Donald Trahan Sr., The Swing Surgeon

I took lessons from Don at Pinetree CC in the 1980s, bought his book and all of the videos he made. When I retired in 1999, my wife and I travelled from Canada to SC twice for three days of lessons. I think I watched every daily. I am now 90 and still enjoying golf. I tried tips from many other instructors, but nothing beats "into catcher's mitt, up the tree, ring the bell, bump,....." I always cheered for DJ, too.
I liked Don as person and am grateful for how much he enhanced my enjoyment of golf. My condolences to Susan (whom I met at Pinetree) and the family.
Bill Baker, Tillsonburg, ON, Canada

I’m very saddened to read of the passing of Donald Trahan.

Surge became my virtual “swing coach” when I was searching the internet for a swing that would allow me to play golf after injuring my back. The Peak Performance golf swing videos have allowed me to play golf again almost pain free.

My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Donald Trahan.

-MERACE

He is my golf's creator. I started golf about 30 years ago. I had to finish this summer because of my poor health. I remember well DJ, too. He often accompanied his father during lessons. I still have those videos.
Many thanks both of you.
Aapo from Finland

I am very sorry to hear the sad news of Don’s passing.
I first came across the surge when I was looking for a body friendly swing after back and knee problems.
I also met Don when he came to the United Kingdom and and it was a great pleasure to spend the day being taught by the man himself

I am devastated at the news of Dons passing, I was just in the process of sending an E.Mail asking, how he was doing.May his soul rest in peace.

It is very sad to hear of Don's passing. I attended a day long golf class that Don conducted at the Villages in Florida. I was fortunate to sit next to him at lunch. It was a very nice day. I am 7 months older than Don. His swing enabled me to keep playing despite my back problems. My sincere condolences and prayers to Don's family and friends. May he Rest in Peace.
JJ Bishop
Hudson, FL

I am in shock at his passing. I met him when I attended two of his golf schools. I never have mastered his swing but I watch his training videos a lot. I was always impressed by his knowledge and passion for golf.

Condolences to his family,

Michael Reilly
Auburndale, FL

Enjoyed the journey with Surge, subscribed many years ago, loved the chat group in its hey day and purchased content.
Sorry for your loss, we're all blessed to have been part of his legacy even though he didn't know us personally, I felt I knew him!

I became a follower of the Surge in my early days of golf. I had his tapes and eagerly watched them really gravitating to the logic in all his teaching. My game improved dramatically and I always felt someone had my back. They were good years of learning and executing. My condolences to all of his family and followers. I agree we are all blessed to have been part of his legacy. Bev Blais

I never met with this wonderful man.
I used his teachings and appreciated his direct logical approach
to the physics of the game you never win!
Thank you for his Legacy. He used his talents well.
God Bless him.
Thank you surge.
Art (Canadian Supporter)

So sorry to hear of Don‘s passing. Enjoyed his instructions over many years and will always think of him when I remember to use alignment.
Tom Ocheltree

I am very sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
A long time ago I shot in the low 80s. I retired 1/1/1979 and moved to NH. I play once a week and practice with plastic balls in the yard which kept my swing tuned. Black flies and mosquitoes in NH limited my practice and my ability suffered. I found Don around 2002 and his videos allowed my ball striking to be consistent. Bought all his videos and go back to them pert. Going on 83 and strive playing.
Thank you Don!
Stu Hale

I was so sorry to receive the e-mail advising of Don's passing. My codolances to the family. Thoughts and prayers to you all.

