L.A.B. DF3 Putters - 2024 Forum Review

[JonathanCWhite]

5 hours ago, ole gray said:

I have a DF3 on order and looking forward to chunking this dog in the bag!  A few days ago I was at a PGA Super Store and rolled one for quite some time.  After that little excursion I was hooked like a bass in a pro tournament and I knew it was on like donkey kong! 

I chose blue as it's my favorite color with the Accra shaft and  Press Pistol 2 Degree Grip.

I feel dumb, but how did you select a normal-length shaft? I only see the long shaft options.

[CFreddie]

6 minutes ago, JonathanCWhite said:

I feel dumb, but how did you select a normal-length shaft? I only see the long shaft options.

Not a dumb question! Did you select “standard” length on the first screen? If so, you should be able to see all available lengths on the next screen (basically any length from 28” to 50” in 0.5” increments).

 

[JonathanCWhite]

1 hour ago, CFreddie said:

Not a dumb question! Did you select “standard” length on the first screen? If so, you should be able to see all available lengths on the next screen (basically any length from 28” to 50” in 0.5” increments).

 

That could totally be it. Maybe I didn't select standard by accident... thanks!

Edited May 17 by JonathanCWhite

[CFreddie]

5 minutes ago, JonathanCWhite said:

THat could totally be it. Maybe I didn't select standard length by accident... thanks!

No worries - CB only starts at 36” so that could have been it!

[ole gray]

5 hours ago, JonathanCWhite said:

I feel dumb, but how did you select a normal-length shaft? I only see the long shaft options.

 

It's just a regular length putter that I was fitted for through the video fit option that LAB offers. Mine is not a counter balanced putter so no need for a long shaft.

Edited May 18 by ole gray

[jbern]

I’ve posted this on a couple of other locations, but not on this DF3 thread. I have a work trip in Salt Lake City for a few days. Also, I injured my rib and it’s been very painful for about 12 days (story of how I injured it below). All that being said, I’m going to take it easy from exercise and golf for about a week. I’ll still be interacting with the thread and doing Exputt sessions with Dory, but I won’t log any outdoor rounds until this rib situation feels better. 

Rib injury story time:

I took the kids fishing and we caught 5-6 fish in the first 20-30 minutes. One of the fishing lines broke so I set it off to the side because I was putting bait on a different pole. The kids were clowning around and ended up knocking the fishing pole off the boat. Since we’ve already lost a couple of poles from the kids accidentally dropping them in the water, I dove very hastily after this one and smashed my upper ribs on the side of the boat. I did catch the pole, but my ribs have hurt ever since!

[Rob Person]

1 minute ago, jbern said:

I’ve posted this on a couple of other locations, but not on this DF3 thread. I have a work trip in Salt Lake City for a few days. Also, I injured my rib and it’s been very painful for about 12 days (story of how I injured it below). All that being said, I’m going to take it easy from exercise and golf for about a week. I’ll still be interacting with the thread and doing Exputt sessions with Dory, but I won’t log any outdoor rounds until this rib situation feels better. 

Rib injury story time:

I took the kids fishing and we caught 5-6 fish in the first 20-30 minutes. One of the fishing lines broke so I set it off to the side because I was putting bait on a different pole. The kids were clowning around and ended up knocking the fishing pole off the boat. Since we’ve already lost a couple of poles from the kids accidentally dropping them in the water, I dove very hastily after this one and smashed my upper ribs on the side of the boat. I did catch the pole, but my ribs have hurt ever since!

I hope you heal up fine!  Ribs are so touchy.  You get xrays for fractures or breaks?

[jbern]

On 5/16/2024 at 6:34 PM, JonathanCWhite said:

I'm excited to dive deep into this thread as I've been thinking of trying out the L.A.B. putters over my Scotty. Seems like everyone is getting sponsored by them right now.

I could be wrong on this, but I don’t think LAB actually sponsors any player. They just provide the putters for free to those that are interested. @cnosil- do you know?

