L.A.B. Putters - 2023 Forum Review

[ole gray]

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

It’s like I’m sending all my chillun off to summer camp!


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[ejgaudette]

44 minutes ago, ole gray said:

It’s like I’m sending all my chillun off to summer camp!


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Its like they say if you truely love something sometimes you have to let it go

[ole gray]

On 1/3/2024 at 10:27 AM, CFreddie said:

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?

Here's ya link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/labputters/

[Syks7]

On 1/3/2024 at 7:27 AM, CFreddie said:

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?

Already had the specs from the Link fitting, but it's a good idea for you to do the virtual.  I'm kind of lucky in that I fall right into the stock lengths and lies.

[RoverRick]

So after my round on Wednesday I drove by the putting green and a friend, who was at one time a pro but decided he liked nice things and has a real job now, was practicing with an Odyssey Broomstick putter. 

I stopped, and we had a discussion about putting strokes, putters, etc. I told him about the Sam Hahn/Eric Cogormo video about broomsticks, blah blah blah. 

He of course made some putts with my LAB DF2.1, and I made some with his putter. I was amazed at how much I could feel the putter head torquing open and closed during the stroke. 

The only other putter I remember even swinging since May has been a couple of different MEZZ1’s that some of my playing partners have purchased since I got mine, but this twisting was noticeable. I’m not sure if the longer shaft exaggerated the feel of the torque or if I am used to the upgraded shaft. 

Since I got my LAB there have been 7 guys I play with that have purchased them. There are a couple of others that are considering them and we have discussed this. 

I will say the majority of the feed back on the DF2.1 looks is not positive. They call it the spaceship or “Big Red.” That’s fine with me.

I wanted DF2.1 because it was the most “flagship” with the most tech and the bright red head and white shaft to make a statement. I wanted to draw attention to it and start the conversation. 

If we disregard December 31st, a day when I had hammer hands and pounded the ball 6-10’ passed the hole a lot (41 putts that day.) I’ve averaged 27 putts all year since getting this putter. 
 

[Syks7]

I think my Link knows I have a DF incoming.    Had a 30 putt day yesterday with a pair of 20 footers, no misses inside 5', and lot of short tap in cleanup.  The head to head should be interesting.

Edited January 6 by Syks7

[GolfSpy SAM]

Spent three days in Palm Springs last week, and it's just a nice reminder of JUST. HOW. GOOD. this DF is. I lipped out 4 birdie putts on the last day there, and on the first day made several from outside 10', to the consternation of my buddies. The only real blip was the 2nd day, where I just couldn't seem to get the pace right - I think I still only had 1 three putt, but it didn't feel like a great day putting.  I will say that the work I've put in this past year on bettering my chipping/pitching has REALLY paid off, as my confidence with the putter means I feel super confident that anywhere within an 8-foot circle gives me a legit chance of getting up and down. 

Here's to getting those mid-irons a lot closer for '24

[CFreddie]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

Spent three days in Palm Springs last week, and it's just a nice reminder of JUST. HOW. GOOD. this DF is. I lipped out 4 birdie putts on the last day there, and on the first day made several from outside 10', to the consternation of my buddies. The only real blip was the 2nd day, where I just couldn't seem to get the pace right - I think I still only had 1 three putt, but it didn't feel like a great day putting.  I will say that the work I've put in this past year on bettering my chipping/pitching has REALLY paid off, as my confidence with the putter means I feel super confident that anywhere within an 8-foot circle gives me a legit chance of getting up and down. 

Here's to getting those mid-irons a lot closer for '24

That’s awesome to hear! I’ve heard from so many that the DF becomes “automatic” once you get used to shape and size.  Here’s to a (hopefully) getting those mid-irons in shape in 2024

[Splatt]

Just a quick update.

I had my best putting round ever yesterday with the Mezz.1 Max.

30 putts over 18 holes!!

I was helped by 3 chips from off the green that lipped out leaving a tap in, but 30 putts is still 30 putts.

My pace control is feeling very dialed in at the moment, which is something I used to struggle with.

I'm still loving the hell out of this club!!

[Syks7]

It has arrived.   Bone stock.   Excited to put it through it's paces.   

[Syks7]

This is worth sharing.  

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/01/09/will-zalatoris-broomstick-putter-online-a-convert-sony-open/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A Trending Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3nqDQbuaNIW7fBwDlktwuAfS5gXbrsANYGbYZ_MLMpJsZR-ojNT-p9iV4

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Quick question for my fellow LAB rats: 

Has anyone tried the press pistol grip yet?

I still have the press 1.5 that came on my mezz1.max, but I’m not overly fond of the smooth feel and would like something with texture.

[Josh Parker]

6 hours ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Quick question for my fellow LAB rats: 

Has anyone tried the press pistol grip yet?

I still have the press 1.5 that came on my mezz1.max, but I’m not overly fond of the smooth feel and would like something with texture.

