Lower Cost Options to L.A.B. DF3

[AndersonGT]

As a player who loves putters I've recently started researching the new craze that L.A.B. putters has put in motion! My background is that I have owned countless putters but have always only kept two in my home. One putter for when I tend to miss left and the other when my miss tends to go right. When I started this "two putter" mindset, I originally had an 8802 along with a #9 style putter. Over the years my stroke moved towards less and less arc. I'm now to the point where I am back to a standard SC Newport and going to try something low torque/zero torque/face balanced to see how well it works. I recently tried the DF3 and was pretty darn amazed with my consistency inside of 10' however longer putts, not so much.

 

This got me thinking...I don't think I am ready to spend $500+ on an experiment but have not found many options similar to the DF3. Pretty sure I'm not the only one so this thread is for those similar to me, curious but not ready to throw down the cash. Would love to hear feedback from WRXers here. Below is a list of options I am considering and can find new/used under $300 with milled face except for spider and Odyssey (Don't think I could find Touloun for under $300. 

 

Seemore MiniGiant Deep Flange ($150-$300 depending on model)

Seemore MiniGiant HTX (#7) ($300)

Seemore SB20 ($175-$300 pending condition)

PXG Blackjack CS (+/- $250)

Wilson Staff CS22 ($350 New)

SC Futura 5S CS (+/- $300)

Taylormade Spider GT CS ($200 New) What I am leaning towards

EvnRoll ER5 CS ($275)

ODYSSEY ELEVEN TOUR LINED CS ($175-$225)

Cleveland 10.5 CS ($165-$200)

 

 

[manVSgolf]

If you want a putter that performs the way a LAB performs, you HAVE to buy a LAB.

 

No need for further replies, close the thread.

[GoBlue102]

Used LAB putters are less than new LAB putters… that’s kinda the extent of your options. I found a DF 2.1 on BST with a cosmetic flaw that let me try a broomstick on the cheap.
 

Nothing wrong with a Spider, but you cannot say “I [like/don’t like] LAB putters because I tried a Spider”

[AndersonGT]

Ok, I wasn’t trying to upset the cult here. I said was really impressed but didn’t want to spend close to $600 on an experiment. Not interested in the DF 2.1 as I tried that as well. Footprint is just too big. I did not try the Mezz, Link, or B2.

 

The whole point of this is thread is to try something similar before making the big purchase on a DF3. I should also say I have concerns over the shaft for $600. There is a lot of info out there about issues with durability of the L.A.B. putter shaft and having to send it in to be re-calibrated. Again, I just want to try something similar before spending that $$$. Not all of us are WRX rich.

[Golfingfanatic]

Odyssey Big Seven Toe Up should be fairly similar, but might be hard to find.

 

Bobby Grace makes some gravity balanced putters now, but these are usually pretty expensive, too.

[MattM97]

20 minutes ago, AndersonGT said:

Ok, I wasn’t trying to upset the cult here. I said was really impressed but didn’t want to spend close to $600 on an experiment. Not interested in the DF 2.1 as I tried that as well. Footprint is just too big. I did not try the Mezz, Link, or B2.

 

The whole point of this is thread is to try something similar before making the big purchase on a DF3. I should also say I have concerns over the shaft for $600. There is a lot of info out there about issues with durability of the L.A.B. putter shaft and having to send it in to be re-calibrated. Again, I just want to try something similar before spending that $$$. Not all of us are WRX rich.

 

There isn't really anything else, would be like driving a Volkswagen when trying to understand what driving a Porsche is like. 

 

What you have listed are just mallet putters and won't perform like a LAB unfortunately. I'm also in the same boat a bit I want to test one but it's the cost of one that's stopping me so until I decide to spend I'm better off not trying to find a sub for it. 

[edd13]

25 minutes ago, AndersonGT said:

Ok, I wasn’t trying to upset the cult here. I said was really impressed but didn’t want to spend close to $600 on an experiment. Not interested in the DF 2.1 as I tried that as well. Footprint is just too big. I did not try the Mezz, Link, or B2.

 

The whole point of this is thread is to try something similar before making the big purchase on a DF3. I should also say I have concerns over the shaft for $600. There is a lot of info out there about issues with durability of the L.A.B. putter shaft and having to send it in to be re-calibrated. Again, I just want to try something similar before spending that $$$. Not all of us are WRX rich.

 

LOL I think the replies were just trying to explain to you that you can't decide if you'll like the taste of a watermelon by trying a cantaloupe.

[AndersonGT]

3 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

There isn't really anything else, would be like driving a Volkswagen when trying to understand what driving a Porsche is like. 

 

What you have listed are just mallet putters and won't perform like a LAB unfortunately. I'm also in the same boat a bit I want to test one but it's the cost of one that's stopping me so until I decide to spend I'm better off not trying to find a sub for it. 

