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

[TSauer]

2 minutes ago, downlowkey said:

If anyone else hears something that resembles a distant steaming kettle, do not be alarmed, as it is just @CFreddie’s brain in full meltdown after reading these words

Back to the drawing board!

[BreakfastBall15]

1 hour ago, jbern said:

@CFreddie put together a great list of questions for the LAB fitter in the DM thread and one of them was about alignment marks on the putter. I have to admit that I'm a bit baffled with all of the choices. I watched the video below from Edel's YouTube page and it was evidence enough for me to determine that, at a minimum, alignment aids are important for aiming. 

Does anyone have any insight into the more abnormal alignment marks like the ones below (e.g. what kind of putter would benefit from one over another)? This could be a rabbit hole I'm not ready to go down, but I'll still pose the question.

This alignment mark is on the top of my list:

These few are curious to me:

Please note: these are not all on my short list of alignment marks, but they all made me look at them several times. 

 

I’ma big fan of the arrow with the line going asked the way back (the first one pictured). Seems almost too simple to line up

[DechamBRO]

Congrats testers!!! This is one i def want to read. For some reason, i love these huge crazy looking putters (even had the original Scotty Futura! Now have hte EVNROLL Zero)!!!!

[Cfhandyman]

Chris, @CFreddie, excellent introduction. Well done and I enjoyed reading it.  We have such a great and diverse group of testers on this one.

As we await the fitting results from L.A.B., this currently is my preferred option (red, white pistol grip and TPT shaft) with the 3 alignment bars.  Proper alignment is important to me, so I really value putters that have good alignment aids.  Fortunately, L.A.B. has dozens of option for alignment and several great colour choices.

    

These are the next favourites.  What do people think?

    

Now if I let my wife choose, this is what I would get.  Honey, keep your hands off my putter.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

14 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Chris, @CFreddie, excellent introduction. Well done and I enjoyed reading it.  We have such a great and diverse group of testers on this one.

As we await the fitting results from L.A.B., this currently is my preferred option (red, white pistol grip and TPT shaft) with the 3 alignment bars.  Proper alignment is important to me, so I really value putters that have good alignment aids.  Fortunately, L.A.B. has dozens of option for alignment and several great colour choices.

    

These are the next favourites.  What do people think?

    

Now if I let my wife choose, this is what I would get.  Honey, keep your hands off my putter.

I know you don’t have it here but I am in love with the versa type alignment. ( mind you I don’t have a df3………yet). I have not seen pictures in the wild of one so no idea if folks are even buying it. Love your choices though! 
 

[TSauer]

24 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Chris, @CFreddie, excellent introduction. Well done and I enjoyed reading it.  We have such a great and diverse group of testers on this one.

As we await the fitting results from L.A.B., this currently is my preferred option (red, white pistol grip and TPT shaft) with the 3 alignment bars.  Proper alignment is important to me, so I really value putters that have good alignment aids.  Fortunately, L.A.B. has dozens of option for alignment and several great colour choices.

    

These are the next favourites.  What do people think?

    

Now if I let my wife choose, this is what I would get.  Honey, keep your hands off my putter.

The 2 or 3 alignment lines is probably what I'd end up going with as well. As far as color goes, I feel like you can't go wrong with either option... they all look good. Personally, I think you should let your wife choose... I haven't seen a pink build yet 

[Rob Person]

Have a few questions already in mind, but for now just one...

Will the visual aspect affect your putting  or become a "dominant thought" while standing over the ball ?

[Just_the_Chip]

22 hours ago, steve2526 said:

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...

I have an orange DF3 in production right now... I never saw that.. Until now.... Thanks. lol

[GolfSpy MPR]

10 hours ago, downlowkey said:

Not to further complicate deliberations, but also specifically to complicate matters further than you ever thought possible, 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.

If anyone else hears something that resembles a distant steaming kettle, do not be alarmed, as it is just @CFreddie’s brain in full meltdown after reading these words.

I’ll give you fellas one hint where to find the double secret alignment option - Go Nuts

Ooh. I'll definitely be interested in this. I'd go for either two or three lines on the leading edge to align the putt and one tiny line on the back flange to trigger my takeaway.

[GolfSpy MPR]

45 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

Have a few questions already in mind, but for now just one...

Will the visual aspect affect your putting  or become a "dominant thought" while standing over the ball ?

Maybe? But possibly in a way that (at least now) I hope could be helpful.

