Customer Reviews

Five Fundamentals: Steve Elkington Reveals the Secrets of the Best Swing in Golf

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steve Elkington provides all that is needed as a foundation for an effective and efficient golf swing. I have read many instuctional books which(unfortunately) present an overabundance of techniques or concepts ... so much that they lose their focus on what is being presented as the key concepts or fundamentals for an effective swing. Elkington has narrowed these key points to 5. And, from early personal experience, these 5 keys or fundamentals are "right on". Of course, they can't be learned or ingrained overnight. Patience will be required, but Steve Elkington is "proof-positive" that they are effective.

Steve Elkington is not only a marvelous golfer but he is an accomplished horticulturist and a great family man. His approach to the golf game is one of extreme intelligence. He can improve a golfer's game tremendously if they follow his advice on the fundamentals outlined in this book. I only wish I had read this book 40 years ago! Now he needs to write a book on "course management".

Elkington's casual, down-to-earth style and simple way of explaining his technically perfect swing, make this the best instruction book I have read. Nick Faldo's "A Swing For Life" and David Leadbetter's "The Golf Swing" both describe slightly different variations of the modern swing. However, their overly complex explantions (especially Leadbetter) left me overloaded with swing thoughts. Elkington is a likeable guy and I enjoyed reading the sections about his rise to the top of golf, even though I bought the book for instruction. Avid students of the game, will probably not find any new, earth-shattering advice or theories. But for those of us who would like to pare down our sources of golf instruction (i.e., Golf Magazine, 20 other books, advice from anybody who has ever picked up a club,etc.) this book offers a solution. I think you will become a fan or a bigger fan of Elkington as well.

Possessing one of the simpliest and classically crafted golf swings of any professional, Steve Elkington makes the vision come to life with excellent practical instruction accompanied by wonderful photographs. The format is basically the same as the Hogan classic. Starting with grip, and proceeding to downswing and follow-through, Elkington's interpretation is fresh and better explained than Hogan's. The drawings in the Hogan book are still classic and in Elkington's book are replaced by great photographs. Read the section on the grip and what to do with the thumbs, I'm sure you'll find that tip alone is something you haven't heard and well worth the price. This book belongs in every comprehensive golf library.

This is one of the best instruction books I have found. I found this book to be easy reading with excellent swing instructions.

This book was worth one read through. There are much better instruction books out there. Typical of all golf instruction books, Elkington belittles the philosophy of others; then doesn't offer much to support his criticism.
The book avoids quick fix solutions and maintains the 5 core fundamentals, but I thought I would enjoy it much more than I did.

Like most golf books, you learn next to nothing. Elkington has one of the great swings of all time but it's unlikely you'll mimic it after reading his book. Poor quality photos.

I found this book enlightening, particularly with regard to the section on transition. I have squandered years trying to figure out how to get from backswing to forward swing and this book finally allowed the "light to go off." His explanation on lowering and then raising the shoulder to initiate swings for the short game and putting are ridiculously simple. Having said that, I must say that it is a joke that the binding of this book literally disintegrates with use. I have bought 2 books thinking that the first one was just a fluke but, unfortunately both fell apart in my hands. Shame on Ballantine Books for allowing such shoddy workmanship.

There is some good work that went into this book. You really feel like you understand about Steve Elkington's swing. The pictures are great. I've also never had back spasms before until giving Elkington's book a try. Beware the man who advises a violent turn of the abs toward the rib cage...ouch!