I have not but believe they also make a press with texture. I saw it on the site a week or so ago. 

[Shrek74]

10 hours ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Quick question for my fellow LAB rats: 

Has anyone tried the press pistol grip yet?

I still have the press 1.5 that came on my mezz1.max, but I’m not overly fond of the smooth feel and would like something with texture.

They do have a Press with texture. That's what I got as a replacement for the one that's on mine that got all covered in grease or oil or whatever it was.

[ole gray]

While my Mezz Max Broom is off to Oregon for some sprucing up, I'm gaming my old Odyssey Dual Force Rossie.  It's working better than a regular putter but man, you can tell the difference between the LAB and my old Odyssey!  Everything from the roll it puts on the ball to the feel and sound is so different.  It's like riding a prize-walking horse and then jumping on an old grumpy donkey. The sound coming off the old Rossie sounds super clicky and distance control is much different than the LAB.  Like I said it's better than me putting with a conventional putter but man I miss Betty Sue!  

[Syks7]

Spent about an hour with the new to me DF on the practice green.  Same feeling the first time I pulled the Link out -- the feeling of potential.  It'll take some adjusting to (press grip & size), but I had a very early time lining it up, zero trouble with speed, and found it to be a much easier to hit version of the Link -- or, a better way to put it, might be that it's much harder to mishit the DF than it is the Link.  This seemed particularly true on short putts, though I'm going to really have to make sure I line up the shorter ones properly.  The not lined up less than 3' handsy short putt stroke ain't gonna fly with the DF.  

[GolfSpy SAM]

15 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

Spent about an hour with the new to me DF on the practice green.  Same feeling the first time I pulled the Link out -- the feeling of potential.  It'll take some adjusting to (press grip & size), but I had a very early time lining it up, zero trouble with speed, and found it to be a much easier to hit version of the Link -- or, a better way to put it, might be that it's much harder to mishit the DF than it is the Link.  This seemed particularly true on short putts, though I'm going to really have to make sure I line up the shorter ones properly.  The not lined up less than 3' handsy short putt stroke ain't gonna fly with the DF.  

Love it - I can say for sure I HAVE missed a few inside-3-footers, and almost ALL of them are because I did that exact handsy-kind of swing. If I stick with the pendulum, it's almost impossible for me to miss them. It's also just a good reminder that that really IS the way to swing this thing on EVERY putt.  

Man I really want to be back outside on a green right now!

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, Syks7 said:

Spent about an hour with the new to me DF on the practice green.  Same feeling the first time I pulled the Link out -- the feeling of potential.  It'll take some adjusting to (press grip & size), but I had a very early time lining it up, zero trouble with speed, and found it to be a much easier to hit version of the Link -- or, a better way to put it, might be that it's much harder to mishit the DF than it is the Link.  This seemed particularly true on short putts, though I'm going to really have to make sure I line up the shorter ones properly.  The not lined up less than 3' handsy short putt stroke ain't gonna fly with the DF.  

Ha.... yeah if you line up wrong or line up for the old stroke, you are going to miss.  It took me a min to figure that out and just trust the line.

[Syks7]

Yeah...  I'm probably not going back to the Link.  In the last 31 holes (played 27 + 4 bonus holes) I've made a 17.5' eagle putt, 4 birdie putts over 12', 1 birdie putt from 4 feet, and gotten up and down from 5-10 feet 6 times. 

Also, since getting the DF2.1, I've played 18 regulation size holes with it at +6 (two 9 hole rounds) and 22 Par 3 holes at +3.  A total of 40 holes played at +9 with five birdies and one eagle.  While it isn't responsible for everything the collective savings of 13 strokes over those 40 holes counts for a hell of a lot.

[CFreddie]

Love reading these updates on the DFs @Josh Parker and @Syks7 - in my limited time with one (pga superstore), it does feel easy to “point and shoot”. 
 

I can’t wait to see the DF 3.0 in person - it could be my next putter if they were able to “tone down” the shape just a bit (I prefer the mezz shape). 

[TSauer]

13 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

Yeah...  I'm probably not going back to the Link.  In the last 31 holes (played 27 + 4 bonus holes) I've made a 17.5' eagle putt, 4 birdie putts over 12', 1 birdie putt from 4 feet, and gotten up and down from 5-10 feet 6 times. 

Also, since getting the DF2.1, I've played 18 regulation size holes with it at +6 (two 9 hole rounds) and 22 Par 3 holes at +3.  A total of 40 holes played at +9 with five birdies and one eagle.  While it isn't responsible for everything the collective savings of 13 strokes over those 40 holes counts for a hell of a lot.

HECK. YES! I already love the Link, but I am going to pay close attention to the DF3 when it gets released next week. Good stuff!

[Josh Parker]

4 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

Love reading these updates on the DFs @Josh Parker and @Syks7 - in my limited time with one (pga superstore), it does feel easy to “point and shoot”. 
 

