L.A.B. Putters - 2023 Forum Review

[ole gray]

28 putts today and a first time ever round of 73 which is my age too! I LOVE my Mezz Max Broom and it has made a huge difference in my putting.  The best golfing decision ever was to purchase it.  It cost a lot but the confidence I have gained and the pure roll it puts on the ball is game changing.  

[TSauer]

15 minutes ago, ole gray said:

28 putts today and a first time ever round of 73 which is my age too! I LOVE my Mezz Max Broom and it has made a huge difference in my putting.  The best golfing decision ever was to purchase it.  It cost a lot but the confidence I have gained and the pure roll it puts on the ball is game changing.  

That's awesome! Congrats on the round!

[GolfSpy SAM]

33 minutes ago, ole gray said:

28 putts today and a first time ever round of 73 which is my age too! I LOVE my Mezz Max Broom and it has made a huge difference in my putting.  The best golfing decision ever was to purchase it.  It cost a lot but the confidence I have gained and the pure roll it puts on the ball is game changing.  

Congrats! Shooting your age - that's AMAZING! I've done it on many, many front/back 9's.  Many.

[ole gray]

Congrats! Shooting your age - that's AMAZING! I've done it on many, many front/back 9's.  Many.

It took me 73 years so hang in there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bobbers]

I've got a DF 2.1 on the way.  It has the stock steel shaft.  I've got an Accra putter shaft just looking for a place to land.  How would those of you who tinker suggest as the best way to remove the old shaft?  Yes, I've got micro torches, a heat gun, etc.  Just looking at the best way to get the old one out without any damage/discoloration to the head itself.  Thanks in advance.

[Jim Shaw]

2 hours ago, ole gray said:

28 putts today and a first time ever round of 73 which is my age too! I LOVE my Mezz Max Broom and it has made a huge difference in my putting.  The best golfing decision ever was to purchase it.  It cost a lot but the confidence I have gained and the pure roll it puts on the ball is game changing.  

congrats, great round and shooting your age... really good

[ole gray]

congrats, great round and shooting your age... really good

Thanks Jim!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RoverRick]

46 minutes ago, Bobbers said:

I've got a DF 2.1 on the way.  It has the stock steel shaft.  I've got an Accra putter shaft just looking for a place to land.  How would those of you who tinker suggest as the best way to remove the old shaft?  Yes, I've got micro torches, a heat gun, etc.  Just looking at the best way to get the old one out without any damage/discoloration to the head itself.  Thanks in advance.

I don’t think that’s advisable. I saw a video that said the weights are dependent on the shaft selected. So by changing the shaft, you basically change the balance of the putter. 
 

The weights in my DF2.1 with the Accra APPEAR to be different than the stock version. Of course that could be because of different lie angles or simply because they weight or the blank putter heads were different. 

Edited February 28 by RoverRick

[Bobbers]

35 minutes ago, RoverRick said:

I don’t think that’s advisable. I saw a video that said the weights are dependent on the shaft selected. So by changing the shaft, you basically change the balance of the putter. 
 

The weights in my DF2.1 with the Accra APPEAR to be different than the stock version. Of course that could be because of different lie angles or simply because they weight or the blank putter heads were different. 

I may pull the original shaft so I can get a weight measurement.  The Accra, untrimmed, is 132 grams.  Given the typical weight of steel putter shafts I'd expect it to be closer than close to the weight of the graphite.  I guess we'll find out.

[Syks7]

2 hours ago, Bobbers said:

I've got a DF 2.1 on the way.  It has the stock steel shaft.  I've got an Accra putter shaft just looking for a place to land.  How would those of you who tinker suggest as the best way to remove the old shaft?  Yes, I've got micro torches, a heat gun, etc.  Just looking at the best way to get the old one out without any damage/discoloration to the head itself.  Thanks in advance.

I would also advise against this.  LAB is pretty specific that there's limited tinkering you can do without throwing off the balance -- changing a grip +/-25 grams and lengthening shortening +/- 1/2" and that's pretty much it.  Re-shafting is on the nono list.   No two shafts are uniformly the same so each putter is uniquely balanced using their proprietary methods.  

[Bobbers]

43 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

I would also advise against this.  LAB is pretty specific that there's limited tinkering you can do without throwing off the balance -- changing a grip +/-25 grams and lengthening shortening +/- 1/2" and that's pretty much it.  Re-shafting is on the nono list.   No two shafts are uniformly the same so each putter is uniquely balanced using their proprietary methods.  

I appreciate you and RoverRick chiming in.  I'll keep my hands off.  Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

[ole gray]

Since I started my LAB journey I have two people who I personally know who have jumped on the train. One of the guys in our group first bought a Mezz Max standard length then he found a good deal on a Link so he has two LAB putters.  Also my step son who lives in Louisiana just ordered a Mezz Max broom.  Plus there is another player in our group who I suspect will be on the train in the near future.   Results bring attention and attention brings that desire to bag one of these awesome putters! 

