LAB Putters? Yea or Nay

[MeyerBirdie]

Just ordered a directed force 2.1 LAB putter. Can’t wait to get it in my bag. My current putter always misses right unless I compensate with closing the face. Anyone gaming this ugly stick?

[Tincuptim]

No but it sounds like you need something with some toe hang to assist in closing the face. Friend games one and loves it. He put a ding in it and ordered a new one so now he has a back up. Good luck!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Yes, but I have a MEZZ! 

[musicalmedicine]

Yea! Waiting on my DF3 order

[Sonny Beach]

Sounds like you're pushing the ball, are you left eye or right eye dominant? Your ball could be in the wrong position if you're right handed and left eye dominant. If that's the case open your stance more, move the ball a little forward and get your right eye looking down the line. Your grip may be the wrong size, too big and your hands do not rotate. Toe hang and standard size grip will help you close it naturally as well. Using a face balanced putter isn't going to fix a push if that's what you're doing. 

Edited March 22 by Sonny Beach

[RoverRick]

@MeyerBirdie  I’ve been gaming the DF2.1 since last May. I’m a huge LAB proponent. Average 27 putts per round, and I’ve been nicknamed “One-Putt Rick”. I disagree with “you need a toe hang putter.” 

There is a huge thread on here from member testing from last year that covers this, but I suggest some training drills when you get your DF2.1.

Find a straight putt on the practice green. Use something tees, Make dots with a Sharpie, chalk line, dimes, something that is visible, I use a sharpie and tape measure and put 8 dots 1’ apart to the hole. I place a ball on the 8th dot and then setup to where the ball and all the dots look like the are in a line. 

This putter will look and feel very different, but learn to aim it properly from the first time. Walk around, come back and set up again. Personally, I don’t think about the stroke. I know my aim is correct and focus on the speed. If you hit it where you aim at the right speed, you will know why you miss. 

I wouldn’t work on any putting stroke issues until I first learned to aim. Otherwise, you could be chasing after non-existent stroke issues and its aim. 

[Josh Parker]

5 hours ago, MeyerBirdie said:

Just ordered a directed force 2.1 LAB putter. Can’t wait to get it in my bag. My current putter always misses right unless I compensate with closing the face. Anyone gaming this ugly stick?

I do. Love it!  What grip did you order?  I ended up switching the the LAB pistol and have liked it so much more. 

Great putter!  

[CFreddie]

Does obsessing over one count?

But seriously, as @RoverRicksuggested, we have a number of Spies that game various LAB models (including the new DF3). This review thread is a wealth of knowledge, including the difference in stroke - check it out (and please post pics when it arrives!):

 

Edited March 22 by CFreddie

[chadmariage]

5 hours ago, musicalmedicine said:

Yea! Waiting on my DF3 order

Ditto ...should be getting mine soon can't wait to use it. What colour did you get? I got green with white Accra shaft and pistol Grip.

[arodrig29]

6 hours ago, Sonny Beach said:

Sounds like you're pushing the ball, are you left eye or right eye dominant? Your ball could be in the wrong position if you're right handed and left eye dominant. If that's the case open your stance more, move the ball a little forward and get your right eye looking down the line. Your grip may be the wrong size, too big and your hands do not rotate. Toe hang and standard size grip will help you close it naturally as well. Using a face balanced putter isn't going to fix a push if that's what you're doing. 

Interesting comment as I am right-handed and left eye dominant. I will definitely be trying this out. Thanks!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

@GolfSpy SAM loves his DF2.1, and while I do not game a LAB, the DF3 and Link both have my attention. Just put a Scotty into the bag last year which has treated me very well, but I don't think I'll ever rule out a LAB if the opportunity arises someday.

[RoverRick]

I play about 4 times a week. Say 4 time 4 weeks a month times 10 months since I got my DF2.1 times 18 holes approximately 2880 holes of golf with the LAB, I have walked off the green 1 time thinking I made a bad stroke. Sure I have misread it, hit too hard or soft, aimed it wrong, but there was only 1 time that I knew I manipulated the putter during the stroke causing me to miss. That’s how neutral this putter feels. 

That was not the case with my previous Scotty’s, Pings, Odysseys, or any other putter. I was just like every other guy I play golf with, “Pulled It!” “Pushed It!” “D@### it!” 

[downeyjr]

LAB putters are a huge Yay for me, I'm probably one of the few that likes the way the DF 2.1 looks, and to me they are the only putter that feel like they help you putt.

Having said that I mainly use a Newport 2.0 and a IM style putter.....although right now I have a spider in my bag just cause I'm working on my horrible alignment.

[StrokerAce]

I'll confess... I'm one of those guys who goes to the golf store to buy balls and always ends up in the putter section...

and, I always end up trying the LAB Mezz 1

and, I always walk away wondering why I don't have it. but then I remember what the sticker price is.

seriously though - for those that game the 2.1, I am impressed. as much as I've tried I could never get used to the size; however I love the mezz 1... 