Even the YouTube golfers that game them aren’t sponsored (again, as far as I know). They also receive them for free and are given a referral code to get their viewers discounts. 

[Rob Person]

4 minutes ago, jbern said:

I could be wrong on this, but I don’t think LAB actually sponsors any player. They just provide the putters for free to those that are interested. @cnosil- do you know?

Even the YouTube golfers that game them aren’t sponsored (again, as far as I know). They also receive them for free and are given a referral code to get their viewers discounts. 

The first time I remember seeing them was watching Busta Jack on youtube and he was playing that huge orange monster

[jbern]

4 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I hope you heal up fine!  Ribs are so touchy.  You get xrays for fractures or breaks?

I did not get x-rays. I have a relative that’s a Dr. and they informed me that it doesn’t really matter if it’s broken. The Dr. will recommend some pain meds since there’s nothing they can do, other than let it heal. I’m not having any other issues other than the rib/muscle pain, so I don’t want to go to the Dr. 

 

[jbern]

3 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

The first time I remember seeing them was watching Busta Jack on youtube and he was playing that huge orange monster

Yes, I saw that also! Those fellas are great LAB advertisers! Haha

[Northern Monkey]

@jbern hope you feel better soon

[TJ Hall]

6 hours ago, jbern said:

I did not get x-rays. I have a relative that’s a Dr. and they informed me that it doesn’t really matter if it’s broken. The Dr. will recommend some pain meds since there’s nothing they can do, other than let it heal. I’m not having any other issues other than the rib/muscle pain, so I don’t want to go to the Dr. 

 

Hope they heal quickly and the pain goes away!

[ole gray]

8 hours ago, jbern said:

I’ve posted this on a couple of other locations, but not on this DF3 thread. I have a work trip in Salt Lake City for a few days. Also, I injured my rib and it’s been very painful for about 12 days (story of how I injured it below). All that being said, I’m going to take it easy from exercise and golf for about a week. I’ll still be interacting with the thread and doing Exputt sessions with Dory, but I won’t log any outdoor rounds until this rib situation feels better. 

Rib injury story time:

I took the kids fishing and we caught 5-6 fish in the first 20-30 minutes. One of the fishing lines broke so I set it off to the side because I was putting bait on a different pole. The kids were clowning around and ended up knocking the fishing pole off the boat. Since we’ve already lost a couple of poles from the kids accidentally dropping them in the water, I dove very hastily after this one and smashed my upper ribs on the side of the boat. I did catch the pole, but my ribs have hurt ever since!

You better quit wrestling those big cat fish hoss.  They'll yank ya arse off the boat every time. 

[Steve F]

Okay, so I've been going through all of my Golf Pad app data and compiled (almost) every round I've played since I obtained the app. I have been using the TM Spider Tour since then. I've taken the reems of data and compiled it into a spreadsheet and have attached that information here. I have started the spreadsheet for the Mamba and will divulge that data as more is built up. These spreadsheets are rounds played since 10/02/21 that were complete rounds: I found several partial data streams that I've deleted (phone went dead, a sensor stopped working, etc. Those were deleted.) Plenty of data to compare with the Mamba! So, here is the data that is the baseline for comparison!  

The bottom line is, there is PLENTY of room for improvement, need to get those putts/hole down! I do think at first blush that the DF3 will play a big part in helping, along with the added attention given to putting during this trial. When you look at the raw numbers, it's amazing that I've putted that many times! 

[cnosil]

11 hours ago, jbern said:

I could be wrong on this, but I don’t think LAB actually sponsors any player. They just provide the putters for free to those that are interested. @cnosil- do you know?

Even the YouTube golfers that game them aren’t sponsored (again, as far as I know). They also receive them for free and are given a referral code to get their viewers discounts. 

I have no idea if any of the players using them are paid to play the club.   Most clubs are provided to players for free if they want them and I would assume the same for influencers since the goal of the company is to get them seen and attract people to buy them.

