Final Reviews: L.A.B. B.2 Putter

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)

 

This has been an absolute whirlwind of a summer for me, and at the center of this golf season has been the LAB B.2 Putter testing. I’ve tested it on practice greens, links courses, woodland courses, private courses, municipal courses, and the famous Punchbowl 36 hole putting course at Bandon Dunes in Oregon, though I’m not using any data points from the Punchbowl as the accuracy deteriorated rapidly coinciding with my above average alcohol intake. I’m very excited to go through the numbers along with the more subjective items. If I were to put a thesis on the testing, I would say the marketing phrase LAB uses, “The club face just wants to return to square,” is absolutely spot on. With no further ado, the review:

 

First Impressions 5/5 - I’ll start here by explaining what I meant by the club head just wanting to return to square. Whether you have a blade type swing or a mallet type swing, the lie angle balance allows the club face to come back to square throughout your swing. Simply, to quote the great Hermione Grainger, “It’s magic.” I felt like on the Perfect Putter training aid practice session and initial on course practice I couldn’t hit the ball offline from my mark. I use the TP5 Pix ball when putting as I want the instant feedback you get when you start rolling the ball and can see you hit it straight on your line. This helps me understand how my putt reading is doing that day. If I roll it straight and true and I miss high or low, I can immediately take that into my next putt.

There is something to be said about starting a putt out online, rolling off the face at a perfect launch angle, and finding the bottom of the cup. The feel out of the center of the club face (more on that later) is the perfect blend of soft and hot. Some blades suffer from being soft but dead inside like my high school principal and current putter in the bag just before this test (foreshadowing?), the Cleveland Huntington Beach series blade. Other putters like my old Taylormade TP blade suffer from the opposite problem where they’re too hot with very little feel, similar to my college girlfriend. The B.2 was an unbelievably perfect blend of the two amounting to what I would trademark “Hot with the Feels.”

Aesthetics 3/5 - Right out of the box, this putter has maybe the most attractive finish of any golf club I’ve ever tested. It oozes a premium vibe in how flat the light bounces off the different angles with an almost raw feel to the finish. For the initial unboxing ceremony alone, I would give the aesthetics 5/5 stars, but things changed over time with the finish. I’ll get back to this in a later section describing some of the downsides of the putter, because much like myself, the more time in the sun and on the course the putter spent, the more haggard he looked.

That’s sadly where the initial jaw dropping concluded. A few things stand out but none more than the center shafted club head. My caddie at Bandon Dunes saw the club and asked if I had made it at home. This may very well be the future of putting as you’ll see in the Numbers section, but this is a very much divergent look to a standard blade. This is obviously the technology that enables the ‘lie angle balance,’ but other putters achieve the same thing and achieve a look that is a more classical blade. I think Edel does an amazing job with this. Though I can’t speak for those, the design of the B.2 achieves it’s purpose. The look going directly into the center of the putter just takes some getting used to.

Something else that takes some getting used to is the grip. I have the B.2 with the LAB Golf Press 1.L grip. I used to mimic Jordan Spieth and press my grip forward before stroking my putt, but I realized I wasn’t doing myself any favors as I was not maintaining a proper launch off the putter face. This subtle grip design has the shaft coming out of the grip at a forward angle that is very noticeable. You get used to it, but looking straight down at the putter for the first few times throws you off just a little. Much like my parents small, ugly dog, I love it now, but it’s not going to draw you in just looking at it.

Numbers 5/5 - On to the only thing that truly matters when using golf clubs. My friend put it best when watching me putt with the B.2 when he said, “Never take that club out of your bag.” I will say, my old Cleveland putter started playing it’s best golf right when it heard I was going to be testing a new club as all old clubs are wont to do. I got graduation goggles the two rounds before this test started. Then, after a week or two of testing, I played my first few rounds with the B.2, and it did not disappoint. Below are just two rounds with the B.2 on my Strokes Gained 18Birdies app:

The crazy thing about those two rounds is that they were at Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes golf course. It’s hard to explain just how different it is putting at a links course, but I shot a 77 and a 78 at those course respectively, and I WORKED the hell out of the putter. Bandon Dunes resort is true links golf and I putt from 20+ yards off the green constantly. I’m not at all a Texas wedge guy, but you have to play that way at a links course like those. When I talked to the CEO, he was concerned my test wouldn’t go well with the B.2 at Bandon because the greens are very complex with multiple types of grass and some extreme undulation. I’d like to express that the putter gave me confidence and feel to the point where I killed it on that trip with my putter making 30+ footers multiple rounds.

