I’ve long been a putter addict. I adore everything about them, the shapes, the materials, the finishes, and of course the chase for “the one”. After many years of writing, reviewing, and collecting I have acquired quite the stable of putters. Each and every one has stories to them, stories that end the same way, being replaced by something else on that elusive search for better.
However, the past year has been different for me, it has been the realization that maybe it’s not the putter, maybe it is me and my fit to the putter. That set me off on a journey, starting with a SAM Lab fitting with Club Champion, which you can read about here, to see if my stroke was the issue, which it wasn’t. That lead me down the road of wondering just what type of putter would fit my needs best, optimizing what I have as a golfer, and that lead me to the Edel Fitting Experience.
The Edel Philosophy
You would be hard pressed to find any other putter manufacturer as emphatic on the importance of comprehensive fitting as David Edel and his Edel brand. Now, I’m not at all saying others don’t emphasize fitting, but Edel has a level of detail in their approach that is more immersive than anything I have experienced.
Now, this isn’t to shortchange SAM Lab fitting, in fact, I’m a believer that with the right person breaking down the immense data it offers, a golfer can come to truly understand the idiosyncrasies and potential shortcomings of their putting stroke. I learned more about my putting stroke through that process with Club Champion than I could have dreamed, but it did not wholly address finding the proper fit that I need from a putter.
Edel Golf on the other hand, also takes a scientific approach, one of working within the framework of the golfer and finding the best fit for their needs to fulfill the “putting triad” (aim, speed, path). We all know that shape, neck, and alignment are all critical aspects, but Edel has done the work to know how each of those things impact a golfer’s ability to see and hit their target lines. This is where things get fun.
Beginning the Process
Though I had been introduced to the Edel Fitting options through our work in the THP Tech Studio, I never went through the full gamut of fitting, rather I tinkered with limited understanding. Fast forward, and an elite high school golfer of mine went through a local Edel fitting, I told he and is dad they would have their minds blown, and they did. However, just how impressed they were as well as the combination/style he was fit into set the hook for me. I immediately set up a fitting through Tulsa area fitter Ryan Hilton for the Edel Fitting Experience, I needed to see and understand it for myself.
Turning up to the course to meet Ryan, I brought the two putters I had rolled quite well this past season (one of which that had hit all SAM Lab criteria for me) so Ryan knew where I was coming from and what I liked. Both were flow neck putters, one a mid-mallet and the other a blade. We started off by talking about why I played what I did, discussed my SAM data a bit, then he had me roll some putts to warm up while he finished setting up, and so he could watch.
Aim Bias Fitting
Out of the gates Ryan complimented me on my putting stroke, but immediately recognized that my miss is predominately right. I brought up that I’ve always struggled there the most because I putt right-handed but am left-eye dominant. At this point he affixed a tiny mirror to the face of my putter, down the line about 10-12’ was a laser pointed back to hit the back of a golf ball. Behind the laser was a fold out screen which would show the laser after the ball was moved out of the way, and thus show my aim bias. I was not fully prepared for what I saw, I knew it would be right, but it turned out to be almost off the screen and extremely high up.
Something to keep in mind, mere fractions of degrees at setup can lead to massive misses the further the target is from the golfer, and what we saw made sense the more I thought on it. It was from here that Ryan explained how what we are looking down at greatly impacts things. That started an education on the effects that the putter head, the alignment, and the neck/shaft type can have on our aim bias.
The first thing we discussed was the role of head shape in aim bias. What Edel has found is that mallet shapes like their 5.0 tend to bring the users eyes forward and that increased right aim, while the 1.0 blade pulls eyes to the back of the putter leading to more left aim. With the four different shapes in the EAS lineup, Edel has created a matrix that they can use to fine tune how the aim moved onto target. For me, Ryan said with absolute confidence the 1.0 would be the way to go, which surprised me because prior to the fitting I assumed I’d be in a mallet because everything out there tells you they are “easier” to align. He set up the 1.0 with a standard offset neck and flange line at 36” thinking a little longer would free up my path. Back to the laser, and boom, my alignment moved to just five inches right of target.