John 11:25

I discovered Don's PPGS in 2010, bought the course, and immediately improved my game. I loved his teaching style, logic, and approach. I also received and watched his daily videos for several years. I never met Don, but felt like I knew him from the hours of watching him and following his son DJ. I am greatly saddened by the news today of his passing and my condolences to his family. Also, the video was a beautiful tribute, he will surely be missed.
Mike Ratliff
Glendale, AZ

I became a Surgite over twenty years ago after discovering Don's Peak Performance Golf Swing (PPGS) online. It completely changed my golf swing and improved my game immensely. I regularly look back as the PPGS instruction manual, as well as watching the daily's both on my laptop software and You Tube. Whenever the swing seems to be a little off course, I always remember Surge saying always go back to the basics, check your alignment and if you make a bad swing so what just do the next one right! I will miss you, Don. Thank you for all of the wonderful instruction, and entertainment from "The Back Yard Driving Range.
My condolences go to the Trahan family and thank God for all the wonderful years that he gave to his family, friends and fellow Surgites. I always wanted to speak to Don one day and find comfort in knowing that someday we will have that opportunity.
Again my condolences and best wishes for the Trahan family. We know that Don is at peace, and most likely walking the links with God.
Dave Thompson
Fresno, California

Over the least few years I've lost my father and mother and know how much it hurts. You all are in my prayers.

I've bought most all of the courses Don and DJ made and many training aids too. He taught me a lot and my golf game has gone south over the last few years as I've reached 70 and had some health problems. Maybe I will go back and watch them again and see if they will help!

Thanks again to Don and DJ.

RIP Don from Australia. Your instruction videos were the best. Deepest condolences to the family

I’m so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I became a Surgite many years ago after coming upon ads on the net re his swing technique. I was hooked from day one, and excited when he was coming to Australia. I immediately booked in for a day session, including a fitting with The Doc, who I became good friends with. Whenever they came back, I booked in and had such a wonderful time. Don was certainly a great coach and I loved his different approach to the swing and it worked!!!
I send you my deepest condolences, and thank you for sharing dear Don with us all
Sincerely
David Owen
Sent from my iPhone

He helped me , no doubt about this. His advices were clear. He was a nice person. I'll miss him. Condolences to his family. Gerard from Switzerland.

RIP Don from Spain .Very sorry to know Don passing. I am greatly sad and I will never forget him and I will always be grateful for all the time he dedicated to all of us.

My condolences to all of Don's family.
I had the great pleasure of attending one of Don's courses in 2010 to become an accredited instructor. It was fascinating to listen to Don and his guest speakers for three days. The weather was unusually cold and Don gave a demonstration on the range. I was standing there in my double layer winter coat trying to stay warm and he was stripping them right at the flag as if it was a perfect golf day. His concepts have become a basic part of my teaching approach.
On the personal side Don's upbeat attitude and dedication provide a reminder to look for the positives in my golf game and my life.

John Caughill Canada

Fairways and greens forever, Don.

So sad to hear of Don,s death.
I was lucky enough to spend time with Don when he came to the UK and spent a week with him in Germany
I will always be grateful for his instruction.
My condolences to you all.

Don made my day with his daily commentaries for many years. He was upbeat all the time. I hope his family feels the love of all who followed him during this time of remembrance and healing.

Don I loved your down to earth teachings on all things golf, I learnt a lot from you .thank you from the bottom of my heart .gonna miss
Your daily comments thank you for everything deepest sympathy to all the family at this very sad time God bless .

So sad to hear about Don's passing. He saved golf for me and one of my brothers by showing us how to not kill our backs and still have success.

It was a great joy when I got to meet Don in person and learn from him here in Dallas.

Love to his family.

I am sincerely sorry to learn of Don's passing. He was a great, kind, honest and very smart man! I had the wonderful opportunity to meet him several years ago in Las Vegas at one of his "traveling seminars". I loved the way he taught, and the fact that he was always so very positive and helpful. I have purchased all his videos and several of the training aids he used. Even though I'm 80 years old, I still love the game and, thanks to Don's straight-forward teaching techniques, am able to walk and play pain-free golf! Sincerely, Roy Reed, Clearfield, Utah.

I very much considered Don a friend even though I never met him. His kindness come across in his messages that I watched again and again whenever I had the opportunity. The materials that I purchased will be something I will always value. God bless you all.
Brett Sprout, Alliance, Ohio

Condolences to the Surge's family, both actual and virtual. Don's teaching was of great benefit to my enjoyment of the game of golf. Many thanks!

