L.A.B Golf Putters

[MmmmmmBuddy 1,284]

So, is there anyone out there that has any extended experience with a Directed Force/L.A.B. Golf Putter? I am very interested in hearing what people that have owned one of these for more than a few weeks have to say.  

A  little back story..   I was introduced to the original Directed Force putter about 5 years ago. It didn't make a very good initial impression on me at the time, probably because no one explained the tech and the why to me.

Fast forward to the 2020 PGA show.  I am walking past the putting green on Wednesday of the show, and I happen to see friend of mine working, and fitting players into the LAB golf Putters. I come to find out that he is now the CEO of LAB Golf.  I had no idea.  It was a little hectic at the show, so we only spent a few minutes chatting, but we made an appointment to meet up when we got back home. 

I spent 2 hours with Sam, learning about the technology and the why. It makes sense to me, but I want to know what educated consumers and previous owners of the putters think.

Thanks for your time!!

 

 

[joen 774]

6 hours ago, MmmmmmBuddy said:

So, is there anyone out there that has any extended experience with a Directed Force/L.A.B. Golf Putter? I am very interested in hearing what people that have owned one of these for more than a few weeks have to say.  

A  little back story..   I was introduced to the original Directed Force putter about 5 years ago. It didn't make a very good initial impression on me at the time, probably because no one explained the tech and the why to me.

Fast forward to the 2020 PGA show.  I am walking past the putting green on Wednesday of the show, and I happen to see friend of mine working, and fitting players into the LAB golf Putters. I come to find out that he is now the CEO of LAB Golf.  I had no idea.  It was a little hectic at the show, so we only spent a few minutes chatting, but we made an appointment to meet up when we got back home. 

I spent 2 hours with Sam, learning about the technology and the why. It makes sense to me, but I want to know what educated consumers and previous owners of the putters think.

Thanks for your time!!

 

 

I have had the original and now the Reno 2.1 in my bag for four years now I think. I have tried to find a putter to replace it. It is without a doubt one of the most ugly putters on the face of the planet. No putter has been able to knock it out of my bag. The stroke is repeatable and the technology is for real. Putting is the strongest part of my game. One of the tips that I saw when you are using the putter is to make practice swings without your thumbs touching the grip so the the technology of the lie angle balanced head will do its own work....and it truly does. Amazing putter. I am absolutely shocked that this putter hasn’t caught on more than it has....

[PlaidJacket 7,724]

I took a look at the website*. I've only encountered one person several years ago that had one of the DF putters. The guy that had it wasn't a good putter but I'm sure he thought buying would be magic for him. It wasn't. I've never owned or tried one and probably won't. Like most boutique putters these are expensive too. I also own an expensive Edel putter. I purchased my custom putter for no other reason than I just wanted one. My putter is nice looking but I wasn't looking to improve my putting. I was a good putter before I bought it and I'm still a good putter. It made no difference other than being a good looking putter.

*tell your friend that owns the company to change his photos of the DF putters. All of the photos except two are of a black putter against a black background. That doesn't help if someone is wanting to see details.

[MmmmmmBuddy 1,284]

4 hours ago, joen said:

 One of the tips that I saw when you are using the putter is to make practice swings without your thumbs touching the grip so the the technology of the lie angle balanced head will do its own work....and it truly does...

Funny that you would mention the No Thumbs practice.  That is one of the things that Sam talked to me about, and really helps me feel the technology work.

2 hours ago, PlaidJacket said:

I took a look at the website*. I've only encountered one person several years ago that had one of the DF putters. The guy that had it wasn't a good putter but I'm sure he thought buying would be magic for him. It wasn't. I've never owned or tried one and probably won't. Like most boutique putters these are expensive too. I also own an expensive Edel putter. I purchased my custom putter for no other reason than I just wanted one. My putter is nice looking but I wasn't looking to improve my putting. I was a good putter before I bought it and I'm still a good putter. It made no difference other than being a good looking putter.

*tell your friend that owns the company to change his photos of the DF putters. All of the photos except two are of a black putter against a black background. That doesn't help if someone is wanting to see details.

I will pass along your feedback.  Thanks.   

 

I would call myself a fair to better than average putter who can get on a hot streak and make everything for a few days.  I am in the midst of one of the best putting years of my life, so I am not looking to change putters just for the sake of change. I am aware that this particular model has as much curb appeal as a dumpster fire. However, if I can make 2 more putts per round, that means that I can win that much more $ over the course of the year. 

[McaseyM 1,694]

I've had a chance to talk to the original CEO and designer at a Golf Expo and the tech makes a ton of sense to me.  I';s a weird feel at first, but after a few swings, you get more used to it.  They designed the "blad" version because of the negative feedback of the "mallet" version. One of the local club Pros in Roseville recently switched to the mallet and loves it and is doing fittings.  I just couldn't justify the expense a they are pricey, but it makes a lotta sense to me. 

