Animosity- Quick addition/clarification/expatiation of what Anthony said. And Anthony, if I'm mis-stating anything or otherwise stepping on your toes, please call me on it!
Perhaps some of us are using the term "marring" in different ways. I use it in an attempt to *lessen* confusion, so I hope I'm not *increasing* confusion

I've used "marring" to describe the same sort of damage in all sorts of materials (not just car stuff), so it's easy for me to use it as a catch-all term when talking detailing.
As I use the word, "marring" is any below-top-level damage to a surface, such as paint. This would include any swirl/scratch/gouge/etching. The sort of damage that can only be rectified by abrading (or otherwise removing a layer of) the surface. So for me, swirls are a *form* of marring - a very specific form.
Anthony, being a pro, uses the classic, and "proper" definition of swirlmarks and I think he's trying to differentiate between the different kinds of problems you might be facing. Most people just use "swirls" to refer to the sorta-circular "light scratches" or "spiderwebs" they see in paint from washing and drying and other forms of "normal" abrasion. But to a pro, this is an incorrect application of the term "swirlmarks".
As Anthony said, serious, rotary-induced swirls are hard to take out, unless your paint is very soft. But if I had to guess, that's not what you're dealing with.
Remove the marring/swirls/scratches/whatever with an abrasive polish and they'll only come back if you re-introduce them. This removal is difficult, no matter how you do it. The only ways to make it less difficult is to gain experience and to use the appropriate tools and products for the job.
FWIW, Scottwax has removed all sorts of swirls/marring/whatever by hand, so it *can* be done. But that doesn't mean that other people will be successful.
Again, hope I'm making things better instead of worse