Great answer. Thank you. Seeing how much you post about putters, your opinion weighs a little heavier. If there isn't anything even in the same realm, I may have to ponder selling my other custom putter. I know 100% that the DF3 will save me strokes on puts inside 10 feet. I'm sure with some practice I could put as well outside 20 feet and lag putts. I also tried out a few other putters and the only other one that really performed and felt good was an EVNroll 5.1 Short Slant so I could always go that route too. 

 

No gonna lie though, never even thought about a center shaft putter until touching that DF3 and I can't get over it. 

[MattM97]

Just now, AndersonGT said:

Great answer. Thank you. Seeing how much you post about putters, your opinion weighs a little heavier. If there isn't anything even in the same realm, I may have to ponder selling my other custom putter. I know 100% that the DF3 will save me strokes on puts inside 10 feet. I'm sure with some practice I could put as well outside 20 feet and lag putts. I also tried out a few other putters and the only other one that really performed and felt good was an EVNroll 5.1 Short Slant so I could always go that route too. 

 

No gonna lie though, never even thought about a center shaft putter until touching that DF3 and I can't get over it. 

 

There are some other brands like Axis1 you could maybe snag cheap, they're close-ish and I believe Sam said if LAB didn't exist he'd roll an Axis1 but don't fully quote me on that. 

 

As for the Evnroll I'm sure it's good, new it's a few bucks less than the LAB but is it what you really want? 

 

For selling a custom putter, I'd make sure you 100% want to part with it cause if you do sell it, buy the LAB and the LAB doesn't reach your expectations and you want that customs back it might be difficult to get back or have another made. Lots of thoughts to be had I'd say save up and when you get that buy the LAB, buy what you want and get it out on the course. 

[Binson]

I can't seem to find it atm, but I remember watching a Youtube video with Sam from LAB where he was talking about options that are closest to LAB.  There were some Odyssey Backstrykes, and maybe 2 other options. 

[jrdubbb]

I ran into this problem when wanting to try a lab broomstick. Thankfully the broom DF3 didn't release when I was diving down the rabbit hole, that saved me a lot of money. I have a slant neck anser 2 clone with no sightline, it is about the complete opposite from a LAB. I have had my best putting rounds with it, and I honestly couldn't see a LAB being better unless it drops my 28 putt rounds down to 22 to be worth the price. I don't have $1000 for any club in my bag, but especially not when it is a hypothetical improvement. It would be easier to jump into one of these putters if there was some sort of demo program, or just more of them in stores. None of the "mom and pop" golf stores in my area carry LAB, and the closest PGATSS or Golf Galaxy is 3+ hours away.

 

I am with you and that I believe these putters have great technology that I want to try, but they are the only ones on the market. The process to make the putters is so labor intensive that no one else wants to make something similar, and that keeps the prices where they are. 

[Rosco1216]

There aren’t similar options out there, that’s what makes a LAB a LAB. Just buy one. If it turns out you don’t like it as you hoped for then you can easily flip it. If it works out you can unload the other stuff. 
 

This IS golfwrx, you know….
 

 

Edited May 8 by Rosco1216

[Golfingfanatic]

 

[BombsIntoTheWoods]

11 minutes ago, Golfingfanatic said:

 

There was a toe up that went on Callaway Pre Owned last night, but its gone now.

 

I had luck as a lefty finding a used DF3 with the TPT shaft in the CB option, which would of cost $1k+ for just over $300. Thanks 2ndswing!

[Kale_m]

Love how ppl find it hard to spend $500 on a putter but won’t bat an eye at buying 3 different driver setups in one season…..

[GoBlue102]

1 hour ago, AndersonGT said:

Ok, I wasn’t trying to upset the cult here. I said was really impressed but didn’t want to spend close to $600 on an experiment. Not interested in the DF 2.1 as I tried that as well. Footprint is just too big. I did not try the Mezz, Link, or B2.

 

The whole point of this is thread is to try something similar before making the big purchase on a DF3. I should also say I have concerns over the shaft for $600. There is a lot of info out there about issues with durability of the L.A.B. putter shaft and having to send it in to be re-calibrated. Again, I just want to try something similar before spending that $$$. Not all of us are WRX rich.

If you’ve tried the DF 2.1, then you have tried the closest thing available to a DF3 without having a DF3, feel wise. If you like the feel but not the size, they made the DF 3 for that! 

Not making any judgement about $$, just the concept that anything on your list will get you “closer” to the 3 than the 2.1…

 

 

[AndersonGT]

12 minutes ago, Kale_m said:

Love how ppl find it hard to spend $500 on a putter but won’t bat an eye at buying 3 different driver setups in one season…..

