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

[GolfSpy MPR]

As I wait patientlyish to join the group of those with putters in hand...

I continue to get sessions in comparing my two current most-used putters. And through three sessions each (54 putts with each), the Evnroll Midlock is beginning to pull away. based largely (and unsurprisingly) on a big advantage in HackMotion wrist stability:

My hope is that my counterbalanced L.A.B. will offer a good chunk of the wrist stability of the Midlock, while also performing better on the other metrics that heavily depend on start line.

Again, my goal is to get through 10 sessions with each putting, including the DF3 when it comes. That will be full data collected on 180 putts with each of the putters.

[Cfhandyman]

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

Edited May 4 by Cfhandyman

[CFreddie]

16 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

Great unboxing video @Cfhandyman! Lab Rat looks amazing!!!

[BreakfastBall15]

26 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

Oh god that is beautiful

[sirchunksalot]

25 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

I enjoyed the unboxing video of the Lab Rat and the photos look spectacular! I like the combo alignment aid you chose and look forward to hearing how well you roll it. 

That headcover is sweet and I'm really impressed with the craftsmanship they put into it. 

[Jim Shaw]

45 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

great video and photos, I am pretty sure that is exactly how you open your gifts Christmas morning!! looking forward to test on grass... enjoy...

[TSauer]

54 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

Shoooo buddy, that's sharp! Can't wait to hear more about the Lab Rat and his experiments!

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

So slick!  I'm interested in the tpt shaft as it's something I have considered changing out in my DF2.1 

[Steve F]

.... two days earlier than anticipated!?? I'll be with SWMBO at pickleball... I hope the security camera gets the walk down the driveway in slow motion with some inspiring music in the background!

[GolfSpy MPR]

Still no indication of the location of mine since Wednesday. Stupid Troutdale.

FedEx is no longer predicting a delivery date.

[MattWillGolf]

What day is it?
According to FedEx, today is Delivery Day!

 

[Steve F]

18 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Still no indication of the location of mine since Wednesday. Stupid Troutdale.

FedEx is no longer predicting a delivery date.

They loved it so much in Troutdale they decided to keep it?! Too hot to handle @GolfSpy MPR! They don't want to part with it! 

[Cfhandyman]

11 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

I enjoyed the unboxing video of the Lab Rat and the photos look spectacular! I like the combo alignment aid you chose and look forward to hearing how well you roll it. 

That headcover is sweet and I'm really impressed with the craftsmanship they put into it. 

Jason, @sirchunksalot thank you for your kind comments

11 hours ago, Jim Shaw said:

great video and photos, I am pretty sure that is exactly how you open your gifts Christmas morning!! looking forward to test on grass... enjoy...

Actually Jim, @Jim Shaw I was rather restrained opening it as I only had one opportunity to open it, get it on video and not screw it up. The inner Taz in me felt otherwise.  There is a bit of a learning curve to using this due to it being center shafted with the face forward of the shaft  Basically, you have to let the putter/head do its thing. More to follow. 

[Steve F]

12 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

The L.A.B. DF3 putter has arrived and the blue Lab Rat is in the house.  
And without further ado a live unboxing of the L.A.B. Putter and initial reaction.  It’s short and only 90 seconds.

Initial impressions. This is a premium, very high quality and very well built putter. Great balance, weight and feel. It sits beautifully and feels very smooth.  The TPT shaft is premium and gorgeous.  Love the pistol grip. Overall, this putter is stunning and gorgeous. Very impressed with L.A.B. and this putter.  The looks of this putter are intoxicating. To get a custom hand built and balanced putter from the west coast in a week is insanely crazy and fast. 

 

Well done L.A.B.  Can’t wait to get this on the course as well as test it on Quintic. 

@Cfhandyman: incredible introduction to the Lab Rat!!! I'm really curious as to how you're going to like it! Can't wait to hear your overall reviews!

[Cfhandyman]

33 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Still no indication of the location of mine since Wednesday. Stupid Troutdale.

FedEx is no longer predicting a delivery date.

Michael, @GolfSpy MPR, a couple of things you can check.  When you click on the FedEx tracking number, click on the view travel history link. It will show you exactly where it is in the journey.  Next step is to phone customer service and ask them to help you and get expected delivery date. Or did they get lost once they crossed the Mackinaw bridge entering the U.P. Hoping you get it very soon.  

[Steve F]

On 5/3/2024 at 1:04 AM, GolfSpy SAM said:

Managed to sneak out after dinner to take a few more glam-shots of the new putter with my main camera (not iPhone).  I'm not sure how much I can express how perfect I think it is.  I know everyone's else's will make me second-guess that for at least a few moments, it's so fun to have something turn out EXACTLY how I envisaged it.  

Hope you enjoy looking - I had a BLAST taking these. 

Great intro to the Green Lantern @GolfSpy SAM! I have to admit... I do like the green! Smokin' hot!

[Cfhandyman]

2 minutes ago, Steve F said:

@Cfhandyman: incredible introduction to the Lab Rat!!! I'm really curious as to how you're going to like it! Can't wait to hear your overall reviews!

So far very favourable. Lovely weight and balance, and very smooth. Great feel and feedback. Only downside, is that my wife commented, pity you didn’t order this in pink. Oh, oh, I may have to put the putter into protective custody. Hoping you and the others get your putter today or Monday latest. 

[Cfhandyman]

11 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

So slick!  I'm interested in the tpt shaft as it's something I have considered changing out in my DF2.1 

Josh, @Josh Parker, initial impressions of TPT. Great shaft, beautiful build quality with very nice feel, weight and balance with good feedback. Is it better or will it surpass the BGT stability shaft, too early to tell. I selected the TPT over the stability, based on data and recommendations from L.A.B. and pre-testing of DF3 with TPT.  It also allowed me the ability to compare it to my Evnroll/stability/gravity grip combo. More to follow on testing.  

