johngrahamgolf
'88 Apex Redlines
3Jack Top 20 Short Game/Putting Instructor
Posts: 229
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Post by johngrahamgolf on Oct 14, 2011 21:30:37 GMT -5
I have read somewhere, probably on this site, that Ritchie went through the process of getting an Edel putter, if i am not mistaken. I wonder how his putting is like since then. I also saw John Graham had a write-up on his site, that he got one eventually. At what level of proficiency should a golfer consider getting one? My kids are still at the stage where they are still trying to improve or "find" what work for them set-up wise, stroke wise, etc, so i am not sure they have a set way to putt yet. When is it too early to go for an eval, considering that any putting setup changes may change things? Am i making sense? THanks. Sorry it has taken me so long to see this thread. First off, Golfdad, How are you and the girls? I hope the summer went well. We certainly need to get together again so I can show everyone some information that will allow them to handle the more difficult situations they will run into on the course. Same goes for you Richie. Hopefully this winter should work out fine. Back to the question at hand. Like I wrote in my post, I was pretty skeptical going in. It confirmed for me that my aim was ok and that I aimed the ball really well. I think simply the knowledge of how the girls aim is good information. Don't forget that you can go through a fitting without purchasing just to see what their tendencies are. For me, it helped clear up lots of doubt. It explained why I leaned toward face balanced or center shafted putters and could never feel comfortable with an anser style. Things like that. As you mentioned, the where of the weight has really improved my touch. I would recommend doing the fitting process and doing it with someone that is fairly picky. The person I used (Jane Frost, Cape Cod, MA) fell into that category. I still think the fit is a little subjective and a player can be pushed one way or the other. Try to find a fitter that will spend the extra time to let the fit do the pushing and not the teacher. My fitting was between an hour and hour and a half. Best of luck and hope to hear from you soon. JG
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Post by golfdad on Oct 20, 2011 8:57:30 GMT -5
Hello John, thanks for the reply. I know you are a busy guy! Kids are doing well. Good students, keeping up with golf as much as they can. Summer events went well for Hana. Played in Girl's Amateur, unable to get into match play, shot 81-73. Played 5 AJGA events (yup, with your aimchart:): all in the 70s with one 69. A big deal for her, actually surprising because other players are just so pro like. Currently ranked top 30 (polo) in her graduating year (2013). She is looking to play golf in academic schools. She may visit Harvard one day and perhaps I can set up an appt with Ms Frost in MA. Several Ivy schools have offered her a spot. She may end up in New Jersey:) Anina had a summer to remember. Came in second in Callaway Junior (by one shot, thanks to the interesting wind pattern in san diego. morning vs noon. no caddying . Won US KIDS World at Pinehurst (age 10 group), shot 63, 69 and 72, won by 7 strokes. Yes, she did use your aimchart:) My wife caddied for her, so that basically means she was there to calm Anina down and she basically played on her own. Interesting how other kids bring their own PGA teachers as caddies from all over the world. Too serious too soon? too bad. I suspect many kids would have done better if their best friends were on the bag instead of their know it all teachers:) Besides working with them on putting, using the aimchart esp if the gradient is big, we have been trying to work on a more sound and consistent stroke. Hana improved a bit with her posture so that now her putter toe does not stick up as much by changing the way she grips the putter. Anina, being much younger, tends to slide into bad habits easily and I have to keep an eye on her more closely. Thus my earlier question about being evaled prematurely for Edel. Since I don't play golf and thus do not use the aimchart, I have to question them often when they do something what do you really do? My kids are known to respond: oh, i forgot:) or, did you really tell me that a min ago? For instance, couple weeks ago at dinner, I showed them some items on the dining table and asked them to tell me how many inches the objects were. You would be surprised and disappointed:) So i figure that If they could not accurately guesstimate the correct length from the cup, everything else is out of the window when it comes to using the aimchart, isn't it? The same goes with gradient estimation and green speed. So in a nutshell, there is still a lot of work to be done, more deliberately, to really get all the pieces together. Nothing fancy or flashy, but takes a lot more sweat and labor... my current verdict on aimchart use, for my kids, is this: It is highly likely that they have cut down on 3 putts, and miss one putt closer than before. To be able to hole it more often will take a lot more work. I won't bother you long. take care. oh, here is one more thing that eats into Anina's golf practice:) www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kHENX90ang
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Post by cloran on Oct 20, 2011 9:57:31 GMT -5
Please tell me you raised your kids on a steady diet of SpongeBob and iCarly... It's about all I can stomach.