The pièce de rèsistance for the B.2 during testing was my all time low putting round of 26 putts on 18 holes at the course where I play my golf league. Granted, my chipping game was on fire that day, but I didn’t miss a putt from inside 10 feet all day. My handicap is plummeting for better or for worse as the lower the handicap, the less likely I win money week-over-week!

On-course 5/5 - Not to ‘feed a fed horse,’ (#petaapprovedphrase) but the B.2 truly did not disappoint on the course. I won’t spend much more time here as we’ve really gone deep on my love affair with the putter out on the course. The last piece I’ll dd here with the On-course rating is the same message my dad gave me going into high school: “Confidence is king.” Looking down at my ball, aligned perfectly to my read, and ready to put a swing on it, I’ve never felt more confident that I can launch the ball consistently and on-line.

The Good, the Bad, and the In-between 3/5 -

Good: We’ve gone on about a lot of this, but the highlights include the numbers, feel during a centered ball strike, flat plane, look over the ball, and square face during the stroke. Enough said here and above!

Bad: The club isn’t perfect, by any means. I’d say the biggest concerns don’t impact the club itself, though, and are really just aesthetic. Like I mentioned before, the club gets pretty dinged up VERY easily. There are already a lot of scratches on the finish. I admit, I often times will put the club head cover in the bag at the start of the round, but you really can’t do this with the B.2 if you want it to look like it did day 1. It’s definitely the least durable putter I’ve ever owned.

In-Between: You have to understand that if you are playing a blade, you are going to lose forgiveness on off-center hits. The same can be said of the B.2, but I do think it has a level of forgiveness better than other blades I’ve played. That said, you gotta hit the center of the club face.

I’d also like to call out the weight of the club feels light to me. I think there seems to be a dilemma you sometimes get when manufacturers weigh the cost benefit of weight vs. feel. The lighter clubs in my experience have way more feel than the heavier clubs, but vice versa, I’ve had good experience with heavier clubs being easier to lag putt. I think it’s an in-betweener for me here.

Play It or Trade It? 5/5 - The numbers, my friends, and my handicap as of late don’t lie, this is a ‘play it’ all the way to the bank. I have a hard time seeing myself getting rid of the B.2 at this point. I have been too consistent and had too good of a time with it.

Conclusion - Well since I’ve been sitting here pontificating about a 3lb piece of metal for 1,000 words, I think I can sum up the putter pretty easily. It’s not the best looking putter in the industry by any means, but the LAB B.2 putter has an incredible blend of “Hot with the Feels.” It’s given me not only more consistency round-by-round, but it’s also given me my best putting round ever with 26 putts. I'd like to thank LAB Golf for being so generous in this test. You've made a promoter out of me, that's for damn sure!

 

Full Intro Here: https://forum.mygolfspy.com/tests/42-lab-b2-putter/?do=findComment&comment=9006

Intro
HTTPS://forum.mygolfspy.com/tests/42-lab-b2-putter/?do=findComment&comment=9007

 

L.A.B. B.2 Review 01 June 2022 By: SHANKSTER

 

Introduction

 

Greetings everyone from Souther Maryland! I am honored to be part of such a test as this, out of everything I have seen since joining in 2017, the L.A.B. Putters have to be toward the top. A HUGE thank you to MyGolfSpy and L.A.B. For entrusting me with this review. Currently I play on the same course in Maryland nearly every week, but that is changing this summer, and the B.2 will be going on a road trip back to where it was built in Oregon. Along the way the plan is to get as many rounds in as we work our way across the country, and as many as I can before leaving. When my large family of 7 gets to Oregon, I plan to round out the test there playing on Gearhart Golf Links.

