Tour Edge Template Series Putters
“Template golf holes” were created as a perfect foundation for how future golf holes should be designed. Through the use of classic shapes from mallets to blades, Tour Edge’s Template Series aims to embody that same concept of timeless standards. Each of the Tour Edge Template Series putters is named after a signature Template hole and is available in black or silver PVD finishes.
The Looks
There are eight different putters in the Tour Edge Template Series. Each putter has its own classic shape whether a mallet, blade, or anywhere in between. The Eden pictured above is your classic “number 2” blade shape. Also featured in this review is the Punchbowl – a “half circle” mallet designed for forgiveness and stability. There are also recognizable “fang” options as well as wider body blades and larger mallets to fit almost any putting need imaginable. The putters here feature a sleek black PVD finish that reduces glare from the sun and has proven to be plenty durable so far. The silver PVD finish gives the putter a classic stainless look, but also features black finishes on the flange to create contrast for better alignment.
How Does it Feel?
Feel will vary depending on which Tour Edge Template Series putter you choose. Each putter is milled from 304 stainless steel and features Tour Edge’s Micro-Groove face technology. For those keeping track at home, the Micro-Grooves are 20% deeper and wider than Tour Edge’s previous Template putters.
The Punchbowl mallet that I tested has a very nice balance thanks to a higher MOI. This means the putter is more stable and resistant to twisting at impact so it’s easier to control. The face response is soft, but has enough feedback to let you know exactly where you’re striking the ball. As a more forgiving design, the Punchbowl has a fairly generous sweet spot as well.
The Eden blade has less “balance” but is still a smooth blade and has a nice “active” feel to it. While blade putters tend to have very small sweet spots, the Eden’s is a bit larger than normal. That’s not to say it’s as generous as the Punchbowl’s, but it’s a bit larger than normal for a blade.
I can’t skip over something really important while we’re in the Feel section – the stock grip. I don’t tend to speak much to grips in a putter review, but the 2023 Template Series features one of the far and away greatest of all time – the Lamkin Deep Etched pistol grip. The Lamkin Deep Etch allows precise response to make it into your hands and has a generally great feel in terms of standard-sized pistol grips.
How Does it Sound?
Once again, the sound will depend on which Tour Edge Template Series putter you select. The Punchbowl has a softer, muted sound. Impact results in a sort of subdued “bop”. For how thin the wall of the face is, I’m pretty impressed with how much the sound mutes. I assume that’s a result of the PVD finish combined with the larger body.
The Eden Template putter has a bit of a sharper tone to it. It’s tough to explain, but the general sound is still fairly muted, but there’s a hint of “tick” on top of it. As most blade putters do, the sound will quickly change as you deviate from the sweet spot.
On-Course Performance
Players looking for a quieter putting stroke with more stability will be more interested in the larger profiles of the Tour Edge Template Series putters. My experience with the Punchbowl is that it’s very stable through the putting stroke and consistently returning the face to its starting position comes easily. This results in reliable accuracy keeping your putts on line. This level of reliability and consistency is less “built in” with the Eden, but that’s just standard operating procedure. Players that putt well with blades tend to have a very solid putting stroke with lots of natural control.
The Micro-Groove face technology is designed to produce a quick roll by reducing skidding at impact. Both putters I tested from the Template Series produced a really nice, tight roll. The advantage I feel this “behavior” gives me is that the ball will hold its line better and there seem to be less variables influencing the putt. Combining this roll characteristic with the stability of a higher MOI design like the Punchbowl makes for a high level of control and more confidence on the green.
Final Thoughts – Tour Edge Template Series
Much like Charles Blair Macdonald’s template golf holes have stood the test of time, so should a good putter. The Tour Edge Template Series of putters feature a handful of tried and true head shapes that golfers have depended on for decades and will continue to do so for years to come. The lineup is especially impressive when you consider the level of quality and the extremely affordable price point of $129. I found the Punchbowl to be really enjoyable on the greens and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to invest in a long term mallet without breaking the bank. Somewhat coincidentally, the Punchbowl hole #12 at Chicago Golf Club also just so happens to be one of my favorite holes in all of golf! Not a bad golf hole to share your namesake with…
