It's a cruel game when you have all your limbs, so imagine being asked to play the Pebble Beach of Scotland, in an elite pro-am, with just one leg. Manuel de los Santos didn't mind. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native went around Kingsbarns on Thursday in 76 strokes, the equivalent of breaking par on an American course with no wind and no bunkers (ohh, the bunkers).
See, 76 isn't a score you might be bragging about if you didn't know de los Santos story. The former baseball prodigy got in a car accident, lost his left leg, and decided he'd take up golf because of a certain someone. "Tiger Woods is my hero," Manuel said after his round in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship first round in Scotland. De los Santos studied a Tiger instructional book in 2004 after losing his limb, and is now a three-handicap, but not just any three-handicap.
"I think he may be the best three-handicapper I have ever seen," his pro playing partner, Gavin Dear, told The Times (UK).
I'm sure you're asking the same question a lot of people would: why is de los Santos so much different than the thousands of amputee golfers that play the game? Unlike most, Manuel doesn't use a prosthetic leg, balancing his weight completely on one leg, and still pounding the golf ball 300 yards down the fairway.
De los Santos says he does 100 crunches a day to maintain a strong core, and normally has to hop through his swing to lessen the great momentum he produces at impact.
John Hopkins reported the story about de los Santos, and introduced it with this booming admission: "At Kingsbarns golf course yesterday morning, I saw one of the most remarkable sights I have come across in 50 years of playing and watching the sport. My eyes widened in admiration at seeing Manuel de los Santos, 25, a one-legged man who plays without the help of an artificial limb, boom 300-yard drives from a tee and chip with the deftness of Severiano Ballesteros."
It appears de los Santos comes from the "strong minded" camp. When he took up the game, he hit 2,000 balls a day. A friend of his said he once saw Manuel practicing out of a sand bunker, came back that afternoon, and saw de los Santos in the exact same bunker, working on his short game like a tour professional.
People dog golfers all the time because of their supposed lack of athletic ability. People say it isn't a sport, that it rivals bowling on the athletic checklist. These pessimists forget about guys like de los Santos or Vince Biser. Golf is one of the few sports that can allow people to not only keep playing the game against all odds, but play it well enough to beat you and me. Of all the moves and golf tips and lessons and "Oh, what were you thinkings," you have a game that can give a man like Manuel another shot at competition.
For that, I say golf is the best there is. Keep hitting it solid, Manuel. Anytime you need someone to loop for you, just ask. I'd be first in line.
h/t Wei Under Par
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-02-2009 @ 2:12PM
Matt said...
Amazing.......
As a collegiate and professional golfer, makes me never want to throw a club again. This guy should be way more well known...........
Golf Channel? Hello? Hire this Dude!!!!!!
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 11:37AM
John said...
That says it for me too. Are you listening PGA???
10-02-2009 @ 10:44PM
Bob said...
I guess that if this guy wanted to ride in a golf cart, during a match, Palmer and NikLOUSE would be against that also. Remember a few years ago, when a golfer with cripple feet asked to be allowed to ride between holes?? Palmer and the other golfing millionaire PROTESTED, saying this man, who loved golf as much as they did, would RUIN the game and "LET HIM WALK" That's when I left Arnie's Army!!
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 5:06PM
coronadope said...
Actually that was Paul Casey and he didn't have "crippled feet". He had a degenerative disease in his leg. The difference here is that Casey COULD walk the course and he still does today.......so riding WOULD have been an advantage. MANY pro golfers have leg and knee problems. Would it have been fair to allow Tiger to ride when his knee was bad before surgery? I don't think so.
10-04-2009 @ 8:22PM
David said...
This guy can wear a prosthesis and walk. I worked and played golf with a guy that lost his leg above his knee. He always wanted to walk. If this guy would want to play with the big guys, don't ask for special rules.
To coronadope ... it was Casey Martin, Paul Casey is healthy on tour.
10-03-2009 @ 11:00AM
goodgrief61945 said...
Great story! Just wonder how he gets from tee to tee. Golf cart, I assume. Why not get a prosthetic leg? Would have to improve his game even more!