[jbern]

4 hours ago, Steve F said:

Okay, so I've been going through all of my Golf Pad app data and compiled (almost) every round I've played since I obtained the app. I have been using the TM Spider Tour since then. I've taken the reems of data and compiled it into a spreadsheet and have attached that information here. I have started the spreadsheet for the Mamba and will divulge that data as more is built up. These spreadsheets are rounds played since 10/02/21 that were complete rounds: I found several partial data streams that I've deleted (phone went dead, a sensor stopped working, etc. Those were deleted.) Plenty of data to compare with the Mamba! So, here is the data that is the baseline for comparison!  

The bottom line is, there is PLENTY of room for improvement, need to get those putts/hole down! I do think at first blush that the DF3 will play a big part in helping, along with the added attention given to putting during this trial. When you look at the raw numbers, it's amazing that I've putted that many times! 

So only 93 more rounds to get the same amount between the LAB and the TM Spyder?

Great stats! Crazy to think that you’ve had almost 2200 putts. If you putted like a scratch handicap with 31 putts per 18, you would’ve had 1800 putts… I’d be curious to calculate this for myself! Let’s keep getting better!

[Cfhandyman]

20 hours ago, jbern said:

I’ve posted this on a couple of other locations, but not on this DF3 thread. I have a work trip in Salt Lake City for a few days. Also, I injured my rib and it’s been very painful for about 12 days (story of how I injured it below). All that being said, I’m going to take it easy from exercise and golf for about a week. I’ll still be interacting with the thread and doing Exputt sessions with Dory, but I won’t log any outdoor rounds until this rib situation feels better. 

Rib injury story time:

I took the kids fishing and we caught 5-6 fish in the first 20-30 minutes. One of the fishing lines broke so I set it off to the side because I was putting bait on a different pole. The kids were clowning around and ended up knocking the fishing pole off the boat. Since we’ve already lost a couple of poles from the kids accidentally dropping them in the water, I dove very hastily after this one and smashed my upper ribs on the side of the boat. I did catch the pole, but my ribs have hurt ever since!

Ouch, I feel your pain. Get better soon. 

12 hours ago, ole gray said:

You better quit wrestling those big cat fish hoss.  They'll yank ya arse off the boat every time. 

Line of the week.  lol

[HairNet]

Hey everyone, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I'm relatively new here:  but does anyone know if LAB takes Venmo, PayPal or alternative payments?  Thanks!

[Rob Person]

2 hours ago, HairNet said:

Hey everyone, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I'm relatively new here:  but does anyone know if LAB takes Venmo, PayPal or alternative payments?  Thanks!

Not sure,  but you can get a digital wallet that assigns a virtual CC # via PayPal for online purchases 

[cnosil]

13 hours ago, HairNet said:

Hey everyone, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I'm relatively new here:  but does anyone know if LAB takes Venmo, PayPal or alternative payments?  Thanks!

The easiest way to find out would be to reach out to them directly.   The check out shows shop Pay and Google Pay as options.     The Lab Outlet site shows Paypal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay on the bottom of the page.   

[Golf2Much]

On 5/17/2024 at 11:45 PM, jbern said:

I’ve posted this on a couple of other locations, but not on this DF3 thread. I have a work trip in Salt Lake City for a few days. Also, I injured my rib and it’s been very painful for about 12 days (story of how I injured it below). All that being said, I’m going to take it easy from exercise and golf for about a week. I’ll still be interacting with the thread and doing Exputt sessions with Dory, but I won’t log any outdoor rounds until this rib situation feels better. 

As someone who's broken ribs (via a head on car accident and seat belts), I can give you the following advice:  Take it easy, don't overdo it and do not watch any comedy movies or shows!  A week after breaking my ribs, my wife wanted to go see Something About Mary.  I laughed so hard I think I broke another rib!  Overall, I think that two hours pushed back my recovery by a week.  

[Cfhandyman]

2 hours ago, cnosil said:

The easiest way to find out would be to reach out to them directly.   The check out shows shop Pay and Google Pay as options.     The Lab Outlet site shows Paypal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay on the bottom of the page.   

