Which LAB putter to try?

[SuperDino]

Reading about LAB putters recently. Im around a 15-20 HC because my short game is poo. My putter history is Scotty Futura 5s (about to sell lmk haha) --> Scotty Squareback --> Futura 5S --> Evnroll Midlock mallet --> Spider FCG.

My current one feels good, I definitely have an arc that the 5S punished. I am shooting better scores because of it and the practice.

 

Wanted to approach LAB, but can't find a place where I am, Oahu, Hawaii. The fitting places on the site don't carry them anymore. 

 

Interested in DF 2.1 or Link1. The mezz has mixed reviews so I'm unsure. I am willing to try a blade if the Link is the way to go.  Please let me know your opinions. Thanks!

[roundersmitty]

LAB can fit you accurately remotely.  I tried a DF2.1 with presse grip and I couldn’t really get used to it because of the shaft angle.  Mezz was similar so I never tried it.  I decided to order a Link1 on the weekend and will try it out even though I’m very happy with my current putter

[SuperDino]

 

18 minutes ago, roundersmitty said:

LAB can fit you accurately remotely.  I tried a DF2.1 with presse grip and I couldn’t really get used to it because of the shaft angle.  Mezz was similar so I never tried it.  I decided to order a Link1 on the weekend and will try it out even though I’m very happy with my current putter

Yeah I am aware of the online fitting, though its still a shot in the dark without feeling any of the putters themselves. Mostly afraid of the head weight being too light since I tend to use the weight for a more stable takeaway. Yeah but the Link looks sick though, the squareback was not for me but I was not putting correctly at that time so I am still open to it. Lmk how it goes!

[sociojeje]

I played ER6 right before my df21. ER6 is quite heavy but it took me just 2 mins to feel comfortable with df21. Since you can feel the balance right away, it doesn't have to be heavy at all. 

[zerheil]

I just ordered a link and currently use a mezz. I freaking loved the link when i tested it at the PGA store, It looks so good and feels great. I think i read in the LAB thread that the link head weight is 360g but LAB may be able to help with weight if you contact them.

[SuperDino]

Man I saw the 30% off LAB ad when it was working which made me do research. I took my time since it said april 2 but now not valid. Time to stalk BST. The Link looks very tempting. 

[ksher84]

21 minutes ago, SuperDino said:

Man I saw the 30% off LAB ad when it was working which made me do research. I took my time since it said april 2 but now not valid. Time to stalk BST. The Link looks very tempting. 

The CEO posted on a Facebook group page that the code was meant for a select group but somehow got shared, was not meant for the general public.  
 

They have an outlet store page, my b.2 is from there  

 

The link is very nice, I may upgrade to it.  Tested one out a few weeks ago

Edited March 28 by ksher84

[roundersmitty]

1 hour ago, SuperDino said:

 

Yeah I am aware of the online fitting, though its still a shot in the dark without feeling any of the putters themselves. Mostly afraid of the head weight being too light since I tend to use the weight for a more stable takeaway. Yeah but the Link looks sick though, the squareback was not for me but I was not putting correctly at that time so I am still open to it. Lmk how it goes!

I purchased just to try it out, will get it closer to the end of April I think.  I also like a high swingweight in my putter. My Sacks Parente I just bought has a 370g head, 30g shaft and 30g grip.  The static weight is light but can really feel the head with the low balance point.  Will compare the 2 this spring. 

[IC3BURGH]

2 hours ago, SuperDino said:

 

Yeah I am aware of the online fitting, though its still a shot in the dark without feeling any of the putters themselves. Mostly afraid of the head weight being too light since I tend to use the weight for a more stable takeaway. Yeah but the Link looks sick though, the squareback was not for me but I was not putting correctly at that time so I am still open to it. Lmk how it goes!

Not to divert the conversation because I love my Mezz, but have you ever practiced with a putting mirror? I used to fight a wonky takeaway and still have it creep in sometimes. For me, it came down to my eyeline either being too far outside or inside of the ball. Practicing with a mirror every once in a while helps me keep the takeaway in check. Certainly being fit into the right length and lie can help too!

[shoot4par]

Link or Mezz 1 seem interesting. The first one won't fit my eye. 

