LAB Putters? Yea or Nay

[RoverRick]

1 hour ago, Just_the_Chip said:

I wanted to ask this question. I am waiting for my DF3. After reading all the reviews, online hype, I had to jump in and try this thing. The one thing I keep reading is you have to learn how to use it, which didn't make sense to me. I have a straight forward and back swing. Very minimal arc. 

Other than the above dot drill, is there anything else to have to re-learn 

I would say no. There is an “adjustment period” more than “relearning”. Everyone has some degree of arc in their stroke. Your current putter has some degree of rotation or torque. “Putter fitting” in addition to finding the best static length and lie for you were designed to marry up your stroke arc to toe flow of the putter. Therefore, on that day, you get the perfect putter for you. And you live happily ever after.

But you don’t. Your putter remains the same everyday. Your stroke varies day to day or hole to hole or even stroke to stroke. Now instead of solving your problem your putter may amplify the problem. The LAB neither adds nor negates your flaws in the stroke. 

You likely have been using conventional putters for years and have learned to compensate for toe flow. You have to learn that you don’t have to compensate. Initially, I putted great with the DF2.1. But I always used a blade putter and didn’t like mallets. I stated I would not have ever spent my money on the DF2.1 because it was a mallet. I would have been wrong, but that was my feeling at the time. I had to learn to align it. Especially on the short putts.  

I would say my learning was mostly related to aim, not related to the stroke. Make your natural stroke and the putter will go where you want it. 

[RangerGrey]

Just a little over 5 week wait as I just knew the wait would be well worth it as it's a definitely YES for me. This DF 3 is a thing of beauty as I love the feel and size of it.  It's also pretty cool as to how you can pick up your ball with it. I did a comparison between my last years gamer the Evnroll EV2 with BGT Fire Stability shaft as I was sinking putts from 10-15 ft. much easier which was a surprise as I really didn't much adjustment time at all.  This just fits my eye and swings itself which amazes me. I went with the BGT Tour Stability ONE Shaft as its all one piece since its a center shafted putter which could be a reason why it felt a touch softer than my Fire Stability shaft. Both are nice as I will use the EV2 putter as my back up as everyone needs at least 2 putters...right! All of my other putters that I've ever owned are obsolete now. Time to start practicing my fist pump now.

 

 

 

[musicalmedicine]

6 minutes ago, RangerGrey said:

Just a little over 5 week wait as I just knew the wait would be well worth it as it's a definitely YES for me. This DF 3 is a thing of beauty as I love the feel and size of it.  It's also pretty cool as to how you can pick up your ball with it. I did a comparison between my last years gamer the Evnroll EV2 with BGT Fire Stability shaft as I was sinking putts from 10-15 ft. much easier which was a surprise as I really didn't much adjustment time at all.  This just fits my eye and swings itself which amazes me. I went with the BGT Tour Stability ONE Shaft as its all one piece since its a center shafted putter which could be a reason why it felt a touch softer than my Fire Stability shaft. Both are nice as I will use the EV2 putter as my back up as everyone needs at least 2 putters...right! All of my other putters that I've ever owned are obsolete now. Time to start practicing my fist pump now.

 

 

 

It’s a thing of beauty! I just entered week 4, hopefully I get the call that it has arrived at PGATSS sometime next week.

[JuniorXVIII]

On 3/22/2024 at 4:04 PM, vandyland said:

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). 

I am the exact same as you… I was fit in a Link.1 but have found that it’s me who is all wrong. I was fit for the link.1 in store - the tech said DF and Mezz weren’t for me.

 

I am currently looking at a broom now to try and make sense of what I am doing! The DF3 isn’t out so maybe the Max 

[downeyjr]

Just now, JuniorXVIII said:

The DF3 isn’t out so maybe the Max 

DF3 is out currently, they have them at my local Golf Galaxy even!

[JuniorXVIII]

6 minutes ago, downeyjr said:

DF3 is out currently, they have them at my local Golf Galaxy even!

I mean in broom… certainly not online anyway 

[downeyjr]

1 minute ago, JuniorXVIII said:

I mean in broom… certainly not online anyway 

Ohhh gotcha, yeah my bad you are right then.

[RangerGrey]

I finally got out to play as I actually was expecting more but 16 putts for 9 holes I really can't complain. You see I had 7 birdie tries but only made 2 that were from 12 and 15 ft. My confidence level was pretty high but the greens were pretty slow as I could not dial in the speed. We have had so much rain lately as most of my putts were directly right on line just 1-2" from going in the hole, bummer as I was on my way to a very nice round. The feel is incredible as it's true with what they say it was Love at 1st roll. 