One of the things I've worked at the past couple of years is my brain state playing golf, especially when putting. Among my many golf gadgets is a device called a FocusBand; it is a strap you wrap around your head, and it's measuring brainwave frequency.

Current research suggests that for a lot of athletic tasks, better performance typically coincides with low frequency brainwaves. For most of us, that means shutting down the noisy brain activity about technique, etc., when standing over a shot, especially a putt.

What FocusBand recommends is (in part), looking up at the hole while holding in your mind a picture of your ball and putter at address, then looking down at your putter while holding the image of the hole location in your mind. This image-focus tends to get the brain into the right wavelengths.

So all that to say: for my part, I've actually found it easier to hold the image of a putter in my mind when the putter is memorable. For example, the iconic 2-Ball is very easy to hold in mind.

I'm actually hoping the DF3 works to my advantage in this regard.

[jbern]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Have a few questions already in mind, but for now just one...

Will the visual aspect affect your putting  or become a "dominant thought" while standing over the ball ?

I think at first any visual putter change can become a dominant thought. When I changed from traditional putters to armlock, my dominant thoughts were all over the place (there were visual changes, technique changes, grip changes, stance changes)! Once I committed in my head that this was the tool I was going to use to get the ball in the hole, rather quickly, things started to settle down. I imagine the same will apply for this putter change.

As far as alignment aids on putters go, Edel's YT page has great information that alignment aids on putters can drastically affect how you aim your putter at a target. All I'm curious about for alignment aids is if one of them will help me aim better. I care little about what it actually looks like.

[CFreddie]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Have a few questions already in mind, but for now just one...

Will the visual aspect affect your putting  or become a "dominant thought" while standing over the ball ?

Excellent question @Rob Person , and this is why I started to go down the rabbit hole of alignment aids to start.  

One of the things I'm most excited to start testing with the DF3 is the ability to remove a pretty important variable to the putting stroke - ensuring the face is square at impact.  Historically, I've had issues with having multiple swing thoughts in my head at once, especially when standing over a putt, so being able to remove variables (or thoughts) SHOULD help with performance (key word is should).  

As it relates to a visual aid on the DF3, I'm leaning towards an opposite approach of many of the other testers - simpler is / may better?  My logic here is that if I remove as much from the top as possible, it will allow me to focus more on the impact of the putter, while using a simple line on the ball to help with alignment at the hole.  @jbern - your buddy may be on to something...even the GOAT (Tiger) only uses a single dot on his Newport.  

On a side note, I'm ignoring @downlowkey going forward! 

[steve2526]

1 hour ago, Just_the_Chip said:

I have an orange DF3 in production right now... I never saw that.. Until now.... Thanks. lol

I may order one that way as well.  My probloem is that I love the DF 2.1 toooo much to change.

 

[scubahoops]

On 4/15/2024 at 4:05 AM, CFreddie said:

The Introduction

First off, massive thanks to MGS and L.A.B. Golf for this incredible opportunity - if you’ve been following me since the introduction of the DF3, I’ve had my eye on the DF3 for sometime!

My name is Chris, and I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia, with my wife (of 9 years) and 2 children (5 and 1.5 years).  And while we do get (mostly) year-round golf, the busyness of my personal & professional life afford me those precious few rounds of golf during a typical month.   However, I hope that's changing in the coming years, as both my wife and oldest are picking up the sport I’ve known & loved for many years.  Crossing fingers it sticks!

Living in Atlanta, we have a number of “ok” options - mostly munis or semi-private tracks that aren’t maintained that well and / or way too busy.  If you get outside, you have better options, but you are looking at a full day of golf / travel, which isn’t the most conducive to having a young family.  Regardless, I make it work, and usually focus on planning my next golf trip (these are Tobacco Road & Bandon Dunes, respectively).

The Game

If you have followed a previous testing thread of mine (Cobra 50th Challenge & Member Test), I’ve been playing golf “most” of my life (most meaning once / year), but didn’t really take it seriously until the world shutdown in 2020 and it was basically the only thing you could do outside.  Since then, I’ve gotten the bug, and thrown myself headfirst into the game - first playing with hand me downs from my dad, then getting to build a fully fitted bag from Cobra (thanks again MGS - forever grateful).  

Currently, I carry a 13.1 handicap, thanks in large part to my recent performance at the end-of-season VCT Tournament (shoutout to my awesome partner @Javs).  I’ve been going through some distinct swing changes through an online swing coach / program, and have seen massive gains in my driver down to short irons (shoutout my most excellent collaborator @Preeway).  And for the most part, my putter has held its ground (although that’s pretty shaky ground at most times).  