I didn't know LAB had an outlet site.  Thanks for sharing this information.

[cnosil]

4 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

I didn't know LAB had an outlet site.  Thanks for sharing this information.

https://labgolfoutlet.com/

 

[Cfhandyman]

Week 4 - Regular summary of the L.A.B. DF3

I've made a small tweak to the weekly summaries to avoid summary overload.  Moving forward, the Bottom line (executive) summary will be posted on Fridays.  The regular weekly summary will be posted on Sunday and the Tester of the week highlight will be posted on Tuesdays.  Hope people like this.

Playing experience

@GolfSpy SAM Swinging the putter feels ... distinctly different than swinging the DF2.1.  They have the same shaft, but the grips are slightly different (3-degree press (smooth) in the 2.1, 2-degree pistol (textured) in the 3), and obviously the heads are different.  But the DF3 feels slightly heavier during the stroke.\

       

The DF3 significantly smaller than DF2.1, about 2/3 the size

@GolfSpy SAM When I tested two years ago, that was the biggest point of contention for a lot of the testers - it's a VERY different viewpoint when you're standing over the ball - the shaft going in behind the face.  For me, it just made it a little easier to focus on my alignment, as the shaft goes in directly behind the alignment aid - so yet another thing to help with my alignment.  I found that IF I tried to get my hands more involved, I was liable to try to manipulate the face, and if I just rock back and forth pendulum-style, the face of that putter stays dead square. 

@cnosilI would personally say people don’t manipulate the torque but react to the torque.  All putters have torque including the lab putters and you have to do things to control that torque.  For example if you lift the putter up to make a stroke it will try to move the lie angle to vertical but you use your grip to control that torque. I have tried the LAB putters  in on course situations and I feel like I lose feel of the putter. Torque is what lets me feel face and the contact on the face. But performs well indoors at MGS headquarters

@ole gray I went with the platinum on my broom and love it however my next LAB putter will be BLUE. 

@MattWillGolf first rolls

First impressions. I absolutely love the sound and feel of the putter. It feels softer than my Evnroll ER11v. Getting it out for a round comes next. 

 Reactions to unboxing

Filming yourself is especially with your family around is uncomfortable ( @GolfSpy MPR @MattWillGolf@jbern, @Cfhandyman )

@Bad Golfer Awesome thread so far and the putters look Freaking Amazing! Looking forward to see how your putting improves over this test.

@GolfSpy_KFT reaction to @jbern photos These photos are INCREDIBLE!!!

@Cfhandyman, @jbern Absolutely superb unboxing video.  You need to come clean with your video editing skills.  I'm envious. Very well done.

@CFreddie One thing I'm also starting to note - I'm holding the DF3 with a VERY light grip, and when I translate that same grip to my Scotty, I can def feel a small "tug" in my backswing.  More to come...

@GolfSpy SAM Awesome stuff!  I will tell you that I was unaware that the X clip was on repeat, and watched it 17 times, marveling EACH time that your stroke never deviated once.  Lol - I'm not even embarrassed, because it's making me laugh so hard. 

@GolfSpy MPR I am a human pendulum

@CfhandymanShazam and then the master, @GolfSpy MPR shows us how its done.  What an absolutely fabulous unboxing and initial impressions.  Exceedingly well done

First impression/unboxing update under main links

@TSauer I love that the testing is just now getting started in this thread and it's already catching up to the LAB test from last year. Going to be one for the books!

@chadmariage Have played a couple rounds now with my DF3...I understand what folks are saying now about getting used to putting with it. I love the feel but it has been challenging so far. Looking forward to the process of dialing it in.

@Swood1994 Loving this thread so far, this may be a front runner for test of the year . Great job everyone

 Reaction to weekly summaries

@jbern Great weekly recap again @Cfhandyman! These are so fun to have and look back on each week! Impressive! 

@Rob Person Enjoying the recaps!!!  That's a lot of extra effort, and it's worth it!

