Let me first say that I had very high hopes for this putter and these to my surprise were exceeded. The claims of LAB and the technology and design of these putters and the fact that they want to stay square, are spot on. Nothing I have putted with does what this putter does. It feels different than anything I have ever stroked a put with. Not sure it is for everyone (though I don’t know why it wouldn’t be) but it is a very distinct feel, and allows me to feel as if there is no need for any kind of manipulation to maintain square clubface to swing path. I was very excited to get this blade style version and see how the technology of the LAB spaceship version would be applied to the more traditional and much smaller version. I am going to try to not sound as if I am spouting hyperbole about this putter but I fell in love with this putter from the minute I picked it up and drew it back. As a person who is drawn to the look of the Anser style putter, this has a different look. Some of my buddies said it looks like a hotdog on a stick or a block of steel on a stick ,and while these descriptions are not inaccurate, I found myself growing very fond of the look regardless. I was not sure how I would like the center shafted look or how I would adjust to the Press 1.5 grip, but it felt extremely comfortable from the first time I picked it up. Any concerns about the look not being the same as looking down on my plumbers neck Scotty, Bettinardi, or Mizuno versions that I have were put to rest immediately. I have been one that jumps from putter to putter gravitating to Anser style or a smaller profile winged mallet such as a Cameron Phantom 5.5 as a backup. If my putting hit a rough patch, all too often my answer was a new putter or to recycle one from my existing inventory. I have a bag full of thousands of dollars worth of putters as evidence ,and I told my buddies that after the past several weeks putting with this putter, that I am selling every other putter I have, and getting another B.2 and a Mezz as a backup if I want to put a mallet style in play. I am the type of person that does not get rid of putters ,but I do not see the putters I have gotten before this opportunity to review the B.2 making their way back in the bag. I have putted with this putter almost exclusively since receiving it. It is hands down the BEST putter I have ever used in every way, feel, weight, look, performance, everything. This putter is quickly becoming my FAVORITE club.
Aesthetics4.9/5 Stars
The B.2 is very much the minimalist in looks for the LAB lineup. It looks similar to some other center shafted putters on the market. The graphics and badging are very simple and fit very well with the look of this putter. I think the particular putter I got with the stainless steel head on the White LAGolf shaft looks awesome together. I have several very good looking Scotty Cameron Putters and this is the best looking putter in my lineup of putters. The look of this putter is very simple and traditional and though this is not the way of most putters currently on the market, I for one like this traditional simple look. There is only one complaint that I have about this putter and it is purely due to the fact that I do not like to bend over and pick up my gimmies. This putter offers no way to scoop up the ball with the back edge of the putter. This is the reason for the 4.9 as I like to be able to rake up a ball with the back of my putter on the green. This putter is not flashy but it does draw attention more than any other putter I have played with. I constantly am being asked what kind of putter it is usually followed by “dang that’s nice”.
The feel of the ball off the face of this putter is very soft and muted. If the ball is struck center face it is like butter. Sound of impact is a very subtle muted sound, it’s a very light click. In line with most aspects of this putter, very subtle. I did find a much more harsh clicky feel if the ball creeps too far up in my stance and the leading edge of the blade impacts the ball. It gives immediate and punitive feedback on a mishit. There are no claims made by the OEM of exceptional forgiveness with the B.2 and for good reason. LAB has much more forgiving offerings but this is definitely not one and it’s not supposed to be. It is very evident when center face contact is not achieved. There is distinct feedback in sound and feel. If you do not make sweet spot contact this putter will let you know and performance numbers will definitely suffer.
The Numbers(5.0/5)
The numbers where the rubber meets the road. Looks, feel, etc. all are insignificant if the ball isn’t going in the hole with less attempts. For me this putter does. One area that I have noticed a big improvement is the number of 3 putts. The thing that took the most getting used to with this putter was judging speed on 20+ foot putts. Once I did a few drills for lag putting I was quickly able to adjust to the feel of this putter. As I stated above I have always gravitated toward Anser style putters but over the last couple of years I have started playing some Mallet style putters like Phantom 5.5 basically blade putter with wings. I did this because I was not aligning correctly or getting the ball started on line consistently with my blade putters. I would putt with it a few rounds and then go back to my blade putter. With the B.2 it is like point and click. I am consistently getting the ball started on line better than I ever have. The B.2 is very easy to line up square. This combined with very solid distance control is a huge reason why my 3 putts are way down. I did quite a bit of putting on my Exputt putting simulator on putts from 5’ to 30’ feet. I made a comparison of the B.2 and my previous main putter, a Bettinardi BB-1 and I found that the path and face angle with the B.2 were much more consistently square at impact. I had a much lower amount of deviation from square with the B.2 as well. This translates to much tighter dispersion right and left. As I pointed out before, forgiveness is not the forte of this putter. Intentional misses high, low or heel, toe on the face of the putter were penalized pretty severely. They lost line and distance significantly. Centerface contact is a must. That being said a well struck putt with this putter rolls flawlessly and holds its line with immediate end over end roll. I had the grooved face version of this putter and I love the way the ball rolls out. This putter is very solid from the tight fringe as well. I wish I could say I am holing 20’ footers left and right but I am getting putts in the hole in less strokes and have occasionally hole a bomb or two. Longest putt holed so far with the B.2 is 76’ double breaker uphill first half and downhill to the hole. Longest putt attempted with the B.2 is 96’ and didn’t 3 putt (yes while it was a G.I.R. it did not help my proximity numbers).
