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

[GolfSpy MPR]

KABOOOOOOOM!

[GolfSpy SAM]

28 minutes ago, Old Sarge 7997 said:

Maybe "Bluser", a mash-up of Blue and Laser ? Or "Bluzer"?

[Steve F]

Got the email I was waiting for! Where's that Anticipation meme again?!

"Hi Steve,

Thank you for your order! We're excited to let you know that your order 1570834 has been successfully received and is now in our production queue. Our current lead time for custom orders is 5-6 weeks. For stock orders and small packages, we aim to ship within 5 -10 days of your order. Note: Some stock models may vary on lead time due to inventory.

If you have any questions or need to make changes to your order, please reach out to us promptly at [email protected]. Please indicate "Order Change" in the subject line. Kindly note that you have a 14-day window from the order date to request any modifications. After this period, we will no longer be able to accept changes, and a restocking fee may apply. We will send you another email when your putter enters production, as well as a further email when your putter is ready to ship, with all relevant tracking information."

[GolfSpy MPR]

Spent way too much time building this: a spreadsheet to track numbers from HackMotion, Blast, and ExPutt, to combine all of that data into a single score:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fam_m2w-Fq-EX6nDLa82TnbgRot1X5Qs2ZJOdzdTfag/edit?usp=sharing

Here's my plan: this is built around the ExPutt "Analysis" feature. When you turn on Analysis in the Practice mode, it gives you a sequence of 18 random-distance straight putts. At the conclusion, it spits out a report on your distance control, face angle, and path.

My intention is to strap on my HackMotion and attach the Blast sensor to whatever putter I'm testing. I'll turn on practice mode and hit 10-15 random putts, just to get in the proper feel for each putter. Then I'll turn on Analysis and start the Blast and HackMotion apps.

My goal will be to avoid looking at the HM and Blast numbers while I'm doing the 18 putts, so that I'm not consciously trying to correct those numbers. I do have to keep an eye on the apps, however: the Blast will occasionally miss a putt, and the HackMotion has a tendency to add a lot of ghost reads.

If all goes well, I'll plan to repeat this exercise at least five times with both my Edel and Evnroll. Given that L.A.B. is currently predicting over a month between orders being placed and the arrival of the DF3, I should be able to collect all of that data before the L.A.B. arrives. Then I will also collect at least five sessions of data with the DF3.

[Cfhandyman]

I also received the confirmation email of my order that its in the production queue. Yipee. Now its hurry up and wait

Me "patiently" waiting  

[GolfSpy_KFT]

6 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

I also received the confirmation email of my order that its in the production queue. Yipee. Now its hurry up and wait

Me "patiently" waiting  

The best and worst wait in the world! 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

3 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

I would say at last 50 percent of the people I end up playing with as a single - and even some of my friends - do not use headcovers for their putter. Now some of these are older and maybe not worth it but I just don't understand that. I would never.

You'll have to test some off-the-green-Texas-wedges and see if it does anything to the aluminum.... and for those people that use their putter in the bunker

I'm a stringent always headcover on putter player as well. I have Spider Tour Platinum circa 2017 that looks nearly brand new, save for a couple small dings in the paint that are just unavoidable. It truly makes me cringe when I see used putters online beaten to crap, and then people trying to get top dollar for them lol. I get the "tools, not jewels" stance, but if I can help keep something look new, I'm gonna do it. Irons, however, I don't care. Funny how that works lol.

[TJ Hall]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

I'm a stringent always headcover on putter player as well. I have Spider Tour Platinum circa 2017 that looks nearly brand new, save for a couple small dings in the paint that are just unavoidable. It truly makes me cringe when I see used putters online beaten to crap, and then people trying to get top dollar for them lol. I get the "tools, not jewels" stance, but if I can help keep something look new, I'm gonna do it. Irons, however, I don't care. Funny how that works lol.

I keep the cover on my putter unless I’m actively using it (driver/3w is the same)…even sitting in my house the cover is on.  Like to keep them looking new.