 

I have been playing golf since 1997, hmm I wonder what happend that year? There was a short break in there for a few years, but its been on my mind ever since.

 

I am a competitive golfer, and I try to beat my score every time I go out. A few people don't like to play golf with me because I am not out there to drink, or shoot the breeze... just to play the best golf I can. Not saying I wont have a friendly conversation with you, but for Pete's sake, keep up.

 

 

 

For the Test

 

I have been eyeing L.A.B. Putters for a long time, dreaming of the day when I could buy the Blade. The technology just makes sense to me, but i am not sure how to test if it actually makes a difference. I will be testing the putter on the practice green, and out on the course.

 

The Anser was state of the art when it came out, as is the technology found in the L.A.B. I do beleive it will be a heavy weight battle.

 

The metrics:

 

Feel

Accuracy

Head-to-Head with the Anser

 

The specs:

 

B.2:

 

70* Lie Angle

35.5" Accra x L.A.B. Shaft (graphite/composite)

Brass head w/ Grooves

Garsen Quad Pro Grip

No alignment aids

 

PING Anser (Current Gamer):

 

70* Lie Angle

35.25" Stock Steel Shaft

"Brass Head" w/ Grooves

PING oversized pistol grip

 

I ordered it close to the specs as the PING because I am super comfortable with it, and it makes a lot of putts. So the L.A.B. In nearly the same specs made sense, even the head material/color.

 

The fitting process was great. Phillip, my online fitter asked questions because he originally had me in a 68* lie angle but suggested that I go "a couple of degrees up" to get my eyeline more over the ball, (I was inside). I have an upright, Rickie Fowler-esque stance, narrow as well. If your have been thinking about a L.A.B. Putter, and dont have access to a fitter, rest assured the online fitting will do you well.

 

I have poured over their website, and could tell you every claim they make about the Lie Angle Balancing. I expect this thing to take the QB1 roll.  As a matter of fact, it showed up today, and I have rolled around 100 putts with it and..... stay tuned.

 

 

First Impressions (5 Stars)

 

As I mentioned before, the putter out of the box was the most well crafted club I have ever purchased, been gifted, etc. The packaging was a normal brown box with a L.A.B branding on the side of it, and it came with care instructions. (Old phone had these photos). The grip was put on perfectly, and the black shaft with the Brass Head is something that dreams are made of. So, the money maker for L.A.B. Is the lie angle balancing, and when holding this putter straight up, it stays that way.

 

Aesthetics (5 Stars)

 

This putter is very pleasing to look at. The brass bar at the end of the shaft looks old school, yet offers some new school cool to it as well. At the time of writing this it has started to take on a slight patina, which I cannot wait for it to be fully weathered because  it will look amazing.

 

General Shape: It looks like a brass bar on a stick. No frills, just a blade putter.

 

Graphics/Badging: Very minimal branding which is right up my alley.  I dont like advertising what clubs I have in the bag.

 

Overall Look: Old School cool with some technology mixed in.

 

Looks compared to other putters: It looks like a blade, but more squared off and shaped like a metal bar.

 

Sound: Centered putts are the best feeling golf club ever. Off-centered shots give you notice that you missed.

 

Consistency: The center is the very best place to hit this, just like other clubs, but off-centered putts are not punished that badly.

 

 

 

 

The Numbers (2 Stars)

 

Putting has been a strength for me for a while now, but this thing took some time to figure out. I spent quite a lot of time working on the practice green with this putter. At home I could drain just about everything, but on the green most of my putts went left. I  played 2 different courses, with different grasses on the green, as well as my favorite practice green downtown my home town. 11 rounds played, and countless hours practicing.

 

Accuracy: Worst part for me, I am not sure what my issues with it is but like I mentioned, my putts went left. Frustrating.

 

Distance Control: Another part where I struggled with this putter.

 

 

 

On The Course (4 Stars)

 

This putter was great on the course, it took a while to get use to the onset of the blade, but once I had it figured out it was nearly automatic. I got quite a lot of compliments from people I was paired up with. As of April 5th, 2023 it has been to (along with Oregon and Maryland) Hawaii and Mexico. It still has yet to earn the starting spot, but it is working on it.