[RoverRick]

So Sunday I tried a little experiment with a ChipR. (I sold it to a high handicapper on the back 9, so that kinda tells you how it went.) 

On the sixth green, I was telling one of my playing partners I was checking to see if it was a weapon or a crutch. By the seventh, I determined it could be a weapon if I practiced with it, but I could practice half as much with my other clubs and have much more versatility. My biggest issue was since I had a new hammer, every shot around the green looked like a nail. 

But I said, “Just like when I showed up with the big a$$ red LAB putter everyone thought it was a crutch…” and he interrupted me and said, “No, we saw you on the practice green with it, and nobody thought it was a crutch.” 
 

I’m still averaging 27 putts per round with the LAB. 

[Syks7]

Just a friendly reminder that your LAB putter works better when you trust your stroke and let it do its thing.   

I've had some struggles with my DF2.1 the last few rounds so I actually went out this morning and practiced -- exclusively on stroke.  I spent about an hour tidying things up and did a simulated 18 putting round.  The goal was to be under 36 strokes -- it went poorly at 39 putts(I made it hard on myself with a lot of 40+ foot lags) and I was frustrated.   Took a break and realized that I was way overthinking everything and there was far too much going on in my head with every putt.  Kept the routine, threw out the mechanical thoughts, and immediately started holing putts... which immediately brought this movie clip to mind.    

That led to what was basically the best chipping practice I've ever had.  Creative, in command, trusting myself, and generally not having any extraneous thoughts.  Gotta love this game.

[GolfSpy SAM]

9 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

Just a friendly reminder that your LAB putter works better when you trust your stroke and let it do its thing.   

I've had some struggles with my DF2.1 the last few rounds so I actually went out this morning and practiced -- exclusively on stroke.  I spent about an hour tidying things up and did a simulated 18 putting round.  The goal was to be under 36 strokes -- it went poorly at 39 putts(I made it hard on myself with a lot of 40+ foot lags) and I was frustrated.   Took a break and realized that I was way overthinking everything and there was far too much going on in my head with every putt.  Kept the routine, threw out the mechanical thoughts, and immediately started holing putts... which immediately brought this movie clip to mind.    

That led to what was basically the best chipping practice I've ever had.  Creative, in command, trusting myself, and generally not having any extraneous thoughts.  Gotta love this game.

After a few rough rounds, I went back to some basics as well (shoulders rock, light grip, line it up and hit) and have had sub-30 putting rounds last two times out (28. 29), including a 25' par putt dead-center.  If I can remind myself to KISS, it really helps a lot  

Of course, now I'm thinking how much better it would be with the 3.0 (zero better, but it's NEW AND SHINY). 

[cnosil]

52 minutes ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

Of course, now I'm thinking how much better it would be with the 3.0 (zero better, but it's NEW AND SHINY). 

You would be especially with the TPT shaft.   Order soon so it is here for your trip in May.  

[Syks7]

9 minutes ago, cnosil said:

You would be especially with the TPT shaft.   Order soon so it is here for your trip in May.  

Sans the TPT shaft, its still very good.  I did not have an easy time leaving PGA superstore without a stock steel one -- especially with multiple employees watching me putt and egging me on.  

[cnosil]

5 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

Sans the TPT shaft, its still very good.  I did not have an easy time leaving PGA superstore without a stock steel one -- especially with multiple employees watching me putt and egging me on.  

He needs the TPT shaft.     

[Syks7]

8 minutes ago, cnosil said:

He needs the TPT shaft.     

 

It's only....

 

All joking aside... I've heard enough about the TPT that if I could I probably would.

Edited March 6 by Syks7

[TSauer]

I finally decided to go back to the Pistol Tour grip on my Link and played a quick 9 earlier... I don't know why I ever switched to anything else. I putt so much better with the skinny grip than I do with the bigger ones, which is odd because I've always hated the skinnier grips on my other putters. I am typically a Flatso 2.0 or something similar.

Anywho, getting really excited for a full season with the Link.

[ZackS]

7 hours ago, Syks7 said:

Just a friendly reminder that your LAB putter works better when you trust your stroke and let it do its thing.   

I've had some struggles with my DF2.1 the last few rounds so I actually went out this morning and practiced -- exclusively on stroke.  I spent about an hour tidying things up and did a simulated 18 putting round.  The goal was to be under 36 strokes -- it went poorly at 39 putts(I made it hard on myself with a lot of 40+ foot lags) and I was frustrated.   Took a break and realized that I was way overthinking everything and there was far too much going on in my head with every putt.  Kept the routine, threw out the mechanical thoughts, and immediately started holing putts... which immediately brought this movie clip to mind.    