I see so many used clubs in stores that are beat up with dents/dings/paint chips that it drives me crazy.

[BreakfastBall15]

9 minutes ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

I'm a stringent always headcover on putter player as well. I have Spider Tour Platinum circa 2017 that looks nearly brand new, save for a couple small dings in the paint that are just unavoidable. It truly makes me cringe when I see used putters online beaten to crap, and then people trying to get top dollar for them lol. I get the "tools, not jewels" stance, but if I can help keep something look new, I'm gonna do it. Irons, however, I don't care. Funny how that works lol.

Spiders are always the worst ones I see. I keep the cover on mine all the time and it still looks new. A buddy of mine has the same putter as me but keeps his headcover off after the first green and its beat to crap. It hurst my eyes and heart to look at it. 

[nate.strine]

Got mine and love it.  except the rusting screws already.  Terrible support:  "WD40 and a toothbrush"

[GolfSpy_KFT]

18 minutes ago, TJ Hall said:

I keep the cover on my putter unless I’m actively using it (driver/3w is the same)…even sitting in my house the cover is on.  Like to keep them looking new.

I see so many used clubs in stores that are beat up with dents/dings/paint chips that it drives me crazy.

 

5 minutes ago, BreakfastBall15 said:

Spiders are always the worst ones I see. I keep the cover on mine all the time and it still looks new. A buddy of mine has the same putter as me but keeps his headcover off after the first green and its beat to crap. It hurst my eyes and heart to look at it. 

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!! I get not everyone cares, but I sure as heck do 

[MattWillGolf]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

I’ll be cutting mine open immediately to see if it’s REALLY filled with goo, or perhaps hidden Korean technology. 

If it truly had hidden "North Korean Technology" you'd never need a putter has proven by the fine golf scores of the Dear Leader Kim Jung-il 

"Kim shot 38 under, including 11 holes-in-one, at the 7,700-yard championship course at Pyongyang in the VERY FIRST golf round of his life, according to North Korean state media. This was in 1994, when Kim was 52 years old. Even more impressive, Kim stood just 5-foot-3, yet he was able to overpower a course as long as any ever played in major championship history. Who knows how good Kim could have been if he had taken up the sport earlier? Who knows how many times he bested 38 under in the 17 years since his first round?"

[MattWillGolf]

The putter technology L.A.B. Golf has brought to the game of golf appears to have caught on with two important groups of golfers. Those who are paid to play and those of us who pay to play. Positive reviews, the success of Lucas Glover and the number of golfers at the Masters who have L.A.B. Golf putters in the bag is getting orders for them. I just received an email that my putter is in the build queue and lead time is 5-6 weeks. In the meantime I will keep putting stats on my Evnroll ER11v. 

 

 

[MattWillGolf]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

KABOOOOOOOM!

I was hoping for order number 8675309.

Ok I will leave now. 

(Yes, I am showing my age.)

[Cfhandyman]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Spent way too much time building this: a spreadsheet to track numbers from HackMotion, Blast, and ExPutt, to combine all of that data into a single score:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fam_m2w-Fq-EX6nDLa82TnbgRot1X5Qs2ZJOdzdTfag/edit?usp=sharing

Here's my plan: this is built around the ExPutt "Analysis" feature. When you turn on Analysis in the Practice mode, it gives you a sequence of 18 random-distance straight putts. At the conclusion, it spits out a report on your distance control, face angle, and path.

My intention is to strap on my HackMotion and attach the Blast sensor to whatever putter I'm testing. I'll turn on practice mode and hit 10-15 random putts, just to get in the proper feel for each putter. Then I'll turn on Analysis and start the Blast and HackMotion apps.

My goal will be to avoid looking at the HM and Blast numbers while I'm doing the 18 putts, so that I'm not consciously trying to correct those numbers. I do have to keep an eye on the apps, however: the Blast will occasionally miss a putt, and the HackMotion has a tendency to add a lot of ghost reads.