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Post by golfdad on Oct 20, 2011 10:08:31 GMT -5
haha, cloran, have you seen this? www.pri.org/stories/arts-entertainment/does-spongebob-ruin-kids-attention-spans5893.htmlSpongebob was definitely on my younger's social diet. Perhaps that explains the forgetfulness in golf... Currently, they are into those competitions on TV, like big break, food channel chef competitions, etc Maybe I should introduce them to golf forums so that they see how people fight over ideologies, among other things:)
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johngrahamgolf
'88 Apex Redlines
3Jack Top 20 Short Game/Putting Instructor
Posts: 229
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Post by johngrahamgolf on Oct 25, 2011 20:42:47 GMT -5
Golfdad,
Happy to hear things went well this summer. I'm already making plans to be down in your area again next spring so I will keep you posted if they are interested in learning more.
I've really enjoyed reading your posts in multiple forums lately as an objective observer and logical thinker. Those traits sit very highly with me and I love that you are neither a golfer nor coach. It really allows you to simply use your intellect to take in and filter information logically.
Look forward to seeing you again and please tell the girls I said hello and congratulations on a great summer.
JG
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Post by golfdad on Oct 26, 2011 6:51:25 GMT -5
Thank you, John. I have to give you credit for opening their eyes, feet and mind to assessing putting in a new dimension. Often journeys like that takes time, but I am positive we are on the track heading the right direction. Yup, i end up as the reluctant, by- default dad coach, partly because imo learning something seriously (golf or violin) takes much more than the format of once a week lesson. For better outcome, kids need feedback more frequently and more timely. I am truly trying to learn on the job, getting help from all angles, even if that means getting in the cross fire zone of online golf forums:) I sold golf to my kids under the impression it is a non contact sport. Not sure anymore:) Please update us with your spring schedule. Summer is tougher. Good luck with everything. I also want to let you know that your video on clubface alignment is a gem. I wish more teachers focus on organization and content like you. www.youtube.com/user/johngrahamgolf?blend=7&ob=5#p/u/18/7cCHUWsNQ5o
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Post by 94monarch on Nov 12, 2011 18:17:43 GMT -5
I did the Edel Putter fitting in Orlando last year. I am very pleased with the results. I would personally recommend that if you decide to go with an Edel go in with an open mind to styles etc...I went in and said "I dont care what it looks like, just make me stop aiming left if you can" I had always been a Cameron Newport guy and the fitter made it clear that that was not a good setup for me. I can tell you the putter they fit me in looks straight out of KMart but it has helped my putting. In the end, they sell putters. If you insist on offset and heel shafted Ping Anser look they will probably try to make it work. But I think you are short changing yourself if you do that. The fitter I had was very very thorough and she knew her stuff.
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Post by tightdraw on Nov 12, 2011 21:40:57 GMT -5
I second Monarch's remarks. The putter I ended up with after being fit in NYC bore no physical relationship to any putter I have ever used -- and I have been playing golf for over 40years! Not quite K-Mart, but not a luxury liner either. I have never putted better or with more confidence
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roh
Apex II's
Posts: 53
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Post by roh on Nov 13, 2011 11:56:23 GMT -5
TD, where are the pics?
My results were somewhat different. I didn't aim all that poorly, but I add loft at address. After a long fitting, which became part lesson, we wound up with something that was similar to what I had gravitated toward in the past, but with 1 degree of loft. Because I want to get it right, we decided to give it a week and test it out again. If the alignment and loft look right, I'm pulling the trigger. Figure I'll have it by late January and the season doesn't start here until mid March at best. True putting doesn't really happen until April when they start cutting and rolling.
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Post by golfdad on Nov 14, 2011 8:18:52 GMT -5
ha, more interesting comments...
90 monarch, in orlando, where did you go?
is this whole fitting process just one session or more than one?
by the time you are done, do you actually hold and trial play with a putter that will be made later for you?
is it a good idea to get fitted in a location where we go for vacation or stay local?
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Post by tightdraw on Nov 14, 2011 22:50:09 GMT -5
the fitting is one time. you can make it two if you like; but coming back the next day and seeing if it is still the right putter for you. When you settle on a putter, that's your putter. They then make it for you. You can add some extras including weight options for different greens. I resisted that. One putter for me. Get the feel of one putter period. I would be fitted where the best fitters are quite apart from where yo live or vacation
TD
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Post by golfdad on Nov 15, 2011 8:54:29 GMT -5
Thank you TD, your explanation is very helpful.
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