L.A.B. Putters - 2023 Forum Review

[Bad Golfer]

I think I'm probably going to end up with a Link 1. I still can't get over how well I putted with that thing. I just need to send in a video to see what they recommend for me.

[CFreddie]

After building a couple more DF 3.0 (I truly can’t help myself ), I went down the rabbit hole of counterbalancing. I’ve never considered it but I did enjoy hitting a friends jailbird last year.  I know we have a couple broomsticks in this group, but did anyone go with a CB option?

Edited January 29 by CFreddie

[Josh Parker]

On 1/23/2024 at 9:07 PM, Bad Golfer said:

I think I'm probably going to end up with a Link 1. I still can't get over how well I putted with that thing. I just need to send in a video to see what they recommend for me.

It is well worth doing the video. You may find you are one of the standard and can find at GG. 

[Wheelieb]

Sorry, late to the party on this. for the testers who went with a style that is similar to the putter you used prior, for example if you used a blade and went with the link 1 or a mallet and went with one of the other models. What would you say was the more difficult part to get used to when actually putting while looking down at address? 

[TSauer]

Just now, Wheelieb said:

Sorry, late to the party on this. for the testers who went with a style that is similar to the putter you used prior, for example if you used a blade and went with the link 1 or a mallet and went with one of the other models. What would you say was the more difficult part to get used to when actually putting while looking down at address? 

As a Link tester, the most difficult part for me was the center shafted head. It was a little funky looking at (I've never hit a center shafted putter), but now it just feels natural. It's funny though, after gaming the Link for a little while after the testing was over I ended up putting around with one of my other blades and it actually felt/looked weird to me because I had gotten so used to the center shafted setup.

Love the Link though!

[Wheelieb]

1 minute ago, TSauer said:

As a Link tester, the most difficult part for me was the center shafted head. It was a little funky looking at (I've never hit a center shafted putter), but now it just feels natural. It's funny though, after gaming the Link for a little while after the testing was over I ended up putting around with one of my other blades and it actually felt/looked weird to me because I had gotten so used to the center shafted setup.

Love the Link though!

Every time I see the Link it always looks like it is wider than a normal blade closer to maybe a Scotty Square back. I've not seen one in person so I can't judge that. I've just never got along with a blade style putter though. 

[TSauer]

39 minutes ago, Wheelieb said:

Every time I see the Link it always looks like it is wider than a normal blade closer to maybe a Scotty Square back. I've not seen one in person so I can't judge that. I've just never got along with a blade style putter though. 

I thought I had some comparison shots of the width, but I guess not. I did some measuring just now and the Link is the same width as your normal anser style, even though at first glance is does sort of appear thicker. It comes in at 1.1875". However, the Link is a little longer than your average blade. I was able to find those photos, you can check them out here if you're curious.

 

[Syks7]

1 hour ago, TSauer said:

Link is a little longer than your average blade. 

 

It's actually pretty comparable in length to the DF2.1.  Was fiddling with both on the mat the other night and was surprised at how close they were.  I'll say this, however beefy they look, they pale in comparison to the LA golf putters I saw the other day.  Those are cartoonish big.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Following up on a previous post, this showed up:

Immediate reaction is, wow! What a difference. The shape is best described as a midsized pistol, which is very pleasing. For me, the textured finish is a 1000% improvement over the smooth stock grip. I’ve noticed I have more confidence in my stroke, which has led to improved performance by Mezz in the nightly putting competition against my Odyssey White Hot Versa Double Wide. Definitely worth the investment. 

[Josh Parker]

9 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Following up on a previous post, this showed up:

Immediate reaction is, wow! What a difference. The shape is best described as a midsized pistol, which is very pleasing. For me, the textured finish is a 1000% improvement over the smooth stock grip. I’ve noticed I have more confidence in my stroke, which has led to improved performance by Mezz in the nightly putting competition against my Odyssey White Hot Versa Double Wide. Definitely worth the investment. 

Not to mention it just looks sharp!  

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Just now, Josh Parker said:

Not to mention it just looks sharp!  