 

They were on the list supposed to be in the most wanted putter testing, but not sure what happened

[cnosil 14,691]

They were on the list supposed to be in the most wanted putter testing, but not sure what happened

 

This is not an official statement from MGS and my thoughts. From what I know There are specific requirements to submit a club to be included in most wanted. One of those is the club needs to be a stock off the shelf club; this becomes difficult when one of your purchase criteria is to do do fittings to enable the person to obtain the right club. Not possible in most wanted, since you can not fit every tester. This also means the clubs are limited in how they can be configured when sent for testing.

 

[McaseyM 1,694]

35 minutes ago, cnosil said:

 

This is not an official statement from MGS and my thoughts. From what I know There are specific requirements to submit a club to be included in most wanted. One of those is the club needs to be a stock off the shelf club; this becomes difficult when one of your purchase criteria is to do do fittings to enable the person to obtain the right club. Not possible in most wanted, since you can not fit every tester. This also means the clubs are limited in how they can be configured when sent for testing.

 

Good point! I've read and heard on the podcast about the fitting windows they are trying to fit Most Wanted Testing into with the equipment ( at least for shafts on full swing clubs), and i'm not sure that these can be bent to match the lie angle as that is the whole point of these specific putters, or if each Lie angle has it's own drilled hole.

When i talked to the original CEO, he said that he's asked to be tested by MGS and was denied, and when they popped up on the list for 2019, I was very intrigued.  

[RookieBlue7 1,680]

On 2/27/2020 at 4:13 PM, McaseyM said:

Good point! I've read and heard on the podcast about the fitting windows they are trying to fit Most Wanted Testing into with the equipment ( at least for shafts on full swing clubs), and i'm not sure that these can be bent to match the lie angle as that is the whole point of these specific putters, or if each Lie angle has it's own drilled hole.

When i talked to the original CEO, he said that he's asked to be tested by MGS and was denied, and when they popped up on the list for 2019, I was very intrigued.  

That’s incredibly inaccurate. They don’t require a fitting. They’re also sold in stores now and have been for a while now. They recommend you get fitted, which all companies do now. I’ve spoken with Bill and Sam both and they’ve both said they’ll sell you anything but they recommend a fitting so they can get not only loft and lie but also rotation speed correct. But it’s not and never has been a requirement.

 

Ive used one of their putters. Still have one. I took that putter well, especially on fast greens as it squares itself and maintaining speed is relatively easy with it.  This time of year when it’s slower, I use different stuff. Mainly because I’ve got a rack full of putters anyway, but the LAB does exactly what they advertise it stays square to square. You also have to slightly adjust your stance and move the ball slightly forward for it to work properly. That’s because of the forward press on it. 

[McaseyM 1,694]

11 hours ago, RookieBlue7 said:

That’s incredibly inaccurate. They don’t require a fitting. They’re also sold in stores now and have been for a while now. They recommend you get fitted, which all companies do now. I’ve spoken with Bill and Sam both and they’ve both said they’ll sell you anything but they recommend a fitting so they can get not only loft and lie but also rotation speed correct. But it’s not and never has been a requirement.

 

Ive used one of their putters. Still have one. I took that putter well, especially on fast greens as it squares itself and maintaining speed is relatively easy with it.  This time of year when it’s slower, I use different stuff. Mainly because I’ve got a rack full of putters anyway, but the LAB does exactly what they advertise it stays square to square. You also have to slightly adjust your stance and move the ball slightly forward for it to work properly. That’s because of the forward press on it. 

Howdy, I never said that anyone required a fitting, but from what I heard on the MGS  podcast was Harry and the guys try to fit the shaft for full swing clubs into a certain window for more reliable results, but I wasn’t sure how they do the Most Wanted testing for putters. If everyone is rolling 70 degree lie angle putter, it may not have great results of some people need a 68 or 72. With my admittedly limited personal experience with the LAB putters, the lie angle was much different than my current gamer. When Bill did a fitting for me at a golf show, the LAB putter lie angle was notably different compared to my current putter, I’m guessing  due to the placement of the shaft. 
The point I was trying to convey was that maybe any lie difference between a traditionally shafted putter versus a LAB putter would negatively impact the LAB putter’s results. I don’t know,  but was just hypothesizing. 

 

[RookieBlue7 1,680]

The LAB would do just fine in testing. As I’ve seen many people do just fine while tinkering in the PGA store. The fitter in there always has folks try it, how many he sells I don’t know. I’m wanting the Blād next as it’s more traditionally shaped with the same tech. 

[McaseyM 1,694]

Do the mods or anyone else at MGS have the reason why they were listed on the Most Wanted Testing for 2019, but weren't included?  Did they decline? 

[03trdblack 749]

I had an interesting experience with LAB golf and figured I'd share since it originated here.  I won one of their putters in the MGS equipment raffle last year.  When it arrived, the specs were 33.5" and a 68.5 lie angle which didn't really fit me.  I was going to write up a review but since the specs were off I didn't get around to it.  I got a putter fitting a few months after I received the putter and the putter specs I was fit into was 35" long with a 70* lie angle.  I took off the grip and extended the putter 1.5" and replaced the grip with one I ordered directly from their site.  You have to use their proprietary grip since it has the forward press built into it.

