t understand what you are talking about when you mention to keep the swing on plane. My son is a very good golfer today as a young man and we play in Tournaments and Outings together alot. Your advise to parents is on target and very important in building a great relationship with your son, which you obviously have TJ.
My thanks Dean, will try that
Rod
Dean,
How did it go?
Lynn,
I went great. I actually feel kind of silly that I went so long without doing it. Like playing with clubs that were a full inch too short… for that last 20 years. Uggg. No wonder this game seemed so challenging! He went into everything that you and I discussed. Everything from lie, loft, length to MOI. He spent 20 minutes in his trailer measuring my every club in my bag before we went out and started hitting balls. Bottomline, once I had the right head/shaft combination… I increased my ball speed by 10mph hour with the exact same “needed a lot of help” swing. A very well invested 90 minutes.
Here’s the sad thing. I’ve been putting this off forever… not wanting to get “fitted” for a swing that wasn’t corrected yet. Boy was that a mistake.
Bronson was super knowledgeable though. Really got me headed in the right direction. Got new sticks on the way… and I’m super excited.
Thanks so much for spending time with me in advance, so I knew what to look for in a professional fitter
Dean
Dean,
I’m thrilled and glad that he does MOI also. That is great. You’ve also now answered for a lot of PPGS readers that nagging question about “should I wait till my swing gets better to get fit”. In fact, I just got off the phone with one of our PPGS readers and he asked that same question. Properly fit clubs will help you swing better rather than trying to adjust your swing to improper clubs. I also don’t mean it’s a conscious adaptation as the mind and body work together in order to try and make something work. But, if it ain’t right, it ain’t gonna work.
Don’t know if you heard reports from Tupper about yesterday or not but DJ was 5 under when play was halted and he was on the 16th hole. Tupper said he was “striping the new clubs’. Expecting great things this week!
Thanks for the update and I sure wish that I was making this trip in May as I’d would have liked to have met you. Another time perhaps. Thanks for all you do!
Lynn,
Yeah, I just talked to Don (he sounds great) and we were talking about this very “chicken / egg” issue. You want to lower your scores, by improving your swing… but you have poorly fitted equipment… how much harder is it going to be to improve? Once I had the right club in my head yesterday, I could see (and feel) how much easier it was going to be to get in all the right positions. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20… but I can now see how it’s going to be a lot easier for me to get better. Now I just need to figure out how to push myself away from the computer and get out doors.
Btw, I’m going to be at the Players next week… so if you’ll be “on location” we’ll have a chance to meet.
Dean
Last year I went out to golf with my 13 yr old grandson and he played off the ladies tee blocks. He had a 108 off the stick. I have been taking the juniors out on a Mondays after school. We have four keen golfers at age 10. My grandson Josh , has now joined as a junior member and plays with the men on Saturday. Last Saturday he had 106 off the stick. I have been teaching him the PPGS method and he hits a very nice long ball. THANK YOU SURGE.. Hope you are feeling better and keep up the good work as we all need a hand now and again.