There is that, as well

[CFreddie]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Following up on a previous post, this showed up:

Immediate reaction is, wow! What a difference. The shape is best described as a midsized pistol, which is very pleasing. For me, the textured finish is a 1000% improvement over the smooth stock grip. I’ve noticed I have more confidence in my stroke, which has led to improved performance by Mezz in the nightly putting competition against my Odyssey White Hot Versa Double Wide. Definitely worth the investment. 

Absolutely love that look @GolfSpy_BEN - will have to consider that grip when I (eventually) pull the trigger on my LAB 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Man - that photographs really well

I would absolutely go that direction if/when my grip finally goes. I've gotten so used to it, but I LOVED the textured grip when I felt it. Both my grip and putter cover have seen better days - might be time to rejuvenate everything and make it feel like a brand new putter (instead of buying a brand new putter). 

[ole gray]

For those of you who have or considering a broom, you might want to consider a TPT shaft. I know it's a budget buster but man each round I play it has sold me on the investment. I can't speak for regular length putter users but I can say for me as a broomer, this shaft is the ticket. The feel is firm which may turn some off however I'm finding distant control/lagging is more consistent for me which produces more confidence which drastically reduces 3 putts.    It would be cool if LAB had a screw on the bottom where at retailers you could swap out the shafts to see which one works best.  Since that's not an option now you have to take a chance. I'm glad I did!

[CFreddie]

1 hour ago, ole gray said:

For those of you who have or considering a broom, you might want to consider a TPT shaft. I know it's a budget buster but man each round I play it has sold me on the investment. I can't speak for regular length putter users but I can say for me as a broomer, this shaft is the ticket. The feel is firm which may turn some off however I'm finding distant control/lagging is more consistent for me which produces more confidence which drastically reduces 3 putts.    It would be cool if LAB had a screw on the bottom where at retailers you could swap out the shafts to see which one works best.  Since that's not an option now you have to take a chance. I'm glad I did!

With the price point a normal / stock LAB is at today, what's a couple hundred dollars more at this point? 

But seriously, having hit a couple Mezzs / DF2.1s with upgraded shafts (typically Accra, one with TPT), the feel is remarkably different.  My biggest knock on LABs have been the feel (I attribute this to the aluminum head), but the shaft definitely improves that drastically.  Glad to hear you are loving the TPT @ole gray!!! 

[ole gray]

12 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

With the price point a normal / stock LAB is at today, what's a couple hundred dollars more at this point? 

But seriously, having hit a couple Mezzs / DF2.1s with upgraded shafts (typically Accra, one with TPT), the feel is remarkably different.  My biggest knock on LABs have been the feel (I attribute this to the aluminum head), but the shaft definitely improves that drastically.  Glad to hear you are loving the TPT @ole gray!!! 

I have a feeling you will be a LAB Rat one day. 

[CFreddie]

1 minute ago, ole gray said:

I have a feeling you will be a LAB Rat one day. 

Oh, its happening one day...its destiny 

[ole gray]

I'm finding the more I practice with the TPT shaft the better I like er love it!    I went out to my course today to practice putting and chipping and spent about 45 minutes with my broom.  It's amazing how much easier distant control is with practice. 

 

[RoverRick]

So Wednesday we had 3 out of town members join our group. We have 4 tee times on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We will sometimes even take more. Anyone with a handicap and $20, 10 for low net and 10 for skins, is welcomed to play and an additional $20 goes into the Deuce Pot. I was the organizer that day so I decided to go in the last group with the 3 “strangers”. I had seen them but never spoke to them before. 

One of them (a 1 handicapper) had a center shafted Bettinardi with a BGT Stability shaft that he putted terribly with and every hole he talked about trading it in on Thursday for different putter. We talked about my DF2.1 all day. On 14 they were talking about how I didn’t miss a putt inside 10’. On 15 he 4 putted for double and I 1 putted for par. I said instead of Club Finders he should go across the street to PGA Superstore or Dallas Golf and get a LAB. “Here, try this one.” He drained a 15’er and “F#(#*# yeah. I’m going to buy a lab putter tomorrow.” 

I don’t know if he did, but I suspect he will be back with one next time I see him. 

