LAB Golf Link Putter Arrived Today.

[WiscoLefty]

20 hours ago, labgolf said:

This is incorrect but curious to know why you think so? The TXG guys?

What did the TXG guys say? 

[KhiloD]

3 minutes ago, WiscoLefty said:

What did the TXG guys say? 

I haven't seen them comment on it either.

[WiscoLefty]

10 minutes ago, KhiloD said:

I haven't seen them comment on it either.

Yeah I follow TXG like a hawk and haven’t seen them mention it. They were pretty complimentary of the DF in the past if i remember right so I think they’re believers in the tech. 

[labgolf]

3 hours ago, WiscoLefty said:

Yeah I follow TXG like a hawk and haven’t seen them mention it. They were pretty complimentary of the DF in the past if i remember right so I think they’re believers in the tech. 

They have been very complimentary about our stuff. I asked because they did a piece a few years ago about OTHER center shafted putters that don't apply our tech show that indeed, conventional center-shafted putters are the least forgiving. I was just curious if thats why you thought that about the LINK.1. Relative to other putters of the anser variety, LINK.1 is actually more stable.

[jdorfman]

Stoked I got the email this morning that my putter is done and being sent. Hopefully shipping to San Diego doesn’t take too long. Looking forward to giving it a go and hope it can knock the Mezz out of the back. If not it’s a great putter to fall back on. 

[PDFPXG]

I am a newbie to this forum but wanted to share my new purchase story. I went to look for a new putter because I found my Bettinardi just not feeling right after 9 years when I was standing over it. After the first stroke with a DF2.1 I realized that this putter felt different than every other putter I tried. I agree with the common first impression of the LOOKS. My comment to the fitter was that is the ugliest putter I have ever seen, He said try it. Glad I did! I also tested 20 other putters including the Blad.1 and Mezz. 1 and they all looked a lot better but did not have that same bulletproof in line stroke. I still think the DF2.1 is awkward looking but since the only thing that matters to me is results, I can't imagine that vanity is so strong that I would want to move away to a less forgiving putter because it doesn't look as strange. One question, I need a good name for my DF2.1 that speaks about its great accuracy and easy swing but acknowledges its ugly to look at. Any suggestions because I plan on this being my putter for a very long time.

[manVSgolf]

On 1/6/2023 at 8:40 AM, PDFPXG said:

I am a newbie to this forum but wanted to share my new purchase story. I went to look for a new putter because I found my Bettinardi just not feeling right after 9 years when I was standing over it. After the first stroke with a DF2.1 I realized that this putter felt different than every other putter I tried. I agree with the common first impression of the LOOKS. My comment to the fitter was that is the ugliest putter I have ever seen, He said try it. Glad I did! I also tested 20 other putters including the Blad.1 and Mezz. 1 and they all looked a lot better but did not have that same bulletproof in line stroke. I still think the DF2.1 is awkward looking but since the only thing that matters to me is results, I can't imagine that vanity is so strong that I would want to move away to a less forgiving putter because it doesn't look as strange. One question, I need a good name for my DF2.1 that speaks about its great accuracy and easy swing but acknowledges its ugly to look at. Any suggestions because I plan on this being my putter for a very long time.

How about Willem Dafoe?  Awesome actor, awesome movies.  Just maybe looks unique? I’m not even using ugly.  

[Z1ggy16]

Curious what loft you went with? With most anser style blades with full shaft offset I go around 2-2.5*. With removing offset and actually having onset that I might need 0* or close to it. 

[coops]

On 1/6/2023 at 11:40 PM, PDFPXG said:

One question, I need a good name for my DF2.1 that speaks about its great accuracy and easy swing but acknowledges its ugly to look at. Any suggestions because I plan on this being my putter for a very long time.

 

I've a DF2.1 on the way to me... I already have a soft spot for my Cameron Futura 2002, so am used to an 'ugly beautiful' putter.

'Jolie Laide' is the original french term for such odd/weird yet beautiful things or people... so, perhaps  the name 'Rossy' for Rossy de Palma who can photograph exceedingly odd (i'll let you google her name for those) or can look like this

 

[coreyhr]

Any other comments about the Link from those now having them in hand? Considering hard about picking one up now that the stock version has been released. 