@CFreddie Well said @Rob Person! He is going above and beyond with these and I'm loving it!

@Steve F @Rob Person, I agree. @Cfhandyman has this locked down tight, and trust me, from my angle the effort put forth on our behalf is highly appreciated! I look at these recaps and am in compete awe of how informative and to the point they are! My hat, for one, is off to you sir!

@TSauer Thanks for another great recap, @Cfhandyman. They are very much appreciated!

@rkj427 Another recap of the week's activities and posts on the DF3 testing @Cfhandyman. Best to all the testers and following this test to see how much difference these putters make for your golf games.

@jbern Great updates to the main testing posts @Steve F& @CFreddie! So exciting to see all these photos and videos! Loved the courtesy wave to the FedEx guy from afar @CFreddie! Actually made me LOL!

@Steve F - I was surprised how close in weight the DF3 and the Spydr are! Sounds like you've got quite the comparison!

@GolfSpy MPR

The secret to the DF3

@GolfSpy MPR For those six holes, I had 12 putts: I literally two-putted everything.

@CFreddie Great stuff gents - even as a tester, I need the weekly recap to see all of the amazing stuff that has happened over the week @Cfhandyman!  Biggest issue at this point - distance control (which was expected), so its something for me to dial in over the next few weeks.  

@MattWillGolf Firstly, I'd like to thank the Academy, my agent, the fine folks at Pepperidge Farms and last but not least my wife whose unending support has led up to this incredibly humbling experience" 

@StrokerAce you guys are setting the bar so high in this testing thread that it's going to be impossible to even come close.  What an extraordinary job by all of the testers.  Bravo isn't a strong enough term but I can't think of anything else right now. Just.... Wow... 

@GolfSpy SAM Holy smokes.  Took the Green Lantern out for its inaugural run today.  28 total putts, no three-putts, and 8 1-putts (including 2 birdies).  Seriously, this thing just flat-out performed for me today.  15-footer for par on 8 was a highlight, as was the 10' birdie putt (after, legit, the best shot of my life to get it onto the green from a BRUTAL position - more on that in the VCT thread) on 11.  Finished with a snaky 6-footer for birdie on 18 after sticking my approach from 100 yards.  My distance control and lag putting was EXCELLENT - had putts from 22, 25 and 50' that all were less than 12" from the hole when they stopped.  Anyway, thrilled to have had it out with me today.  There's definitely a SLIGHTLY different feel than the DF2.1, but that's not a bad thing - it's just different.  It feels slightly more solid at impact, and there's definitely less of a 'ting' if struck out of the toe

@TJ Hall Sounds like an amazing start with the LAB!

@Northern Monkey Great first round with the Lantern

@Cfhandyman – overall first impressions

@Cfhandyman We strive to continue to improve and innovate to make this a better and interactive experience for the readers.  Do we set the bar high.  Absolutely.  However, I'm very fortunate to be working with a great group of uniquely talented testers.  Keep your suggestions coming and Thank you.

@Jim Shaw What I was looking for is how long of a shaft did you put on your DF3?

@CfhandymanBased on the online fitting with L.A.B., shaft length is 35.5", with 69* lie angle.  So far very impressed with the TPT shaft. 

@Jim Shaw So not a “broom “ style. Does the putter set up and look encourage you to make more of a pendulum stroke, more than with your other putter? Or do you think your stroke is similar.

@GolfSpy SAM I'm at 35", so pretty similar, and I can say that because of the center (like, of the head, not "center of the front element" like most center-shafted putters), the pendulum stroke becomes almost imperative.  When I tested two years ago, that was the biggest point of contention for a lot of the testers - it's a VERY different viewpoint when you're standing over the ball - the shaft going in behind the face.  For me, it just made it a little easier to focus on my alignment, as the shaft goes in directly behind the alignment aid - so yet another thing to help with my alignment.  I found that IF I tried to get my hands more involved, I was liable to try to manipulate the face, and if I just rock back and forth pendulum-style, the face of that putter stays dead square. However, if you're an experienced putter and have become accustomed (and good at) manipulating the face and the torque of the putter to get it back to square, there will for sure be a learning curve in taking your hands out of it (Sam Hahn suggests something called the 'thumbs-up drill', where you lift your thumbs while making the stroke, to teach your hands what it feels like to let the putter guide itself through the stroke. I find that I go back to this a lot on my practice swings and it's helped immensely). 

