David Edel shares some of the biggest influences he's had in his life who have impacted his golfing career.
Welcome back to the Edel Golf Podcast! In today’s episode, I want to talk with you about something that means a lot to me personally. Having been a PGA Professional for nearly 25 years, it’s important for me to recognize the people who have helped me throughout my entire career as a player, teacher, and clubmaker.
My hope is that you, as a listener, seek some of these people out and learn from the knowledge they have to share.
The first individual is the late Ben Doyle. He was the first authorized instructor of the Golfing Machine. I “first met Ben back in 1989… I was just a young college kid at the time…” Not only did I learn a lot from this wonderful man, but he also opened up a huge network of the world’s best instructors, players, and influencers. Sure, Ben shared a lot of information with me. More than anything, however, ”he taught me how to be a golf professional… how to man your post, how to care about your students.”
After working with Ben, I started working with Henry Griffitts where I met Randy Henry. In my opinion, “he is the father of modern-day fitting.” His company invented things like the lie board and removable shaft system that we still use today. The time I spent with both Ben Doyle and Randy Henry tremendously shaped what Edel Golf has become today.
Mike Adams is another individual who made a huge impact on me and my career. Not to be confused with Adams Golf, Mike is an extraordinary teacher who’s written north of 20 books, taught four presidents, the list goes on. Suffice it to say, “the guy’s influenced more teachers than anybody in the business.” He “gives and gives and gives, and he never takes.”
One of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around is Mark Sweeney, the creator of Aim Point. His hard work and research have revolutionized the green reading process and I’m proud to call him my friend.
Through Mike, I met Terry Rowles. He works alongside Mike to create processes to “demystify the golf swing… make it more about how you can play your best golf… how you can understand your own body type…” A large part of their work is helping other instructors understand these complex systems so that they can better serve their students.
Jim Fannin is a world leader when it comes to sports psychology. Reading his work has played a huge role in helping me stay in the zone both on and off the golf course.
Last but not least, is one of my best friends, Mike Schy. Mike thinks outside the box and was instrumental in helping Bryson DeChambeau learn to play with single-length clubs.
This list is far from complete as far as people that have played a critical role in shaping who I am as a PGA Professional and a person. However, these folks are free thinkers and it’s my whole-hearted belief that the knowledge and information they bring to the table is worth sharing with everybody.
If you’re curious to learn a little more about what each of these people are about, I highly encourage you to seek them out.
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll see you next time on the Edel Golf Podcast!