On-Course (5.0/5
As I have said throughout this review I absolutely love this club (except on gimmies). The place where this putter shines is those 4’ or less putts, especially little breakers. This putter is money. Line up, set the putter down, and stroke it in the back of the cup. I did not start playing competitive golf until adulthood and I have always struggled on the knee knocker 3’-5’ putts that you just have to make. I played the State Amatuer Qualifying tournament last week and had zero 3 putts in a competition round. This is in large part to this putter and the confidence I have with it in my hands. I am excited to get on the greens and putt. I feel like even on the long snakey putts they are going to have a chance to go in and if not I will make the next putt. The only thing about this putter that I would add or change is a way to scoop the ball off the green without bending over (or putting the plunger pick up on the butt of the club). Until I give the Mezz a try at some point this putter is not going anywhere. In fact I may need to order a twin just in case.
The Good, the bad, the inbetween(5.0/5)
I was very pleased with all aspects of this experience. I was very pleased with the fitting process, the order process, and customization options. I did not have any issues with the OEM. I know some of the other reviewers of this product have spoken to some of the key personnel at LAB, I did not speak to them other than the email I received with my fitting specs. I really did not have any additional questions or concerns so I did not have an issue with this. I was very pleased with the process and the product.
Play it or Trade it? (5.0/5)
Pretty sure that if you have read this far in the review the answer to this is very apparent. This club is in my bag and I do not see that changing (unless I get a Mezz and give it a try).
Conclusion
I had considered the purchase of a LAB putter over the last year or so. I have a buddy with the LAB spaceship model. As a blade style preferred putter, I just could not pull the trigger on that putter based on the size alone. I did stroke some putts with his, and immediately it is clear that there is something to the technology unlike anything on the market. When I got the opportunity to test this technology in a blade style putter and the ability to customize with the LA GOLF shaft fit to my specs, I hit the jackpot. Low and behold the putter arrived and it was better than I expected. I am a believer in this Lie Angle Balanced technology. American Express says, “don't leave home without it”. For me, Lie Angle Balanced “don’t go on the green without it”
L.A.B. B.2 Putter
Posted
https://forum.mygolfspy.com/tests/42-lab-b2-putter/?do=findComment&comment=8989
First Impressions 5.0/5 stars
Let me first say that I had very high hopes for this putter and these to my surprise were exceeded. The claims of LAB and the technology and design of these putters and the fact that they want to stay square, are spot on. Nothing I have putted with does what this putter does. It feels different than anything I have ever stroked a put with. Not sure it is for everyone (though I don’t know why it wouldn’t be) but it is a very distinct feel, and allows me to feel as if there is no need for any kind of manipulation to maintain square clubface to swing path. I was very excited to get this blade style version and see how the technology of the LAB spaceship version would be applied to the more traditional and much smaller version. I am going to try to not sound as if I am spouting hyperbole about this putter but I fell in love with this putter from the minute I picked it up and drew it back. As a person who is drawn to the look of the Anser style putter, this has a different look. Some of my buddies said it looks like a hotdog on a stick or a block of steel on a stick ,and while these descriptions are not inaccurate, I found myself growing very fond of the look regardless. I was not sure how I would like the center shafted look or how I would adjust to the Press 1.5 grip, but it felt extremely comfortable from the first time I picked it up. Any concerns about the look not being the same as looking down on my plumbers neck Scotty, Bettinardi, or Mizuno versions that I have were put to rest immediately. I have been one that jumps from putter to putter gravitating to Anser style or a smaller profile winged mallet such as a Cameron Phantom 5.5 as a backup. If my putting hit a rough patch, all too often my answer was a new putter or to recycle one from my existing inventory. I have a bag full of thousands of dollars worth of putters as evidence ,and I told my buddies that after the past several weeks putting with this putter, that I am selling every other putter I have, and getting another B.2 and a Mezz as a backup if I want to put a mallet style in play. I am the type of person that does not get rid of putters ,but I do not see the putters I have gotten before this opportunity to review the B.2 making their way back in the bag. I have putted with this putter almost exclusively since receiving it. It is hands down the BEST putter I have ever used in every way, feel, weight, look, performance, everything. This putter is quickly becoming my FAVORITE club.
Aesthetics 4.9/5 Stars
The B.2 is very much the minimalist in looks for the LAB lineup. It looks similar to some other center shafted putters on the market. The graphics and badging are very simple and fit very well with the look of this putter. I think the particular putter I got with the stainless steel head on the White LAGolf shaft looks awesome together. I have several very good looking Scotty Cameron Putters and this is the best looking putter in my lineup of putters. The look of this putter is very simple and traditional and though this is not the way of most putters currently on the market, I for one like this traditional simple look. There is only one complaint that I have about this putter and it is purely due to the fact that I do not like to bend over and pick up my gimmies. This putter offers no way to scoop up the ball with the back edge of the putter. This is the reason for the 4.9 as I like to be able to rake up a ball with the back of my putter on the green. This putter is not flashy but it does draw attention more than any other putter I have played with. I constantly am being asked what kind of putter it is usually followed by “dang that’s nice”.
