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

[jbern]

8 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!

Very nice that they were able to get it to you quicker than expected! How do you like the blue color? That is my #1 color choice at the moment! Was the alignment aid recommended to you by someone or was it personal preference?

Below is my top configuration so far, with the black Press II 1.5* textured grip. I would like the larger size grip of the Press II 3*, but I have a natural forward press so I think I'll end up in the 1.5.

 

@Cfhandyman - 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.

 

[TSauer]

53 minutes ago, jbern said:

@Cfhandyman - 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.

 

Correcto mundo.

During my Link testing last year, Sam had asked what grip I preferred if I wanted something different from the options they had on their site. He mentioned they could probably find it in their warehouse. I know some grips may be a long shot on them having, and the DF is a little more fickle than the Link, but it's definitely worth asking.

Edited April 19 by TSauer

[GolfSpy MPR]

It appears that L.A.B. recently had a bit of a technology hiccup with their remote fitting system, not just for us testers. Several of us received emails asking for us to re-submit our fitting videos. No sweat: computers happen.

In better news:

Today is the day I'm receiving my ExPutt. Looking forward to setting it up, playing and learning about it, and deciding how best to use it to compare the L.A.B. to my Edel and Evnroll.

[Cfhandyman]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

It appears that L.A.B. recently had a bit of a technology hiccup with their remote fitting system, not just for us testers. Several of us received emails asking for us to re-submit our fitting videos. No sweat: computers happen.

In better news:

Today is the day I'm receiving my ExPutt. Looking forward to setting it up, playing and learning about it, and deciding how best to use it to compare the L.A.B. to my Edel and Evnroll.

Great to hear about the ExPutt.  To our resident technology guru, this L.A.B. putter will be tested in more ways than thought possible.  

The One putt, Two putt, Three (oh hell no) putt Test

 

[GolfSpy MPR]

9 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Great to hear about the ExPutt.  To our resident technology guru, this L.A.B. putter will be tested in more ways than thought possible.  

The One putt, Two putt, Three (oh hell no) putt Test

 

Spent a chunk of the morning reviewing the forum reviews of the ExPutt. Quite interested to see how the software has changed in the four years since that test was done.

[Cfhandyman]

Going through the L.A.B. website ( https://labgolf.com ) on the custom side they offer a staggering 33 options for alignment as well as 8 colour options so you can really dial this in the way you want.  So, I've tried to group the choices from  Minimal alignment (none, one line or dot), Simple alignment (one line or 3 dots), Two lines, Three lines and the Pointers.  What's your favourite?

   The standard model in black with T line alignment

 

 SURVEY: What's your favourite alignment or group and which colour would you order.  For more information see https://labgolf.com 

 

[Nick_D]

1 hour ago, Cfhandyman said:

Going through the L.A.B. website ( https://labgolf.com ) on the custom side they offer a staggering 33 options for alignment as well as 8 colour options so you can really dial this in the way you want.  So, I've tried to group the choices from  Minimal alignment (none, one line or dot), Simple alignment (one line or 3 dots), Two lines, Three lines and the Pointers.  What's your favourite?

 SURVEY: What's your favourite alignment or group and which colour would you order.  For more information see https://labgolf.com 

 

I think I would go for a single dot and cappuccino for the color. I use a line on the ball and its been working out great for me to just have the dot to reference where the center of the clubface is, and then focus on the line on the ball for alignment. One can dream! 

[goaliewales14]

4 hours ago, jbern said:

Very nice that they were able to get it to you quicker than expected! How do you like the blue color? That is my #1 color choice at the moment! Was the alignment aid recommended to you by someone or was it personal preference?

Below is my top configuration so far, with the black Press II 1.5* textured grip. I would like the larger size grip of the Press II 3*, but I have a natural forward press so I think I'll end up in the 1.5.

I absolutely love the blue!  Luckily I have a PGA Super Store close to me and they had some of the colors there in the standard setup so I could see how I liked it in person.  

In terms of the alignment line, that was never discussed in my online fitting.  I went through all of them and made the choice on which one I felt the best with.  I've started to notice that having some sort of T line whether it's on the ball or putter has really helped me.  I didn't want the T like to go across the entire face though as it felt too much for me.  

I love your setup and I'm curious to hear what you guys think about the different shafts!  I'm not sure if I would have done a different shaft if the wife would've said you can go as crazy as you want, but I definitely would have liked to look at all of them closer. 

[CFreddie]

2 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

Going through the L.A.B. website ( https://labgolf.com ) on the custom side they offer a staggering 33 options for alignment as well as 8 colour options so you can really dial this in the way you want.  So, I've tried to group the choices from  Minimal alignment (none, one line or dot), Simple alignment (one line or 3 dots), Two lines, Three lines and the Pointers.  What's your favourite?

