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

In my first golf tips article, I explained what going deep with confidence was and I explained how you should set down different layers of confidence so that it becomes thick and resilient.

I also explained how this develops golf swagger, an inward sense of confidence that is with us all the time, not visible to the outside. In this article I'm going to outline how to add more layers of confidence and explain what you can do when your golf confidence goes in the tank. This will really create golf swagger.

Another level and type of deep golf confidence comes from having a significant person in your life that has an entirely supportive and non-judgmental respect for you as a golfer. These people are happy for you when you play well and they are there for you when you don't. They certainly don't treat you differently based on what you shot that day.

The problem is golfers don't usually think this type of support affects their confidence, except in a warm-‘n'-fuzzy kind of way. Therefore, they don't pay much attention to it. However, recent research on world-class athletes, including golfers, reports that this is a very important confidence factor for them.

Why would elite athletes say this? First, it's because knowing we have that type of unmitigated support is deeply empowering and true empowerment breeds true confidence. Second, I think it's important because having people who unconditionally support you is another layer of confidence that is not dictated by golf performance.

Therefore, your next task is to create confidence by consciously acknowledging a supportive person in your golf world. I get my clients to add it into their golf swagger because this will help them sustain their emotional balance for all 18 holes. It never goes away.

By now you're probably thinking, "That's fine Dr. Al, but what do I do when the wheels fall off and my confidence is shot to hell? C'mon, give me something I can use in an emergency!"

OK, fair enough. Your next task is to create confidence by building a "confidence vault." This will involve using two very powerful mental tools that you already have: visualization and emotion. But because confidence is built in layers, I'm also going to ask you to incorporate one of your previous layers practice to help build the vault.

Now, wait! Don't get cranky on me. This doesn't mean more practice, but it does mean getting more out of the practice you have already committed to doing.

You build your confidence vault by making regular and systematic "deposits" of excellent shots that are then used when you need a confidence boost. I get players to think of these systematized deposits as multiple layers. The more they deposit, the thicker and more resilient their confidence becomes.

To make a deposit, simply visualize an extremely good shot you played before and recall the emotional reward you felt when it happened. Your smooth 4-iron from 185 arching gently over the water to a tough pin and that delicate chip under the pine branches and over the bunker are very confident images. Even if it's a straight drive that is shorter than usual, it's a positive image.

Now go over and gently tap your golf bag, depositing your positive images, emotions and confidence. Do this every time you hit a great shot, on the course or on the range. These deposits will build layer upon layer of confidence until you have a bulging vault of stored successes - just like a fat bank account.

Now, when the wheels fall off and/or you need to get your game and your confidence back, shot-by-shot of course, go over to your golf bag and mentally take out one of your successful deposits to match the shot at hand. It's easy to visualize it because you've done it before. It's easy to recall the rewarding emotions of the shot because you've had them before. Both of these active mental functions breed enormous amounts of confidence. Now, with your confidence in place, simply play away.

My clients say that the best thing about constantly depositing layers of confidence into their vault is that they have lots of confidence available, even after they use some of it up. And, if they need more, they say they just practice and make more deposits.

One player even stated that it's almost cheating because he gets double bang for his buck out of his good shots. He gets the immediate benefit of the actual shot and a second benefit when he uses it to boost his confidence. I say he gets a triple bang because he often hits his next shot very well as a result of the first two.

Like the building process, the benefits of deep confidence also happen in layers.

Bruce Romberg

Ronald Bruce Romberg Profile:
Everyone wants to drive farther that is from the tee area! How can you achieve greater distance with the swing you have? Simple, tee the golf ball higher. The goal is not to hit under the ball, but "sweep" it off the tee smoothly and then make your finish.

When solid contact is made, shots hit above the middle of the face will fly higher and travel farther than shots hit below the center of the face. The reason? Contacting the ball above the center increases the height and reduces spin on the ball, which increases the carry.

Here is how to do this: Imagine you are using a striped range ball, or set the logo facing the clubface. Then, set your club on the ground and make sure at least half of the stripe or logo is above the top of the driver. You are now ready to make a clean "sweep" through the ball. You can practice this on the driving range by setting up five or six tees about three to four inches away from each other in line. You have your club set right if after contact with the tee it flips out of the ground and you did not take any dirt with it!

Remember as well that when you are driving into wind to tee the ball lower to obtain maximum distance. Never try to get "under" the ball-you will end up popping the ball about seventy-five yards straight up! Finally, always pause at the top of your backswing making sure ninety percent of your weight has been transferred to your right side and then "sweep" through to your finish.

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Bruce Romberg Articles

If you suffer from the occasional yip, tend to pull your putts, have trouble keeping the clubface square at impact or just plain struggle with the putter, you've no doubt considered alternative methods.

Alternatives, of course, would include the long putter, belly putter, claw grip and any number of other gimmicks that might help steady the nerves or help you find a pendulum stroke.

