Antoine M. Dumas Golf Professional Glendale Arizona

Antoine Dumas

This former Tiger Woods stand-in dreams of playing tour golf—and reuniting with you-know-who

Photo courtesy of Antoine Dumas

March 9, 2009

Antoine Dumas teaches golf at the Adobe Dam Family Golf Center near Phoenix, where he often is mistaken for Tiger Woods. Then again, there is a reason. During Dumas’ interesting career, he has been Tiger Woods, sort of.

Read Full Article

Advice On How To Take Your Game To The Next Level

If you knew everything there is to playing golf well, you would probably not be looking at this article. You would also probably be very rich. If you’re reading this, then you should find some great tips to make your game better.

Bunkers and sand traps are a fact of life for every golfer, regardless of skill level. At some point in your games, your shot will land in one of these. When working your way out of these traps, the sand can become quite a mess. Follow golf etiquette and properly rake the bunker prior to leaving. Golfers will have more success playing the ball out of a bunker that is well taken care of.

One unavoidable part of golf is that your ball will frequently get lost. Don’t worry about playing every shot with those fancy balls; save them for entertaining clients on the course or when you enter a tournament.

Maintain the correct stance. If you feel you are standing incorrectly then try this simple technique: see if you can wiggle your toes up then down without having to move your feet. It should take only a little effort to tap. If it’s hard to do, then you’re leaning forwards too much; if it’s easy, then you’re leaning backwards too much.

If you are playing with strangers it is important to take the time for introductions. Golf is a game that requires socialization, and you will spend about 4 to 5 hours with this group. Go ahead and go about your business and play your game while casually making conversation with other golfers.

One of the first things you learn during golfing lessons is to always keep your eyes on the ball. Although this tips applies to a lot of sports, it is extremely important in golf. Keep your head down and eyes focused on the ball during every second of your swing.

If you are struggling with hitting the golf ball away from the tee, alter your stance by placing your dominant foot slightly closer to the golf ball. When you close your stance, you’ll have a much better chance at keeping your initial shot on the fairway.

While golf may be a relaxed sport, it is of utmost importance to understand what is happening around you at all times during your round. Be ready for your shot when your turn comes up. There will be other golfers who will want to golf on the hole that you are on.

Don’t stiffen when you go to swing at the ball. This is a common problem that many golfers need to solve to get better. The object is to not be rigid but be loose; you want to be ready and relaxed to use skill and finesse to hit the ball with power. Avoid being stiff!

Not having to learn from your own mistakes, but instead learning from others’ mistakes is much easier, isn’t it? These tips are a shortcut to better golf. Put them to use and avoid the pitfalls that other golfers before you have had to negotiate using trial and error.

A Golfer’s Handy Resource – Tips You Should Consider

Whether seeking a new hobby that allows you to enjoy the outdoors or a sport that encourages mental focus and concentration, give golf a shot. When you have the right attitude and a willingness to learn, any sport can be enjoyable. Golf is no exception, so keep reading for some excellent tips and tricks for playing the game.

Pay attention to your stance. If you are unsure if you are standing correctly, simply perform this simple test: try to tap your toes up and down without moving your feet. With a small amount of effort, tapping your toes should not be a problem. If too much effort is required, then you are leaning forward too much. If you can touch the ball very easily, then you are back too far.

Every once in a while even an expert’s shot will end up in an unwanted area like a sand trap or the bunker. Hitting your ball free of the sand trap can disturb the sand. Raking the affected bunker area to neatness is not only proper golf manners, but just good sportsmanship. By leaving the trap raked cleanly, you allow players behind you the chance to play their shot without the frustration of dealing with an unfair lie.

You can test the effectiveness of your golf swing by wiggling your toes a bit. Your feet should have restricted movement to ensure you are leaning properly. You should be able to lean toward the ball, with your feet able to move just a small amount. If your feet move too much, you are not doing it correctly.

If you start slipping while connecting with your club during your swing, don’t assume your glove is worn out. The problem may be in your grips, rather than your gloves; check the grips for signs of wear. Replacing the grips is fairly affordable and is probably going to help your swing.

To get a better workout and save money, walk the golf course, instead of using a golf cart. This gives you a bit of exercise where you can enjoy the sun and fresh air, improving your fitness while you have a bit of fun! The constant movement of walking while golfing will keep your muscles warm.

Hold the golf club correctly each time you swing. Your thumbs should stay pointed downward, and the handle of the club should sit lightly against your palms. Both of your hands need to be touching each other. Choke up on your club when you want the ball to go farther.

When you’re on the market for new clubs, consult with golf pros before you make your final purchase. The course’s golf pro can advise you on what kinds of clubs will best suit your style, and can also help you to identify the newest and best products.

One of the first things you need to learn about golf is proper club grip. People often try to grab the golf club too hard, they think the ball will go much further. A firm, yet soft, grip works better. Some people suggest holding the club like you would a bird.

If you don’t have much practice in, concentrate more on the short game. Focus on perfecting your chipping and putting skills. These skills will definitely pay off and help you feel more comfortable with a club. If you have enough time to practice a few more skills, it’s also great to focus on wedge practice, especially short range shots, and to work with 7 irons.

Taking practice swings at the driving range can help you with any weight-shifting issues you are having with your swing. Using a baseball swing type of motion can prove beneficial. You will get a better balance if you lift your forward foot slightly during your back swing and step back a little for the shot.

You are going to constantly lose golf balls. If you do have expensive balls, only use them when you compete, or if you are trying to impress someone.

Hopefully with all the tips that you learned here, you are feeling more confident with getting into the sport. Just like most things in life, the more you practice what you have learned, the simpler it becomes, so use the knowledge gained from this article to your advantage by taking it to the course.