While I was staggered by the change, he let me know we were just getting started and we moved to the neck/shaft style. In the EAS line, Edel offers three types, offset, onset, and backset. While the offset neck was comfortable and worked well for me, Ryan had a notion that moving to onset (no offset) might be the ticket. What is interesting about this is Edel has found that more offset typically moved the aim of a right-handed putter more left, but they also acknowledge every player is different and that is why the fitting system is built for easy changes and testing. In my case, my eye dominance being opposite of most righties meant the onset setup moved my bias left, where I needed it, and it put me to two inches left of target.
At this point I was grinning like a little kid, seeing the laser move that far just based on head shape and offset was amazing, but I admittedly got greedy here and wanted to see if Ryan and the EAS Fitting System could truly dial in and eliminate my natural aim bias. That is when we moved to alignment aids. The EAS putters use an interchangeable plate which allows them to offer nine different line options (topline and flange combinations). In a fitting there is a stencil where a marker is used to rapidly test different combinations on a blank plate. Edel notes that lines in general make golfers aim more left, with less influence on the topline and more on the flange. Additionally, no alignment usually moves things right. Because I had moved through the process to left of target at this point, we went straight to no alignment and it put me dead nuts on target, only slightly up which we could fix with a loft adjustment.
Now, this is where I give massive props to Ryan and the way that Edel trains and encourages their fitters to use the system to educate. We could have called it good and moved to working on pace, but instead he wanted to make sure I got to see just how other setups would alter my aim bias. It was one thing to hear about the science behind what our eyes see and how it impacts aim, it was another to experience just how drastically things changed with something as simple as where a line was placed. It also truly made me question why so many major putter releases automatically use a flange line, when it has the biggest impact on natural bias. Not to mention, the lingering question in my head of why all putter fittings aren’t this educational. A better fit is one piece of being a better putter, but a better education of the why has an even bigger impact in my opinion.
Fit for Path and Speed
Finally, we moved to path as well as speed, and dialing in what worked for me to create the most consistent and repeatable roll for my stroke. Starting with a standard head weight and nothing in the back end of the putter, Ryan quickly pointed out something I was about to mention, my right hand was extremely involved in the putting stroke leading me to get pushy and impacting flow/feel. To combat that, he placed a 30g Opti-Vibe weight five inches down the butt of the shaft, under my right hand, and immediately my putting stroke unlocked with the right hand no longer being dominant. Being that my putting stroke is consistent beyond that, we were able to move to focus on speed.
To fine tune weight for speed, a string was placed at 25-feet and I was told to try to stop the putt on the string. After many putts, it turned out that the 15g weight in the head was dead on for me, but we also tried lighter and heavier weights to see the impact, this is where studies have shown Edel that most will find a lighter putter better on slower greens and heavier more optimal for fast greens. Something I liked here, Ryan never let me sit over the same putt too long, nor did he give many strokes before altering weight as his experience is spot on that we golfers tend to acclimate and adjust without knowing it.
Once dialed in, Ryan just had me putt wherever I wanted on the practice green while he watched, marking where I was aimed every time that my eyes went back to pull the trigger. I hit every line, something I know I had never experienced on a putting green before, even as a historically “good” putter. From here, my order was placed, and the waiting began, eager to see if the results would transfer to my home courses away from the trained eyes of the fitting.
The Results
In the end, I was fit into an EAS 1.0 with onset (no offset) shaft playing at 36” with 15g weight, 70° lie angle, naked alignment, 30g Opti-Vibe placed 5” down the butt of the putter. Additionally, we went 1° of loft based on what we saw with my laser testing (aim was high) as well as knowing my SAM results and me having a very positive AoA on my putter. The decision was also made to go with the round Edel grip, which I have experience with, but getting educated on why Edel likes the grip made me realize that it does eliminate the variable of trying to align the grip, rather than the putter head.