Edited March 29 by shoot4par

[EddieEdwards]

I've tried all of them.  I like the link and the direct force. 

[Nelson.br.1515]

I have tried Mezz, Mezz Max, DF 2.1 and have a Link on the way. The Mezz and Mezz Max were both great but the shapes are surprisingly different. I give the nod to the Mezz Max between the two. The DF is the most stable putter I have ever tried it truly feels like no matter how you swing it or where the ball hits it on the face it’s going to go where you are aimed. For the DF the grip is large and it is obviously a different look. I am very excited about the Link, I love that I can get it with my preferred Garsen grip and excited to see how the stainless feels compared to the aluminum. 

[Schulzmc]

I love the technology and used a DF for a year. Coming from a blade putter I could never get used to the huge putter head. I went back to my Scotty Newport notchback the last two seasons. Earlier this year I saw the Link at PGASS and fell in love. Bought that one on the spot and then did a custom order with an upgraded shaft. I can’t imagine giving this putter up!

 

SO in answer to your question… you have a number of larger putters in your history. If they suit your eye why not go for the most MOI and get the DF. But if you loved that Scotty squareback but just didn’t putt as well with it definitely go for the Link. Amazingly stable and very appealing to the eye.

[mgolfer7]

Been studying these lately. Very interesting and intriguing. 

[OspreyCI]

All great inputs. I am a fan of the DF, but loved the Link at PGA SS. If you a not a good putter, I vote DF. Will make you a great putter. 

[R_Swanson]

I putted with them all at PGA SS - I went back and hit them 5 or 6 different times to keep playing around with them to see what I liked.  

 

The standout for me was the Mezz Max.  I liked it the best every single time I went.  DF was second.  The Mezz and Mezz Max feel more different than you would think (at least to me).  IMPO they do all feel different, and its noticeable.  I wasn't too impressed with the Link.

 

They do feel light because of the Lie Angle Balancing - but its awesome.  allows you to keep your hands out of the stroke.   I custom ordered one and can't wait for it to get here.

 

 

 

 

[fjk]

17 hours ago, ksher84 said:

The CEO posted on a Facebook group page that the code was meant for a select group but somehow got shared, was not meant for the general public.  
 

They have an outlet store page, my b.2 is from there  

 

The link is very nice, I may upgrade to it.  Tested one out a few weeks ago

Can you tell us more about your B.2? I don't see enough reviews about it, but I like the concept and how it looks.

[Nelson.br.1515]

15 minutes ago, R_Swanson said:

I putted with them all at PGA SS - I went back and hit them 5 or 6 different times to keep playing around with them to see what I liked.  

 

The standout for me was the Mezz Max.  I liked it the best every single time I went.  DF was second.  The Mezz and Mezz Max feel more different than you would think (at least to me).  IMPO they do all feel different, and its noticeable.  I wasn't too impressed with the Link.

 

They do feel light because of the Lie Angle Balancing - but its awesome.  allows you to keep your hands out of the stroke.   I custom ordered one and can't wait for it to get here.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for breaking down your experience. Curious what about the Link did you not enjoy?  I think the MEZZ Max is a nice in between. Not quite as stable or crazy looking as the DF.

[R_Swanson]

2 hours ago, Nelson.br.1515 said:

Thanks for breaking down your experience. Curious what about the Link did you not enjoy?  I think the MEZZ Max is a nice in between. Not quite as stable or crazy looking as the DF.

Thought it felt a decent amount heavier, and it also was much less forgiving for me.  Also didn't like the feel off the face as much as the Mezz Max or DF... Mezz Max being the best, DF second.  The standard Mezz was a little bit of an outlier to me.  I thought I'd like that the most before I tried any of them.  It looks smaller than I thought, felt hotter off the face than the Mezz Max, and wasn't as forgiving.  I found the Mezz Max to be soft - I see people in the Link thread saying its softer than the Mezz, that may be true, but it didnt feel softer than the Mezz Max to me.  The Link definitely has more of a "thunk" than a higher pitched sound of the Mezz's, which the brain might be translating to feel... but I thought the ball jumped off the face more with the Link, where the Mezz Max was easier to pace on shorter putts because it seemed softer to me.