I can't remember where I found Don's teaching but when I did it changed my golf game to the better. I attended one of his clinics in Michigan, had dinner with him and enjoyed his company and one on one teaching. I still have his notes on my bad golf swing habits! Thanks Don for your innovative teaching and helping me enjoy golfing to a much higher degree. Will keep watching you on your videos......

I can't remember where I found Don's teaching but when I did it changed my golf game to the better. I attended one of his clinics in Michigan, had dinner with him and enjoyed his company and one on one teaching. I still have his notes on my bad golf swing habits! Thanks Don for your innovative teaching and helping me enjoy golfing to a much higher degree. Will keep watching you on your videos......

Very sorry to hear the news about Don. He greatly changed my game for the better and was such a positive person. Much more importantly, I am sure he was an important part of your family and will be greatly missed. My condolences.

So sorry to hear of the Surge's passing. I have enjoyed and learnt a lot from his instruction videos over the years. My deepest sympathy to the family.

I became a Surgite about 13 years ago and have been enjoying the game without the back issues so many of my friends have experienced. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I wondered how he was doing as his daily emails have not been as prevalent as before. I am sure Don is in heaven ready to teach the PPGS to his new friends up there. DJ, I kept score for you at the RSM tournament on St. Simons several years ago and we had an interesting conversation about your dad's teachings. My prayers are with you and your family.

I just learned and am Truly saddened for your family loss of a great person. I became a member after suffering numerous golf injuries when I picked the game up at age 50. I searched for swings for bad backs and Swing Surgeon showed up. My very first game was Pebble Beach, New Years Day 2010, and my friend said we would play the black tees. I would have scored 110+ as I had been injured and away for 11 months.
I went to the first tee and only thought IN THE MITT and Up the Tree. I shot an 84 and I NEVER changed my swing. I lived on Don's and DJ teachings just like Robert Fleck and all of the joyful Surgites on the website. Cannot wait to see Don up above. Kevin McCarthy

Hello, all m’y better thoughts to Trahan’s family and friends. I don’t know how many players in France are learning the PPGS golf swing but I am one of them since 10 years now or more. I wish I could have met Don in person to thank him for his teaching even if it was through his videos. I keep learning and this swing he invented and taught will remain in our body and soul. What a legacy. Thanks Don.
Eric C from Paris

So sorry to hear of Don‘s passing. Enjoyed his instructions over the many years and will always think of him when taking about alignment, alignment and alignment. I was honored to have filmed a video with him and Doc Griffin on the science of club fitting. We had many discussions about both subjects and how important they are to playing good golf. A true legend and he will be sorely missed. However he will live on thru his many videos for future generations to come. R.I.P Don, My Sincere Condolences to the Family. Randy Wolf

I have been a member of the site since 2010. Enjoyed Don's passion for teaching the game. My condolences to the family.

I am sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was the first online instructor I followed, I think from 2011, and he did a very good job. He could define what you needed to do at any point in the swing and he gave useful tips--good mental images--ride the skinny horse, thumbs up to thumbs up, etc. When I get stuck, I think back to some of these tips.

My condolences to his family.

I was sad to hear he had passed but very glad he’s in Heaven with his Saviour his Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ!

I just found out about The Surge's passing. I've enjoyed his insights on golf for many years. I still find myself opening up the many videos that I purchased to watch from time to time. I've bought some other golf teachers' products and regretted it. I have never regretted joining the Swing Surgeon site. My prayers go out to his family. Thank you, Surge!

I am surprised like everybody else. I have been watching Don's videos since 2011. Growing up in New York, I felt home with his East coast accent and he was straight to the point with his lessons. It felt like my dad or one of my uncles was teaching me. I wanna say thank you for making golf fun again. I am a pupil of the surge swing, it feels natural to me. I'm sure he will be missed by his family and friends. I will pray for him and his family on this time of bereavement. God bless you all.

It has been a while since he went. It took me a while write this. He will be missed, his zeel for golf and people. In his own way, with his passion, knowledge a true a tribute to golf.
I have met Don and Kenny both when we started the Europe tour. My memories are all good ones.
I wish the ones left behind, a comfort for your souls and peace in your heart.
All the best,

Leo van Bennekom
PPGS adapt and master of school