Understanding the Golf Swing [Hardcover]

Manuel de la Torre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

Understanding the Golf Swing will show you a different, simpler approach to the golf swing. Manuel de la Torre, twice named by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 golf instructors in America is the leading modern day proponent of Ernest Jones’ Swing Principles method of golf instruction. The book includes a passionate Foreword by Carol Mann, Member LPGA, Hall of Fame.

The de la Torre (and Jones) system presents a simpler approach to the golf swing, the emphasis being on the development of a true swinging motion, devoid of energy robbing leverage. In this view, “if the club is used properly the body movements take care of themselves.” This simple statement has the power to bring aobut profound improvements in your game.

While presenting a simpler approach to the golf swing, the book is also a comprehensive resource for all levels of golfer, from the beginner to the professional. It includes:

• The most thorough analysis of ball flights found in any golf instructional book.

• Detailed discussion of special shot play, including sand play, pitching, chipping, putting, and playing unusual shots.

• Coverage of the mental site of golf, effective course management, and a formula for taking your best practice tee shots to the golf course.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Be prepared to read this book more than once. Be prepared to think about Manuel's profoudly simple ideas." -- From the book's Foreword by Carol Mann

"I knew the book was going to be good... destined to become a classic in golf instruction." -- Gary D'Amato, Golf Columnist, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, June 27, 2001

About the Author

Manuel de la Torre has twice been recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 golf professionals in America. He is typically described as today’s leading authority on the ‘Swing Principles’ method of instruction developed by the legendary golf instructor Ernest Jones.

Manuel de la Torre has been celebrated throughout his 50 year career as a passionate keeper of the golf instructional wisdom presented and made popular in the 1930s and 1940s by Ernest Jones. In fact, Manuel’s father. Angel de la Torre, himself the two-time Spanish Open golf champion, had met Ernest Jones at a tournament in England. When the two families settled in America Ernest Jones and Angel de la Torre became lifetime friends. Manuel literally grew up discussing the golf swing with his father and one of the games most celebrated instructors. These historical elements are presented in several meaningful appendices, including Manuel’s moving essay on the experience of leaving his homeland Spain as civil war broke out in 1936.

Manuel de la Torre was head golf profesional at the Milwaukee Country Club from 1951 to 1996. Manuel continues to conduct seminars for teaching professionals at the local, state and national levels. He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Warde Publishers; 1ST edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886346518
• ISBN-13: 978-1886346512
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Golf

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Right Kind of Golf Instruction, July 20, 2001

By 

Adam Markowitz (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding the Golf Swing (Hardcover)

I was introduced to the Ernest Jones/Manuel de la Torre swing concept years ago after suffering through the "paralysis by analysis" induced by conventional golf instruction. The brilliance of this concept lies in its very simplicity. Jones took the emphasis off the use of body parts and positions and placed it on what really matters - creating a swinging motion with the golf club. Manuel, having grown up under the tutelage of his father Angel and Mr. Jones, absorbed these concepts as a youth and modified the Swing the Clubhead philosophy slightly. Instead of swinging the clubhead with the hands in the backward and forward direction as Jones asserted, Manuel asked his students to use the hands in the backswing, but to "swing the whole club (head and handle) with the arms in the direction of the target" in the forward swing. This concept teaches the golfer to do essentially one thing: swing the club and allow the body to respond to the swinging motion. After all, how many things can one think about in the 2.5 seconds it takes to swing a golf club?

In Understanding the Golf Swing, Manuel expands on this basic philosophy, and guides the reader in creating a simple swing concept that will create a consistent, repeatible swing motion with all clubs. For anyone who has been taught to turn the shoulders, keep the head still, transfer weight, use the legs, use the hips, keep the left arm straight etc., this book will be liberating, and well worth the investment. By all accounts, Manuel de la Torre is a brilliant, kind, and gracious man; I hope this book helps golfers everywhere and gets Manuel the recognition he truly deserves.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KISS..., July 24, 2001

By 

BROCK J OLEARY (Green Bay, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding the Golf Swing (Hardcover)

KISS... Keep It Simple Stupid. If you filled the heads of tour pros with as much information as many of the top instructors fill ours and then had them contort every part of their body into uncomfortable positions, they would struggle to hit the ball well, too. Then, those same top instructors wonder why players try to play with dozens of swing thoughts. Umm, maybe because you filled their heads with them. I have read hundreds of golf books and the information always sounds like it will help. Then, I have experimented with many of them but time and time again they ask me to do things that I am simply unable to do or I end up over-cooking the good thing and end up with another problem. I was fortunate enough to work with Manuel de la Torre and he is a man who understands just how much the average human can handle and understands their physical limitations. Most of us don't have the strength, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and time to do as the pros do. In addition, many of the moves the pros make are not necessary, helpful actions, but rather quirks that only work for them because they are world-class athletes. Manuel understands this and provides a simple, but profound, method to help all players enjoy this otherwise brutal game we love so much.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've read...., August 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding the Golf Swing (Hardcover)

I must own easily 20-30 golf instruction books. Everything from The Little Red Book by Harvey Penick to Butch Harmon's Playing Lessons. This was by far the easiest to put into practice. His simple concept of swinging the club back with the hands and forward with the arms is a master stroke (pardon the pun). When using his method your mind becomes uncluterred and your body is free to just swing the club. I received this book about 3 days ago read it cover to cover and the re-read the "swing" section. Without having hit one ball on the range I went out and shot an 85 with a triple bogey on the last hole. (I'm a 16 handicap) Never have I felt so relaxed and confident on the course. Anyone who buys this book will improve his/her game. Good luck.