My current gamer is a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 (similar head shape to JT / Homa / Cantlay’s putters), which I selected off the rack a couple years ago.   

The Setup

As an engineer (Go Jackets), I’ve been drawn to the L.A.B. concept for some time, and have been a huge fan of Sam / the business he’s built to this point.  Prior to being selected, I obsessed over the idea of gaming the DF3 - a putter which I believe combines some of the best aspects of their other models, particularly the stated forgiveness of the DF2.1.  And with the ability to create your own “virtual” putter on LAB’s website, I took many liberties in creating a multitude of designs - different color / shaft combinations, grips, and 33 (yes, 33) different alignment options.  Is this the one?  Stay tuned and see...  

As I think about this test, I’m planning to breakdown this process in a couple distinctive sections:

1) The Fitting - LAB offers a unique fitting experience that seems to have its  fans (and detractors).  Lets see what works well, what doesn’t, and how it could be a good option for others considering a LAB in their future.  

2) The Numbers - In order to capture the requisite data points, I’m planning to utilize Arccos as my on-course data capture tool, augmenting it with some old-school data capture techniques on my Perfect Practice mat at home and some LM time at a local Club Champion.  In addition, I’ll plan to sprinkle in some additional “mini-competitions” on a local putting green, and heck, maybe even another surprise or two (hint - anyone remember a certain Cobra test with flat-sticks last year? ).  

3) The Course - Most importantly, the DF3 will be put through its paces on the course - comparing to previously captured results from my Scotty and doing a couple head to head matches with friends of various putting prowess (maybe even a fellow MGS member perhaps?).

And with that…

The Fitting

A unique part of LAB’s model is a remote fitting process, which asks the player to create a short (3-5 second) video, using a door jamb as a reference point, and submit through their website.

Yes, its that simple - in a couple days, you get a response from your fitter who can then walk you through your measurements and answer any questions you may have.  And boy, did I have questions…

(insert cliffhanger)

Congratulations on being selected and I am very excited to see how you like the LAB putter and how it compares to your Scotty.  

[Just_the_Chip]

2 hours ago, steve2526 said:

I may order one that way as well.  My probloem is that I love the DF 2.1 toooo much to change.

 

I don't have a 2.1 to have that problem lol.

 

I have an older used Evnroll ER2, that I started using last year. It's been a great putter but hot off the face. After seeing people switch to a mallet style and having great success, and then researching people's craze about LAB, I decided, heck with it. Take the plunge, buy one, use it for an entire season, and see if I like it or not. I rolled a few at stores, but you can't even tell a putter from a dozen rolls on a mat in a store selling putters. 

So now it looks like I have a gold fish. I almost want to add a google eye to mine when it arrives. 

[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":

• Edel EAS 4.0, Garsen Quad Tour grip: about 585g, balance point at least a foot up from the putter head
• Stock Odyssey 2-Ball Ten, Stroke Lab, Odyssey oversized grip: about 540g, balance point about 7" from the putter head

The Edel, compared to a lot of off-the-rack putters, feels like a sledgehammer. I don't know exactly the spec, but it has a large weight in the butt end of the shaft. For my part, I like it a lot.

I have spent time using an Enroll Midlock ER11v, which I also have liked a great deal. But my hope is that, if I end up with a counterbalanced L.A.B. (at 37"), it will combine the best of both my Edel and the Evnroll Midlock.

[jbern]

23 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

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 have (unfortunately) have a swing weight scale, but just compare these numbers of two of my putters, both 34":

• Edel EAS 4.0, Garsen Quad Tour grip: about 585g, balance point at least a foot up from the putter head
• Stock Odyssey 2-Ball Ten, Stroke Lab, Odyssey oversized grip: about 540g, balance point about 7" from the putter head

The Edel, compared to a lot of off-the-rack putters, feels like a sledgehammer. I don't know exactly the spec, but it has a large weight in the butt end of the shaft. For my part, I like it a lot.

I have spent time using an Enroll Midlock ER11v, which I also have liked a great deal. But my hope is that, if I end up with a counterbalanced L.A.B. (at 37"), it will combine the best of both my Edel and the Evnroll Midlock.

My main putting issue is tempo and speed, especially from putts over 20'. From the article, this would put me squarely in the category of golfers that might benefit from a counterbalanced putter. MORE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER!!!