[vandyfan]

Honestly was expecting (really just hoping) the stock putter to be less expensive (was thinking like $350 but the stock LINK is actually $469) but I am sure they will sell well. I think I will stick with the DF 2.1 for now. 

Edited January 11, 2023 by vandyfan

[MaineMariner]

Oof, too bad the stock Link is only available at a 69 degree lie angle. It's hard to swallow an additional $90 to get the lie angle changed by two degrees.

[vandyfan]

1 hour ago, MaineMariner said:

get the lie angle changed by two degrees.

 

Stupid question but will ask anyway, is 2 degrees significant with the LAB? I know it is lie angle balanced but I am basically 2 degrees off from my "fitted" lie angle (I bought a used DF 2.1 that was closest to my desired lie angle) so I just make sure the putter is soled flat when I setup to the ball and adjust. Am I defeating the technology/purpose of the putter?

[KhiloD]

10 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

 

Stupid question but will ask anyway, is 2 degrees significant with the LAB? I know it is lie angle balanced but I am basically 2 degrees off from my "fitted" lie angle (I bought a used DF 2.1 that was closest to my desired lie angle) so I just make sure the putter is soled flat when I setup to the ball and adjust. Am I defeating the technology/purpose of the putter?

Defeats the purpose of the tech. The whole point of it is to be exactly fitted to your lie angle so the stroke is repeatably using the set up of weights correctly to bring the face to square each time.

[vandyfan]

52 minutes ago, KhiloD said:

Defeats the purpose of the tech.

That doesn't sound good.

[jdorfman]

8 hours ago, coreyhr said:

Any other comments about the Link from those now having them in hand? Considering hard about picking one up now that the stock version has been released. 

It's pretty awesome!  I rolled a few last week on my putting green back home and felt great (not the best putting green with the leaves and what not).  We had some rain here so 1st time I had a chance to get to the club and try it out on real greens was this morning.  It felt just as stable and easy to roll as my Mezz.  I loved the shape of the head and the accra shaft felt great.  I was hitting 3-5' putts with confidence.  I was hitting long lag putts to within 3'.  Loved it so much I'm putting it in the bag for our team play match coming up tomorrow.

[Kball10]

I just ordered the retail version.  Now just have to wait for it. 

[dlarocca1]

I have been really struggling with my putting so I said hell why not give the link a try.  Came in Monday and played a few holes with it that afternoon.  Feels really good but still have a lot of getting used to,  I missed some putts that I feel were of makable distance but I think it’s because I am manipulating the face like I would have to with a normal putter.  Just something I have to get used to.

 

I saw someone talk about lab putters with heads up putting.   Has anyone tried this or does this?  I went to the practice green today and tried it and man it felt great, somewhat automatic.  May have to give that a try just nervous to do it in my weekend games.  

[coops]

7 hours ago, vandyfan said:

That doesn't sound good.

I think you’re just fine as you say you’re adjusting your setup i.e. distance from the ball so the sole is level and you then are using the putter on that lie angle…

 

it’s just that some may hate being closer or further from the ball from comfort or how it affects their vision of their aim… and for that getting custom lie to fit your preference ( rather than you adjusting to match the putter) would be worth it.

 

 

[fjk]

How come there’s no press grip for the link putters?

[Rbsiedsc]

37 minutes ago, fjk said:

How come there’s no press grip for the link putters?

interesting. Hopefully @labgolfcan answer

[fjk]

23 minutes ago, Rbsiedsc said:

interesting. Hopefully @labgolfcan answer

It says they’re not recommended on their site. Just wondering why. 

[Simpsonia]

23 hours ago, vandyfan said:

That doesn't sound good.

 

To be contrarian (to the other poster), when I was getting fitted for my LAB, I sent both a SAM lab report as well as a remote fitting video. LAB said that the angle differed by 1 degree between the two, but that 1 degree was not going to make enough of a difference to worry about, and that I'd adjust to such a small change in either event. Not sure about two degrees, but LAB themselves didn't seem concerned about 1 degree. 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Simpsonia

[CUBuffaloes]

Darn it. I had to read this thread.

