Ronald Bruce Romberg
Kellie Stenzel a noted PGA Professional who has been a Golf For
Women magazine Top 50 teacher since 1999, offers a golf tip for golfers
hoping to improve their game with better driving off the tee.
When you walk up onto a tee box do you randomly place your tee
into the ground or do you take into consideration your situation and
make the best of it?
Use the following guidelines to help you lower your score by playing smarter.
1. Find a flat area Do not assume that all tee boxes are created
equally. Some are better than others. Always be sure to find a flat
area where you will be able to stand normally. Over time, tee boxes can
become uneven. Why make your shot any more difficult than necessary?
2. Look for the best angle to your target When you place your tee
into the ground, look for the most direct route to your target. If by
walking to the far side of the tee box you can have an angle to your
fairway or pin that does not require you to have to hit over any
trouble - a bunker or water, for example - you should take the time and
energy to do so. Be looking for the path of least resistance.
3. Tee off on the side of the trouble It may seem
counter-intuitive but it is easier to aim away from the trouble if you
are on that particular side. If you have out of bounds on the left, it
can be helpful to tee off on the left side of the tee box and aim away.
By placing yourself on the side of the trouble it can give you a
better angle to the safer side of the fairway as it can visually open
up that direction to you and make it easier to aim well.
Next time you go to the golf course, take extra time and care to
where you place your golf tee and ball into the ground. By following
these three simple guidelines, you can play smarter - and therefore
better.
The first aspect of playing a wet bunker shot is to understand the function of both your sand wedge and lob wedge.
The sand wedge has a flange or "bounce" at the bottom of the club.
In dry sand this helps the club slide through the sand and not dig in.
However, in wet sand that same flange will cause the club to skid and
bounce into the ball causing you to "blade" the ball, and the resulting
shot goes screaming across the green.
The correct method is to use your lob wedge which has little or no
bounce. Open the clubface slightly to take the leading edge out of
play, and then just swing normally. The result will be a shallow divot,
and the ball will come out with quite a bit of spin.
If you do not have a lob wedge, use your pitching wedge, with the same technique.
About Bruce Romberg
Bruce Romberg:
Are you tired of slicing yet? I know they say that a high percentage of golfers slice, but my students do not.
I strongly dislike a slice.
How frustrating to have even your best shots robbed of power and distance by having an open club face at impact?
Work on the following three check points to turn your slice into a powerful draw ...
1. Assure the proper golf grip
Your grip controls your club face at impact. If you want to hit
your golf ball relatively straight, you really must have a good grip.
A good grip for a right-handed golfer involves being able to see
the logo on your left-hand glove or, in other words, two to three
knuckles. The more you turn your hands to the right, and yes I mean
both, the less likely you are to slice. I do not mind going to extremes
in order to accomplish the desired ball flight.
It is okay to see the finger nails of your right hand at address,
as your right hand is more under the golf club. The more you turn your
hands to the right at address, the easier it will be to allow the club
face to release, where the toe of the club can pass the heel on the
forward swing.
2. Allow your shoulders to coil on your backswing
When you make your backswing, your left underarm should swing
across your chest in a lightly connected position. This will help you
to keep your club face square to the path and also prompt your
shoulders to turn.
Ideally, we are looking for your shoulders to turn back
approximately 90 degrees. If you need to flair your right foot to
compensate for a lack of flexibility, feel free to do so.
This shoulder rotation will allow the club to approach the golf ball from the proper path, promoting straighter ball flight.
3. Release
Release is a golf term that means you should allow the toe of the
club to pass the heel on your forward swing. This allows the club face
to square and then close.
Your right arm should be allowed to become level with your left
arm and then eventually pass over top of the left, much like that of a
baseball player.
I also do not mind this being over done in an effort to get rid of a slice.
To get rid of your slice, try the above tips and do not be afraid
to over-do the corrections in the beginning. If your golf ball starts
to hook, you can adjust from there.
A strong grip, good shoulder rotation and forearm release will
help you to hit the ball more squarely and farther. And it is so much
more fun to play good golf and hit the ball farther!
Ronald Bruce Romberg
Bruce Romberg
Ronald Bruce Romberg Info
There are better places to play from than the bunkers. But should
the ball come to rest in a bunker, the type of sand can make a
noticeable difference in play - especially on your scorecard.