My current armlock putter would serve as a counterbalance putter if I gripped it like a normal putter. Since I lock the bulk of the grip against my forearm, this removes the counterbalanced feeling. It's definitely something else to think about and talk to the fitter about, but I think I'm going to lean towards normal weighting unless recommended by the fitter. 

Even though it's not available on their website, I am going ask about a DF3 broomstick putter. I have tried several different broomstick putters (not L.A.B. though) and they feel pretty natural to me. 

 

[BreakfastBall15]

On 4/17/2024 at 9:42 AM, steve2526 said:

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...

Well now I want one... My wallet (and wife) will not be happy if I do it

[MattWillGolf]

I am awaiting a dialog with the L.A.B. Golf fitter. My initial reply from them last week was for a shaft length of 34.5" and 68° which is 1 degree flatter from their standard lie. This is the configuration I am looking at the moment.

          

 

[MattWillGolf]

On 4/17/2024 at 10:42 AM, steve2526 said:

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...

I hate you!  I am looking to get the DF3 in orange. I will embrace the goldfish because of Ted Lasso. It is an attitude that is especially important when it comes to putting. 

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a ten-second memory. Be a goldfish.” 

 

 

[ejgaudette]

14 minutes ago, MattWillGolf said:

I hate you!  I am looking to get the DF3 in orange. I will embrace the goldfish because of Ted Lasso. It is an attitude that is especially important when it comes to putting. 

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a ten-second memory. Be a goldfish.” 

 

 

[Nick_D]

I love all the colors they've added somewhat recently. From what I can tell, the cappuccino looks  

[Cfhandyman]

6 hours ago, TSauer said:

The 2 or 3 alignment lines is probably what I'd end up going with as well. As far as color goes, I feel like you can't go wrong with either option... they all look good. Personally, I think you should let your wife choose... I haven't seen a pink build yet 

Nobody has seen a pink build.  I personally don't have a problem with the "Bubba" model, but boy oh boy, I can just hear the razzing on the golf course.  Mind you when I consistently make those 5-6 footers, that will shut them up.  Look, if enough people demand it, I'm open to getting and testing it.  So who wants to see me in pink?

[MattWillGolf]

3 minutes ago, Nick_D said:

I love all the colors they've added somewhat recently. From what I can tell, the cappuccino looks  

I regularly listen to the Club Junkie Podcast with Brian Knudson. He commented that the cappuccino color on his Mezz putter looks much better in person than what you see on the website and in pictures. He also did a podcast with the DF3 putter which he got in platinum. 

[Cfhandyman]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

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":

• Edel EAS 4.0, Garsen Quad Tour grip: about 585g, balance point at least a foot up from the putter head
• Stock Odyssey 2-Ball Ten, Stroke Lab, Odyssey oversized grip: about 540g, balance point about 7" from the putter head

The Edel, compared to a lot of off-the-rack putters, feels like a sledgehammer. I don't know exactly the spec, but it has a large weight in the butt end of the shaft. For my part, I like it a lot.

I have spent time using an Enroll Midlock ER11v, which I also have liked a great deal. But my hope is that, if I end up with a counterbalanced L.A.B. (at 37"), it will combine the best of both my Edel and the Evnroll Midlock.

Another option to consider is the use of a counter balanced putter grip, like the Evnroll gravity grip.  The Evnroll gravity grip is a counter balanced grip.  It has an EVA foam body molded in a deep V shape. A 70 gram 10” steel rod is installed in the bottom of the V running the entire length of the grip. According to Evnroll, by positioning the weight directly under and a half-inch away from the shaft, the hands can feel the position of the putter face. Tying the hands to the putter face promotes keeping the putter’s face angle square thru the entire hitting area. This virtually eliminates face rotation at impact.   This heavier-than-usual grip weight allows for more weight in the putter head. The result is a greater overall weight for increased stability and accuracy, while maintaining an ideal swing weight for optimum feel and distance control. 

  

[widget]

7 hours ago, steve2526 said:

I may order one that way as well.  My probloem is that I love the DF 2.1 toooo much to change.