If all goes well, I'll plan to repeat this exercise at least five times with both my Edel and Evnroll. Given that L.A.B. is currently predicting over a month between orders being placed and the arrival of the DF3, I should be able to collect all of that data before the L.A.B. arrives. Then I will also collect at least five sessions of data with the DF3.

This is sweet and well done.  From a self described can you measure it and data junkie

[StrokerAce]

1 hour ago, Cfhandyman said:

I also received the confirmation email of my order that its in the production queue. Yipee. Now its hurry up and wait

Me "patiently" waiting  

welcome to the club!

[jbern]

I also received my order confirmation email earlier today! So excited! The people I’ve dealt with at LAB have been incredible so far! 
 

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

 

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!! I get not everyone cares, but I sure as heck do 

Avid putter coverer here! With this LAB I think I’ll try to find a cover for the cover to keep it in nice shape!

8 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Spent way too much time building this: a spreadsheet to track numbers from HackMotion, Blast, and ExPutt, to combine all of that data into a single score:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fam_m2w-Fq-EX6nDLa82TnbgRot1X5Qs2ZJOdzdTfag/edit?usp=sharing

Here's my plan: this is built around the ExPutt "Analysis" feature. When you turn on Analysis in the Practice mode, it gives you a sequence of 18 random-distance straight putts. At the conclusion, it spits out a report on your distance control, face angle, and path.

My intention is to strap on my HackMotion and attach the Blast sensor to whatever putter I'm testing. I'll turn on practice mode and hit 10-15 random putts, just to get in the proper feel for each putter. Then I'll turn on Analysis and start the Blast and HackMotion apps.

My goal will be to avoid looking at the HM and Blast numbers while I'm doing the 18 putts, so that I'm not consciously trying to correct those numbers. I do have to keep an eye on the apps, however: the Blast will occasionally miss a putt, and the HackMotion has a tendency to add a lot of ghost reads.

If all goes well, I'll plan to repeat this exercise at least five times with both my Edel and Evnroll. Given that L.A.B. is currently predicting over a month between orders being placed and the arrival of the DF3, I should be able to collect all of that data before the L.A.B. arrives. Then I will also collect at least five sessions of data with the DF3.

I created a spreadsheet to help track my on-course putting in great detail. I’m not sure what to do with it quite yet, but I’ll post it on here when I get back home. 
I also might steal your spreadsheet, if it’s ok with you, for my practice putting on the Exputt when it arrives!
 

[Just_the_Chip]

I got mine out to the putting green yesterday and really enjoyed it. There is not a lot of change that was needed, which shocked me. It comes off the faces, crisply, so learning speed was a bit tricky. I'm really really really curious to see what the forum testers do with it. I was more shocked by the sound. I was getting a really solid aluminum "Clink" sound with the ball I was using especially over longer shots that wasn't perfectly hit in the middle. 

[GolfSpy MPR]

1 minute ago, Just_the_Chip said:

I was more shocked by the sound. I was getting a really solid aluminum "Clink" sound with the ball I was using especially over longer shots that wasn't perfectly hit in the middle. 

Hmmm. This is something that worries me. Obviously, if the performance advantage is indisputable, I can deal with it. But I don't love high pitches on putters. This is something my current Edel gets exactly right: not mushy, not pingy. I'll certainly be doing some sound tests when my DF3 arrives.

[Shapotomous]

18 hours ago, MattWillGolf said:

I was hoping for order number 8675309.

Ok I will leave now. 

(Yes, I am showing my age.)

I use that all the time when i have to give a phone number for some annoying form that i dont care about!  . Like why does the pet food store need my phone #?  

[Just_the_Chip]

16 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Hmmm. This is something that worries me. Obviously, if the performance advantage is indisputable, I can deal with it. But I don't love high pitches on putters. This is something my current Edel gets exactly right: not mushy, not pingy. I'll certainly be doing some sound tests when my DF3 arrives.