If you have already have a fairly straight-back-straight-through stroke, the L.A.B. should be an easy transition (I've been wrong before, mind you

@Cfhandyman  I would say, the L.A.B. with its heavier head makes it easier to make more of a pendulum stroke especially when you use a light grip.  I found L.A.B.’s training videos quite helpfully.  

@Jim Shaw Great post thank you, when I watch the really good current putters, even with traditions type blades but mostly mallets the pendulum style seems to work the best, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking "yeah but these greens are quick and that is the best stroke to have" well our greens have been 11 or better since February and I am developing a real pendulum stroke, in my opinion.

@GolfSpy SAM My understanding from conversations with Sam is that the vast majority of putters they sell are traditional, followed by broom, followed by counter-balanced. The weights used for the broom versus the regular are considerably different (heavier in the broom), in order to mimic the feel of the standard setup. 

@cnosil I assume you are looking at the PGA tour:

Garrick Higgo:  standard 

Byeong Hun An: Broom 

Grayson Murray: standard 

Will Zalatoris: Broom 

Camilo Villegas: standard 

Lucas Glover: Broom 

Adam Scott: Broom

@jbern Thanks for sharing that! I was able to come up with 5 of those names off the top of my head, but I did not know there was a list. I do believe most of those players are in the MEZZ or MEZZ max, but some have switched to the DF3.

@jbernexputt experience

(Distance weighted at 45%, Impact Angle weighted at 45%, Path weighted at 10%).

From the data, you can see the greatest contributor to the lower DF3 score was distance control. I had more made putts from all distances with the DF3, but my misses were severe. Again, I do not see this as a negative because the distance control should come over time and practice. 

@jbern One comment I will make about my way-too-early first impressions is the way the bottom of the DF3 is made, I LOVE that when you set it down, the DF3 automatically sits at the correct lie angle. No need to guess. The flat area that you see circled in the photo below allows for this to happen and I'm a big fan!

@PJR Such great information and reviews here. Thank you all for your time and dedication!  I wanted to post a shout out to the customer service side of the house. The company is growing quickly and it is easy to lose your connection to those of us who have been early adopters and avid fans and yet they continue to treat us with attention to our individual needs. Kudos to L.A.B. for continuing to treat a dying commodity like customer service with the respect that it deserves! 

@Cfhandyman I will strongly second that. For the testers, the customer service we have received from L.A.B. has been exceptional and exemplary. Calvin and the fitters were exceedingly helpful and insightful in helping us narrow down our choices. @CFreddie was even able to record his fitting call with Calvin and as a result was able to share great insights with us all. They expedited the builds and we all had our putters within 7-10 days from order. Exceptional service. So L.A.B. very well done

@CFreddie However, I'm already starting to see a SG improvement in one round - see below for my Arccos screenshots (1st is the past round, the 2nd is all rounds so far):

Tester of the week – Michael Riley

@jbern Another cool addition to the DF3 thread from @Cfhandyman!!!

I participated in the Clicgear 4.0 test with @GolfSpy MPR and I remember thinking... "he's from Michigan, I should see if he'd like to meet up and golf and talk about these pushcarts." Then I looked how far away he is from me and even though we live in the same state we might as well be on different planets.  It's like a 10 hour drive!

@Jim Shaw Fun feature, yes I like it. 

I am intrigued by the equipment used by @GolfSpy MPR to get feedback from his putting stroke.

1. has it made you a better putter? 