 

The Good, Bad, and the Eastwood (5 Stars)

 

As I have mentioned, I always wanted to try the Edel Brick putter, and with this L.A.B. It was a mix of what I knew, and that brick.  The putter was flawlessly assembled, and the feel is so pure off the blade it is hard to explain the sensation. The bad, not much here other than my numbers section.  It was and still is hard to get used to after years of playing an offset blade putter.

 

 

 

Play it or Trade it (4 Stars)

 

I enjoy supporting smaller businesses, and if you were in the market to do just that and get an extremely high quality product, than this just might be the putter for you.  I would like to make it earn the QB1 spot, but I haven’t been able to put in the time lately due to deployments that I will be gone for over half the year.

 

I hope you got something from my review, I apologize for the EXTREME tardiness of it.

 

Cheers,

 

Shanky

Can’t wait to get my B.2. 

Definitely the prettiest of the three. As an ugly golfer myself, this was out of my league  excited to drool over the pictures you all post!

Interested to see the reviews of this. I currently play a seemore and the balance seems similar in theory. I don't use the alignment aid of the seemore, but love how the head doesn't move while being swung from a test rope.

Mine will be here tomorrow…. Unfortunately I’ll be on the road all day.  I should have my intro up and a few teaser photos tomorrow evening for you all to ooh and ahh over.
 

Edit: Never mind, I don’t know what day of the year it is.  It will be here Wednesday. Intro up tomorrow still.

23 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Mine will be here tomorrow…. Unfortunately I’ll be on the road all day.  I should have my intro up and a few teaser photos tomorrow evening for you all to ooh and ahh over.
 

Edit: Never mind, I don’t know what day of the year it is.  It will be here Wednesday. Intro up tomorrow still.

Definitely a little jealous.  Mine is still processing.  Can't wait to see your pics.

L.A.B. Golf Putter – Official MGS Forum Review by Larry Merrick

Intro-

 My Name is Larry Merrick and I am from Edmond, Oklahoma.  I am a scratch player H.I. +2 to 2(currently trending in the wrong direction at a 1.7).  I started playing the game during college at about age 19.   I am 48 years  now play a few times per week in money games at the club and competitively in the state golf association events and USGA qualifying events and as much as I would love to be able to make a living playing golf, my day job is that of a sales rep for an oil field service company.  I am married (and if you ask my wife she would say married to golf), I have 3 kids, a son and 2 daughters  29, 28 and 16.  I also have a granddaughter that is about to turn 2.  I am a die hard Oklahoma Sooner fan.  Outside of my family and work,  golf is definitely my choice of how I like to spend my time.  As much as I love golf, I love golf equipment just about as much.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to test out and review this L.A.B. putter.  The very best way to describe my game on the greens is INCONSISTENT.  I will drain a 60’ snake and follow up with a couple of misses inside 5’.  My rounds are largely defined by the kind of day I am having on the greens.  With all the inconsistency, my confidence is like a very exciting roller coaster.  I currently game a custom fit Bettinardi BB1-LN.  It is a face balanced blade.  I love the look and feel of my current putter.  I will use my ExPutt putting simulator to compare my gamer and the LAB putter to see how the two compare on consistency of strike, face orientation, and path.   I will also put the B.2 putter in play for several rounds.  I track strokes gained using the V1 game app.  I will use these stats as another means of comparison.  I will also give my take on the look and feel of the B.2 as a part of my review.  This is my first product review and I will give my best, most honest and objective review, but I have to say going in I have high hopes for the outcome of this test/review.  I am very excited about the opportunity to review this L.A.B. putter.  This putter may very well find its way into the starting lineup if it can live up to the consistency claims.  I do have a little familiarity with the LAB spaceship putter as one of the guys in my golf group plays the giant DF putter.  I have rolled a few putts with his L.A.B. DF putter on the practice greens and it is very balanced and stable, but I would have a very tough time getting past the enormity of that putter.  I like the B.2 and the Mezz.1 offerings.  I also like the custom shaft options that L.A.B.  makes available for their putters.   I am  intrigued by the lie balance concept and could really tell that my buddy’s putter was undoubtedly very stable.  I expect the putter stability and balance to be exceptional with the B.2.  I am interested to see how the fit of the putter is after only going through the online fitting process, as it is a very simple straight forward way of being fit for a flatstick.  I am going into this review with genuine hopes that it changes my life and finds it’s permanent place in my bag.  I look forward to the arrival of the B.2 and getting the test and review underway.