I definitely don't mind the noise. I just want the performance. But I was sort of shocked by it. It wasn't crazy loud like an original Karsten Ping A1 putter, but it was there. I was using a chromesoft ball. Just for kicks, I quickly tried a Vice Pro Plus I had kicking around in the bag, and it wasn't there as much. 

Either way, the putter did perform really well between 3 -5 feet for me. Outside of 15 feet it took me a few times to get used to lagging. Inside of 3, the I really just had to tap the ball to get it move quickly. I ONLY noticed the sound on the longer lag putts. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

20 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Hmmm. This is something that worries me. Obviously, if the performance advantage is indisputable, I can deal with it. But I don't love high pitches on putters. This is something my current Edel gets exactly right: not mushy, not pingy. I'll certainly be doing some sound tests when my DF3 arrives.

I hear the df3 feels amazing and better than the df2. I have the df2 and it can get pings with certain balls but it’s not terrible outside. I play the new b x and I really don’t hear much. 

[CFreddie]

47 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Hmmm. This is something that worries me. Obviously, if the performance advantage is indisputable, I can deal with it. But I don't love high pitches on putters. This is something my current Edel gets exactly right: not mushy, not pingy. I'll certainly be doing some sound tests when my DF3 arrives.

I wouldn't worry too much about this - having hit both, I noticed a difference in sound between the two.  Plus, I would imagine with an upgraded shaft, that is diminished even more (I've only hit a 2.1 with the stock steel shaft).

[widget]

yes it does have an aluminum ping to it but it is a good indication of where the strike came out of…i have noticed that the more off center the strike the more audible the ping…if struck dead center the sound is a nice little thwack so it is actually nice for feedback (have putted with proV1 left dash and prov1)

[Just_the_Chip]

4 hours ago, widget said:

yes it does have an aluminum ping to it but it is a good indication of where the strike came out of…i have noticed that the more off center the strike the more audible the ping…if struck dead center the sound is a nice little thwack so it is actually nice for feedback (have putted with proV1 left dash and prov1)

I actually got to use the putter today. Got out for 9 holes and it was awesome to use on the course. Even got a nice 15 footer off the fringe! For a 18.5 hanidcap, that's a big deal for me. I will say, it CAN come off the face pretty fast. but it really does just hit it straight. It's hard to describe, but I think I was compensating or adjusting the face of my old putter. I don't feel like I was pushing or pulling puts, but just legitimately hitting my line, and realizing that I really have zero idea how to read a green. Lagging puts was a hit or miss for me. Looking forward to the better golfers reviews. But I think I found the putter thats staying in my bag for a long long time. 

Warning: people will notice your putter, and immediately want to try to it, hold it, etc. LOL. 

[Cfhandyman]

DF3 Weekley review  -  Highlights of week 1

Trying something new.  Welcome to the Weekly DF3 review and recap highlighting the best posts, pictures and findings for the week.  If this is helpful and you like this content, please let me know your thoughts.

What Is L.A.B.? 

@GolfSpy_APH L.A.B. stands for Lie Angle Balance. These putters, unlike other putters, are not toe-hang or face balanced. They are balanced to point at the target, meaning no twisting, no struggling to keep the face directed at the target—the putter does this naturally.  As each golfer is unique in their putting stance and stroke, the fitting process for L.A.B. is crucial. L.A.B. has made this easy by way of their online submission. A simple step-by-step process is sent to L.A.B. and they use this video to dial in your specifications. L.A.B. is best known for their big and unique-looking DF 2.1, a putter that has many nicknames and certainly does not appeal to all golfers. This is where the DF3 comes in. 

Please welcome and congratulate our testers! 

@GolfSpy_BEN This is a fantastic group of testers! I, and the entire forum, will be following along. Without further ado… Now the fun begins

@sirchunksalot  To me, this is the most intriguing test of the year and I'm looking forward to seeing what y'all think. 

@ShimmyCocoBop It would be interesting to know what the percentage of brooms vs. regular length putters are sold by LAB?

