mpatrickriley

So clever Cleveland here seems to think that by getting a fancy new leather grip put on, I might just forget about all of this Edel business.. I found this ordered on eBay and it's scheduled to arrive on Monday.. next thing I know I'll be getting mints on my pillow and breakfast in bed. 🤨.. 

Playing TPC Scottsdale on Sunday. Too bad it won't be with an Edel putter 😢

Played the round of my life with an amazing 22 putts with my new "Switch" putter for a final score of 69. Edel and Cleveland you both have your work cut out for you! 😜

We're back from our vacation to the Monterey Peninsula and like all of the other testers I'm super anxious to be engaged and get the whole process going. 
Something that I learned just this past year, and with all of the extra "at-home" time that we had, is that my most natural and repetitive putting stroke (or at least I think it is) is pretty straight back but with a moderate arc past impact and through the release zone. I also incorporate a good deal of shoulder turn where I lift my left and drop my right and keep my right elbow tucked into my rib cage. I ended up putting well with a pretty toe-heavy blade putter that seems to have progressed me a good deal in the right direction from my previously assumed SBSF and using face-balanced mallets for years. It will definitely be interesting to see if what I'm fit for is anything similar to what I'm using now or if maybe a different shape and balancing might be a better fit. 
Most full-length courses I'm averaging around 30-32 putts. While not horrible, I'm finding that I leave a lot of 1 putts on the table by either misreading, or leaving putts short by mis calculating speed. Also, I find that often times by the end of the round, I'm falling slightly out of my groove and am both pulling and pushing putts by an inch or 2. 
With all of the different variations of shaft bend + counter weighting up and down the shaft, head shapes, alignment markers, and torque balancing, I'm really hopeful that we'll be able to find that fine-tuning to fill some of my still existing putting gaps. 
If you all haven't already done so, just throw up a YouTube search for Edel putter tips and Dave Edel has really done some excellent work creating a library surrounding various putting mechanics and theory, as well as his take on proper putter fitting and his process that I hope we would all be participating in shortly. 
Here are just a few to wet your whistles. I definitely recommend going through the library. There's a ton of interesting stuff here! 
 
 
 

Started setting my baseline today. Obviously, I'll have lots of on-course numbers with my current putter through Arccos. But I rolled out my putting mat with my PuttOut and recorded the number of putts it took me to make a perfect from 1 foot, 2 feet, etc. until 7 feet. I'm going to keep repeated this process until I receive my Edel, and then do the same test with it.

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

So my big reveal, with permission from Edel: Edel has a new owner. He has a cabin in northern Wisconsin, just a couple hours from my home. I'm getting fitted for my Edel EAS by the owner of Edel in a little over a week, when he's at his cabin!

Started setting my baseline today. Obviously, I'll have lots of on-course numbers with my current putter through Arccos. But I rolled out my putting mat with my PuttOut and recorded the number of putts it took me to make a perfect from 1 foot, 2 feet, etc. until 7 feet. I'm going to keep repeated this process until I receive my Edel, and then do the same test with it.

I have similar plans with my PuttOut/WellPutt combo while we're waiting to get fitted and receive our Edels. Maybe not as meticulous as trying to hit the perfect putt but just to see how consistent I am at making the putt as well as keeping proper pace for each distance. You can see that the WellPutt has 3 separate distances ranging from 3', 6', and 8'. I'll record 30 putts at each length and will be alternating each length of putt so I don't fall into a perfect rhythm. This way each putt is completed strictly on mechanics and not because I've repeated the same put 30 times in a row. 
The thing I like about the WellPutt is that at each distance the hole gets smaller as it gets closer. Only the 8' putt is the actual size of a 4.25" hole. The "good zone" is the adequate pace needed while the "bad zone" is a putt left short. I think I'll be grading my putts off of distance from center right or left, and pace whether it be short, just right, or long. These will be my putts from within 10'. I'm sure I'll maybe add another detail or 2. 
I'll have to figure out a grading metric for putts outside of 10' - 20'. Anything outside of 20', we all know is just close your eyes and pray to the golf gods distance 😜 


 

Started setting my baseline today. Obviously, I'll have lots of on-course numbers with my current putter through Arccos. But I rolled out my putting mat with my PuttOut and recorded the number of putts it took me to make a perfect from 1 foot, 2 feet, etc. until 7 feet. I'm going to keep repeated this process until I receive my Edel, and then do the same test with it.