 

 

 

L.A.B. Golf Putter – Official MGS Forum Review by Chris Gibbs

Does this birdie putt scare you? No? Me neither, I was just checking 

My name is Chris Gibbs, I hail from Salt Lake City, UT, and my friends don't give me putts . A little about me: Handicap? 5.6. Beers Per Round (BPR) average? 6! I’ve been playing golf now for about 5 and a half years, much to my wife’s chagrin. I’m 30 years-old and have a 9-month-old son named James (my wife vetoed Eldrick Tiger Gibbs sadly). During the past 5 years, golf has become a bit of an obsession as you all here can relate, I’m sure. I’ve gone from an 18+ handicap to a 5.6 with countless hours of practice, coaching, and analyzing. The obsession leaked into my garage 3 years ago as you can see below. This allows me to stay in golf form through the Utah winters, and I have noticed a marked improvement with all aspects of my game in the spring except one: Putting.

Before we go down the putting path, a few more fun details about me. I was a Moderator on this very Forum for a year, standing up the AMA this past year before I was promoted at my current place of work to manage a team. That, and with the introduction of Baby James in my life, I had a choice to make: Be a moderator on a golf forum or sneak in a round of golf every week. Thus, I stepped down from the Forum position and am taking this last chance to be a part of the testing process. James is hoping I can learn something as he doesn't quite have a grasp on putting yet.

This brings me to the current step in my journey. I’ve mentioned this before, but my signature says all you need to know about my putting game. “My Putter Hates Me.” Not just my current putter, because I’ve had a lot of improvement with the Cleveland Huntington Beach #4. I’ve tried both mallets and blades over the years, but I settled on the blade design as my stroke wasn’t optimized for a straight back and straight through swing. I chose the B.2 as the fitter mentioned the B.2 or Mezz 1 would suite me, and the B.2 has the classic look I gravitate towards. I’ve been testing the 18Birdies Strokes Gained functionality for a year now, and I have around 50 rounds of golf to compare putting data to the B.2.

That's all from me until I get my hands on this Putter!

L.A.B. B.2 Official MGS Forum Review 01 June 2022 By: Shankster

Introduction

Greetings everyone from Southern Maryland! I am honored to be part of such a test as this, out of everything I have seen since joining in 2017, the L.A.B. Putters have to be toward the top. A HUGE thank you to MyGolfSpy and L.A.B. For entrusting me with this review. Currently I play on the same course in Maryland nearly every week, but that is changing this summer, and the B.2 will be going on a road trip back to where it was built in Oregon. Along the way the plan is to get as many rounds in as we work our way across the country, and as many as I can before leaving. When my large family of 7 gets to Oregon, I plan to round out the test there playing on Gearhart Golf Links.

I have been playing golf since 1997, hmm I wonder what happend that year? There was a short break in there for a few years, but its been on my mind ever since.

I am a competitive golfer, and I try to beat my score every time I go out. A few people don't like to play golf with me because I am not out there to drink, or shoot the breeze... just to play the best golf I can. Not saying I wont have a friendly conversation with you, but for Pete's sake, keep up.

For the Test

I have been eyeing L.A.B. Putters for a long time, dreaming of the day when I could buy the Blade. The technology just makes sense to me, but i am not sure how to test if it actually makes a difference. I will be testing the putter on the practice green, and out on the course.

The Anser was state of the art when it came out, as is the technology found in the L.A.B. I do beleive it will be a heavy weight battle.