   The standard model in black with T line alignment

 

 SURVEY: What's your favourite alignment or group and which colour would you order.  For more information see https://labgolf.com 

 

My head right now:

I THINK I've settled on my color / alignment option (but do want to pick my fitter's brain a bit) - what are they you say?  Stay tuned...

 

Edited April 19 by CFreddie

[BreakfastBall15]

5 hours ago, jbern said:

Very nice that they were able to get it to you quicker than expected! How do you like the blue color? That is my #1 color choice at the moment! Was the alignment aid recommended to you by someone or was it personal preference?

Below is my top configuration so far, with the black Press II 1.5* textured grip. I would like the larger size grip of the Press II 3*, but I have a natural forward press so I think I'll end up in the 1.5.

 

@Cfhandyman - 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.

 

Love the arrow alignment aid!

[jbern]

2 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

SURVEY: What's your favourite alignment or group and which colour would you order.

To start the survey, my favorite alignment group is the arrow grouping followed by the 3 line group.

Color I'm not going to answer just yet, but blue is my top choice at the moment.

30 minutes ago, goaliewales14 said:

I absolutely love the blue!  Luckily I have a PGA Super Store close to me and they had some of the colors there in the standard setup so I could see how I liked it in person.

Glad to hear you love the blue! The nearest store that has LAB putters is well over an hour away from me, so I probably won't be able to see one in person before I order. From photos I've seen my top two are blue and cappuccino!

14 minutes ago, BreakfastBall15 said:

Love the arrow alignment aid!

Thanks! I'm working on a photoshop of an arrow alignment alternative since @downlowkey said we could combine them. Stay tuned!

[GolfSpy MPR]

Just got my remote fitting reply: L.A.B. recommends a stock 69° lie angle for me, which doesn't totally shock me. Size-wise, I'm more or less the stock American male (likely lighter than average, but that's not a major factor in putter fitting).

[Cfhandyman]

5 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

 

 SURVEY: What's your favourite alignment or group and which colour would you order.  For more information see https://labgolf.com 

 

I am now officially conflicted. I had my choice down and then created the spreadsheet with all the options. Now that I can see the variety of options all I can say I have a favourite from each group.  Yikes what have I done. From minimal, it’s the logo, from simple the T line, the wider 2 lines, the three lines that extend all the way to the back of the putter and the pointer arrow.  Colour wise red and blue still lead the way.  Hopefully, I get my fitting data soon so I’m forced to make a decision. 

[GolfSpy MPR]

Just got in today. Brought the ExPutt (and three excited children) up to my office at the church this afternoon. After a bit of work to do the setup, we got it up and running, and I'm really looking forward to using it for this test.

[TSauer]

Is anyone leaning cappuccino?

[CFreddie]

38 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

I am now officially conflicted. I had my choice down and then created the spreadsheet with all the options. Now that I can see the variety of options all I can say I have a favourite from each group.  Yikes what have I done. From minimal, it’s the logo, from simple the T line, the wider 2 lines, the three lines that extend all the way to the back of the putter and the pointer arrow.  Colour wise red and blue still lead the way.  Hopefully, I get my fitting data soon so I’m forced to make a decision. 

You’ve truly opened Pandora’s box @Cfhandyman - I think you just gotta go with your gut…

 

[GolfSpy MPR]

This thing is cool. 

 

 

[jbern]

4 hours ago, TSauer said:

Is anyone leaning cappuccino?

Blue is my front runner at the moment but the cappuccino is a VERY close second. Blue is my favorite color in general, but I just keep seeing photos of the cappuccino on Instagram!

4 hours ago, CFreddie said:

You’ve truly opened Pandora’s box @Cfhandyman - I think you just gotta go with your gut…

 

I agree with @CFreddie! I thought your decision was made?!?

[jbern]

Great intros everyone @CFreddie, @Cfhandyman, @GolfSpy MPR, @MattWillGolf & @Steve F!!! I’m excited to share this opportunity with you all!

Always nice to have more members of the pushcart mafia @Steve F! I love getting out and talking a nice stroll around the course!

Edited April 20 by jbern
added mattwillgolf

[GolfSpy MPR]

Put in some practice this morning in what might be the best-equipped putter studio in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: my basement.

Using the ExPutt to hit random-distance straight putts from 5-30 feet. Using the Blast sensor to measure tempo, loft/lie change, and stroke time. HackMotion monitoring my wrist stability. And FocusBand measuring my ability to forget all this stuff during my putt, quieting my mind to think only of the distance that I want to roll the ball.

I've already rolled 100 putts this morning with my Edel. This is profoundly addicting.

Worth noting: if I do use the ExPutt as much as I expect to (I'd like to do at least 50 putts per day), it may be difficult to separate the benefit of my daily practice from the benefit of the L.A.B. in terms of my on-course results. But I'll definitely be putting those two putters against each other in all the measurable ways available to me.