2. Which piece of equipment do you think has helped the most for you?

3. How much time do you spend practicing putting?

4. How many putters have you tested, let's say in the last 3 years? 

thanks for the post @Cfhandyman

@Rob Person And this thread just keeps getting better!!

@MattWillGolf  I was able to get the Nemo out on the course for the first time today for 9 holes. There will be an adjustment period. I absolutely love the feel of the putter. But I am have a tough time with getting the distance dialed in. Everything was running long. I even had a 4-putt on a hole.  My round included one 4-putt, four 3 putts, three 2-putts, and one 1-putt. I can’t remember the last time I had a 4-putt. For me a typical 9 hole round is good for one or two 3-putts, mostly 2-putts and the occasional 1-putt. 

@ole gray asked about heavier head, most are gaming heavier head

@CFreddieSo far, I’m happy with the heavier weight. Def something to consider through testing though. 

@Steve F I went with the heavier weighted head and am happy that I did so far. My gamer is a TM Spider tour, and that has some heft as well. I like the "feel" of that weight at the end. That being said, I did weigh both as the DF3 felt perceptibly lighter the moment I picked it up, but it was only 10g lighter.

@jbern I believe the fitter with LAB mentioned, either in @CFreddie's video interview or in an email response to me, that most people prefer the heavier head, unless they are used to something lighter.

@jbern All of my longer putts felt very good and I was surprised how well the distance control went for the first round outdoors. Even the 29 ft. putt that I left 6 ft. short felt good, Could I have had similar performance with my AL-6? Probably, but given how well distance control went, I give the first outdoor round with the DF3 two thumbs up!

@Cfhandyman: putter testing protocol I would like to share my Putter testing Protocol.  I am absolutely thrilled about the testing opportunity for the L.A.B. DF3 putter.  From a testing point of view, I want to know does it live up to its claims and the technology behind it as well as my thoughts and observations on feel, balance, alignment and face control.  It will tested on Quintic to determine how well it works for me in a putter fitting at TXG (Club Champion Canada).  Quintic is the gold standard for putter fitting launch monitors. Essentially I will be rolling 12’ putts on a stable platform with ball, roll and putter motion captured by high speed cameras. This will determine, face control, launch angle, spin, alignment and path.  And lastly, is the L.A.B, DF3 good value for the money?  

@GolfSpy SAM In my original review of the DF2.1 from 2022, the thing that I kept coming back to was this very fact.  I knew, if I set the putter flat on the ground, EXACTLY where to stand, and it took yet another variable I was historically terrible at gauging correctly off the table.  I just KNEW that if the putter was flat, that I was in a good position.  If it was toe up, I was too far away, and if it was heel-up, I was too close.  It literally changed my game.

Many questions about set up, grip, head weight so will summarize below

@GolfSpy SAM In the DF3, I opted for the white, textured pistol grip - 2-degrees of forward press, so it's still familiar, but I have to say I absolutely prefer it (so far, after one round of 18 and lots of at-home rolling) - the pistol shape is VERY comfortable, and the textured grip is outstanding.

@jbern This is one of my current concerns with my choice of the Garsen Quad Tour 17 grip. With a skinnier grip it seems to be easier to get handsy. It is a very comfortable grip, just much skinnier than I'm used to with the AL-6 and the JMX Jumbo 17!

@MattWillGolf Huge improvement over my last round. My distance control was so much better. I had 17 putts for 9 holes. I had one 3-putt that should not have occurred. I had six 2-putts and two 1-putts. The 3-putt was a lip out and one of my 2-putts was a lip out. So a better result all around. Nemo is finding his way home.

@Lefty11…. Testers,hHas the lab putter boosted your confidence on the greens? Have any of your playing partners remarked on your new flat stick, and if so, what have they said?

@MattWillGolf I went in cautiously. My last two putters were Evnroll putters. I am a big believer in their “Sweet Face Technology” concept for their putter face. The DF3 has a much softer “feel” than the ER11v. I now feel more comfortable with the feel and plan to get more “technical” with the testing and get some time on either a SAM Lab or Quintec system. 