 

I was already set to pull the trigger on a Bettinardi Queen B6 (one of the most beautiful putters IMO) but the Link now has my attention. I've found much success with a center shafted blade and the Link has a very familiar/comfortable look at setup. The fact that the stock build is also my ideal lie angle is a plus. Does anyone know if the stock shaft has a .370" tip? I have an extra LAGP shaft that would work great in there.

 

 

[JRB277]

7 hours ago, fjk said:

How come there’s no press grip for the link putters?

Based on everything I understand about the DF and Mezz, those heads required forward shaft lean to get the hands back over or near the front of the face and not way behind.  The amount of forward shaft lean is a factor in the amount of the degree in the Press grip, i.e. 3 or 1.5.  The "Press" is actually built into the shaft lean of those putters.  The "Press Grip" - at the bottom, has the added mass, or forward press to help keep your hands vertical to accommodate the shaft lean.  The Link putter shaft enters the putter head much closer to the front of the blade which puts your hands much closer, or over the front of the blade allowing for the use of more traditional grips.    

Edited January 13, 2023 by JRB277

[tofur99]

got it in today, sunk 32 7-ft putts in a row on my mat (in batches of 4) until I finally left one short, not bad for the first time picking up a putter.  Feel is great off the face, right there with other high end stainless blades I've used.  Not getting the little micro pulls/pushes with this like I do with traditional blades, the L.A.B black magic is definitely working on this thing.  Not as obvious feeling as the Mezz but the end result is the same and I can already tell my distance control will be better with this

 

Aim line works well, I was a little nervous the hosel would be crowding it too much but it's not a issue.  Putter looks premium in person too

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by tofur99

[mshills]

On 1/11/2023 at 10:12 PM, dlarocca1 said:

I have been really struggling with my putting so I said hell why not give the link a try.  Came in Monday and played a few holes with it that afternoon.  Feels really good but still have a lot of getting used to,  I missed some putts that I feel were of makable distance but I think it’s because I am manipulating the face like I would have to with a normal putter.  Just something I have to get used to.

 

I saw someone talk about lab putters with heads up putting.   Has anyone tried this or does this?  I went to the practice green today and tried it and man it felt great, somewhat automatic.  May have to give that a try just nervous to do it in my weekend games.  

 

Haven't tried the link, but the DF is firmly entrenched in my bag now.  I'm a pretty good putter, and the way I play now I have to be!  The adjustment didn't take too long, probably a week or two of consistent practice on my Big Moss and on the practice green.  Took give or take four rounds until I felt very comfortable in play.  The following worked for me:

• Lightest grip pressure you can imagine, just enough to not drop the putter.
• Remove thumbs from the grip and let them just barely tickle R fingers (R thumb) and heel of R hand (L thumb.)  This drill helped me so much it's now my full time grip.
• To your point, putting looking at the hole is a great drill re: distance control.  I do not take this one to the course, practice green only for me.
• For decades I putted with a somewhat open stance.  With the LAB I tend to miss left, so I have to be mindful of setting up square, which still tends to feel closed to me, but it feels better when the ball goes in the hole 🙂.  This won't be an overnight change but it is improving.

[CBraynor]

Has anyone compared the link to the b.2? Curious to see if there’s any difference besides just looks

[Kball10]

14 hours ago, mshills said:

 

Haven't tried the link, but the DF is firmly entrenched in my bag now.  I'm a pretty good putter, and the way I play now I have to be!  The adjustment didn't take too long, probably a week or two of consistent practice on my Big Moss and on the practice green.  Took give or take four rounds until I felt very comfortable in play.  The following worked for me:

• Lightest grip pressure you can imagine, just enough to not drop the putter.
• Remove thumbs from the grip and let them just barely tickle R fingers (R thumb) and heel of R hand (L thumb.)  This drill helped me so much it's now my full time grip.
• To your point, putting looking at the hole is a great drill re: distance control.  I do not take this one to the course, practice green only for me.
• For decades I putted with a somewhat open stance.  With the LAB I tend to miss left, so I have to be mindful of setting up square, which still tends to feel closed to me, but it feels better when the ball goes in the hole 🙂.  This won't be an overnight change but it is improving.

I have seen reference to the no thumbs drill before.  Is there a video for this? 

[sociojeje]

I wish I could try it somewhere near I live... There seems to be a fitter at a private golf club an hour away but I'm not sure they deal with non-members. Do they have some demo program?