Is this a Rare Edel Mckenzie Putter?
I’ve been collecting golf gear long enough to know when something unusual pops up, and this old Edel Mckenzie putter fit that bill perfectly.
Awhile back, my local vintage/thrift golf buddy (@midwest_vintage_golf on Instagram) posted this putter from an estate sale in his stories. As I was late-night mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, this really jumped out at me and I was in love. Right away, a bunch of little details stood out: the old Edel “E” logo in the cavity, the 1‑of‑1 stamping on the sole, and most intriguingly, the bold “Mckenzie” stamp. That Mckenzie stamp is what really set my mind wandering on that late evening…
David Edel and Alister MacKenzie
Dr. Alister MacKenzie was one of the most influential golf course architects in the history of the game. Most notably, the mastermind behind Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pasatiempo and Royal Melbourne, among others. His design philosophy emphasized natural terrain flow, strategic options, and subtle contours that reward thoughtful play.
What even more piqued my interest was the part of MacKenzie lore that David Edel himself was obsessed with: the El BoquerĂłn course plans. These were for a private Argentine golf course MacKenzie sketched out around 1930 that was never built due to the Depression, but whose imaginative routing and double green concepts have captivated architecture nerds ever since.
(That project, sometimes called the Lost MacKenzie, later became the inspiration for a new build in South Carolina decades later – the 21 Golf Club. But that’s a story for another day.)
So seeing “McKenzie” on the sole of this handmade piece immediately made me wonder if this could be something special.
Pulling the Trigger on the Mystery Edel Mckenzie Putter
I didn’t know much more than the fact that this was an unusual early Edel putter. But I knew it would be a sweet addition to my collection nonetheless. I texted Sir @midwest_vintage_golf and asked what he wanted for it. He gave me a great price, and the deal was made.
Once it was in my hands, I wanted needed to know more. I reached out to my contact at Edel at the time to see if anyone could shed light on the putter’s origin. Even though David Edel had long been away from the brand, there were still people around who could dig into it. Feedback eventually came via David’s son Nico, who had the insight on early putters. Nico said:
“It’s old for sure. I’d put its date in the late ’90s to early 2000s. Unfortunately, my dad never made a putter for himself. The DE stamp on the heel was just his maker’s mark, but it was definitely handmade by my dad back in the day.”
This confirmed what I suspected: it wasn’t a mass-produced model. The only remaining mystery? The initials “CD” stamped on the sole, who that was for? I don’t know yet, but that just adds to the intrigue.
Figuring Out the Mystery and Enjoying the Ride
After the putter was safely in my hands and I had a little sharper brain, I realized something important: the stamping reads “Mckenzie”, not “MacKenzie” like Alister the architect’s last name. Was this a simple mistake in the stamping? Maybe the initials “CD” were some sort of denotation of the error? “Cease & Desist!” Or perhaps Mckenzie was a wife, daughter, or someone else significant to “CD”? Either way, I got a little ahead of myself drawing all those Edel/MacKenzie conclusions. But that’s all part of the fun of hunting down these quirky, one-off pieces.
Edel was, and still is, one of the most intriguing boutique putter (and wedge) makers of the modern era. Go down that Google rabbit hole, specifically around the early 2010s or so, and see some of the wild custom clubs he made. This putter has all the hallmarks of David Edel’s early craftsmanship: the old “E” logo, the handmade feel, and the personal maker’s mark on the face heel. Even without knowing the full story behind CD or the exact inspiration for the name, it’s a slice of golf gear history that’s fun to own, examine, and roll on a green.
Final Thoughts – 1 of 1 Edel Mckenzie Putter
There’s something satisfying about holding a piece of golf history in your hands, even if it’s a small, niche piece of it. Especially when it’s handmade, one-of-a-kind, and just a little mysterious. This Edel Mckenzie putter has that feeling. It’s not about value or embellishments; it’s about the craft, the care that went into making it, and the small joys of discovering something unique in fun places.
For me, it’s the kind of club that sparks curiosity, inspires stories, and reminds me why collecting vintage and boutique gear is rewarding. Every time I roll a putt with it, I think about how I got it, the hands that made it, and the potential personal history it carries – and that’s what makes it special.
