Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine: The Curious Quest That Solved Golf - Hardcover

Gummer, Scott

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592404529 ISBN 13: 9781592404520

Publisher: Gotham, 2009

Synopsis

The remarkable story of a curious genius whose lifelong quest to unlock the science behind the perfect golf swing changed the game forever.

In 1939, an average Joe named Homer Kelley played golf for the first time and scored 116-a respectable score for a beginner, but frustrating for a science-minded perfectionist like Kelley. He did not play again for six months; then when he did, he carded a seventy-seven. Vexed, he grew increasingly obsessed and devoted over the next thirty years to solving the science behind the perfect golf swing, self-publishing his findings in 1969 in a book titled The Golfing Machine. This revolutionary book explained golf, unlike every other tome that merely described it. Unfortunately, the majority of golfers dismissed the book because it was all but unreadable, too thick with physics and geometry and scientific vernacular. The Golfing Machine seemed doomed to obscurity until visionary teacher Ben Doyle and superstar-in-the-making Bobby Clampett brought Kelley's teachings to prominence-only to witness Clampett implode on golf's most public stage. Validation finally came seventy years after Homer Kelley's lifework began, and twenty-five years after his death, when a teenage prodigy named Morgan Pressel became the youngest golfer, male or female, ever to win a major championship.

In Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine, veteran journalist Scott Gummer brings to light the untold story of golf's most curious genius. A colorful portrait of obsession and an enlightening look into the nuances of the game, Kelley's amazing journey illuminates an important but underappreciated chapter in the history of golf.

About this title

From the Author

Ever since Homer Kelley first published The Golfing Machine in 1969, people have been clamoring for a book that explains his theories in easier-to-understand terms. My book is not The Golfing Machine for Dummies.

As advertised, my book tells the untold story of golf's most under appreciated genius. The reviews have been exceptionally positive, save for a few from readers who judged the book solely by the title. My book is a narrative story spanning 100 years, not a how-to manual.

I have included a chapter that explains in layman's terms why Kelley's theories were revolutionary, but my book is intended to enlighten and entertain. Prospective buyers seeking golf improvement should instead buy the latest edition of Homer's work.

The New York Times review offered an apropos perspective on what this book is all about:

     "It is most worthy as an engaging and warm story of a simple but complex man obsessed with the simplicities and complexities of golf...Read the book and see for yourself. It is a tale that at least adds a charming piece to the puzzle."

I invite your thoughts and questions and can be reached via my Web site.

Cheers,
Scott Gummer

From the Back Cover

"The Golfing Machine is one of the most important works in golf instruction of the 20th century. The quest by Homer Kelley to seek the truth has infiltrated down into many teaching philosophies...I know it has mine! Scott Gummer has done a great job in bringing the mythical figure of Homer Kelley to life in this book."
David Leadbetter

"Scott Gummer has done a masterful job at a daunting task: solving the riddle of the man who solved (he thought) the riddle of the golf swing. Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine is a sad and funny story beautifully told."
Curt Sampson, author of Hogan

PRAISE FOR THE SEVENTH AT ST. ANDREWS
"A masterpiece is written about a masterpiece that is built. A book that will be read and reviewed for as long as the great game of golf is ever played."
Jim Nantz, CBS Sports

Edition details

• Publisher: Gotham
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1592404529
• ISBN 13: 9781592404520
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 288