L.A.B. Putters - 2023 Forum Review

[Shrek74]

Sadly, my initial enthusiasm was tempered when I opened the box and took the putter out.

There looks to be some type of grease or similar that was left either on the grip or got into the plastic bag that the putter came in and is now all over the grip. It has discolored the white of the grip, sadly.

I haven't reached out to LAB yet, but I will. I've wiped off the grip, but the yellow-ish residue is well into the grip by now and it's a little stickier than a normal grip would be. *sigh*

I will say, the headcover doesn't disappoint though. Thick, strong magnets, and really nice stitching.

More thoughts to come on the putter itself.

[GolfSpy_APH]

18 hours ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Yeah once I saw a photo of the red I couldn’t go boring platinum. It’s possible it won’t hold up to chips etc as well but hopefully I can take good care. I read a few bits of stuff about red being helpful for lining up putts due to the contrast with the green of a green, so figured why not try it out!

I love everything about that putter. The grip while I don't love white looks absurdly amazing. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

14 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Sadly, my initial enthusiasm was tempered when I opened the box and took the putter out.

There looks to be some type of grease or similar that was left either on the grip or got into the plastic bag that the putter came in and is now all over the grip. It has discolored the white of the grip, sadly.

I haven't reached out to LAB yet, but I will. I've wiped off the grip, but the yellow-ish residue is well into the grip by now and it's a little stickier than a normal grip would be. *sigh*

I will say, the headcover doesn't disappoint though. Thick, strong magnets, and really nice stitching.

More thoughts to come on the putter itself.

Thats too bad. I did notice the white on my grip changed color over time this season, but that is more due to regular wear and tear and use. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

16 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Sadly, my initial enthusiasm was tempered when I opened the box and took the putter out.

There looks to be some type of grease or similar that was left either on the grip or got into the plastic bag that the putter came in and is now all over the grip. It has discolored the white of the grip, sadly.

I haven't reached out to LAB yet, but I will. I've wiped off the grip, but the yellow-ish residue is well into the grip by now and it's a little stickier than a normal grip would be. *sigh*

I will say, the headcover doesn't disappoint though. Thick, strong magnets, and really nice stitching.

More thoughts to come on the putter itself.

That's so bizarre - definitely reach out to their customer service.  They may have you send it back so they can remedy, or alternatively may send you a new grip (however the press grips are apparently a little trickier than normal to get on, so it may be better to send it back).  I'm confident they'll fix the issue, though.  I feel your disappointment, though! 
 
 

[GolfSpy SAM]

25 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I love everything about that putter. The grip while I don't love white looks absurdly amazing. 

Agree - that's a new grip option, and I'm VERY jealous I don't have that on mine. Love the look of the texture.

[Rearviewmirror]

Back from my first round with the Mezz and I'm extremely impressed coming from the Link. Worth saying for context that it was 40º with winds of 15mph and occasional gusts up to 25mph.

I ended up with five one putts, and had a few 12-15ft putts miss my 1-2 inches. Similar to the Link it is unbelievably easy to start it on your intended line, but it just feels a lot more solid and I feel a lot more dialled in on distance control. I genuinely felt like I would make everything I stepped up to.

That said, I had five 3+ putts - two where I was a little too enthusiastic closing out from close range and lipped out, and then three where I absolutely rammed the ball past the hole with the first putt leaving myself a 15+ foot putt coming back. Total putts for the day was 37, but my short game was on absolute fire, so that felt like I definitely left some 8-10 footers out on the course today.

One thing that is going to take getting used to for me is that the Mezz putts a much "truer" roll on the ball for me compared to the Link. As a result I feel like I need to dial back how hard I am stroking putts substantially. It's possibly the heavier/more MOI head or the forward press, but it's going to take some re-learning compared to the Link. With the Link I felt like I had to absolutely hammer long putts to get them there. With the Mezz I'm going to need to go back in the opposite direction and develop the right feel for end over end putts. The nice part was if I left myself a 5-6ft comebacker I was very confident making it.

Very glad I bought this guy, and excited to see how I go as it gets more dialled in.

[BallsLeon]

I saw that Lee Trevino is using a DF 2.1, but completely covered in lead tape! Would that mess with the balancing or is just a feel thing?

[Josh Parker]

38 minutes ago, BallsLeon said:

I saw that Lee Trevino is using a DF 2.1, but completely covered in lead tape! Would that mess with the balancing or is just a feel thing?

I saw that the other day but from a distance and wasn't sure if it was lead or they had grinded it down.  Now in this photo you can tell it's lead.