Balls may form "plugged" or "fried-egg" lies in the bunker sand
when the ball makes a crater in the sand on impact. Your golf course
superintendent looks at several variables when selecting bunker sand to
prevent your ball from being buried should your shot go astray.
The United States Golf Association specifies particle-size
criteria for selecting bunker sand. Sand in the prescribed range
provides the best all-around conditions in terms of ball lie, firmness
of footing and ease of bunker maintenance.
For some golf facilities, bunker maintenance is an important
aspect in sand selection. For example, a golf course that is subject to
high winds would have to stay away from selecting sand that is too
fine. If the sand is too fine, wind will displace the sand particles,
causing a continual need for replacement.
The predominant particle shape of sand and its "sphericity," - or
roundness - also comes into play. A desired bunker sand shape is
angular with a low degree of roundness. The sharp corners of an angular
sand help it resist movement after impact from a golf ball, resulting
in fewer "plugged" or "fried-egg" lies.
Truly round or "soft" sand requires a substantial amount of skill
to play from. It's like playing a shot in a pudding-filled pit. Round
sand needs to be avoided because it shifts more under the weight of the
golfer and can allow golf balls to bury and disappear on impact.
A hard, silica sand is often preferred in bunkers, since silica
sand will resist weathering and retain its original shape longer. Sand
such as limestone sand is more subject to weathering and the fine
particles released in the process affect the playability and
maintenance of the sand.
Limestone sand can "set up" or become "crusted," because of the
cementing action of finer silt and clay particles. Limestone sand
requires more frequent raking to maintain a suitable playing surface.
Your golf course superintendent may choose to have a certified
soils testing laboratory help evaluate sand when making changes at the
course. The lab will check the sand's particle-size, distribution,
shape, color, crusting potential, hydraulic conductivity (ability to
drain water) and its resistance to buried lies.
Bunker sand selection affects the condition of play as well as
bunker maintenance. Always do your part to preserve favorable playing
conditions by raking the area that you disturbed after hitting from the
bunker. By doing so, you can help make the game more enjoyable for
other golfers unfortunate enough to hit their golf balls into the sand.
When choosing a bunker surface, the varying skill levels of
golfers must also be considered. A lower handicap player typically
prefers a hard, smooth bunker surface. However, the higher handicap
player prefers a softer surface that allows them to get their club
through the sand. As a result, superintendents will try to provide a
surface that satisfies the widest range of players.
Even though a golf course management staff devotes considerable
time to bunkers, it is important to remember they are still hazards. It
is not realistic for golfers to expect to hit shots with the same skill
and accuracy as they do from turf.
Bruce Romberg Articles
Bruce Romberg Articles:
For most shots out of the sand, use your 60-degree wedge unless
the flag is across the green, then you might go to your 54-degree or
pitching wedge. Start by addressing the ball with an open club face.
Play the ball off your left heel and set about 60 percent of your
weight on your left foot.
Next, pick a spot approximately an inch behind the ball, as this
is where you want the clubhead to enter the sand. From there make an
outside in swing, making sure to use a full wrist hinge on the
backswing.
As you swing the club head through the impact zone let the club
head release to create the proper speed through the sand. Most golfers
don't swing hard enough in bunkers to let the sand propel the ball out
of the trap. Feel like you are pounding the sand and accelerating the
club head through the shot to improve your bunker play.
Nowhere in recorded history is there witness to a baby's first
words being, "Give me a cigarette and a shot of whiskey." Mini humans
are not born with these vices. They are acquired. But, heck, you knew
that.
Let's assume that the babe adds a few years to his/her life and
bumps into the game of golf. The stars and planets are in the correct
alignment and Sam Snead becomes his golfing bud. Everyday they play
golf. The "babe" watches Sam's sweet swing. Sam offers no advice.
The young prodigy watches the master, notices the still head, the
full backswing and follow through. Through osmosis, the rhythm, the
tempo of the swing becomes part of his swing. Soon, they are both
"swinging to music."
On the other hand, let's say the pup doesn't have this phenomenal
happenstance and falls into the trap and pitfalls of other ways to
"learn" the golf swing. He takes golf lessons, reads books, and devours
golf magazine (and Internet) tips These methods address the thinking
part of the brain, the cerebrum. Motor skills are not acquired with
this part of the brain.