Well, here's another idea. Simple Golf, of the Symple Power Swing technique, has introduced the Symple Putting method.

Ironically, Symple Putting does not utilize the principles of the Symple Swing. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite. The Symple Swing primarily employs the body's core muscles; Symple Putting is a wristy stroke that involves very little arm motion.

"This is a hinge method," said Mike O'Leary, director of instruction for Simple Golf LLC. "It's much like a grandfather clock."
Symple Putting anchors on the thigh

For an idea of how Symple Putting works, just imagine the putter as the pendulum on a clock. Your hands are essentially the fulcrum on which the putter swings, and your left thigh (if you're right-handed) anchors your hands.

In fact, you set up by placing the club in your left hand, which is at around mid-thigh, then closing the grip with the right hand. You execute the stroke by swinging back and through with the left hand in constant contact with the left thigh. The idea is that by anchoring the putter handle on the left leg, the clubface must return to the same spot it was at address, therefore eliminating pulls, pushes and opened and closed clubfaces.

Distance control is accomplished by varying backswing length with the left wrist. If you're thinking long putts could be a problem, you'll be surprised how far you can hit with this method. For really long putts, however, you must speed up the tempo in addition to lengthening the backstroke.
Scoring Machine putter works best for Symple Putting

Not surprisingly, Simple Golf has a specially-designed putter for this method called the Scoring Machine. This mallet has a flatter lie angle, designed to accommodate a putter that's anchored at mid thigh.

Finding the right length is crucial for executing this putting method correctly, and the folks at Simple Golf determine that based on your height and build.

Simple Golf isn't just marketing this method (and its putters) to players who use the Symple Swing, but to anyone looking to improve putting regardless of their full-swing action.

If you think about it, Symple Putting is probably most like using a belly putter, but instead of anchoring the club in the abdomen, it's anchored on the thigh with ball position off the front foot. Plenty of good players use belly putters or long putters, so this might appeal to them as well.

At least one Champions Tour player has tried the method, said Simple Golf founder and President Joe Davidson, but because it's not a paid endorsement, Simple Golf can't release his name. Simple Golf also features former LPGA player Jan Stephenson and ex-NFL player Jack Youngblood in its videos.

Speaking of videos, the putter comes with video instruction, a head cover and online and telephone support.

About Bruce Romberg
About Bruce Romberg:
Tour players all have something in common besides being PGA Tour players: they all manage to hit the ball with tremendous power. How do they do it? These players, as well as LPGA players and club professionals, understand that true power and control come from swinging the golf club with a powerful core.

To actively engage the body's center (core: the lower chest through the lower abdomen and back) in the golf swing, here's a helpful drill.

Address the ball as you would with a golf club, only cross your arms in front of your chest. Next, simulate your backswing with your arms crossed. Make sure to maintain the forward spine tilt and keep your back straight; this will help you maintain your spine angle.

At the top of your backswing, your left shoulder (right for lefties) will be positioned behind the golf ball. Now, drive your forward shoulder toward the target so your left shoulder covers the ball and the right shoulder follows all the way through, past the ball.

An important tip to remember: Allow your head to turn through the shot with your body (keeping your head down too long is worse than bringing it up too soon). This head movement allows you to rotate fully through to the correct finishing position.

For a good example of this, watch Annika Sorenstam's swing as she turns her head through the hitting zone to allow her weight to swing toward the target. This move gives her incredible power and distance.

This simple drill will give you the feel for what a body-driven swing feels like. The more you practice this drill the more you will feel your weight transferring toward the target on actual shots.

Ronald Bruce Romberg Info

The golf swing has three equal parts: the backswing, impact position and follow through. To swing effectively, the proper spine angle must be maintained during these three positions.

The backswing: The backswing starts at address. To do this correctly, adjust the upper-body by arching your back slightly and sticking out your butt, (like you're about to sit on a chair). Maintain this position through the entire swing.

Here's a great practice drill Butch Harmon uses with students like Adam Scott. Starting from this position, swing the club away from the ball to waist high by only using your wrists; don't turn or move your lower body. Hold the club at waist high for a second or two. Then turn your shoulders so your hands reach the top of your backswing.

Impact position: From the top of your backswing start moving the club down toward the ball to at address, making sure to maintain the same upper body position you started with. As you swing through the impact zone your chin should point at the ball at impact. (This is where most average golfers' posture falls apart, leading to miss-hits). You need to return to address when striking the ball for consistent hits.

Follow through: During follow through, maintain the optimal spine angle; maintaining it during the entire swing is critical. The correct way to keep your spine angle is to rotate your upper body into the follow through position, giving you additional power and more consistent shots. (Most average golfers slow down or alter their upper body to make sure they hit the ball; this has them standing up, losing the spine angle and moving their head off-the-ball.) So keep your upper body moving to a full finish.

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