 

I know I already mentioned it, but it really is cool how every putter in the line definitely feels different, even between the Mezz and Mezz Max.... but to me it speaks to the fact you should try them out.  Oh, and I love the Press grip, so I didn't like that the Link isn't designed for the press grip.  Which is funny as none of my putters have super strokes on them, but I love that Press grip.

 

One thing for the OP:

 

I posted about this in the main LAB thread when asking questions and then circling back on what I bought - but in case you didn't read that thread - I personally didn't get a good result from the online fitting.  I understand why they say it works, but what I could glean is that they are basically coming back with the angle that you currently hold their putter at, via a screenshot they take of your video you send in.  For me it was not a good proxy for what lie angle I will use the LAB putters at, since the LAB putters take face manipulation out of the equation.  I don't think the angle they sent me back was "wrong" based on the video I sent  - but I tested out some other putters vs my current gamer and I manipulate the lie angle different on each one based on head weight, toe flow, etc.  So it wasn't necessarily my "natural" arm hang, which is what LAB recommends.  At my PGA SS all the LAB putters are 69 degrees lie, and I felt like they were a little flat, so I knew I was not going to be happy with a 67 degree putter.

Edited March 29 by R_Swanson

[CBraynor]

2 hours ago, fjk said:

Can you tell us more about your B.2? I don't see enough reviews about it, but I like the concept and how it looks.

Not the guy you responded to but I can chime in. I got the b.2 at the beginning of last year off the bst and I love it. I was pretty intrigued by the lab tech but didn’t want to dive fully into the Df so I figured the b2 would be a good starting point. Always considered myself a bad putter and last year was by far my best year of putting, lowered my handicap a couple strokes and i think its just from putting. It doesn't bother me at all looks wise but I played a center shaft before the lab. Funnily enough I prefer the b.2 looks over the link. The link is just a little bigger and also the fact that it looks close to normal but not quite normal makes it weird for me. 

Happy to answer any other questions if you’ve got any

[5hort5tuff]

2 hours ago, R_Swanson said:

Thought it felt a decent amount heavier, and it also was much less forgiving for me.  Also didn't like the feel off the face as much as the Mezz Max or DF... Mezz Max being the best, DF second.  The standard Mezz was a little bit of an outlier to me.  I thought I'd like that the most before I tried any of them.  It looks smaller than I thought, felt hotter off the face than the Mezz Max, and wasn't as forgiving.  I found the Mezz Max to be soft - I see people in the Link thread saying its softer than the Mezz, that may be true, but it didnt feel softer than the Mezz Max to me.  The Link definitely has more of a "thunk" than a higher pitched sound of the Mezz's, which the brain might be translating to feel... but I thought the ball jumped off the face more with the Link, where the Mezz Max was easier to pace on shorter putts because it seemed softer to me.

 

I know I already mentioned it, but it really is cool how every putter in the line definitely feels different, even between the Mezz and Mezz Max.... but to me it speaks to the fact you should try them out.  Oh, and I love the Press grip, so I didn't like that the Link isn't designed for the press grip.  Which is funny as none of my putters have super strokes on them, but I love that Press grip.

 

One thing for the OP:

 

I posted about this in the main LAB thread when asking questions and then circling back on what I bought - but in case you didn't read that thread - I personally didn't get a good result from the online fitting.  I understand why they say it works, but what I could glean is that they are basically coming back with the angle that you currently hold their putter at, via a screenshot they take of your video you send in.  For me it was not a good proxy for what lie angle I will use the LAB putters at, since the LAB putters take face manipulation out of the equation.  I don't think the angle they sent me back was "wrong" based on the video I sent  - but I tested out some other putters vs my current gamer and I manipulate the lie angle different on each one based on head weight, toe flow, etc.  So it wasn't necessarily my "natural" arm hang, which is what LAB recommends.  At my PGA SS all the LAB putters are 69 degrees lie, and I felt like they were a little flat, so I knew I was not going to be happy with a 67 degree putter.

 

I always wondered why their "Stock lie" is 69*. It's pretty flat for most people. Most standards are 70 or 71*. I'm wondering if it is easier for them to balance a flatter putter. 