[GolfSpy MPR]

21 minutes ago, RangerGrey said:

I finally got out to play as I actually was expecting more but 16 putts for 9 holes I really can't complain. You see I had 7 birdie tries but only made 2 that were from 12 and 15 ft. My confidence level was pretty high but the greens were pretty slow as I could not dial in the speed. We have had so much rain lately as most of my putts were directly right on line just 1-2" from going in the hole, bummer as I was on my way to a very nice round. The feel is incredible as it's true with what they say it was Love at 1st roll. 

Right now, I'm inclined to go with the same alignment you have on this DF3 for the MGS test. Can I ask: 1) what was your reason for choosing this pattern and 2) what are your early impressions of it?

[Braehead]

It's a yeh from me 

[Mike10487]

I looked at them. they felt good, but I couldn't get over the look. If it doesn't look good to me, I can't do it no matter how good it feels. *****pause***** Yes we are talking about Putters. The black one did look smaller, but by that time it was too late for me. My OCD would never let me do it. 

[Owengeorge13]

I’m hoping I start seeing some df2.1 in the used section soon because of everyone updating to the df3.  I almost got fit into the DF2 but I opted out because of the looks.  But now after spending time with a friends and at the pga superstore both the DF2 and DF3 are undeniably easy to use and the looks have grown on me.  I already use a SiK Flo C which is pretty ugly to begin with!

[scubahoops]

I have been gaming my DF2.1 for about a year and a half and I love it.  It is ugly and I have sort of gotten tired of looking at this massive thing but it just works and I have never putt better.  It did take time to get used to.  I agree with some of the comments made in that you sort of fought with the putter but never realized it and now with this you just putt and it feels different.  I also had to get used to the shaft lean/press in the grip but now that didn't take too much time to get used to. I will pull out other putters every once in a while and try them; face balanced, slight arc, blade, mid mallet, mallet, etc. and compare them with the DF2.1. While I like the looks of the other putters better, I just don't get the consistent feel and results and thus the LAB stays in the bag.

Eventually I will upgrade to the DF3 or Mezz but as of now I just make putts even though the putter is ugly.

[scubahoops]

24 minutes ago, Mike10487 said:

I looked at them. they felt good, but I couldn't get over the look. If it doesn't look good to me, I can't do it no matter how good it feels. *****pause***** Yes we are talking about Putters. The black one did look smaller, but by that time it was too late for me. My OCD would never let me do it. 

I sort of liked the unique look to it at first but now it has just gotten sort of annoying to look at and it is ugly but the putts just go in. I try to switch with trying different putters but the results of the LAB keep it in my bag.  Last week on 9 holes I made two over 15 feet and a 10 footer.

[Owengeorge13]

I belong to a golf club, not one member owns a L.A.B. Golf putter from what I’ve seen.  I bet it explodes this year.  Once one person at the club gets something that works, ten other people have it within a week.

[TJ Hall]

Nay for me, just not my style.  But if all other options fail and the LAB rolls ‘em in, might change my mind.

Edited April 16 by TJ Hall

[scubahoops]

53 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

I belong to a golf club, not one member owns a L.A.B. Golf putter from what I’ve seen.  I bet it explodes this year.  Once one person at the club gets something that works, ten other people have it within a week.

Maybe it could be you that is the trendsetter. 

[scubahoops]

49 minutes ago, TJ Hall said:

Nay for me, just not my style.  But if all other options fail and the LAB rolls ‘em in, might change my mind.

You may just need to try one but finding someone that is also a lefty to borrow theirs may be a bit of a challenge.

[TJ Hall]

1 minute ago, scubahoops said:

You may just need to try one but finding someone that is also a lefty to borrow theirs may be a bit of a challenge.

As of right now I have the Odyssey Ai and am super happy with it.  Not sure if it’s the putter itself or just spending more time practicing, but my putting has significantly improved with it.

[RangerGrey]

4 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Right now, I'm inclined to go with the same alignment you have on this DF3 for the MGS test. Can I ask: 1) what was your reason for choosing this pattern and 2) what are your early impressions of it?

It was a hard decision to make at first as I almost went with the T alignment but with the 3 lines just seem a bit easier to square up the putter as I have zero regrets. The putter itself already makes for a square face impact but with those 3 lines makes me stay on the proper line when there seems to be some break in my putts which is what I also like as it so much easier on my eyes to hit the line intended to hit as my adjustment period for now is working on my speed on longer putts as that too will come as the greens on some of the courses are a bit slow due to all the rain we have received so far. 