Truth be told, I didn’t have a great drive and laid up so that I could hit a wedge from a different angle. It’s the number 2 handicapped hole and putting across the green is tough. They all went on the right side of the green while I came in from the left. While I made a great one putt, I would have been trilled with a 2 putt from their angle. Which is why I opted to lay up and trust my wedge game. 

[CFreddie]

Alright, who is in the giving mood and wants to purchase a limited edition "Sweetheart" LAB putter (Mezz Max or Link...I'd be happy with either)? 

https://labgolfoutlet.com/limited-release/?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20240214_sweetheart_labrats&_kx=9LYt-Flidb8rB6-kVwU9uIj963UkZL00VBo5zQ0uCVw.WtQZpN

But seriously, really neat special edition (although price tag is a shocker)!

[TSauer]

1 minute ago, CFreddie said:

Alright, who is in the giving mood and wants to purchase a limited edition "Sweetheart" LAB putter (Mezz Max or Link...I'd be happy with either)? 

https://labgolfoutlet.com/limited-release/?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20240214_sweetheart_labrats&_kx=9LYt-Flidb8rB6-kVwU9uIj963UkZL00VBo5zQ0uCVw.WtQZpN

But seriously, really neat special edition (although price tag is a shocker)!

That Link is pretty cool! I love that there are so many candy heart things being released lol.

Also, I wish they'd sell that headcover separately... I'd definitely add one to the collection.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

12 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

Alright, who is in the giving mood and wants to purchase a limited edition "Sweetheart" LAB putter (Mezz Max or Link...I'd be happy with either)? 

https://labgolfoutlet.com/limited-release/?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20240214_sweetheart_labrats&_kx=9LYt-Flidb8rB6-kVwU9uIj963UkZL00VBo5zQ0uCVw.WtQZpN

But seriously, really neat special edition (although price tag is a shocker)!

HOLY SMOKES THE PRICE 

[Bad Golfer]

22 minutes ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

HOLY SMOKES THE PRICE 

For sure! For that price you should just have to pull it out of your bag once you get to the green and it should finish every hole for you with a one putt.

[StrokerAce]

25 minutes ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

HOLY SMOKES THE PRICE 

Is it April 1 already ???

[TSauer]

4 minutes ago, Bad Golfer said:

For sure! For that price you should just have to pull it out of your bag once you get to the green and it should finish every hole for you with a one putt.

Or at least include a hefty supply of actual candy hearts...

[Syks7]

I was near a PGA superstore today so I got to play around with a stock DF3. 

Having played two models I can say this about the DF3.  It feels just like the others.  It works --  stable and able to put the ball on the line you're aiming down.   The biggest difference was how compact the head is.  The comparison overlay that's on the LAB website doesn't really convey how much smaller it is.  It looks positively svelte in comparison to the others -- even the link because the face is so much narrower.  Its a much more of a compact mallet head shape that I think will be more popular with a lot of golfers.  Last, the little ball picker upper hole is pretty cool.  

[CFreddie]

Didn't see this posted yet (apologies if it has), but I've been enjoying this series from the Fire Pit Collective podcast on the story of LAB.  Give it a little, Sam is obviously featured in most of it, but I did like the deep dive into the lie angle balancing tech from Bill Presse.

Link to first episode (I believe there are going to be 6 or so total) - 

 

 

[Rearviewmirror]

Has anyone returned their LAB putter to get it re-balanced? What was your experience? Considering going a couple of degrees flatter...

[Syks7]

37 minutes ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Has anyone returned their LAB putter to get it re-balanced? What was your experience? Considering going a couple of degrees flatter...

I have not, but I know there is someone within this thread that has.  It might be a couple pages back if you want to search.  If I remember correctly it was relatively straight forward and quick.  Not sure they did any lie angle changes.  

[IndyBonzo]

This is such a great and informative thread.  Thank you!

I have tried and loved the DF 2.1 and like the looks of the 3.0.

Before taking the plunge, I have to ask if anyone here putts like me with a very open stance, but shoulders square to the line.  I am not comparing myself to Jack Nicklaus by saying my stance is similar to his.

I presume the LAB putters would provide the same benefits with the open stance, but can anyone here confirm or deny that?

Thank you in advance for any help or info you can provide!