 

i had the same dilemma...luv my 2.1 but as a self diagnosed certifiable club ho i couldn't resist and now have the DF3 too...it is every bit as good as the 2.1 (imo) but the DF3 does win on looks (again imo) and the the EE alignment option is working just as i hoped which is point and shoot (i am a find the straight putt putter tho)...just food for thought

[CFreddie]

4 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

Another option to consider is the use of a counter balanced putter grip, like the Evnroll gravity grip.  The Evnroll gravity grip is a counter balanced grip.  It has an EVA foam body molded in a deep V shape. A 70 gram 10” steel rod is installed in the bottom of the V running the entire length of the grip. According to Evnroll, by positioning the weight directly under and a half-inch away from the shaft, the hands can feel the position of the putter face. Tying the hands to the putter face promotes keeping the putter’s face angle square thru the entire hitting area. This virtually eliminates face rotation at impact.   This heavier-than-usual grip weight allows for more weight in the putter head. The result is a greater overall weight for increased stability and accuracy, while maintaining an ideal swing weight for optimum feel and distance control. 

  

Some great thoughts here - as I've mentioned before, I've been toying with the idea of a CB putter.  And based on that article, I (like @jbern) could be a good candidate to go CB as I typically struggle on lag putting.  Regardless, I plan on talking to my fitter about the CB option - who knows what could happen!

@Cfhandyman - thanks for sharing the gravity grip, as I've never heard / hit one before.  Curious if this could work on a LAB, given the grip differences with the press grips they normally sell with their putters.  Plus, I'd have to imagine it could throw off the balanced weight of the putter, right?

Also, I'd LOVE to see (someone else) in a pink head - I don't think I could pull that trigger.

 

[Josh Parker]

23 hours ago, jbern said:

@CFreddie put together a great list of questions for the LAB fitter in the DM thread and one of them was about alignment marks on the putter. I have to admit that I'm a bit baffled with all of the choices. I watched the video below from Edel's YouTube page and it was evidence enough for me to determine that, at a minimum, alignment aids are important for aiming. 

Does anyone have any insight into the more abnormal alignment marks like the ones below (e.g. what kind of putter would benefit from one over another)? This could be a rabbit hole I'm not ready to go down, but I'll still pose the question.

This alignment mark is on the top of my list:

These few are curious to me:

Please note: these are not all on my short list of alignment marks, but they all made me look at them several times. 

 

Personally I like minimal markings and could go with single dot or line. 

23 hours ago, CFreddie said:

Introduction posted - I had some big shoes to fill with the excellent intros so far!

Keep those fitter questions coming - hoping to get time setup with our fitter shortly.  In the mean-time, how about some more mock-ups?  

Recently, I've been going down the rabbit hole on alignment aids (i.e. the lines / markings on top of the putter), pouring through articles, forum posts, and videos (shoutout to Edel for the EXCELLENT YT series on their fitting process). 

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/.  

One question I plan to dig into with my fitter is this finding - is there a certain aid that would be best for my eye dominance?   Traditionally, I've preferred a line on the top flange on the putter, but is this actually best for me?  Should I go to a simple dot (or 3 dot) setup to remove some of the "busyness" of the top of putter (and put my focus more on the back of the ball)?  More to come...

Edit - looks like @jbern and I are on the same wavelength 

This would be my choice 110%  

[goaliewales14]

I'm really curious to see what the testers think after all this!  I just received my DF3 this week after doing their online fitting.  It took about a month to receive it which is earlier than I thought as I believe I was quoted at 5-6 weeks.  I will say that my first putting session with it was the best putting session I've ever had.  This was such and easy transition and no way I'm taking it out of my bag!

[Cfhandyman]

10 hours ago, CFreddie said:

@Cfhandyman - thanks for sharing the gravity grip, as I've never heard / hit one before.  Curious if this could work on a LAB, given the grip differences with the press grips they normally sell with their putters.  Plus, I'd have to imagine it could throw off the balanced weight of the putter, right?

Also, I'd LOVE to see (someone else) in a pink head - I don't think I could pull that trigger.

 

Gravity grip is about 110 gms in weight, so will definitely affect swing weight (lighter).  The L.A.B. Grips are anywhere from 58 to 78 gms in weight. Gravity should work with L.A.B. But that’s a question for my fitter after testing on Quintic. 

6 hours ago, goaliewales14 said:

I'm really curious to see what the testers think after all this!  I just received my DF3 this week after doing their online fitting.  It took about a month to receive it which is earlier than I thought as I believe I was quoted at 5-6 weeks.  I will say that my first putting session with it was the best putting session I've ever had.  This was such and easy transition and no way I'm taking it out of my bag!

Great looking combination.  Nice choice with the Accra shaft and great to hear you’re loving it. We’re still awaiting our fitting results before we order