Ronald Bruce Romberg

The short game or the feel shots around the green and putting tend to be the most difficult to regain sharpness after a long winter or layoff from golf.

I feel that this is the first area to attack when you start to practice.

The advantages of building your game back up from the hole and working backwards is countless. The obvious high percentages of shots, some 60 percent that are taken within 100 yards during a round of golf are not the only reason. The short game or the less that full shots can help the not only the mechanics but the rhythm and tempo of your full swing.


When I am teaching short game, the most prevalent errors often come in the decision-making process instead of the execution of the shot itself. The decision process is comprised of what type of shot to hit (high or low), what club to use, and how to set up to achieve this. This installment is what I feel is important in the short game as you start to get ready for the golfing season.
Short game tip: Making sound decisions

Visualize: Can you see the proper shot for the current situation?

Jack Nicklaus called this technique "going to the movies". He never hit a shot that he didn't see in his mind first. This is very important in starting phase 2.

Recognize: Club selection for the shot at hand. A higher shot such as a lob or pitch would need a more lofted club than a chip and run, which would need less loft.

Execute: How set-up and ball position in your stance have to match the shot your trying to play.

Low shot: Position your sternum in front of the ball (weight shifts to the front of stance, about 80 percent). Ball is placed even with your rear foot.

High shot: Position sternum even or slightly behind the ball (weight only 60 percent to front of stance).

When making your decisions on what shot to play, always play the lowest shot possible with the highest percentage of success. Never play a shot that you haven't practiced just because you saw a tour player do it on TV. Putt, Chip, Pitch, and then Lob in that order to higher rates of success.
Short game tip: The mechanics

Solid Contact on the middle of the clubface is paramount to being great with your wedges and around the greens. Without a solid impact condition, direction and distance control is not achievable. Understanding impact is knowing that the handle of the golf club stays in front of the clubface as you strike the ball, never behind. This is the most common mistake players, a lead wrist that is bent and a shaft that leans away from the target.

After you have achieved a proper impact condition and solid contact, swing length controls the distance of the shot. I like to see the short shots be symmetrical in length. This means the backswing length matches the forward swing.

Think of a clock face. If your arms swing to nine o'clock in the backswing, stop at 3 o'clock on the forward swing. This is on a basic chip or pitch, specialty shots are the exception. Always keep it simple, nothing fancy.
Short game practice drills

Hide the tee: Stick a tee in the top of your grip. Make practice swings and try to hide the tee behind your lead forearm. If you break down with your lead wrist, the handle will line up with your rear arm and the tee will be visible between your arms. Hit chips and pitches and check your finish to achieve a flat lead wrist and a bent rear wrist.

Stork drill: Hit chips, pitches and sand shots with your rear foot off the ground and up on your toe for balance. This places most of your weight on your front leg to give you a descending angle of attack, essential for solid contact. This is the best short game drill because most players hang back in an attempt to lift the ball in the air.

I would like to see golfers work on achieving a solid impact condition first then practicing different shots around the greens to develop your distance and trajectory control. Don't put the cart before the horse, work on impact first and the rest of it will be much easier. Remember, nearly 60 percent of the shots in a round are played within 100 yards so it this area the proper practice time. Plan your shots carefully and you will have great success. Good luck in shooting lower scores.

Ronald Bruce Romberg Contact

Whether setting up for a chip or a pitch, the address position should be the same.

The difference between chipping and pitching is simply wrist action - chipping requires no wrist action, while pitching requires some wrist action due to the length or trajectory of the shot. The set-up, however, remains the same.

Here are seven points to work towards:


1. The feet should be the length of a club head (5 inches) apart. The stance needs to be this narrow in order to keep the weight on the front foot.

2. The ball is positioned in the center of the feet. This is to deter the leading edge from catching in the turf. If you position the ball too far back, you give up all your bounce and expose the sharp leading edge to the turf.

3. Grip the golf club as you normally would for a regular full swing; there is no need to grip down unless you are using an 8-iron or longer club.

4. Cozy up to the ball. Good chippers and pitchers set up fairly close to the ball and so should you.

5. If the target is at 12 o'clock, the body should be aligned toward 11 o'clock (speaking as a right hander).

6. The weight is positioned so that it favors the front foot 60 percent vs. 40 percent. Make sure this is subtle, as shifting the weight too far forward increases the chance of the club "digging" at impact.

7. As a result of the weight being forward, the hands are shifted forward only a slight amount. There should be no conscious effort to push the hands forward.

Once you have acquired a proper point from which to start, now go ahead and trust your instinct. Go out of your way to react to the target, and avoid thoughts of how hard to hit the shot.