[cnosil]

16 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Worth noting: if I do use the ExPutt as much as I expect to (I'd like to do at least 50 putts per day), it may be difficult to separate the benefit of my daily practice from the benefit of the L.A.B. in terms of my on-course results.

 

This is always an interesting question.   When we test equipment for MGS (or even for ourselves) we tend to spend more time using that equipment, practicing with the equipment,  and focusing on results.   Does any improvement come as a result of the equipment or as a result of the additional focused practice time and how do you quantify the amount for each.   

[GolfSpy MPR]

Just now, cnosil said:

This is always an interesting question.   When we test equipment for MGS (or even for ourselves) we tend to spend more time using that equipment, practicing with the equipment,  and focusing on results.   Does any improvement come as a result of the equipment or as a result of the additional focused practice time and how do you quantify the amount for each.   

This is a point that Mark Crossfield has made on a lot of videos: sometimes new clubs lead to golf improvement, not because of something inherent to club, but because when we buy something new, we most often spend more time using it.

[Jim Shaw]

10 minutes ago, cnosil said:

 

This is always an interesting question.   When we test equipment for MGS (or even for ourselves) we tend to spend more time using that equipment, practicing with the equipment,  and focusing on results.   Does any improvement come as a result of the equipment or as a result of the additional focused practice time and how do you quantify the amount for each.   

With my personality, and not a lot of access to testing equipment, throughout my career I have always improved through practice, not changing my equipment, a current example, I have been pulling my shots, all the way through the bag, I played last Saturday with 3 really good golfers, one took me aside and said "you are swinging from the top". So yesterday I spent 5 hours going through my bag, and worked on not doing that. Not once did I think of going out and testing new equipment to try and fix the "pull". 

The only reason I changed my total bag last year except for 2 clubs, is because after 8-10 years I felt technology must have improved. 

 

[Cfhandyman]

1 hour ago, jbern said:

Great intros everyone @CFreddie, @Cfhandyman, @GolfSpy MPR & @Steve F!!! I’m excited to share this opportunity with you all!

Always nice to have more members of the pushcart mafia @Steve F! I love getting out and talking a nice stroll around the course!

I second this from @jbern.  Excellent introductions by all and this will be a fun test.  I'm not part of the pushcart mafia yet as I'm still rehabbing my replaced hip, but the cart is ready to go in the garage and if my wife has input, were both walking.  

[William P]

Finally getting caught up on this thread.

Great intros to testers not previously noted: @GolfSpy MPR, @Steve F, @CFreddie, and @MattWillGolf!

Looking forward to everyone's input on fell and performance.

[Cfhandyman]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

This is always an interesting question.   When we test equipment for MGS (or even for ourselves) we tend to spend more time using that equipment, practicing with the equipment,  and focusing on results.   Does any improvement come as a result of the equipment or as a result of the additional focused practice time and how do you quantify the amount for each.   

1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

This is a point that Mark Crossfield has made on a lot of videos: sometimes new clubs lead to golf improvement, not because of something inherent to club, but because when we buy something new, we most often spend more time using it.

I'm looking to not only test but to practice as well and hopefully improve.  So as part of this test, I need to know what my data is.  Then how do I compare or where do I fall against other golfers.  Where do I need to improve to get better and ideally to a lower handicap.  So for me, I currently sit in the 0-6 handicap group based on my Arccos data, so this will be my reference group to compare to.  How good or bad am I?  So what does the data show?  Well it depends upon the source of the data, (Arccos, Shotscope, Trackman, etc.) so there will be slight discrepancies between the data sets depending upon total participants, year, etc.  

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%

Below is tour + Shotscope data looking at the make percentage by distance and by handicap. The average tour pro makes 98% and 80% of their 3 foot and 5 foot putts. For an LPGA player its 95% and 76%.  The scratch or very low handicap golfer makes about 70% of 5 foot putts whereas the mid handicap (12 – 18) is down to about 50%.  If you don’t have your data, you can use these as a rough indicator of what the averages are by handicap.

So, other key metrics for me are the percentage of 5 and 10 foot putts made and how close can I get it to a 0 handicap or better player.  So as part of the test, where do I fall?  What's the difference if any between the L.A.B DF3 and my comparators?  From this, I will then know the areas I need to work on.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 20 by Cfhandyman

[jbern]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Worth noting: if I do use the ExPutt as much as I expect to (I'd like to do at least 50 putts per day), it may be difficult to separate the benefit of my daily practice from the benefit of the L.A.B. in terms of my on-course results. But I'll definitely be putting those two putters against each other in all the measurable ways available to me.