After I extended it, I gave it a try but since the lie angle was so far off it never felt comfortable.  I received a DM on instagram from LAB golf in January asking me if I ever wrote up a review of the putter here on MGS.  I explained to the person that reached out that the putter didn't fit me, etc.  They agreed that extending it wouldn't work and besides the lie angle being off, the head would be way too heavy and feel like a sledgehammer.  I was surprised they recommended that I take out the extension and sell the club on Ebay and let them know what I get for it.  They said they would check the stockroom and see if they could find one in my specs and to reach back out once I sold it.

Fast forward a few weeks, I sold the putter on ebay and reached back out to them via Instagram.  They said to reach out to an individual via email and let him know.  I sent an email and explained the entire story.  A week went by and I had no response.  I sent a follow up email after that and finally received a response and whoever it was indicated they had a putter that matched my specs in the warehouse.  I sent a response back and asked what we needed to do to get it sent out to me.  I wasn't sure if they were going to give it to me at the price I sold mine on Ebay or what.  Another week went by and no response back to my email.  I sent another follow up emails basically saying, "Hello, is anyone there?"  That was weeks ago and I've never heard back again.

All in all it left a bad taste in my mouth since they were so responsive to begin with and then dropped the ball after I sold the putter.  I'm really disappointed because I was excited about testing it and really felt it was going to be a great putter.  I'm not super upset since I was lucky enough to win it in the beginning but I would rather have had the putter than anything I made off of it through selling it.

[cnosil 14,691]

7 hours ago, McaseyM said:

Do the mods or anyone else at MGS have the reason why they were listed on the Most Wanted Testing for 2019, but weren't included?  Did they decline? 

I have some basic information. The putters were included in the testing;  I putted with them for 2019 testing.  One of the criteria for being part of most wanted is that the putter has to be OEM and can't have paid upgrades.   Apparently the putters that were sent did not meet that criteria an were removed.

20 hours ago, McaseyM said:

Howdy, I never said that anyone required a fitting, but from what I heard on the MGS  podcast was Harry and the guys try to fit the shaft for full swing clubs into a certain window for more reliable results, but I wasn’t sure how they do the Most Wanted testing for putters. If everyone is rolling 70 degree lie angle putter, it may not have great results of some people need a 68 or 72. 

For putters they request standard lie 34" putters.   For manufacturers  that send in multiple models for different stroke types, they try to fit you into one of those models.  This is basically what people going into stores buy. 

[McaseyM 1,694]

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

I have some basic information. The putters were included in the testing;  I putted with them for 2019 testing.  One of the criteria for being part of most wanted is that the putter has to be OEM and can't have paid upgrades.   Apparently the putters that were sent did not meet that criteria an were removed.

For putters they request standard lie 34" putters.   For manufacturers  that send in multiple models for different stroke types, they try to fit you into one of those models.  This is basically what people going into stores buy. 

Thanks for the info!!! 

[kenstl 8]

I am fairly new to DF as I have only owned mine this year thus far, so a lot of practice and a few rounds of golf so far.  I purchased the Blad2 at 76 deg and 37".  I went through the on line fitting vs in person, and am impressed  with the delivered product as it is right on the money of what I was expecting from a fit perspective.  I decided to purchase one based on the fitting and tech they are selling, it seemed to make logical sense to me.  Time will tell after I get through the honeymoon period, but I love it thus far.    

[dlow206 5,211]

Every week, LAB Golf posts new factory seconds on ebay. For a small company, i wonder why they have so many factory seconds in various lie angles and lengths. It’s not like its the standard lie angle putters they sell through retailers. 

[dalejbrass 110]

I'll report back soon.......just took delivery of my new Blade2 with tour stability shaft. Did a fitting locally and rolled the heck out of it. I'll be playing my first round with it this weekend. Few more practice sessions and game on!

 

[Quigleyd 657]

I know Bill Presse and played a DF for a while. I liked it. It is super stable and the tech is real. I just got tired of the ginormus head taking up my entire bag. 

[scooterhd2 499]

I've been wanting to try the 2.1 as it looks really interesting and I have seen some really good reviews on it. I just cant justify the price right now for a pure test and i havent seen any demos any where. The resale value is not great either, so too much risk right now.  I was looking at picking up a used one to play around with, but just found another putter that i am falling in love with. once the honeymoon face is over, i may revisit as i really think there may be something to the 2.1

[Quigleyd 657]

3 minutes ago, scooterhd2 said:

I've been wanting to try the 2.1 as it looks really interesting and I have seen some really good reviews on it. I just cant justify the price right now for a pure test and i havent seen any demos any where. The resale value is not great either, so too much risk right now.  I was looking at picking up a used one to play around with, but just found another putter that i am falling in love with. once the honeymoon face is over, i may revisit as i really think there may be something to the 2.1

These are kind of a bad idea used as well. The honestly are very individually fit. As they should be, but its not like other putters. If you pick one of these up that was fit for someone else. They feel really weird.