The mallet shapes will alter aim more to the right, and a blade will move it left, so I’m betting that you end up with the #1 or #2, and either a single line on the top of the putter, not on the flange, or maybe even no lines. 
Based on my history of predictions, I won’t even be close!!! 😂😂😂

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

Interesting on your stats and issues… have you tried the same putting line test from farther away? I’m just curious if you are better at lining up from farther away or if 2 degrees just makes less of a difference at 10+ feet.
the edel fitting process will definitely be an interesting test of this stuff, my aim was horrible with my old putter… I didn’t get an Edel, but I’d be curious to see how my center shafted seemore did on alignment.
Thinking through what I’ve been Working on and struggling with, I’m wondering if my alignment on shorter putts just needs Work… my speed has been great, but my putting hasn’t progressed how I want it to.

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

So you're not wrong. The closest fitters are the Club Champion locations in Mineapolis and Milwaukee, and both of those are about a five hour drive from my house.
BUT...
I have news that is currently not fully disclosable. There are circumstances that are going to permit me to go through a full fitting with a really special guest fitter. But the details of that will come....

So my big reveal, with permission from Edel: Edel has a new owner. He has a cabin in northern Wisconsin, just a couple hours from my home. I'm getting fitted for my Edel EAS by the owner of Edel in a little over a week, when he's at his cabin!

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

So you're not wrong. The closest fitters are the Club Champion locations in Mineapolis and Milwaukee, and both of those are about a five hour drive from my house.
BUT...
I have news that is currently not fully disclosable. There are circumstances that are going to permit me to go through a full fitting with a really special guest fitter. But the details of that will come....

I've already got a script in my head of what I intend to tell him 🙂
I'm going to start with what I think I know, with the clear commitment to being willing to learn that I'm wrong.
I'm a decent putter, and it's a strength of my game, relative to handicap. I've got years of on-course stats to back this up, including Arccos the past two years. Over my past 15 rounds, Arccos has my putting SG equal to a 7-handicap. I average just over 30 putts per round. There's a consistent pattern in that data, though: I'm a better putter (by SG) from 10–25' than I am from 0–10'. This is true in the data for virtually every round I play. I miss short putts far too often. Going into this test, this is my highest priority. As for my actual setup and stroke: I've posted about this before, that I don't see the correct line correctly. I can set a 4' ruler on the correct line for a straight 8' putt, aligned with a laser. If I turn off the laser and address a ball at the end of the ruler, the ruler will look to me as though it is pointing almost outside the cup on the left. I have tried moving my head and body around to all sorts of angles without success. If I address a putt from the left side, the line looks correct. Using a home putting analyzer (SwingByte), I therefore tend to aim about 2° right of the cup. My stroke is quirky. Early on, I read Dave Pelz and decided to work on a SBST stroke. Like many who attempt that, I actually ended up with a stroke that tends to move outside the line on my backstroke. Coming into impact, I close the face relative to address, which starts the ball on the correct line, though a line to the left of where I was aimed. On a normal straight putt, my predominant miss is a pull. I'm intrigued, obviously, to see if any of the myriad alignment options on the Edel change my perception of the line. I'm also probably more interested to see if their torque-balanced putter, combined with custom weighting and their grip options, can mitigate some of my tendency to come outside the line on my backstroke.
Of the four headshapes, the rounded back mallet appeals to me subjectively the least: it's just not a shape I've ever really loved. My baseline expectation is that I'd end up with the fanged mallet: I am currently playing with the Toe Up version of the Odyssey Seven. But if I end up with either of the blades, that is no problem either.

So my big reveal, with permission from Edel: Edel has a new owner. He has a cabin in northern Wisconsin, just a couple hours from my home. I'm getting fitted for my Edel EAS by the owner of Edel in a little over a week, when he's at his cabin!

So my big reveal, with permission from Edel: Edel has a new owner. He has a cabin in northern Wisconsin, just a couple hours from my home. I'm getting fitted for my Edel EAS by the owner of Edel in a little over a week, when he's at his cabin!

Friends in high places!  That's awesome.  What a cool experience that will be.  I'm sure you'll do an awesome job writing it all up for us.  So what do you think going in, and model preference or expectations?

So my big reveal, with permission from Edel: Edel has a new owner. He has a cabin in northern Wisconsin, just a couple hours from my home. I'm getting fitted for my Edel EAS by the owner of Edel in a little over a week, when he's at his cabin!