The Metrics:

1. Feel
2. Accuracy
3. Head-to-Head with the Anser

The Specs:

B.2

70* Lie Angle

35.5" Accra x L.A.B. Shaft (graphite/composite)

Brass head w/ Grooves

Garsen Quad Pro Grip (Pistol Shape, no press)

No alignment aids

PING Anser (Current Gamer)
70* Lie Angle

35.25" Stock Steel Shaft

"Brass Head" w/ Grooves

PING oversized pistol grip

No alignment aids

I ordered it close to the specs as the PING because I am super comfortable with it, and it makes a lot of putts. So the L.A.B. In nearly the same specs made sense, even the head material/color.

The fitting process was great. Phillip, my online fitter asked questions because he originally had me in a 68* lie angle but suggested that I go "a couple of degrees up" to get my eyeline more over the ball, (I was inside). I have an upright, Rickie Fowler-esque stance, narrow as well. If your have been thinking about a L.A.B. Putter, and dont have access to a fitter, rest assured the online fitting will do you well.

I have poured over their website, and could tell you every claim they make about the Lie Angle Balancing. I expect this thing to take the QB1 roll.  As a matter of fact, it showed up today, and I have rolled around 100 putts with it and..... stay tuned.

 

Questions?

Haven’t had a chance to get it out on grass yet.  But practicing in the house I’ve noticed, as L.A.B suggests, moving the ball forward in the stance slightly, 1 ball forward and this thing is going to be like a homing beacon.

Great intros so far everyone! This is going to be a great test and I have a feeling you'll all hit it out of the park after the start you've all had. @Shankster, I love that brass head at it looks classy. How's the feel, so far? Is it as good as it looks like it would be?

15 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Haven’t had a chance to get it out on grass yet.  But practicing in the house I’ve noticed, as L.A.B suggests, moving the ball forward in the stance slightly, 1 ball forward and this thing is going to be like a homing beacon.

mmmm.....homing bacon   (Homer is my spirit animal)

5 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

Great intros so far everyone! This is going to be a great test and I have a feeling you'll all hit it out of the park after the start you've all had. @Shankster, I love that brass head at it looks classy. How's the feel, so far? Is it as good as it looks like it would be?

It has All of the feels.  Has me thinking about buying a full set of MB’s again.  Just a solid chuck of metal, it’s glorious just a solid strike.  It is a bit heavier than the PING, but smooooooth.  Yeah. Really thinking about blades.  I have some other stuff I’m going to address in the first impressions part about it.

Initial thoughts

If you all had access to our DM messages for this test you’d have noticed me say that the craftsmanship of this putter is unlike anything I’ve seen on a club before. It is probably the most well built product I have seen in years.  Out of everything that I’ve tested, purchased, or was gifted.  This takes the cake, it’s just a piece of equipment built with hands, as I could see, the builders finger prints were still on the thing.

I have texted the CEO of L.A.B. several times since getting it, today I asked why I was pulling nearly every shot.  He said to check my alignment. The first text he offered to swap the brass head putter for a stainless putter if I found it to be too heavy.  I don’t plan on doing that, but he (Sam) wanted to make sure I have a product I’m happy with… and I am. 
 

I used it today on my round for all of the putts.  As I mentioned, I was pulling everything.  I even missed a kick in birdie putt… like 3’ that I haven’t missed in a very long time.  It is going to be a process for me to get used to it, but when struck properly it is absolutely sensational.

Here it is at address.

 

Good news is I got the email today that my B.2 is on its way. UPS says Thursday by 7pm. Bad (and good news) I will be leaving for Horsehoe Bay in Austin, Tx. On Wednesday and won’t be back until Sunday evening. So I will get 3 days of golf at Horseshoe Bay but won’t get to put my hands on the putter until Sunday the 11th. With the recent putting struggles I will get 3 competitive rounds next week with my current putter and then going to take a little bit of a gamble and put the B.2 in play for a 54 hole tournament the following week 15th thru 17th. When I get back in town I will roll a few putts with it on Tuesday the 14th then straight into competition for a little trial by fire. This was not my original plan but instead of running it through the putting simulator testing and comparison, I am going to have 3 competitive rounds with current putter and 3 competitive rounds with the B.2 in consecutive weeks. I will keep putts per round and feet of putts made for all 6 rounds and get a little pre testing comparison. 