Superb and excellent introductions by all the testers.  Testers: 4 standard putters, 2 counterbalanced and the @GolfSpy SAM special

Overall impressions – a great deal of interest in the L.AB. putters, and the technology behind it,  Some scepticism regarding looks and price.

@GolfSpy_APH -  be happy you are not in the PM channel - Its Cobra challenge bad. Especially after the surprise I dropped them today. 

@Cfhandyman If we don't knock it out of the park, there will be hell to pay.  But seriously, we want to make this fun, informative and answer all questions people have.  This is a very intriguing putter and test.   Be prepared to see some great putter combinations. 

@jbern We have all submitted online fitting videos, which is the most common way for LAB to fit putters. It was also SUPER easy to make a 3-5 second video of your putting stroke with a door pane behind you.

One of the testers, @MattWillGolf, has received the fitting results back from LAB's fitter via email. 

 I have so many color/alignment options that I'm thinking through that I don't think I want to inundate the thread with all the screenshots! 

@steve2526  Does anyone else see a goldfish cracker when looking at the DF 3 in orange?  I'm a huge Df 2.1 fan.  Best putter ever...

@TJ Hall Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the shear number of possibilities here???

@GolfSpy SAM Two years in, my 2.1 is still kicking ass - THRILLED to see what this group experiences with the 3.0 (and yes, I'm a little jealous, but that's normal when a new kid is born into the family - the big bro gets a little jealous

@Jim Shaw "can you open a stubby with one" 

@Cfhandyman Send in your video to L.A.B. and they will use their video fitting software to analyze your stroke and calculate your ideal length and lie angle. They will then send you an email confirming your specifications.  https://labgolf.com/pages/remote-fitting 

@CFreddie Since I've never been officially fit for a putter, I focused first on determining eye dominance, and concluded that I'm left eye dominant (as a righty).  Here is a simple test if you need to determine eye dominance - https://www.diyphotography.net/a-neat-trick-to-determine-your-dominant-eye/.  

@CFreddie

What's most important to you with respect to putting?  What matters to you and what do you look for?

 

@Cfhandyman When, I look at my data for putting, the first thing I look at it the total number of putts and then how many were: a) One putt, b) Two putt, c) Three putts or worse

Below is Arccos data looking at total putts broken down by 1, 2 or 3 or more putts by handicap.  The higher handicaps 3 putt or worse far more than a scratch or low handicap golfer. Correspondingly, the low handicap golfer makes far more one putts.  So one of the key metrics for me is reducing the number of 3 putts and increase the number of one putts.  So according to Arccos, the 0 handicap makes on average 32.1 putts per round of which 5.2 holes were one putt, 11.5 holes are 2 putts and 1.3 holes were 3 putt.  See below.  Another way of looking it is for the 0 Hcp: One putts - 16.2%, Two putts - 71.6%, and three putts - 12.2%

@jbern For me, stats wise, the most important stat is # of 3 putts. If I'm 3 putting the rest of the stats fall apart also. 

When it comes to the act of putting, the most important thing to me is speed. If my speed is on, confidence goes up, green reading seems to be better and it leads to more tap-ins and made putts.

@jbern  If I want to lower my handicap, I'll need to improve my putting. This data is a good baseline and it's pretty nice to see it visually on a graph and compare to a statistical giant like Arccos. 

@Steve F Markers set at 3', 5', 7' and 10'. I didn't do 10' last time, but figure I should add that especially since the 1 putt on 12 was from 19'. You certainly wouldn't know it by the practice session beyond 7'!!

 

@CFreddie I'd agree with your ranking @Cfhandyman, (TPT>Stability>Accra>Steel) although I've never hit a Stability in a LAB.  Having hit the others though, there is definitely a distinctive "feel" characteristic across the shaft options.  For the stock steel, you get a muted but firm feel, which is the opposite of the Accra, which has a distinctive soft / almost "whip-like" feel to it (I could see how some people love the Accra, while others don't).  The TPT was the best in my eyes (hence the high $) - you get very direct feedback on the hit, while feeling incredibly stabile in your hands.  On a standard length putter, these aren't as pronounced, but I'd imagine in a Broomstick (with a much longer shaft), these are much more obvious. 