[GolfSpy MPR]

26 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Michael, @GolfSpy MPR, a couple of things you can check.  When you click on the FedEx tracking number, click on the view travel history link. It will show you exactly where it is in the journey.  Next step is to phone customer service and ask them to help you and get expected delivery date. Or did they get lost once they crossed the Mackinaw bridge entering the U.P. Hoping you get it very soon.  

I used to deliver for FedEx, so (for better and worse), I have a good idea how the system works. No need to call customer service; they clearly just got way too optimistic on the delivery estimate. My guess is that the DF3 was put on a truck in Oregon, and that the next time it's scanned, it'll be in Wisconsin. If it crosses the bridge, someone failed: I'm at the far west end of the UP. The Mackinac Bridge is five hours east of me.

[Jim Shaw]

53 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Jason, @sirchunksalot thank you for your kind comments

Actually Jim, @Jim Shaw I was rather restrained opening it as I only had one opportunity to open it, get it on video and not screw it up. The inner Taz in me felt otherwise.  There is a bit of a learning curve to using this due to it being center shafted with the face forward of the shaft  Basically, you have to let the putter/head do its thing. More to follow. 

I saw that in the video, and I am sure it was the angle of the one picture but the face looked a bit closed, lots of visual stimuli with the whole putter set up for me, quite extreme actually, I am looking forward to your dialogue on it, how it "feels" and "performs"... 

[jbern]

Self-control win for me yesterday. I didn’t check the fed ex app a single time! I can’t say today I have the same willpower as I’ve already checked it 3 times. Still scheduled for Monday delivery on Dory!

[jbern]

1 hour ago, Cfhandyman said:

Josh, @Josh Parker, initial impressions of TPT. Great shaft, beautiful build quality with very nice feel, weight and balance with good feedback. Is it better or will it surpass the BGT stability shaft, too early to tell. I selected the TPT over the stability, based on data and recommendations from L.A.B. and pre-testing of DF3 with TPT.  It also allowed me the ability to compare it to my Evnroll/stability/gravity grip combo. More to follow on testing.  

Thanks for the initial impressions of the TPT shaft! I am very excited to see if it indeed helps with my consistency as the LAB fitter described! @GolfSpy SAM Any initial feedback on the Accra shaft?

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

 There is a bit of a learning curve to using this due to it being center shafted with the face forward of the shaft   Basically, you have to let the putter/head do its thing.

Interesting statements.  Explain more.  Why do you think a center shafted and shaft going through the CoG creates a learning curve?  Why don't you let any putter/head do its thing?   You seem to support the model of change your stroke to fit the putter?   

Edited May 4 by cnosil

[Blavin]

38 minutes ago, jbern said:

Self-control win for me yesterday. I didn’t check the fed ex app a single time! I can’t say today I have the same willpower as I’ve already checked it 3 times. Still scheduled for Monday delivery on Dory!

I begin checking the very second I receive the official tracking number it becomes an obsession lol

[MattWillGolf]

Update. As of 9:44 AM it was scanned in Overland Park, KS. I don’t think it will delivered today between 9:50 AM and 1:50 PM.

 

[GolfSpy MPR]

5 minutes ago, MattWillGolf said:

Update. As of 9:44 AM it was scanned in Overland Park, KS. I don’t think it will delivered today between 9:50 AM and 1:50 PM.

 

I feel your pain.

[CFreddie]

Is today the day?!? 

[GolfSpy SAM]

1 hour ago, jbern said:

Thanks for the initial impressions of the TPT shaft! I am very excited to see if it indeed helps with my consistency as the LAB fitter described! @GolfSpy SAM Any initial feedback on the Accra shaft?

I got it out onto a putting green yesterday - apologies for no pics, but it was a legit practice session and I was in the zone. 

Initial impressions of the putter as a whole are incredible. I LOVE the look at address, and the arrow makes ensuring I'm aligned to my chosen line (using the line on the ball) almost too easy. 

I've got the (black) Accra in my DF2.1, so not much to compare to there - but the all-white grip/shaft/arrow (from my viewpoint, the grip is white - I recognize there's some black visible from other angles) is so, so clean, which is what I was hoping for. 

Feel-wise, to the putter head itself, it's somehow more dense yet softer feeling that the 2.1, particularly out of the toe/heel. It could be just because the mass is smaller and more directly behind the face, but I really enjoyed the feedback. Very similar, but different, if that helps you (yeah, right, he said sarcastically). 

So far the biggest difference for me is the pistol grip (have the 3° smooth in the DF2.1), but it's a VERY nice difference. I do feel it's a little easier for me to be slightly "handsy" with this, so it'll be something to keep an eye on, but it's a shape I far prefer. Also, the texture on it is incredible. 

Highlight for me was ending the day on a 20' putt, right to left then back right at the end. I hit six, going from left to right on the green, so each shot was slightly different. 

Drained the first and fourth, and the other four were all within 18". The one that I most wowed by was the 3rd, where I put a bad stroke on the ball and it ended up just past the hole about 18" to the left. I would take that "miss" every day on the course. 

Lots more comparing to do, but it's an incredible first impression. 

Also, one last thing: I'm stunned at how much more compact the 3 is over the 2.1.  In person, it's a completely different beast.

[CFreddie]

You guys…

https://labgolf.com/products/df-3po

[MattWillGolf]

36 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

I feel your pain.

 

38 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

I feel your pain.