I really should get one though... just realized they are located in the small town (pop. 2400) where I lived in High School...

600 DALE KUNI RD, CRESWELL, OR 97426

It's also at Emerald Valley golf course, one of the home courses of the U of O fighting ducks

[jbern]

10 hours ago, MeyerBirdie said:

Just ordered a directed force 2.1 LAB putter. Can’t wait to get it in my bag. My current putter always misses right unless I compensate with closing the face. Anyone gaming this ugly stick?

I've had the broomstick DF 2.1 in about 20 different customization options in my cart for a long time. I just haven't pulled the trigger. The DF 3 is much better looking IMO, but that wouldn't stop me from gaming the DF 2.1! Enjoy the new putter and let us know how it works out for you!

[Swood1994]

Surprised @GolfSpy SAM hasn't sniffed this thread out yet....

[downeyjr]

5 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

I'll confess... I'm one of those guys who goes to the golf store to buy balls and always ends up in the putter section...

and, I always end up trying the LAB Mezz 1

and, I always walk away wondering why I don't have it. but then I remember what the sticker price is.

seriously though - for those that game the 2.1, I am impressed. as much as I've tried I could never get used to the size; however I love the mezz 1... 

I really should get one though... just realized they are located in the small town (pop. 2400) where I lived in High School...

600 DALE KUNI RD, CRESWELL, OR 97426

It's also at Emerald Valley golf course, one of the home courses of the U of O fighting ducks

There manufacturing facility is in downtown Eugene or something, played with some of the workers at EV and nearly got hit by Sam's wayward drive while I was teeing off on the 16th and he was playing 15th....

EV just added a huge practice facility for the Ducks "The Jake" (money came from Peter Jacobsen).

[StrokerAce]

I want one of these to go with my L.A.B. putter...

 

[TG8]

Lab is the way

[golfinnut]

10 hours ago, MeyerBirdie said:

Just ordered a directed force 2.1 LAB putter. Can’t wait to get it in my bag. My current putter always misses right unless I compensate with closing the face. Anyone gaming this ugly stick?

Not the 2.1 but I have the MEZZ Proto.  THE best putter I have ever owned.  It's a "point & shoot" putter.  Pick the line, let the putter do the work, & it starts exactly where you want it to with a true roll.  You can't go wrong with any of the LAB putters.  The tech really does work.  It makes you realize that you can or cannot read greens, that's for sure.  Realize that it's the Wizard & not the Wand real quick 

[TSauer]

Link gang checking in!

[StrokerAce]

for L.A.B. owners - how critical is the fitting? 

can you purchase used and achieve the same amount of success if you're a relatively standard size human being (5'10") ?

 

[downeyjr]

7 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

for L.A.B. owners - how critical is the fitting? 

can you purchase used and achieve the same amount of success if you're a relatively standard size human being (5'10") ?

 

Not a LAB owner but you can send in a video and they will determine your lie angle and length, I think its just all about how you position yourself to putt not necessarily height.

[musicalmedicine]

3 hours ago, chadmariage said:

Ditto ...should be getting mine soon can't wait to use it. What colour did you get? I got green with white Accra shaft and pistol Grip.

Blue with style V alignment, black Accra shaft and pistol grip

[CFreddie]

33 minutes ago, musicalmedicine said:

Blue with style V alignment, black Accra shaft and pistol grip

9 hours ago, musicalmedicine said:

Yea! Waiting on my DF3 order

Yall are making me REALLYYYY jealous!

[TSauer]

53 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

for L.A.B. owners - how critical is the fitting? 

can you purchase used and achieve the same amount of success if you're a relatively standard size human being (5'10") ?

 

I 100% recommend doing the online fitting simply because it's free. There really isn't any reason not to do it.

From what I've been seeing lately in the LAB groups, there is a small turnaround time from when you submit the fitting video to when you get the results... that is the only downside. I don't know if it's always been that way or if it's changed recently with their popularity, just figured it's worth noting.

[vandyland]

I have a DF 2.1. It has been a rollercoaster ride but way more highs than lows. I will say that the first few rounds with it are....strange. I was coming from a standard ping anser so it was a big change to aim with and get used to the weight. I am fully bought into the technology though now (I have had my LAB for almost 2 years now). 

[bens197]

2 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

for L.A.B. owners - how critical is the fitting? 

can you purchase used and achieve the same amount of success if you're a relatively standard size human being (5'10") ?

 

Very. 
 

And it’s legit. 

[bens197]

If you’re on the fence, I would tell you to go for it. The science behind lie angle balancing works. 

[Karls0991]

I have saved all my pennies the past few months and have enough to order a custom lab. Torn between going standard and broomstick. I feel like there is something to broomstick that has me incredibly intrigued. Waiting for them to release the DF3 sweeper