In just a week I was opening a box and checking all the specs on the putter, and they were all spot on based on my measurements. Since then, I have had the putter in play continuously on multiple courses and my ability to see and hit my intended line has been game changing. Now, I may not pick the correct line, but that is green reading and not putter fitting. That said, even those I have played with for years have taken note of how consistent my putting is from all distances now, hitting lines and believing I can make putts of length now rather than focusing on keeping it close and maybe getting lucky.
I do plan on reviewing the putter itself, so stay tuned for that, but this was much more about detailing what a putter fitting can be and what Edel believes it should be. The fact that this has not become more normal for putter manufacturers leaves one asking many questions, at the same time, it is clear to me that David Edel’s passion for fitting and instruction put him on the path to doing the homework and studies which have allowed them to create a system that, when in the hands of an educated fitter, is beyond compare.
Have you ever considered an Edel putter? Have you tried the EAS options? Is finding a local Edel fitter something you might consider? Please jump in and let us know what you think, both in the comments below as well as on the THP community!
Timing on this is funny as I packed about 7 putters to go out for sale at my course on Tuesday up just yesterday evening.
I’m 100% sold on this. My stoke feels so much more natural, my set-up feels better, and the opti-vibe under my right hand just feels like it’s supposed to be there.
Right? Take that right hand out of the equation and free the stroke up. I’m convinced there’s no better putter fitting available.
I’ve made no lack of reference to my struggles on the greens this year, but this is definitely building some confidence even just through consistency of strikes in practice. It will not help me read greens, but I could potentially see the tide turning in my overall putting performance before the season comes to a close this year. Kevin (my fitter) mentioned that having the weight there would not only help me while I’m developing my stroke, but it will help in the long run as my putting gets more consistent.
Hope you do, it’s truly eye opening, if you get a facility who knows how to use the kit. Worth a call if there are options locally for you to discuss it with them!
When in doubt, reach out to Edel, they will 100% point you the right direction
Then, I’m going to buy the damn thing for her and make her and her family not happy with me.
View attachment 9125518Thank you David and I can’t wait to receive my putter!View attachment 9125519
What an experience that must have been! Can’t wait to hear more about this.
Haven’t yet, but I did see the carts at club champion and golftec.
That’s fantastic!
So, did the new putter come in yet?
@Jman late to the party but this was a phenomenal read and I truly appreciate it. Curious if you’re still experiencing the same success at the end of the year that you saw directly after the fitting.
My putter is due to arrive late November or early December. a bit slower than I would have preferred as I was hoping to get it out on the course before the first snowstorm!
Well, that kind of stinks – but we’ll have plenty of decent weather days through the winter that you’ll get it out soon after it arrives Looking forward to hearing about it!
I didn’t think anything of it at my CC fitting, but that was before all of this came out. I’m going to try and get a fitting this offseason at golftec and see if there is anything to be gained/tweaked with an Edel over my Sik gamer.
I can’t answer for Jman, but I’ll throw my 2 cents in here. Before the Edel putter fitting I typically had 37-43 putts per round with usually 5-8 3putt holes) Since the fitting and using my Edel 4.0 I typically have 30-33 putts per round and usually 1 3putt about every other round. I’ve only had 1 bad putting day (38 putts 3 3putts) since getting used to the Edel, it took me about 3 rounds to figure out distance control a bit.
Makes sense- Only Edel fitters in my area on their site are CC and Golftec. Obviously CC didn’t push the Edel cart, so maybe I’ll find one where I’ve got to travel for work and do it that way. Let me know how yours goes when you roll through it!
I do appreciate the feedback for certain. Makes sense to be more thorough with a putter fitting and just like the level of detail that they went into for Jman.
I had a very similar experience with the Edel fitting as Jman did here. In fact, I drove over to Liberty Hill and did my fitting at their HQ. It was pretty amazing.
That was one of the places I initially inquired at to do the fitting but the locations local to me did not yet have the fitting carts (and may still not). I ended up having to drive a few hours to get it done and have zero regrets about doing so.