[Rearviewmirror]

2 hours ago, BallsLeon said:

I saw that Lee Trevino is using a DF 2.1, but completely covered in lead tape! Would that mess with the balancing or is just a feel thing?

It could definitely affect the balance. The funny thing is the LAB guys would probably happily send him one in any headweight he wanted, but I read he apparently has 100s of putters, so maybe likes to tinker.

[johnsomp]

Sam was on the Golf Smarter podcast and introduced the new putter! Perhaps a 2024 review post is in order!

 

 

[Syks7]

16 hours ago, johnsomp said:

Sam was on the Golf Smarter podcast and introduced the new putter! Perhaps a 2024 review post is in order!

 

 

There's a high likelihood that I'll be grabbing a DF3.0 right out of the gate.  There's Christmas cash in my pocket that I'm holding for it.  

[CFreddie]

16 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

There's a high likelihood that I'll be grabbing a DF3.0 right out of the gate.  There's Christmas cash in my pocket that I'm holding for it.  

Really interested to see the 3.0 in person.  While the 2.1 looks aren't my fav, the shape makes it almost feel "automatic".  Regardless, my Scotty has a ton of work cut out for it this upcoming year to stay in the bag... 

[GolfSpy SAM]

YESSSS. So glad the cat is officially out of the bag! I'm lucky enough to have spoken to Sam about the 3.0 and his giddiness (in the interview) about the ball scoop is exactly the same as it was when I queried him on it, too - it's infectious to hear someone that excited about something that (as he also says) ultimately doesn't matter THAT much, lol. 

Like @Syks7, I'm trying to figure out if there's ANY way it's in the budget to make this a must-get - then again, it's not BETTER than the 2.1, so maybe I'll just stay happy with the "greatest putter on the planet," and let sleeping dogs lie. 

But I really, REALLY want that new 3.0, lol.  

[CFreddie]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

YESSSS. So glad the cat is officially out of the bag! I'm lucky enough to have spoken to Sam about the 3.0 and his giddiness (in the interview) about the ball scoop is exactly the same as it was when I queried him on it, too - it's infectious to hear someone that excited about something that (as he also says) ultimately doesn't matter THAT much, lol. 

Like @Syks7, I'm trying to figure out if there's ANY way it's in the budget to make this a must-get - then again, it's not BETTER than the 2.1, so maybe I'll just stay happy with the "greatest putter on the planet," and let sleeping dogs lie. 

But I really, REALLY want that new 3.0, lol.  

I smell a 2024 testing opportunity…

[Rearviewmirror]

My putting woes continue with the Mezz unfortunately... I've just lost all touch from 15+ feet out. Had six three putts today. It's almost always leaving the first putt way short and I just can't seem to find my touch for initial longer putts. The affliction seems to hit on ANY green speed, and I'm at a bit of a loss to fix it.

Putting thumbs off, soft hands, and letting the club pendulum to no avail. The Mezz is definitely helping my stamping out some of the short misses I had with the Link, but I feel like we're squarely in operator error territory here...

Edited December 29, 2023 by Rearviewmirror

[jbsap]

Just ordered my Mezz 1 Max on Tuesday.  Pumped to get it in and try it (in 6 weeks).  Couldn't quite bring myself to the $650 price for the custom with upgraded accra shaft, and no luck on the outlet at 33" and 67 lie angle from the virtual fitting.  Wanted to go to Club Champion for an in person fitting but learned that they dont stock left handed fitting putters from LAB at any of there stores.  Went for the stock option.  If I love it as much as I hope I won't have any issue springing for the Orange version with the accra Shaft.  It's crazy to me that in 2020 I was fit for a 71 degree lie angle at 33.5 inches and there is so much difference with this, I would assume that the lie angle for LAB would translate to every other putter, and the true difference would come into the balance?  Anyone have any input on that? 

Hopefully I'll see some good results.  With a new baby on the way in March, 2024 is likely going to be a range/practice year for me for the most part, but I'm hoping that means I can get nice and comfortable with the new flatstick and give it a proper go when I can get back to the course more regularly.

[johnsomp]

Can anyone comment on whether sound changes with a DF 2.1 going from regular steel to another shaft? I love swinging the DF without a ball, but really struggle with the sound when making contact because to me it sounds like a tin can. I know the material of the head plays a significant factor, but I'm looking for opinions if this changes with the shaft. Perhaps if I win the lottery I could buy each of the different shafts, but alas that is not currently a viable option.

(This is cross posted.)