What do you think Larry Bird thought as he released another shot from behind the three-point line? I don't know, but I do know it was not how hard to shoot the ball.

Once you're set, simply react to the target. Oh yes, and practice helps, too.

Bruce Romberg Articles

About Bruce Romberg:
If you have a good lie, there are five easy steps to get you out of your unexpected trip to the sand trap:

1) Play the golf ball off the inside of your left foot with the feet about a foot apart.

2) Use an open stance where the feet are aimed six feet left of the flagstick and an open club face where the club face is pointed four feet to the right of the flagstick.


3) Be in a position where your knees are pointed in towards each other a bit with the weight equally distributed in both feet if you are hitting from a level lie.

4) Break the wrists abruptly on your backswing and make sure you take a full swing.

5) The harder the sand, the slower the swing. The softer the sand, the faster the swing.

Most of the basic mechanics in a full swing must be used in this shot.

The USGA definition of a Bunker- A 'bunker' is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like. Grass-covered ground bordering or within a bunker is not part of the bunker. The margin of a bunker extends vertically downwards but not upwards. A ball is in a bunker when it lies in or any part of it touches the bunker.

Ronald Bruce Romberg Bio
About Bruce Romberg
Ronald Bruce Romberg Info


You have a respectable game of golf that comes and goes, just like the rest of us, but even on those days that you seem to hit the ball better, your score seems to be the same.

How do you get those scores lower and, ultimately, have more fun?


Take responsibility for your score and improve your short game. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses and applying simple methods for quick skill improvement you can manage your own game and lower you scores. Also, with better shot selection and a short game 'cheat sheet' you can hit less than perfect golf shots that will still be fine and help to lower your scores without necessarily improving your skills.
Techniques to lower your score by improving your short game:

1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking notes during your play.

In order to lower your score you must first determine what areas of your game need the most work. As you play your rounds, make small notes on the side of your scorecard. If there are recurring problems these are the areas you should focus your practice.

2. Learn to putt and control your distance.

Becoming a good putter requires a good set up and a few basic fundamentals. Once you bend forward from your hips so that your eyes are over your golf ball and your hands hang directly below your shoulders, you will be able to isolate your upper body and make a proper putting stroke where only the triangle formed by your arms moves. Next, you have to practice to learn to control distance. Any spare time you can find to practice stroking medium to longer putts to learn to control your speed and distance will automatically help to lower your scores.

3. Putt whenever you can.

There are a lot more times when you can putt and might not realize it. Other than putting from the green you can also putt from the fringe or collar, up closely mown hills, from farther away from the green in short manicured grass or just into the rough, greenside. Because there are very few moving parts when you putt and the ball generally does not get into the air, it is a very low maintenance choice and therefore more forgiving and consistent.

4. Become a good chipper.

Other than putting, chipping is the lowest risk shot. Once your set up is proper, gripping low, stance narrow, weight and shaft of the club leaning forward, the stroke is just like that of putting. Because the stroke is relatively small, you are more likely to be more consistent and any miss will be less penalizing.

5. Only pitch the ball when you have to.

When you are in a short game situation where you need more carry in the air than there is room for the ball to roll, you will have to pitch with your sand wedge. Because a larger swing will be necessary to carry the ball a greater distance in the air, this shot will be riskier and should only be used when you have ruled out all other options.


Ronald Bruce Romberg Profile
Ronald Bruce Romberg Profile:
Every winter, golfers who live in cold climates face the challenge of staying physically and mentally fit. As the frigid temperatures set in, it's very easy to start thinking more about long cold days than long straight drives. How do you maintain your golf game during the off-season?

If we don't take the time to take care of ourselves physically and mentally, our bodies won't be prepared when the golf season swings into full gear. Even if you live in a warm climate year-round, you still need to work on a fitness program to keep yourself in optimum condition.

To help you get prepared -- or to improve your fitness -- here are six simple tips to use during the off-season -- or for anytime you want to increase your fitness level.


Remember, it's important to keep your goals within reach and to commit yourself to this Yoga for Golfers program for 20 to 30 minutes a day, three days a week. The body will respond to your yoga practice if you make the effort. [NOTE: As always, before you begin any exercise program, consult your doctor.]

Here are the tips:

Maintain or work toward increased flexibility, especially with muscles you use in your golf swing. On GolfInstruction.com we will provide ongoing Yoga for Golfers tips so you can build an effective program right in your home.

· Begin a program of cardiovascular fitness for endurance. Brisk walking, riding a stationary bike or swimming in an indoor pool are good forms of training. Try to sustain a slightly elevated heart rate for at least 20 minutes, three times a week.

· Increase abdominal strength to support a straight spine at address. Simple abdominal crunches are great for building your core body strength.