@JonathanCWhite I'm excited to dive deep into this thread as I've been thinking of trying out the L.A.B. putters over my Scotty. Seems like everyone is getting sponsored by them right now.

@Josh Parker The Pistol grip has been a game changer for me.  

@GolfSpy MPR I use the palm grip with and interlock fingers and thumbs on top.  Takes all the hands out of it.

    

My summary of these numbers: 

In short, I'm not making anything yet, but I'm barely missing anything either. That is to say, I literally haven't made a putt in these 18 holes longer than 5 feet, but I haven't three-putted once. 

On the latter: my speed control (even on unfamiliar greens today) has been ridiculously good for me. I've had so many stress-free two putts from 20+ feet.

I've also been (for me) uncharacteristically rock solid on short putts. By the end of the round today, I was even feeling confident that I was going to make those putts. That is a nice feeling. 

I have reason to think that, if I begin stretching that confidence and intention to make into the 6-10' range, some makes are likely to follow. 

I'm loving the feedback and feel. I'll have more to say later, but even with a harder ball, my DF3 (with the counterbalanced TPT shaft) only sounds pingy on grossly off-center strikes. I don't like high pitched putters. Using a Bridgestone today, it was almost more muted than I'd like—but given how the putts rolled, I wasn't bothered.

See you next week for Week 5 summary

 

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Forgot to update here!  Had another round on Friday with the Green Lantern, and managed 26(!) putts, no 3-putts, 10 1-putts.  

  To be fair, good readers, I wasn't exactly draining 20-footers left and right.  I had a TERRIBLE approach day (17% GIR, brutal).  But my wedges once again came to the rescue and left me 5-6-footers almost all day.  I made a 9-footer for birdie, which felt terrific, and a 10-footer for par, but basically everything else was 6-feet and in.

  That being said - no 3-putts felt fantastic, especially considering I had several approaches where I had no choice but to aim for the opposite side of the green from the pin, and had 40+ feet first-attempts, and never left myself more than 6 feet for the 2nd putt (usually inside 3 feet, which was awesome).  

  This thing just continues to flat-out perform, and I'm really finding the long-arrow-alignment aid to be incredibly effective at guaranteeing I'm lined up correctly behind the ball - any "askew-ness" (I made that word up and am sticking with it) is really easy to see with the extended arrow through the back of the putter.

  Also, I'll touch briefly here on forgiveness - the 10-footer I made for par, I hit plainly out of the toe - not even a "little toe-y", but, like, barely on the face of the putter, and it held the line perfectly and entered center-cut.  Yes, it was a little ting-y in sound, but if that's the worst of a 10-footer being struck out of the toe, I think I can handle it  

  Unfortunately, this is the last round I'll be getting in before heading to Virginia for the MGS Outing (cannot. wait.), as I have a family getaway next weekend, but I'll be trying to get out at least once during the week to hit a range/practice session, so I'll report back in then. 

  Really loving this putter a lot.  

[Syks7]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

26(!) putts,

You may not have had great approach play, but this is absolute fire for both your wedges and the DF3  

[Rob Person]

It took me 11 minutes to read and digest that recap!  It was worth every one !  

Looks like the LAB putters have started a supernova effect, and pretty soon 3 putts will get sucked into the vacuum of a black hole to be lost forever!

 

[jbern]

17 hours ago, Syks7 said:

You may not have had great approach play, but this is absolute fire for both your wedges and the DF3  

Yes, I thought the same thing when I read @GolfSpy SAM's 26 putt comment! 26 putts is awesome, even for poor approach days! Very impressive performance! Sounds like the switch from the DF2.1 to DF3 is very smooth!

[Steve F]

13 hours ago, Rob Person said:

It took me 11 minutes to read and digest that recap!  It was worth every one !  

Looks like the LAB putters have started a supernova effect, and pretty soon 3 putts will get sucked into the vacuum of a black hole to be lost forever!

 

... I still have a few 3 putts to abolish @Rob Person! But it is getting better!