 

2 hours ago, cnosil said:

 

This is always an interesting question.   When we test equipment for MGS (or even for ourselves) we tend to spend more time using that equipment, practicing with the equipment,  and focusing on results.   Does any improvement come as a result of the equipment or as a result of the additional focused practice time and how do you quantify the amount for each.   

I, too, may fall into this category as I expect to practice my putting more than ever when the LAB DF3 arrives. I do think that having physical stroke data (like @GolfSpy MPR will have on the Exputt and @Cfhandyman will have when he uses the Quintic) would be a good baseline comparison. Would you agree @cnosil? Do you have any other recommended ways to help mitigate the "new bias" when practicing more with a new club?

 

 

18 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

I'm looking to not only test but to practice as well and hopefully improve.  So as part of this test, I need to know what my data is.  Then how do I compare or where do I fall against other golfers.  Where do I need to improve to get better and ideally to a lower handicap.  So for me, I currently sit in the 0-6 handicap group based on my Arccos data, so this will be my reference group to compare to.  How good or bad am I?  So what does the data show?  Well it depends upon the source of the data, (Arccos, Shotscope, Trackman, etc.) so there will be slight discrepancies between the data sets depending upon total participants, year, etc.  

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%

Below is tour + Shotscope data looking at the make percentage by distance and by handicap. The average tour pro makes 98% and 80% of their 3 foot and 5 foot putts. For an LPGA player its 95% and 76%.  The scratch or very low handicap golfer makes about 70% of 5 foot putts whereas the mid handicap (12 – 18) is down to about 50%.  If you don’t have your data, you can use these as a rough indicator of what the averages are by handicap.

So, other key metrics for me are the percentage of 5 and 10 foot putts made and how close can I get it to a 0 handicap or better player.  So as part of the test, where do I fall?  What's the difference if any between the L.A.B DF3 and my comparators?  From this, I will then know the areas I need to work on.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing this Arccos and Shotscope data @Cfhandyman! I plan to use those plots to compare to my existing data and the data when the LAB arrives. I do not have existing data for my make % by distance, but I'm planning to start on my next round. I do have detailed data on my # of 1, 2 & 3+ putts for each round for the past couple of years. So I'll have to take the data from 18Birdies and put it into a spreadsheet.

[jbern]

@downlowkey  indicated multiple alignment aids could be combined, so I spent some time in photoshop last night and below are three of my favorites so far. This is strictly intended to complicate things as much as possible (wink, wink @CFreddie)! 

If there are any combinations you want mocked up, let me know. I have them all saved in a photoshop file so it should be pretty easy to make adjustments.

I could totally do this one (EE & Z on labgolf.com):

Modified Zebra look (DD & G on labgolf.com):

The arrow shoutout to LAB (EE & X on labgolf.com):

 

[widget]

28 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

I'm looking to not only test but to practice as well and hopefully improve.  So as part of this test, I need to know what my data is.  Then how do I compare or where do I fall against other golfers.  Where do I need to improve to get better and ideally to a lower handicap.  So for me, I currently sit in the 0-6 handicap group based on my Arccos data, so this will be my reference group to compare to.  How good or bad am I?  So what does the data show?  Well it depends upon the source of the data, (Arccos, Shotscope, Trackman, etc.) so there will be slight discrepancies between the data sets depending upon total participants, year, etc.  

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%

Below is tour + Shotscope data looking at the make percentage by distance and by handicap. The average tour pro makes 98% and 80% of their 3 foot and 5 foot putts. For an LPGA player its 95% and 76%.  The scratch or very low handicap golfer makes about 70% of 5 foot putts whereas the mid handicap (12 – 18) is down to about 50%.  If you don’t have your data, you can use these as a rough indicator of what the averages are by handicap.

So, other key metrics for me are the percentage of 5 and 10 foot putts made and how close can I get it to a 0 handicap or better player.  So as part of the test, where do I fall?  What's the difference if any between the L.A.B DF3 and my comparators?  From this, I will then know the areas I need to work on.

 

 

 

 

i believe putting also has a symbiotic relationship with GIR stats (frequency and proximity of one’s approach shots)…i absolutely loathe three putting but if i am 30+ feet from hole i usually assign at least some of the blame to my approach game…looking forward to seeing if your data will show any improvement with DF3 tho

[JuniorXVIII]

26 minutes ago, jbern said:

@downlowkey  indicated multiple alignment aids could be combined, so I spent some time in photoshop last night and below are three of my favorites so far. This is strictly intended to complicate things as much as possible (wink, wink @CFreddie)! 

If there are any combinations you want mocked up, let me know. I have them all saved in a photoshop file so it should be pretty easy to make adjustments.

I could totally do this one (EE & Z on labgolf.com

Modified Zebra look (DD & G on labgolf.com

The arrow shoutout to LAB (EE & X on labgolf.com

 

The arrow is pretty sweet