Reply
10-03-2009 @ 11:08AM
david bondy said...
Playing golf with one leg is unbelievable and to have developed that skill in such a short period of time is very impressive. Here in Toledo, a gentleman, John Trenchak has one arm, hits it about 270,has a terrific short game is no more than a 2-3 handicap. He also is a great guy. I believe he has won the national amputee championship. Hats off to both of these guys. PS. I would love to see a match between these two guys.
Reply
10-03-2009 @ 12:55PM
Bob!!!! said...
I am a former Marine with my right leg amputated above the knee. I play better golf without my prosthetic because you can turn into the ball better. The prosthetic actually limits your lower body movement.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 2:37PM
byondthegate said...
There are some prosthetic components that allow the prosthesis to rotate a bit relative to the ground. Maybe something to look into if you're an amputee golfer. I'm not an amputee or a golfer--just a tech who's seen a few things over the years.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 3:23PM
scott44039 said...
In the late 1930s a british pilot named Douglas Bader lost both legs in a plane crash, one above the knee one below. He returned to military flying and fought in the battle of Briton.( the only known fighter pilot to be listed as 100% disabled but 100% fit to fly.) Becoming an ace, was shot down over france, and was such a pain in the as* to the germans they, placed him in Colditz prison with all the other "bad" boys. In Colditz he was involved with building a glider that was to be used for an escape. BTW during his rehab he was bitten by the Golf Bug and went on to become a strach player.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 7:18PM
hoppingourmet said...
I knew a guy in calif who lost both legs in a fighter crash who lived to fly again was turned down for the space program It was greayt to know Ltcdr Frank ellis usnavy Monterey calif
10-04-2009 @ 5:05PM
SMRTNUP said...
I'm scheduled to undergo amputation of my right leg above the knee next month. This sure does give me inspiration. . . Good for him . . He's sure not a quiter, . . eh ?
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 5:11PM
SMRTNUP said...
WTG Bob. . . I'm proud of you. . . Thanks for your service. . . I'm also a Veteran and have an amputation of my right leg above the knee coming up next month. . . It encourages me to know of people who are able to accomplish so many good things physically following amputation. . . Lots of luck in the future.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, . . AGAIN !!!
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 5:18PM
mary warner said...
SMRTNUP, you will do just fine. My grandson, now 9 years old, lost his leg when he was 5 years old. He now plays football at his school. At first the school, and parents were not sure how to except my grandson. But it all worked out and he had a game today. He loves Ohio State and has got to met four of the players. Don't ever give up on your dreams. I believe in you.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 5:41PM
MARILU611 said...
WOW!
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 6:05PM
PHLIPNS said...
god bless all you vets.you may loose your leg but not that american fighting spirit.i am a dissabled vietnam vet and would be proud to go back with you guys tomorrow
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 7:15PM
Rose said...
You never know what you can do when you are suddenly handicapped. Manuel is someone to look up to and admire. My 89 year old mom has a prosthetic leg and while she does have some problems she can still walk with a cane. And she is also legally blind. God bless these folks, the are amazing.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 7:25PM
hoppingourmet said...
as an amputee . i say to you hang in there live is ok on this side i lost my hip/leg to cancer,and i can play golf also but no time for it.Dr said i had 2-6 months to live 41 years ago Smrut wish i could be with you for your surgery best to you.you can e mail me @ hoppingourmet@aol.com don
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 7:35PM
hoppingourmet said...
Bob.... your right about a prosthetic i have one comes up to my chest as I dont have a hip and yes it does slow me down so i dont put in on ,,,thanks to you guys tha q=was in the service hats off to you I was in Navy 10 yrs
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 7:48PM
tripledotc said...
There is a all natural technology that is put into clothing that gives you balance, flexibility, strength and helps with your endurance that is just coming on the market called E2. Rocco Mediate will be the first golfer to use it but other sports have tried it and it works for them to. Rollie Massimino, the NCAA basketball coach has tested on his players and adds inches to their vertical and broad jump and flexibility to his players. Like to see it on de los Santos. How can I contact him?
Reply