[fjk]

2 hours ago, CBraynor said:

Not the guy you responded to but I can chime in. I got the b.2 at the beginning of last year off the bst and I love it. I was pretty intrigued by the lab tech but didn’t want to dive fully into the Df so I figured the b2 would be a good starting point. Always considered myself a bad putter and last year was by far my best year of putting, lowered my handicap a couple strokes and i think its just from putting. It doesn't bother me at all looks wise but I played a center shaft before the lab. Funnily enough I prefer the b.2 looks over the link. The link is just a little bigger and also the fact that it looks close to normal but not quite normal makes it weird for me. 

Happy to answer any other questions if you’ve got any

Appreciate your input! That's helpful. Would you say it's just not that forgiving off center?

[fjk]

10 minutes ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I always wondered why their "Stock lie" is 69*. It's pretty flat for most people. Most standards are 70 or 71*. I'm wondering if it is easier for them to balance a flatter putter. 

Found that interesting too. But I would say most ams I see putting with off the rack putters are toe up.

[Maximilian]

9 minutes ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I always wondered why their "Stock lie" is 69*. It's pretty flat for most people. Most standards are 70 or 71*. I'm wondering if it is easier for them to balance a flatter putter. 

Not answering for LAB, just my thoughts; where the shaft is located on a putter head makes a slight difference in lie angle.

If you stand the same distance from the ball and have your hands hanging in the same place, in order for the sole to lay flat on the green the angle of the shaft must be more upright the closer to the heel the shaft enters the head. Since these putters are center shafted, the lie angle at 69* is probably close to what a plumbers neck would be at 70*.

[SuperDino]

22 hours ago, IC3BURGH said:

Not to divert the conversation because I love my Mezz, but have you ever practiced with a putting mirror? I used to fight a wonky takeaway and still have it creep in sometimes. For me, it came down to my eyeline either being too far outside or inside of the ball. Practicing with a mirror every once in a while helps me keep the takeaway in check. Certainly being fit into the right length and lie can help too!

Yeah I get that for sure, literally taking the club a head length outside sometimes especially when I'm rushing for whatever reason. I am actively working on putting position and tempo this time around and its been helping. I will look into one of those, thanks!

[roundersmitty]

1 hour ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I always wondered why their "Stock lie" is 69*. It's pretty flat for most people. Most standards are 70 or 71*. I'm wondering if it is easier for them to balance a flatter putter. 

Hmm.  Not sure 70 or 71 would be correct for most people. When I get paired with people and watch them putt with their standard OTR putter the toe is up, meaning too upright, 9 out of 10 times 

[CBraynor]

2 hours ago, fjk said:

Appreciate your input! That's helpful. Would you say it's just not that forgiving off center?

It’s definitely not as forgiving as the DF or Mezz but I feel like it’s as forgiving or more forgiving than any other blade out there. It seems like putts hit out on the toe or heel just lose speed but still roll it true

[ksher84]

On 3/29/2023 at 10:17 AM, fjk said:

Can you tell us more about your B.2? I don't see enough reviews about it, but I like the concept and how it looks.

Sorry, i started to reply to this but got distracted doing something else.

Pretty much what CBraynor said.  I feel like the putter gives me a lot of distance control, especially on downhill putts.  Plenty of feedback and holds the line very well.  It looks kind of small at address IMO (which I like), especially when compared to the DF.  The size of the DF just doesn't work for me

 

My specs are: 34” / Accra white / 69* / Garsen Quad / No face milling

My wife also uses a B.2 but with the standard shaft, TBH I don't really notice that much of a difference

Edited March 30 by ksher84

[PDFPXG]

I think that if you look at the 84 pages of comments about LAB putters you will see that the DF is the most stable putter and most resistant if you hit off center.  The DF makes putting easy, it truly feels like no matter how you swing it or where the ball hits it on the face it’s going to go where you are aimed. I have played with the Mezz, Mezz Max, B2, Link 1 and agree that the DF is not attractive to looks overall but when you are standing over it is so easy to line up with soft hands and stroke smoothly for amazing results. I don't think my clubs are about a beauty contest. it is all about results and the DF is the GOAT.