I can’t wait to see the DF 3.0 in person - it could be my next putter if they were able to “tone down” the shape just a bit (I prefer the mezz shape). 

The DF3 is sharp looking. Supposed to be slightly smaller as well. 

[Jim Shaw]

hello Lab converts..

A little background from my limited experiece with the Lab broom putter. One of my playing partners brought it out and used it, with much success I might add. 

So I have been doing my usual "Jim Shaw" thing. Watching. processing and trying to figure out why this feels so good to so many golfers, and I suppose why it doesn't move the needle at the highest level, with the exception of Bernard Langer. 

The rest of the players are good (Adam Scott, Fred Couples, still not convinced with Will Zalatoris) but they still putt poorly on certain weeks. 

So I have come to the "Jim Shaw" conclusion that the broom putter or the broom LAB putter forces a smoother, longer backstroke and follow through which produces a more solid strike and smoother roll.

patrick Cantlay, Jordan Speith, and this past week, Grayson Murray have long backstrokes, and don't use a broom putter,  patrick and jordan have short follow throughs but that is beside the point of this rant I am on. 

It is really hard (I have been working on it for the past 3 years) to commit to a longer smoother backstroke, I have found a tendency to "jab" a few putts under pressure, anyway I  digress as usual.

The broom putter promotes the longer backstroke but it can be done with any putter you just have to commit to it. That is the conclusion I have come to. 

 

Edited January 16 by Jim Shaw

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

The DF3 is sharp looking. Supposed to be slightly smaller as well. 

I am really excited to see what this comes out to be. I would really love to add to my LAB lineup truthfully...

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I am really excited to see what this comes out to be. I would really love to add to my LAB lineup truthfully...

It would be one that I would try out as a broomstick. 

[CFreddie]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I am really excited to see what this comes out to be. I would really love to add to my LAB lineup truthfully...

I feel like having multiple LABs to choose from would be torture

[ole gray]

My wife's new pink LAB Mezz Max came in today and she's happier than a coon pup on his first treeing! So far rolling on the carpet is all she has because it's colder than a well digger's arse outside! We have a putting matt rolled up somewhere and she'll be hauling that thing out shortly. 

[bens197]

4 hours ago, Jim Shaw said:

hello Lab converts..

A little background from my limited experiece with the Lab broom putter. One of my playing partners brought it out and used it, with much success I might add. 

So I have been doing my usual "Jim Shaw" thing. Watching. processing and trying to figure out why this feels so good to so many golfers, and I suppose why it doesn't move the needle at the highest level, with the exception of Bernard Langer. 

The rest of the players are good (Adam Scott, Fred Couples, still not convinced with Will Zalatoris) but they still putt poorly on certain weeks. 

So I have come to the "Jim Shaw" conclusion that the broom putter or the broom LAB putter forces a smoother, longer backstroke and follow through which produces a more solid strike and smoother roll.

patrick Cantlay, Jordan Speith, and this past week, Grayson Murray have long backstrokes, and don't use a broom putter,  patrick and jordan have short follow throughs but that is beside the point of this rant I am on. 

It is really hard (I have been working on it for the past 3 years) to commit to a longer smoother backstroke, I have found a tendency to "jab" a few putts under pressure, anyway I  digress as usual.

The broom putter promotes the longer backstroke but it can be done with any putter you just have to commit to it. That is the conclusion I have come to. 

 

Jim…as a new broom user I have similar thoughts.

One point worth mentioning is I have been terrified of switching from a traditional style putter for decades.  I couldn’t get the hang of an anchored belly, an armlock or a broom no matter which putters I tried.

This broom has given me some incredible confidence all the while giving me something I never expected…better fundamentals.

After using the broom for 10 minutes, I switched to my traditional LAB MEZZ and was lights out.

It forces me to keep my elbows and bigger muscles engaged and while I dont see myself drifting immediately away from the broom, it has been a wonderful training aid.

A convenient solution for sure.

[Jim Shaw]

1 hour ago, bens197 said:

Jim…as a new broom user I have similar thoughts.

One point worth mentioning is I have been terrified of switching from a traditional style putter for decades.  I couldn’t get the hang of an anchored belly, an armlock or a broom no matter which putters I tried.

This broom has given me some incredible confidence all the while giving me something I never expected…better fundamentals.

After using the broom for 10 minutes, I switched to my traditional LAB MEZZ and was lights out.

It forces me to keep my elbows and bigger muscles engaged and while I dont see myself drifting immediately away from the broom, it has been a wonderful training aid.

A convenient solution for sure.

thanks for that, maybe I will try it for a bit and see how it feels, my buddy probably still has his...

[Syks7]

6 hours ago, CFreddie said:

I feel like having multiple LABs to choose from would be torture

 I'll let you know.  Though @bens197 has given me a really good idea of how to give the Link new life -- stroke practice on the birdie ball mat.   If I can keep my hands quiet practicing with the Link the DF2.1 is going to feel like it's on rails.