I don’t think CC does the full complete Edel fitting the way Edel does it. Golf Tec might. The Edel system is great. Well worth the drive if you have to travel a distance. I went a little over 3 hours one way.
I talked to Golf Tec on Thursday- they have the full cart and use it- also have Callaway cart as well. May use my FF winnings and go ahead and go through it for giggles to see what happens.
Keep us posted! The Edel fitting was a very cool experience for me earlier this year and I’m glad I went through the process.
If you do this please post your experience here for us to see how it went.
Depends on the location.
I need to stay out of there. It’s a good thing I don’t have a budget. I’d have blown it.
I had it done at CC. Not sure about Golftec but CC didn’t do the Edel fitting but have the cabinet and all the Edel heads and different lies/lofts. They used SAM. I ordered a putter (4.0) off the Edel website using the CC specs. I love the putter and my putting improved but my consistency remained a problem. The only thing I’ve tweaked (very recently) is adding counterweight to the butt end and it feels great. Can’t wait to get back on the greens to test it out instead of the mat.
I did one at CC as well and they just used SAM. I specifically asked GOLFTEC if they did Edel and they advised that they did. So anxious to see what comes of this.
Just enjoy it! And make sure they use the laser, so your mind gets broken if your aim bias was as poor as mine ?
My fitter was Ian Rodgers, an instructor at the Golf Tec near me who was a very energetic guy who while I wouldn’t say is full on lunatic fringe, he still seemed knowledgeable. We started with me hitting a couple putts with my Las Vegas, and the Super Nova just so he could get a good idea of what he was working with, followed by a what club length should I be playing test (I actually got that right with 35").
Next it was the aim portion of the fitting- lined up my Las Vegas with the laser and moved the ball, of course 8" left. Did it again and sure enough similar to the 1st lineup, I’m 6" left. Ok so we know that’s a bit off- then asked if I preferred a blade or mallet head, and to my eye blades look better but I’ve never been able to agree with one. But hey let’s see if we can make something happen right? So we settled into the 2.0 head, no offset at 35". Go over to the laser, I line it up and I don’t know that I could be anymore dead center of the cup if I tried. To ensure it wasn’t a fluke we tried it a couple more times and each time I was dead center with it- no alignment aid just the leading edge.
That didn’t take long at all, so now we’re moving on to weighting. Ian grabbed his laser and put it about 2 feet beyond one of their cups and told me put these three balls past the cup. Starting with a 5g in the sole we worked our way up to 25g in the sole and it still wasn’t the best in terms of consistency. From there he started throwing weights into the shaft to add weight to the putter when we finally ended with 25g in the sole, an additional 75g in the shaft. The putter felt like a freaking hammer but was producing nice consistent roll and distance.
Moved over to their "finishing hole" which is a 6 foot up hill right to left breaker that plays just at the right edge. (this is my worst putt in terms of consistency historically speaking) Proceeded to make about 10 in a row with the Edel. We knew we had it dialed in just about as perfect as it could be for me.
Final specs: EAS 2.0 head, 35" shaft, standard grip, 0 offset hosel, 68 degree lie with 75g of weight in the shaft.
Absolute fantastic experience- and now I need to ponder which way I want to go from a new putter perspective. While I was there, Ian also put me through the Odyssey cart and Ping cart that he had onsite and built two other contenders with nearly identical specs as the EAS. I just have to decide which way I want to go now… As the cost difference is $100-$150 if I go with Edel.
Thanks to everyone here who said go do it, was very good money spent. Now time to look at moving on from my Vegas and SuperNova and figuring out which way to go.
I love this so much. EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT!
You were right- the aim part of it was mind boggling. Given my miss and struggles this year makes absolute perfect sense.
Aim bias is the most under talked about thing when it comes to putting and putters. It’s game changing when you know what yours is, and what putters help, or hurt. Same with alignment aids, offset, and so much more!
That laser will break minds.
Great write-up. The aim bias is pretty mind boggling.