Malcom's Tip for a Perfect Takeaway

Wed, 05/21/2014 - 16:00 -- Don Trahan

It is with much sadness that I must tell you that PPGS European Director of Golf, Malcom Rawle, has passed away in Lingfield, England. 

As some of you know from personal experience, Malcom was a warm, funny and friendly person. He had a real talent for immediately putting students at ease so that they were quite receptive to learning the knowledge he had to impart.

Having made a career in golf  for over 60 years, he was also a fine golfer and an incredible golf teacher. When I certified him back in 2011, I was amazed at how well he understood the Peak Performance Golf Swing right from the start. I guess that came from having learned to play at a time when upright, vertical swings were believed to be the proper way to play the game with power, accuracy and consistency.

For today's video, I wanted to share a video that Malcom shot a couple years ago regarding the takeaway. It's refreshing to watch Malcom's understanding of each aspect of the PPGS, which is why he was a wonderful part of our PPGS Family.

The Surge Nation has lost one of its leading lights today. Please join me in extending condolences to Malcom's friends and family. May he rest in peace...

Sincerely,

Donald Trahan

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Comments

Thomas.Osgerby@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by Thomas.Osgerby@... on

I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from both Malcom and Don at Malcom's school in Germany last September. They are both fine gentlemen with two different styles of teaching, both directing us to the same goal of pain free fun golf. I had never been overseas before. I lost my father this past March at the age of 93. He gave me the money to go to that school for which I will forever be grateful. Malcolm could put you at ease immediately upon meeting him. He was a very down to earth kind of guy with a real gift of teaching. I had already been saving for his next fall school which had been planned for Scotland. I will miss not seeing him on this earth but heaven gained another fine soul who I know I will see again one day. Thank you Malcom. Tom Osgerby

jon.lucenius's picture

Submitted by jon.lucenius on

Thank you Surge for making this video available. May Malcom rest in peace and my condolences to his family.

This is an wonderfully simple explanation of what to do and what not to do at the takeaway - I'll be sure to take this one to the course with my thanks to Mr. Malcom Rawle and all he has done for the game of golf.

Warm regards,
Jon

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

I never had the pleasure of meeting Malcolm Rawle. More is the pity. From todays short video I think any meeting would have been most beneficial to my golf game. The short video is clear, concise and informative. He will obviously be missed by many Surgites who have had the benefit of his talents as a golfer and teacher. The short video will for me be an indelible memorial to a gentleman who spread the word to so many players in Europe. [ when one of my daughters was still in UK I suggested it would be a good idea to have a lesson with Malcolm Rawle. Unfortunately she returned to New Zealand before this could happen]
May this good man Rest In Peace and my heartfealt condolences to his grieving family at this difficult time.
A for once, more serious DH in NZ

jeffandjoice's picture

Submitted by jeffandjoice on

Don, Mr Rawle's video was extremely interesting and explicit in it's clarity.
One thing I noticed was that as he stood he was behind the 'Toe-line ' rod
which allowed us to see his hands travel along an almost straight line, between the ' toe-line ' and the 'ball to target ' line.
Is this a correct interpretation, or am I seeing things which are not meant to be?

It was sad to learn of the loss of your fellow English Professional and Teacher.

Jeff Curran - a fellow Englishman

billthesage's picture

Submitted by billthesage on

My condolences to Malcolms family on this very sad news may he rest in peace, and play the best golf courses in heaven.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

My shared condolences for the loss of a fine golf instructor and gentleman. Another reminder of making the best of what each of us have in this life and opportunity. Let's all honor him by living life as fully as possible. My heart goes out to his family and close friends.

werock1's picture

Submitted by werock1 on

My condolences on the passing of Mr. Rawle.

After watching the video I went to the driving range and still have trouble with the takeaway. That seems to be my biggest problem. It seems by watching the video that Mr. Rawles is either rolling his hands so the club opens to the toe line or is flipping his wrists 90 degrees so the club is at the toe line. I tried both ways and in either case I would hit a weak shot or pull it. I really need some help here.

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

If you pay attention to the 5 Secrets/Rules of the Peak Performance Golf Swing, one of the main tenets is Palms Perpendicular. What Mr. Rawle was doing was keeping his palms perpendicular to the ground. Work on keeping your palms perpendicular and you will start hitting better shots.

dcvmor@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by dcvmor@gmail.com on

Are there more videos from Malcom to look at?
thx

ahoghill34's picture

Submitted by ahoghill34 on

Hi
On behalf of Malcolm's wife Margaret his daughters Hilary, Melanie Debbie , Amy and Lauren we would like to thank you for your beatuiful words. Our mum is devasted beyond words but we take comfort that before he passed away so suddenly he was still taking part in teaching Golf.
We are now preparing to bring him back home from London.
Thank you again
Debbie

Hacker89's picture

Submitted by Hacker89 on

Belated condolences to Malcom's family. I had several sessions with Malcom and can only agree with other commenters that he was a fine teacher and also very enjoyable company. I hope someone else will follow Malcom's lead and take up his PPGS mantle in the UK and Europe.