The feel of the ball off the face of this putter is very soft and muted. If the ball is struck center face it is like butter. Sound of impact is a very subtle muted sound, it’s a very light click. In line with most aspects of this putter, very subtle. I did find a much more harsh clicky feel if the ball creeps too far up in my stance and the leading edge of the blade impacts the ball. It gives immediate and punitive feedback on a mishit. There are no claims made by the OEM of exceptional forgiveness with the B.2 and for good reason. LAB has much more forgiving offerings but this is definitely not one and it’s not supposed to be. It is very evident when center face contact is not achieved. There is distinct feedback in sound and feel. If you do not make sweet spot contact this putter will let you know and performance numbers will definitely suffer.
The Numbers (5.0/5)
The numbers where the rubber meets the road. Looks, feel, etc. all are insignificant if the ball isn’t going in the hole with less attempts. For me this putter does. One area that I have noticed a big improvement is the number of 3 putts. The thing that took the most getting used to with this putter was judging speed on 20+ foot putts. Once I did a few drills for lag putting I was quickly able to adjust to the feel of this putter. As I stated above I have always gravitated toward Anser style putters but over the last couple of years I have started playing some Mallet style putters like Phantom 5.5 basically blade putter with wings. I did this because I was not aligning correctly or getting the ball started on line consistently with my blade putters. I would putt with it a few rounds and then go back to my blade putter. With the B.2 it is like point and click. I am consistently getting the ball started on line better than I ever have. The B.2 is very easy to line up square. This combined with very solid distance control is a huge reason why my 3 putts are way down. I did quite a bit of putting on my Exputt putting simulator on putts from 5’ to 30’ feet. I made a comparison of the B.2 and my previous main putter, a Bettinardi BB-1 and I found that the path and face angle with the B.2 were much more consistently square at impact. I had a much lower amount of deviation from square with the B.2 as well. This translates to much tighter dispersion right and left. As I pointed out before, forgiveness is not the forte of this putter. Intentional misses high, low or heel, toe on the face of the putter were penalized pretty severely. They lost line and distance significantly. Centerface contact is a must. That being said a well struck putt with this putter rolls flawlessly and holds its line with immediate end over end roll. I had the grooved face version of this putter and I love the way the ball rolls out. This putter is very solid from the tight fringe as well. I wish I could say I am holing 20’ footers left and right but I am getting putts in the hole in less strokes and have occasionally hole a bomb or two. Longest putt holed so far with the B.2 is 76’ double breaker uphill first half and downhill to the hole. Longest putt attempted with the B.2 is 96’ and didn’t 3 putt (yes while it was a G.I.R. it did not help my proximity numbers).
On-Course (5.0/5
As I have said throughout this review I absolutely love this club (except on gimmies). The place where this putter shines is those 4’ or less putts, especially little breakers. This putter is money. Line up, set the putter down, and stroke it in the back of the cup. I did not start playing competitive golf until adulthood and I have always struggled on the knee knocker 3’-5’ putts that you just have to make. I played the State Amatuer Qualifying tournament last week and had zero 3 putts in a competition round. This is in large part to this putter and the confidence I have with it in my hands. I am excited to get on the greens and putt. I feel like even on the long snakey putts they are going to have a chance to go in and if not I will make the next putt. The only thing about this putter that I would add or change is a way to scoop the ball off the green without bending over (or putting the plunger pick up on the butt of the club). Until I give the Mezz a try at some point this putter is not going anywhere. In fact I may need to order a twin just in case.
The Good, the bad, the inbetween (5.0/5)
I was very pleased with all aspects of this experience. I was very pleased with the fitting process, the order process, and customization options. I did not have any issues with the OEM. I know some of the other reviewers of this product have spoken to some of the key personnel at LAB, I did not speak to them other than the email I received with my fitting specs. I really did not have any additional questions or concerns so I did not have an issue with this. I was very pleased with the process and the product.
Play it or Trade it? (5.0/5)
Pretty sure that if you have read this far in the review the answer to this is very apparent. This club is in my bag and I do not see that changing (unless I get a Mezz and give it a try).
Conclusion
I had considered the purchase of a LAB putter over the last year or so. I have a buddy with the LAB spaceship model. As a blade style preferred putter, I just could not pull the trigger on that putter based on the size alone. I did stroke some putts with his, and immediately it is clear that there is something to the technology unlike anything on the market. When I got the opportunity to test this technology in a blade style putter and the ability to customize with the LA GOLF shaft fit to my specs, I hit the jackpot. Low and behold the putter arrived and it was better than I expected. I am a believer in this Lie Angle Balanced technology. American Express says, “don't leave home without it”. For me, Lie Angle Balanced “don’t go on the green without it”
Final Score (29.9 out of 30 stars)