13 hours ago, Shankster said:

Initial thoughts

If you all had access to our DM messages for this test you’d have noticed me say that the craftsmanship of this putter is unlike anything I’ve seen on a club before. It is probably the most well built product I have seen in years.  Out of everything that I’ve tested, purchased, or was gifted.  This takes the cake, it’s just a piece of equipment built with hands, as I could see, the builders finger prints were still on the thing.

I have texted the CEO of L.A.B. several times since getting it, today I asked why I was pulling nearly every shot.  He said to check my alignment. The first text he offered to swap the brass head putter for a stainless putter if I found it to be too heavy.  I don’t plan on doing that, but he (Sam) wanted to make sure I have a product I’m happy with… and I am. 
 

I used it today on my round for all of the putts.  As I mentioned, I was pulling everything.  I even missed a kick in birdie putt… like 3’ that I haven’t missed in a very long time.  It is going to be a process for me to get used to it, but when struck properly it is absolutely sensational.

Here it is at address.

 

Question:  how do you know you are pulling everything vs hitting it straight?  Maybe you were actually pushing putts before?

Or do you line up your putts with the ball alignment line so you know if you are pulling it?

Reason I ask is, as I mentioned in the message thread, sometimes golfers hit pushes/pulls without knowing it and the compensate their aim around that push/pull and think it’s straight.

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_CS said:

Question:  how do you know you are pulling everything vs hitting it straight?  Maybe you were actually pushing putts before?

Or do you line up your putts with the ball alignment line so you know if you are pulling it?

Reason I ask is, as I mentioned in the message thread, sometimes golfers hit pushes/pulls without knowing it and the compensate their aim around that push/pull and think it’s straight.

I use the ball alignment aid. Wasn’t pushing the Anser that I can recall.

I had the worst putting round I can remember for a long time.  Everything went left of the hole.  
 

HIghly probable that it is an alignment issue, but i don’t like it.  Could have been a better score on the card perhaps.

Spent 45ish on the practice green today… still having some issues getting used to this thing.  Missing more than I am making at the moment… and I can’t get the distance down.  Coming up WAY short on lag putts.

31 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Spent 45ish on the practice green today… still having some issues getting used to this thing.  Missing more than I am making at the moment… and I can’t get the distance down.  Coming up WAY short on lag putts.

Are you hitting your line, or is it coming off left/right from the start?  I know that with the DF, forward ball placement matters (mostly because of the shaft being so far behind the face) - but it seems like with the B2 that should be less of an issue.  Curious to see what you find out. 

49 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

Are you hitting your line, or is it coming off left/right from the start?  I know that with the DF, forward ball placement matters (mostly because of the shaft being so far behind the face) - but it seems like with the B2 that should be less of an issue.  Curious to see what you find out. 

Yeah, it’s a forward ball position from what I am used fo.  I am sure it is alignment, but I went a grabbed the old trusty out of the car, I was making a lot more, and they weren’t coming up 6-10’ short on the cross country putts.

It is starting on my line, and I’m not doing anything different than I normally do.  Hitting the center too, you can definitely tell because it is the highest quality of butter there is… purified Irish butter, that stopped by St. Andrews for 18 before making its way to the butter factory. Yeah, so the feel is great… but I need to get it sending them home more often.

There is, from what I can tell a little forward press built in to this thing.  I have a non press grip on it, so it gets my hands roughly even to slightly in front of the ball.

Boss says a golf day is in order tomorrow, so it will get another go on course to show me what it is made of.  I know it’s a matter of me finding the proper set up.

 

14 hours ago, Shankster said:

Spent 45ish on the practice green today… still having some issues getting used to this thing.  Missing more than I am making at the moment… and I can’t get the distance down.  Coming up WAY short on lag putts.

I think there is a learning curve with most new putters, so hang in there.  How do you feel the lie angle balancing aspect is working?  Can you feel the putter wanting to stay square?  Does it avoid looping like other putters can do?

15 minutes ago, GolfSpy_CS said:

I think there is a learning curve with most new putters, so hang in there.  How do you feel the lie angle balancing aspect is working?  Can you feel the putter wanting to stay square?  Does it avoid looping like other putters can do?