Edited April 17 by RangerGrey

[CFreddie]

6 minutes ago, RangerGrey said:

It was a hard decision to make at first as I almost went with the T alignment but with the 3 lines just seem a bit easier to square up the putter as I have zero regrets. The putter itself already makes for a square face impact but with those 3 lines makes me stay on the proper line when there seems to be some break in my putts which is what I also like

Thats great feedback - I'm also going back and forth on alignment options.  At first, I was pretty set on the T, but I'm now wondering if a single (or triple) dot would be better - my thinking is that since the putter is supposed to "square up automatically", I could be focusing too much on the lines and push / pull the putt off its intended path.  IDK...probably overthinking this one 

[RangerGrey]

On 4/16/2024 at 8:32 PM, CFreddie said:

Thats great feedback - I'm also going back and forth on alignment options.  At first, I was pretty set on the T, but I'm now wondering if a single (or triple) dot would be better - my thinking is that since the putter is supposed to "square up automatically", I could be focusing too much on the lines and push / pull the putt off its intended path.  IDK...probably overthinking this one 

I can tell you this I chose the thinner 3 lines which in fact has made a big difference helping me keep the ball on my intended path without the push or pull. The thicker 3 lines may have been just as nice but I like when more of the green color of my putter shows as it blends in nicely against the green color of the grass, plus the thinner 3 lines are not a distraction at all. Those dots may be a nice feature as well  but the lines are the width of the ball which is another reason why I pick the alignment. I can see with so many choices it would be easy to over think your decision. 

Edited April 19 by RangerGrey

[Mike10487]

13 hours ago, scubahoops said:

I sort of liked the unique look to it at first but now it has just gotten sort of annoying to look at and it is ugly but the putts just go in. I try to switch with trying different putters but the results of the LAB keep it in my bag.  Last week on 9 holes I made two over 15 feet and a 10 footer.

As long as they go in the hole!

[brandonoien]

The current gamer is an odyssey white hot-versa putter. Been contemplating switching to a LAB putter. I don't make a ton of money, so I am wondering if they are worth the price point and which one to get. I like the look of the mezz.

[cnosil]

5 minutes ago, brandonoien said:

 I am wondering if they are worth the price point and which one to get. I like the look of the mezz.

To me no, to others a definitive yes.    What “thing” would it have to change to make it worth it for you?  

[CFreddie]

7 minutes ago, brandonoien said:

The current gamer is an odyssey white hot-versa putter. Been contemplating switching to a LAB putter. I don't make a ton of money, so I am wondering if they are worth the price point and which one to get. I like the look of the mezz.

Heard on cost - they can be pricey.

One suggestion - there is a good FB group that always has a number of LABs on sale (link here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/labputters/?multi_permalinks=949687123606525&notif_id=1713037018084539&notif_t=group_highlights&ref=notif).  However, you should def go through a remote fitting before doing this so you know your measurements (its free).

[scubahoops]

1 hour ago, brandonoien said:

The current gamer is an odyssey white hot-versa putter. Been contemplating switching to a LAB putter. I don't make a ton of money, so I am wondering if they are worth the price point and which one to get. I like the look of the mezz.

I understand that completely. I bought mine used for the same reason and I was lucky that I found one locally that fit my set up.  Before I made the investment I tried them out at PGATSS and then I was able to meet the seller at a course and tried it out on the practice green.  Later I hope to upgrade to a Mezz or DF3 but cost is the largest barrier to upgrading.

[JuniorXVIII]

1 hour ago, brandonoien said:

The current gamer is an odyssey white hot-versa putter. Been contemplating switching to a LAB putter. I don't make a ton of money, so I am wondering if they are worth the price point and which one to get. I like the look of the mezz.

I agree with others… remote fitting is free so I would say do that. LAB also have an outlet so keep an eye out there as they are shown with ‘blemishes’ 

https://labgolfoutlet.com

I hope my broom will help bring me south of 16 this year.

 

Play well fella

[dbdors]

Hey all you DF3 owners.  I need a favor.  I'm still waiting on my putter to finish production and deliver.  In the mean time I'm looking at some alternative head covers.

Would anyone of you with a DF3 mind measuring the overall dimensions of the head.  Basically the "face width", "face thickness", "depth from face to back" and finally "face to center of shaft"

Thanks in advance!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Can't believe I haven't commented in this thread. 

Definitely in the Ya camp, but will say that at least for the moment have found a putter to unseat my Mezz Max