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Ronald Bruce Romberg - My Blog
Ronald Bruce Romberg - My Blog


Ronald Bruce Romberg
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Remember that little guy on the driving range from last tip - the one who was bombing his driver to the back of the range? Well, he wasn't hitting the ball that far just by keeping his hips from over-rotating on the backswing.

Part 1 of this article was about the hip rotation at the top of the swing. I wrote about turning the hips too far on the backswing - a common fault I see when teaching. Over-rotation of the hips creates a loss of power because the golfer then has to un-rotate even more in order to get back to the ball at impact.


Part of the power in the golf swing comes from the shoulder rotation being greater than the hip rotation at the top of the swing. Known as the X-Factor, this difference in rotation creates a stretch or coiling of the body. That puts you in a powerful position at the top, but this is only one-half of the golf swing.

All of the golfers that can hit the ball a long way have one thing in common. They are firing their hips around on the downswing. Another common fault I see in teaching is the student's hips not being open enough at impact. GolfTEC's motion analysis computer measures how many degrees the hips have turned open (towards the target) at the impact position.

Our data shows us that the PGA Tour player's hips are turned 40 degrees open at impact and most of the golfers I teach have only turned their hips 10 to 20 degrees open. This is typically the result of a lateral slide on the downswing rather than a turn of the hips. When the hips do not open through the impact area, there are usually several other reactions that amount to inconsistency and loss of distance.

As the golfer slides through the shot, inconsistencies and loss of distance arise from the bending of the left arm through the impact area (right arm for lefties). Ask yourself this question, "How consistent is 'bent' during a moving action?" As the left arm is bending, the club is being pulled away from the ball and inside the intended path.

Since the club is pulling in towards you, the ball is struck with a glancing blow and on the toe of the club resulting in a slice that doesn't go very far. Does this sound familiar? It is a very common fault, so here is a three-part drill to get you on your way to correcting the problem.

Start by setting up to the ball. Your belt buckle is facing the ball - this is zero degrees of rotation. We are looking for 40 degrees or more at impact. Keeping the club on the ground behind the ball and your upper body still, start turning your hips open toward the target. Your belt buckle should now be turned so that it is facing out towards your left foot. Now reset up to the ball, this time take a 1/4 backswing and make a slow downswing, turning your hips and stopping at the ball.

Again, your hips should be turned open toward the target so that your belt buckle is turned out towards your left foot. You will also notice that your left leg is straight and not bent at the knee. The last part of the drill is to take the 1/4 backswing and swing through this time trying to turn the hips as much as possible. Repeat this three-part drill 25 times and really concentrate on turning your hips open.

Here are some swing thoughts that a handful of my students think of when trying to turn the hips more through impact.

"Fire the right hip around."

"Fire the right knee towards the left knee."

"Get my left leg straight and left hip turned behind me"

"Get my right pocket turned to the ball as soon as possible."

"Turn my belt buckle towards the target"

"Hit the ball with my right hip."

There is no right or wrong thought, just find something that works for you. Practice this in front of a mirror so you can see the hips turning through. If you are keeping your hips from over-rotating on the backswing and doing it correctly, you should start to see more consistent ball contact and greater distance. Stop by a GolfTEC location to get your hip rotation numbers checked.

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By having a practice routine for the short game you will be better equipped to handle most surprises on the golf course!

First, SURVEY the area and decide the lie of the ball, terrain and conditions.

Secondly, PICTURE the shot you want to make and the "spot" on the green where you need the ball to land to end up at the pin.


Next, REHEARSE your intended swing to remind your muscles of what they need to execute.

Lastly, EXECUTE the swing that was rehearsed.

After the appropriate shot has been made, EVALUATE the result. If it was a good shot, then store it in your memory bank; if not-then practice an immediate swing correction.

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Ronald Bruce Romberg Info:
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.

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Bruce Romberg


I have come to believe that the majority of modern day golf instruction is based primarily around instructor style preference. Jim Hardy has his own swing "style" with the One-Plane Swing, as do Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett with their Stack and Tilt.

These golf teachers and others have studied the swing and come up with their own interpretation of how it should look. Too much of the information being peddled today is "form" based versus being "function" based.