@downlowkey there’s an Easter Egg on L.A.B. Golf’s Meet DF3 page, that explains how you can even _combine_ multiple alignment aid options.

@Steve F Thanks. And here, I was thinking simple black the entire way.... We potentially can mix them? If so, you're onto something there @jbern, I'm digging the EE and Z combo! 

@MattWillGolf My mockup for today. I am also leaning towards the heavier version as my ER11v is on the heavier side. But that will be part of the discussion with the fitter. 

@GolfSpy MPR Interesting timing for us testers on this MGS blog article: https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/first-look/should-you-switch-to-a-counterbalanced-putter/   

I know that, unless the fitter at L.A.B. actively disuades me, my intention right now is to go counterbalanced. The Edel I'm using is, I suspect, at the extreme of weighting. I do not have (unfortunately) have a swing weight scale, but just compare these numbers of two of my putters, both 34":  Put in some practice this morning in what might be the best-equipped putter studio in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: my basement.

@TSauer I've watch a couple of videos on L.A.B.'s build process and I'm pretty sure every single putter goes through the revealer and the grip is a big part of the balancing act that the revealer... reveals.  So I think if you wanted to use a grip that isn't from L.A.B. you would have to send it to them so they can install it during their club construction and balancing process.

@Rob Person For me, the amount of time you take to learn The putters characteristics , the more benefit you will gain on the green. This goes not just in golf, but with anything. 

@cnosil Just remember,  the ball pretty much goes where the face points at impact.  You don't need to force putter rotation or a putter arc...You stand pretty close to the ball so there won't be a lot.   With the DF3, they will tell you very light grip pressure and basically just move the putter back and forward.  

Line of the Week
@ole gray This is going to be more fun watching than Uncle Rufus hunting for his upper plate after the state finals apple bobbing contest at the county fair! 

@GolfSpy MPR If we actually meet this expectation, we should all get special forum badges with an apple and a set of dentures.

@Steve F ... and the hits just keep coming! Have been messing with my Golf Pad tracking app, finally figured out how to mark the pin.... so now I should be getting some better data! Apparently a trick that I wasn't aware of that now I am! Will be able to test it tomorrow night during League Play! This is panning out AWESOME!!!

@Steve F VERY psyched! Got the email from L.A.B. golf last night, and I definitely have questions! Hopefully hear back from them today so I can discuss the options and their recommendations! 

And last but not least: @GolfSpy SAM A very happy birthday present to me - I've already told the testers, but figured I'd share here, too.  Due to some VERY unforeseen (and happy) circumstances, I'll be joining in on the fun (not as an official tester by any means, but more as a happy co-participant).   This was ordered yesterday (white Accra shaft, white pistol grip).  To say I'm excited is a VAST understatement.

 

[Cfhandyman]

And the best pictures and funnies of the week

   

  

[TSauer]

I LOVE IT! @Cfhandyman

[cnosil]

Maybe I missed this, but why did you pick the shaft you selected?   Seems like most selected the TPT shaft; saw one BGT.  Did LAB provide any input on the pros/cons of each shaft?   

[CFreddie]

3 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Maybe I missed this, but why did you pick the shaft you selected?   Seems like most selected the TPT shaft; saw one BGT.  Did LAB provide any input on the pros/cons of each shaft?   

Good question @cnosil - was actually about to post my quick interview with Calvin (master fitter at LAB - I believe he's done all of our fittings).  Fast forward to 10:10 for my question to him on shaft options - I prefer a firmer feel & sound, so I'm going to go with the TPT.  I believe @MattWillGolf with BGT due to wanting a more "middle of the road" option.

Hopefully I / Calvin were able to address some of the questions people may have on LAB fittings / options!