L.A.B. GOLF BY TPT GOLF - anyone had hands on yet?

[RoverRick]

In March I was fitted at Jon Sinclair’s shop for TPT shafts for the top of the bag. He had a LINK1 with the TPT in my specs, and I absolutely loved it. I went there 4 times and each time it felt perfect. While I love my DF2.1 Accra setup, I have lusted after the LINK TPT. I’m now a couple of weeks from delivery of this. I can’t wait.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

I have liked my df2.1 on steel but all the toy hype has me thinking of selling my df2.1, using some work recognition money and splurging on a df3 with TPT. That’s the problem with money burning a hole in my pocket. 

[RetiredBoomer]

On 9/2/2023 at 2:04 AM, G0al3d said:

Just like the topic states, anyone have hands on with the new TPT shaft from LAB golf? I have an LA Golf shaft on my current SIK putter and I love it, and I'm about to order a DF 2.1 and I'm hung up on if I want to do the LA Golf shaft again or take the plunge on the TPT tech? I know alllll of this is based on feels basically so its super subjective but i would welcome any input here. I reached out to LAB golf directly of course but hope there are some others here who might be able to weigh in. 

 

What is the role of a shaft on a putter?

Some of them are bent a certain way, I know,
but most of the aftermarket putter shafts seem to be for straight-shafted putters.

In what way does shaft matter on a straight-shafted putter?

I am somewhat intrigued by the new L.A.B. mallet putter said to be on its way,
but for now, I'm still hitting my Tad Moore Chicopee.

And the Chicopee, a reproduction of a pre WWII Spalding design, 
very successful in its day,
has a hickory shaft.  That's right.  Wood.

I don't see the SHAFT doing anything dodgy, 
so I'm wondering what a putter shaft CAN do to help putting.

 

 

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

14 minutes ago, RetiredBoomer said:

What is the role of a shaft on a putter?

Some of them are bent a certain way, I know,
but most of the aftermarket putter shafts seem to be for straight-shafted putters.

In what way does shaft matter on a straight-shafted putter?

I am somewhat intrigued by the new L.A.B. mallet putter said to be on its way,
but for now, I'm still hitting my Tad Moore Chicopee.

And the Chicopee, a reproduction of a pre WWII Spalding design, 
very successful in its day,
has a hickory shaft.  That's right.  Wood.

I don't see the SHAFT doing anything dodgy, 
so I'm wondering what a putter shaft CAN do to help putting.

 

 

 

The TPT putter shaft makes a WORLD of difference. Game changing difference. 

It has nothing to do with bend or being straight, those are portions of the hosel and a connection aid to influence balance or hang. 

My advice try one, even compared to the Accra shaft I have in my LINK I noticed an incredible difference and while I still like both and both are good, the TPT feels incredible and the results so far tell no lies. I am blown away. 

[Sherlock]

On 9/27/2024 at 7:13 AM, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

I have liked my df2.1 on steel but all the toy hype has me thinking of selling my df2.1, using some work recognition money and splurging on a df3 with TPT. That’s the problem with money burning a hole in my pocket. 

I was in the similar boat. Had the DF3 with TPT shaft. Buddy got me on the counterbalance train, smh. Ended making the purchase. I ended up not getting the TPT shaft. Got the counterbalance DF3 with Accra shaft from LAB Outlet. I got the measurement from LAB and found my fit at the outlet. I asked for a discount code and they gave it to me. So I got DF3 counterbalance for $500, received it in 2 days. Absolutely nothing wrong with it either!

As for the comment about the different shafts. Ive tried then all and TPT has a distinct feel that is unmatched. I got the Accra shaft in my counterbalance, and it is much different. Ive lost some of the feel that i had with the TPT shaft. And i will probably upgrade my current putter in the offseason.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

The TPT putter shaft makes a WORLD of difference. Game changing difference. 

It has nothing to do with bend or being straight, those are portions of the hosel and a connection aid to influence balance or hang. 

My advice try one, even compared to the Accra shaft I have in my LINK I noticed an incredible difference and while I still like both and both are good, the TPT feels incredible and the results so far tell no lies. I am blown away. 

Jamie you make this so hard. Hearing this about the tpt makes me sad that they are so costly

[RetiredBoomer]

At the very least, I imagine that assembling a hideously expensive putter--
head, shaft, and grip--
at the very least removes any doubts of whether or not you've done the bet you can.

Now it's all up to you, with no thoughts of equipment  intruding on your concentration.
Is that it?

[GolfSpy_APH]

26 minutes ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

Jamie you make this so hard. Hearing this about the tpt makes me sad that they are so costly

Sadly most things in golf are. Shafts especially.

[cnosil]

Just now, RetiredBoomer said:

What is the role of a shaft on a putter?

Some of them are bent a certain way, I know,
but most of the aftermarket putter shafts seem to be for straight-shafted putters.

In what way does shaft matter on a straight-shafted putter?

I am somewhat intrigued by the new L.A.B. mallet putter said to be on its way,
but for now, I'm still hitting my Tad Moore Chicopee.

And the Chicopee, a reproduction of a pre WWII Spalding design, 
very successful in its day,
has a hickory shaft.  That's right.  Wood.

I don't see the SHAFT doing anything dodgy, 
so I'm wondering what a putter shaft CAN do to help putting.

I would say the role of the shaft is twofold.  The first is to ensure that the clubhead stays stable through the stroke and the second is for feel.   There is a balance with this,  you can put a steel rod on a putter and it will be stable but it may feel terrible.     This has been true long before the advent of graphite shafts.  Steel putter shafts also have different profiles and feels....think stepless and stepped shafts.  To mention a couple would be the Cameron True Temper YSC shaft and the TP Mills Pencil shaft.  

The bend is more about the hosel.   Full graphite shafts are straight because they are currently unable to make them into single or double bends.   To mitigate that some graphite shafts are built to accept a steel extension...BGT and UST.   

Part of the reason for the new materials was the additional weight of modern putters.  your hickory shafted putter is probably sub 330gr in weight.  Today putters exceed 400gr which causes more shaft deflection and twisting during the swing.   The stability/reduced torque helps players make more consistent strokes and delivery the putter head with less deviation.   IMO they will not shave much off a hole or round but over a season you will probably see some improvements.  These improvements are in the areas of speed control on lag putts and reducing the face angle at impact due to shaft torque.   

The different graphite shafts offer different feels which is no different than we experience with full swing clubs.  The TPT is a very stout firm feeling shaft.  Other shafts offered by L.A.B. offer more feel of the head during the swing.   I have tried most of the current graphite offerings and compared them on a Puttlab.   The do perform and feel different.   The TPT shaft is a great shaft, but it may not be the best shaft for every player.