In studying the top golfers of all time, no two swings are alike. Who is to say Ben Hogan's flat plane is better than Jack Nicklaus' vertical arm move? Who is to say Sam Snead's slight over-the-top move was better than Nick Price's drop-down transition?

Impact is the moment of truth in the golf swing

At the end of the day it all comes down to impact! The moment of truth; the split second when the ball is "told" what to do and where to go. It is the one position in which all of the great players are decidedly similar. From Patty Berg to Nancy Lopez and Tom Watson to Bobby Locke - all these players are almost identical at impact. If this is the case - which, trust me, it is - then the look of the swing should play less of a role in a golfer's improvement and the focus should be more on impact.

Here are the elements of a great impact position:

• The weight is noticeably on the front foot; 80 percent or more.

• The handle always leads the clubhead.

• The head remains over the ball, while the hips have shifted to the target; this creates what I refer to as body "curve."

• The clubhead travels down (downswing!) into the ball; this includes fairway woods and the driver!

The next time you take a golf lesson make sure your teacher works towards getting you into a better position at impact. It is the only way you will start to hit better golf shots and to make the ball "sizzle" off the face!


Ronald Bruce Romberg Bio
Ronald Bruce Romberg Bio:
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.


Ronald Bruce Romberg

Most students would like to see their balls go farther. However, if you do not have an upper-body coil you may be just swinging with your arms which sends the golf ball nowhere. People who swing with their arms only, see all of their clubs go the same distance. This is because there is no power generated from a good turn. Some simple steps will help you make a better turn, and you will see the results almost immediately.
A better turn in your golf swing: Step 1

Assume your set-up position-feet shoulder width for a nine iron. Rest a club horizontally against the upper part of your chest-parallel with your shoulders. Your spine should be tilted in your set-up position. Keeping your position, rotate your shoulders ninety degrees away from your target.
A better turn in your golf swing: Step 2

As you turn, your weight will move to your right leg. You should feel some pulling in your left hip as you do this. Your weight should remain on the inside of your right leg. Otherwise you will begin to sway instead of turn. At this point, your left shoulder should be pointing in the direction of the ball. Now, begin to move toward the target leading with your hips and legs. Your shoulders will follow in the same direction.

A better turn in your golf swing: Step 3

Always finish with your weight on your left leg and your hips facing the target. You must use your upper and lower torso to generate speed and power!

Another great power source is using the angles you create between your body and your golf club-otherwise known as leverage.

You must make a good extension as you turn by "pushing" the club back with your left side. Many people make the mistake of picking the club up with their right side-then there is no extension. By making a good extension, you will be able to generate power as you swing through the ball and see greater distance with each club.

Follow these easy steps for better leverage:
Better leverage in your golf swing - Step 1

Assume your set-up position. Begin by "pushing" the club back with your left side. Make a quarter swing with your arms fully extended. The shaft should be parallel to the ground and the toe of the clubhead pointing straight up to the sky.
Better leverage in your golf swing - Step 2

Continue your backswing by extending your left arm as you hinge your wrists. Do Not lock your left elbow! You will not be able to swing through the ball. Your right arm will fold naturally so that the elbow points to the ground.
Better leverage in your golf swing - Step 3

Now that you are "wound" up, pull down as if you are pulling a chain from the sky. Release at the ball, keep swinging your arms out to the target, and finish with arms over your left shoulder and hips facing the target.

Practice the turn and using leverage separately and then put them together. Remember you do not need to hit balls to practice these moves. Practicing in front of a mirror will help and creating the same motion repeatedly will prove to be very helpful when you actually do play.
Golf Tip Of The Month

Many times when we swing our transfer of weight is not right and then our timing is off and we just can't get through the ball correctly. I like this drill because it makes you feel the weight as you turn. Set-up with your feet together and the ball positioned to the let of your narrow stance (you can do this with a tee also). Take a three-quarter swing and pause. Then, sidestep with your left foot, allowing your legs to move toward the target. The rest of your body will follow. Your lower body in this drill will initiate the downswing allowing you to feel the motion.







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July 9, 2009 | 10:01 AM Comments  0 comments





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