In paragraph two above, the golf swing is learned the correct way.
The swing is consistent, powerful, reliable, accurate, low maintenance,
simple, and will last a life time.
In paragraph three above, the swing is contrived, complex,
confusing, inconsistent, lacks power, and is never understood. The
recipient is addicted to searching for the swing that the "lucky" kid
owns.
Those who have the "paragraph two" golf swings do not read golf
tips and do not take golf lessons. Those who have acquired bad habits
through the incorrect approach to finding the mysterious beautiful golf
swing keep returning to the source of their bad habits. This, ladies
and gentlemen, is the first sign of insanity.
Are you starting to get it? Scooooot up a little closer - so the
Anti-Pros words don't fall on the floor before they reach your hammer,
anvil, and stirrup...YOU ARE NOT BORN WITH BAD GOLF HABITS...YOU
ACQUIRE THEM from some golf pros, bad advice, magazine golf tips, golf
books, etc.
I have been in this game since the earth cooled. I get phone
calls, letters, and e-mail every day from golfers of every skill. Their
stories are always the same. They are confused and frustrated because
some golf pro told them to do "such and such." Or a magazine tip that
suggested some idiotic body maneuver the pretzel twins with the
carnival would find impossible.
You are not born with bad golf habits...you acquire them.
Interested in facts? 99.9%, no make that 100%, of the problems
golfers have today are not from lack of information. The source of
their woes is bad golf information that they have swallowed hoping and
praying that it would help them. Want proof? Let me skip over to my
golf site and pluck a few sentences from some of my email. See you in
the next paragraph!
I had watched 3 or 4 tapes that were supposed to be the answer to
my golfing prayers! To my dismay, I only became more and more confused.
I also tried tips that I read in golf magazines and tips from other
golfers. My head was spinning out of control as was my golf game!
Private lessons seemed to be the next logical approach. You guessed it,
more confusion was added to my already inconsistent swing.
Terry Thompson, Waverly Ohio
I took lessons in college, where we focused on grip, stance and
wrist cock, and then we were let loose on the driving range. I was told
to bend my knees, shorten my swing, keep my eye on the ball, etc. As a
result, I would skull every ball I'd hit -- how's that for consistency.
Joel Tomaneng, Mtn. View, Calif.
I have spent the last 27 years of my golfing career looking for
golf's ultimate panacea. I have had hours upon hours of personal
instruction and week-long golf camps. I have purchased every training
aid known to exist, including swing trainers, special clubs, straps,
and putting devices. I own a library full of books and videos on golf
instruction. ALL TO NO AVAIL!!!
Dr. Jim Anderson, Worthington, Minn.
I had watched other videos and taken lessons with no positive
results. One video I purchased by a well known golfer and now
commentator, analyzed the vector and plane movements of the golf swing
and how I should apply this complex and idiotic analysis to my swing.
Some of the lessons I have taken had my body in such unnatural and
uncomfortable positions I wondered how I could ever master them.
I wonder if Michael Jordan's basketball game could be improved if
he ran a vector analysis of his approach to the net or turned his left
shoulder in 10% on his free throws. I was so frustrated I was ready to
give up the game.
Barry Davis, St. Charles, Minn.
I've gone to several Internet sites concerning golf tips. All
seemed confusing and complex and involved too much thinking drawing
lines, holding towel under your arm etc...
Mark Patnaude, New Bedford, Mass.
I have been playing golf for 34 years. In this time I have tried
videos that talk about gravity, coiling, placing the hands differently,
and even automatic golf. Nothing seemed to help.
Pat English, Jackson, Tenn.
Sound familiar? Let's assume that you are a golf pro and golfers
write to you every day with horror stories like these. Would you not be
encouraged to wear a fake beard and tell people you played the piano in
a house with a red porch light rather than admit to being a golf
confuser (pro)?
Those are the facts. Do with them what you want. Maybe it is time
to box up your golf books, and magazines, and videos and donate them to
the good will. But, who would want to do that to some poor unsuspecting
soul? And think about this, pretty please, don't your best golf shots
happen when you are not thinking about your swing?
Am I right, or am I right?
Tired of your golf swing? Like to trade it in for something that
works? Start by reading paragraph two above, again and again and again.
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