That led to what was basically the best chipping practice I've ever had.  Creative, in command, trusting myself, and generally not having any extraneous thoughts.  Gotta love this game.

Pretty sure that gif is the story of my golf career

[GolfSpy BOS]

18 hours ago, cnosil said:

You would be especially with the TPT shaft.   Order soon so it is here for your trip in May.  

GET OUT OF MY HEAD CHRIS!  (yes, that was in all caps because I'm yelling at you.)

[cnosil]

19 minutes ago, GolfSpy BOS said:

GET OUT OF MY HEAD CHRIS!  (yes, that was in all caps because I'm yelling at you.)

 you already ditched the Cameron,  isn’t this the next logical step?  
 

[Josh Ross]

Well, the Link is finally going to be put up for sale today so I can fund the purchase of my DF3. I love the Link but there's just something I miss about the bigger putter that I was so excited to get away from when I got the Link. The DF3 is the perfect size, smaller than my DF2.1 without losing any of the benefit.

Right now I'm leaning towards a blue head with a white Accra shaft. The stock steel felt pretty good when testing the DF3 but I love the Accra I have now.

[Syks7]

3 hours ago, Josh Ross said:

I love the Accra I have now.

Also a dilemma for me.  There's a possibility that I'm sending the DF2.1 in to rebalance and shaft swap eventually.   It's one reason the Link keeps poking its head into my thoughts.  I'm probably going to game it (the Link) this week since I feel like I've gotten way too technical with the DF2.1 and need to step away from it for a moment.

[Syks7]

Since I've gone back to the well for the week with the Link I decided to put the factory grip back on.   Ive been practicing with it since Friday and a thought has crept into my head that maybe you shouldn't tinker with the LAB putters at all, not even grips. That maybe you should just stick with the factory balance and call it good.   It's also got me curious if my issues with the DF are related to a LAB pistol grip I installed last month.  Time to put the press 3 back on and see. 

Also, don't listen to the people on the Facebook group.   The Accra is money.  I'd forgotten about the feedback you get from it.

[RoverRick]

Sunday morning, I had the opportunity to test the LINK1 with the TPT Shaft. OMG!

It has been 10 months since I have hit the LINK1, and it was the stock version. I thought it was very “Meh” at the time. I think I liked the concept more than the feel. 

This was different. I haven’t wrapped my head around paying $1000 for a putter, but now I know what a $1000 putter feels like. I may soon sell all my other putters (not my LAB putter) on eBay and get one. 
 

Jon Sinclair had the huge PutterView putting green in his shop, (the place where the TPT shaft for LAB was developed.) 

I drained the first 3 dead center. Jon said, “This is too easy for you let me crank this to Jon Rahm mode.” Which turned it into down hill with a 4.7° slope. I put it dead center into the hole at the top of the picture and looked at him. He had an astonished look on his face. But then I told him I was aiming at the middle hole. I didn’t make one of those putts. 

If I were to do a review on it, it would take me considerable amount of time to come up with more than “Wow!” While he was telling me all the details about the development I was thinking “No way this is worth $300 more than my Accra.” Now I don’t know. 

Edited March 13 by RoverRick

[Syks7]

2 minutes ago, RoverRick said:

If I were to do a review on it, it would take me considerable amount of time to come up with more than “Wow!” While he was telling me all the details about the development I was thinking “No way this is worth $300 more than my Accra.” Now I don’t know. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

So, had 25 putts on Monday, including 12 1-putts. It was...honestly ridiculous.  I also lipped out a 42-footer (that honestly made my playing partners groan because it was good the WHOLE way) and missed two others by about 4" total.  Really, really good day for the 2.1

Which of course has me wondering about the 3.0, lol.  Stupid brain. (cue Homer: Shut up or I'll stab you with a Q-Tip!)  The greens were also rolling really fast - once again I find that I often have better putting days on fast greens - something about them just lets me focus on reading the putt way more than on a slow green.

Sigh. Someday money will just keep sprouting from my trees in the backyard and this will be a laughable post

 

[cnosil]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

So, had 25 putts on Monday, including 12 1-putts. It was...honestly ridiculous.  I also lipped out a 42-footer (that honestly made my playing partners groan because it was good the WHOLE way) and missed two others by about 4" total.  Really, really good day for the 2.1

Which of course has me wondering about the 3.0, lol.  Stupid brain. (cue Homer: Shut up or I'll stab you with a Q-Tip!)  The greens were also rolling really fast - once again I find that I often have better putting days on fast greens - something about them just lets me focus on reading the putt way more than on a slow green.

Sigh. Someday money will just keep sprouting from my trees in the backyard and this will be a laughable post

 

How was the rest of the game?  Maybe the 2.1 is perfect and you need other clubs.