· Keep the weight off. Make this a "waistline-friendly" winter.

· Catch up on reading about the mental golf game. We often become too focused on the physical aspect of the game and ignore the mental side.

· Use the off-season to refine, focus and develop visualization and practice techniques. In addition, you can still practice your swing fundamentals and even do some chipping and putting inside the comfort of your home. If you have an indoor golf facility nearby, continue working on your game there.
Yoga for Golfers tips:

Hold each yoga pose while taking five to 10 slow, deep breaths. This will support more rhythm and tempo in your swing. Breathing relieves tension, which is a top cause of swing flaws. Pay attention to the rise and fall of the rib cage and belly. Do not strain; simply breathe deeply. Inhale and exhale through the nose, calming the nervous system and increasing blood flow to the muscles. Remember to stretch gently and never bounce.

Sitting rotation:

Golf benefit: Increases the range of motion to increase your distance.

Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Cross your left leg over your right and place your foot beside your knee. Then place your right hand behind your back and sit as erect as possible. Place your right elbow on your left knee and rotate to the left as you also turn your head to the left. Repeat on the other side.
Hamstring stretch

Golf benefit: Supports lower back health and proper knee flexion in your stance or in a challenging lye. With your legs extended, flex your feet and contract your quadriceps. Fold your body forward over your legs as much as possible but not to the point of experiencing pain. Hold this pose for 10 breaths.
Hip flexor

Golf benefit: Develops power and the ability to finish fully extended toward the target.

Begin on your knees and bring your left foot forward. Keep your left knee at a 90-degree angle, and then slide your right leg back until you feel a stretch in your right thigh and hip. Engage the muscles of your right leg and buttocks. Repeat on the other side.

Make a commitment to maintain or even elevate your level of physical and mental golf fitness this winter. Some off-season preparation will go a long way when you hit the links.

Katherine Roberts is a nationally recognized writer and presenter on golf fitness and the founder of Yoga for Golfers.Because Your Body Doesn't Get A Mulligan! She is a contributor to The Golf Channel. Katherine's unique mind-body approach to golf fitness is available through her DVDs, workshops, retreats or videos online at yogaforgolfers.com. E-mail Katherine with questions or comments at katherine@yogaforgolfers.com or call (888) 313-YOGA.


Bruce Romberg

Golfers have a trait that I truly admire: They are always looking for anything that will give them even the slightest edge over their competition. Whether it's the newest ball or biggest titanium driver, they are always on the lookout for ways to improve their game. In light of this, wouldn't it be great to be able to perform a picture-perfect swing or play a round without your back seizing up by the ninth hole? The golf tip I am about to give you has been in front of you all along. You may just have skipped over it while looking for other ways to improve. What I am talking about is losing body fat - specifically abdominal body fat.

Losing body fat is one of the quickest ways I know to improve performance. That extra abdominal fat you may be carrying around with you affects almost everything you do on the golf course, except riding in the cart. Lowering your level of body fat acts as a catalyst to improve flexibility, endurance and power levels. Increased flexibility and endurance, along with maintaining your strength, will allow you to produce more power. This, in turn, gives you the ability to hit the ball farther.

Here are my top five principles for losing body fat to improve performance:


Drink Water: You should drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day.

Veggie Power: Eat at least four to six servings of high-nutrient vegetables per day, the darker in color the better.

Be Fast: Eat breakfast every day within one hour after getting out of bed. Protein Power: Consume three to five servings of quality lean protein per day, approximately four to six ounces per serving.

Don't Get Caught: Never be caught not knowing what and where you are going to eat next. Plan and schedule your meals just like you would anything else in your daily life. Failing to do this will only lead to bringing on poor-quality food.

Bonus Golf Fitness Tips:

Make Iron Your Friend: Doing resistance training two to three times per week will greatly aid in the removal of body fat and, if done correctly, will help improve performance.

Don't Forget Your ZZZ's: Sleep is of the utmost importance. It helps keep your hormone levels regulated and your body in a ready state to burn fat.

This may sound like the same old jargon that you hear coming from the "diet" industry, but the truth is that losing body fat, especially the abdominal variety, is basic to improving the skills and physical abilities required for golf. As the saying goes, the "proof is in the pudding." If you are looking for a quick and cheap way to improve your golf game (you can do most of this yourself), try losing a little body fat and see what happens. Not only will you improve your performance on the course, but you will get the added benefit of becoming healthier and improving the overall quality of your life.







Ijango Video  | Cameron B Sharpe  | Cameron Sharpe  | Cameron B Sharpe Profile | Win Ijango  | Ijango Registration  | Register Ijango  | Ijango Signup  |