I will confess, I do feel my old putter loop on occasion.  Can I feel the B.2 trying to stay square?  I think so.  Whether or not it is doing that is hard to really judge.  I’ve taken my thumbs off, as suggested by Sam to get a feel for it.  I talked with him shortly after I got frustrated and he asked if I could feel it.  I enthusiastically said yes, because at that point I was hitting on carpet and everything was going in and the putter felt like it was doing as described.  On grass, with no means of artificial alignment, a different story… so far.

As far as the my golf stroke itself with it, it does feel easy, and relaxed. Just line it up and go, but it’s just not going where I think it should, yet.

That is super clean without the alignment lines, I love it. Hopefully you can figure out your pull/left miss situation.

On 6/3/2022 at 6:45 PM, Shankster said:

Initial thoughts

If you all had access to our DM messages for this test you’d have noticed me say that the craftsmanship of this putter is unlike anything I’ve seen on a club before. It is probably the most well built product I have seen in years.  Out of everything that I’ve tested, purchased, or was gifted.  This takes the cake, it’s just a piece of equipment built with hands, as I could see, the builders finger prints were still on the thing.

I have texted the CEO of L.A.B. several times since getting it, today I asked why I was pulling nearly every shot.  He said to check my alignment. The first text he offered to swap the brass head putter for a stainless putter if I found it to be too heavy.  I don’t plan on doing that, but he (Sam) wanted to make sure I have a product I’m happy with… and I am. 
 

I used it today on my round for all of the putts.  As I mentioned, I was pulling everything.  I even missed a kick in birdie putt… like 3’ that I haven’t missed in a very long time.  It is going to be a process for me to get used to it, but when struck properly it is absolutely sensational.

Here it is at address.

 

 

17 hours ago, Shankster said:

Spent 45ish on the practice green today… still having some issues getting used to this thing.  Missing more than I am making at the moment… and I can’t get the distance down.  Coming up WAY short on lag putts.

When you step on the gas and miss it off the toe can you talk about the dispersion?  Compared to a SeeMore or a typical CS putter is it similar?

3 hours ago, bens197 said:

When you step on the gas and miss it off the toe can you talk about the dispersion?  Compared to a SeeMore or a typical CS putter is it similar?

I’ve only hit one other center shaft putter. this thing lets you know when you miss, the audible sound it makes is a muted click… as far as dispersion, I can’t say yet because I don’t know where it is going to go.  
 

I used it today and had more of the same lack of success which is frustrating because I want to like this thing’s .  First hole I ended up using my PING because I had an eagle putt, which I missed (13’) but made the tap in birdie… 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you good news.  I spent wayyy too long at the course today.  My receding hairline is very sunburnt to prove it… no, you are not getting a picture… however, I figured out how to use this putter.  I had my hands a little too high at set up, but now I’m thinking I should have gone with the flatter lie angle as initially suggested…
 

I plan to reach out to Sam to see what he recommends.
 

Also, it is already starting to dull a little.  Won’t be long. 

Can’t wait to receive. Excited to test. 

B.2 bombers right here folks.  As @Lmerricksaid, super stoked to test this bad boy out.  

This is going to be an interesting and fun review. I'm looking forward to hearing how these perform for each of you and how these appeal to each of you visually looking down on it. 

This is the putter I was looking for someone to pick up and test.  I mean what is not to like about this putter with a brass finish?  Looking forward to some excellent testing!

27 minutes ago, GrumpyGolf said:

This is the putter I was looking for someone to pick up and test.  I mean what is not to like about this putter with a brass finish?  Looking forward to some excellent testing!

After stating that the above picture for a few minutes… I kind of wish I would have went Stainless with no grooves… maybe.

15 minutes ago, Shankster said:

After stating that the above picture for a few minutes… I kind of wish I would have went Stainless with no grooves… maybe.

Nah, the classic brass putter look is something that will bring all the oohs and aahs when you pull it out of the bag.

According to the shipping details, I should have the B.2 in hand on June 2nd.

Congrats all, interesting looking putter to test.

Both are sharp, but I would definitely go with the brass finish.