[Josh Parker]

4 minutes ago, johnsomp said:

Can anyone comment on whether sound changes with a DF 2.1 going from regular steel to another shaft? I love swinging the DF without a ball, but really struggle with the sound when making contact because to me it sounds like a tin can. I know the material of the head plays a significant factor, but I'm looking for opinions if this changes with the shaft. Perhaps if I win the lottery I could buy each of the different shafts, but alas that is not currently a viable option.

(This is cross posted.)

@G0al3d may be able to chime in. I believe he has the TPT shaft in his and had another one in it as well. 

[G0al3d]

56 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

@G0al3d may be able to chime in. I believe he has the TPT shaft in his and had another one in it as well. 

I would say if you hit it pure it sounds better, but its generally kind of pingy sounding even with the TPT shaft in it. 

What I will say is that I have gotten VERY used to the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup...which is really the only sound I care about

Edited January 2 by G0al3d

[Jim Shaw]

2 hours ago, johnsomp said:

Can anyone comment on whether sound changes with a DF 2.1 going from regular steel to another shaft? I love swinging the DF without a ball, but really struggle with the sound when making contact because to me it sounds like a tin can. I know the material of the head plays a significant factor, but I'm looking for opinions if this changes with the shaft. Perhaps if I win the lottery I could buy each of the different shafts, but alas that is not currently a viable option.

(This is cross posted.)

that is a great question, don't know about the sound, my first thought it should just be in the head.

[Syks7]

Just pulled the trigger on a used DF2.1.    Price too good to pass up.  Will post pics when it arrives.

[CFreddie]

10 hours ago, Syks7 said:

Just pulled the trigger on a used DF2.1.    Price too good to pass up.  Will post pics when it arrives.

Nice! Did you pick it up from the Lab Outlet, or somewhere else?

[Syks7]

49 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

Nice! Did you pick it up from the Lab Outlet, or somewhere else?

Facebook group. 

It's kind of cool to see, but LAB has built a Scotty like following and there's always people trading them back and forth or selling older ones as they upgrade to a newer or different head model or shaft.   A surprising amount of people have the whole stable with multiple heads and shaft combos.    wouldn't that be nice....   I myself will be moving the Bettinardi to compensate. 

I'm excited I've had some opportunity to play with used DFs lately and my feeling now is that I should have listened to Sam's suggestion and gone with the more technologically sound end of their lineup.  Link was just so damn pretty though.  

Edited January 3 by Syks7

[CFreddie]

Thats awesome @Syks7 - could you please send over a link?  I'd love to join - I've pretty much accepted that I'll eventually have a LAB...just a matter of time at this point. 

I'm assuming you already did a virtual fitting and just had your specs in mind when buying used?

[TSauer]

2 hours ago, Syks7 said:

I'm excited I've had some opportunity to play with used DFs lately and my feeling now is that I should have listened to Sam's suggestion and gone with the more technologically sound end of their lineup.  Link was just so damn pretty though.  

I think the Link is the gateway drug for LAB, because I too am considering testing one of their mallet options next season.

[G0al3d]

The DF 3 looks awesome, normally I would be pissed since I just got a DF 2.1 but it's been so money for me I don't even care. 

[Syks7]

12 minutes ago, G0al3d said:

The DF 3 looks awesome, normally I would be pissed since I just got a DF 2.1 but it's been so money for me I don't even care. 

Part of the reason I pulled the trigger on the DF is that I'm trying to keep myself from buying a DF3 this year.  I'm saving money in the most club ho kind of way.   

[ole gray]

Well, I sent my beloved Mezz Max Broomstick back to LAB to have a TPT shaft installed.  This putter will ride off into the sunset with me so I want it to be dressed to the Max for my Max.   Now I have to dust off my old Odyssey Rosie Broom for some action for a few weeks. 

[Syks7]

Stopped in to my favorite place (Roger Dunn). It was quiet this morning so I was standing there with one of the staff talking LAB putters -- the staff member plays a Mezz broom.   She mentioned that they just got a used B2 (The old LAB Blade) in and we had a good time comparing the old B2 to some brand new high end offerings from other companies.  Maybe I've drunk the koolaid I found the B2 to be better than the offerings from several other high end manufacturers.  LAB makes a quality product and the B2 is now on my collection list for down the road.  It's tiny compared to the Link, but still feels very stable.

[bens197]

14 hours ago, ole gray said:

Well, I sent my beloved Mezz Max Broomstick back to LAB to have a TPT shaft installed.  This putter will ride off into the sunset with me so I want it to be dressed to the Max for my Max.   Now I have to dust off my old Odyssey Rosie Broom for some action for a few weeks. 

I mean…since your irons are OOS this all makes sense