Sold my Steath on Ebay for $225 and bought Ping 430 LST used for $345. Net spent $120. Been buying and selling my equipment for years now. It can be painful. I decided to list my latest Custom putter despite what @MattM97 mentioned. I've really struggled with it and I don't deal well with too many putter choices. I'm just going to go with the stock DF3 and buy once, cry once. 

Edited May 8 by AndersonGT

[manVSgolf]

1 hour ago, AndersonGT said:

Ok, I wasn’t trying to upset the cult here. I said was really impressed but didn’t want to spend close to $600 on an experiment. Not interested in the DF 2.1 as I tried that as well. Footprint is just too big. I did not try the Mezz, Link, or B2.

 

The whole point of this is thread is to try something similar before making the big purchase on a DF3. I should also say I have concerns over the shaft for $600. There is a lot of info out there about issues with durability of the L.A.B. putter shaft and having to send it in to be re-calibrated. Again, I just want to try something similar before spending that $$$. Not all of us are WRX rich.

Promise I’m not upset lol.  Just making the point that there IS no Kirkland version of LAB putters (much respect to Kirkland).  They own the patent, it is extremely different than anything else, despite similar wording from competitors (I believe intentionally).  

[rx1232]

If it makes you feel any better, yes its $600 on the experiment, but the resale value stays pretty well, so if you don't like it you won't be out the whole $600.  Where did you read about durability of the shafts?

[rx1232]

you can also refresh this page daily to see if anything populates. https://labgolfoutlet.com/factory-second-putters/df-3/

 

 

[TimBuma]

First I’d recommend doing the online fitting and getting to know what your specs are. The look to buy a used one online, preferably from 2nd Swing which you can try for I believe 30 days then if its not for you you can return it.

[StoutKing]

55 minutes ago, rx1232 said:

If it makes you feel any better, yes its $600 on the experiment, but the resale value stays pretty well, so if you don't like it you won't be out the whole $600.  Where did you read about durability of the shafts?

Plus you would be supporting a company that makes their products in the USA.  I really love seeing the "made in USA" on the bottom of my DF3.  It's worth the money.

[Kale_m]

1 hour ago, AndersonGT said:

Sold my Steath on Ebay for $225 and bought Ping 430 LST used for $345. Net spent $120. Been buying and selling my equipment for years now. It can be painful. I decided to list my latest Custom putter despite what @MattM97 mentioned. I've really struggled with it and I don't deal well with too many putter choices. I'm just going to go with the stock DF3 and buy once, cry once. 

Yes I buy and sell equipment all the time as well. But $600 for a putter that is fit to you and how you set up to it is money better spent then a driver off eBay, not fit to you,  that gets beat up on the daily.. 

 

spend the money, you won’t regret it, if you do, then sell it and you will recoup 89-90% of your money back as ppl don’t want to wait 8-10 weeks for a putter 

[RavishingRhett]

3 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

There isn't really anything else, would be like driving a Volkswagen when trying to understand what driving a Porsche is like. 

 

What you have listed are just mallet putters and won't perform like a LAB unfortunately. I'm also in the same boat a bit I want to test one but it's the cost of one that's stopping me so until I decide to spend I'm better off not trying to find a sub for it. 

To be fair, driving a Porsche is driving a Volkswagen

[Bunkersarebigcups]

4 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

There isn't really anything else, would be like driving a Volkswagen when trying to understand what driving a Porsche is like. 

 

What you have listed are just mallet putters and won't perform like a LAB unfortunately. I'm also in the same boat a bit I want to test one but it's the cost of one that's stopping me so until I decide to spend I'm better off not trying to find a sub for it. 

 

That is one great comparison 😄

[B_of_H]

If there was a low cost lie angle balanced putter then lab would sue them as its patented, right?   

[AndersonGT]

Sooooo….I think this was fate. Ironically I ended up finding a SC CS Putter that will retain its value (if not gain) after purchase on the bay for $260 delivered, while being a similar shape to the EVNroll 5.1 that I liked. Jury will be out for I while but I’ll make sure to update here my own personal findings going from an Anser style putter to also using a CS. If all go well, certainly in position to buy a DF in the near future.

 

[Kale_m]

1 hour ago, AndersonGT said:

Sooooo….I think this was fate. Ironically I ended up finding a SC CS Putter that will retain its value (if not gain) after purchase on the bay for $260 delivered, while being a similar shape to the EVNroll 5.1 that I liked. Jury will be out for I while but I’ll make sure to update here my own personal findings going from an Anser style putter to also using a CS. If all go well, certainly in position to buy a DF in the near future.

 

Not the same as a Lab putter….

[5hort5tuff]

4 hours ago, Kale_m said:

Love how ppl find it hard to spend $500 on a putter but won’t bat an eye at buying 3 different driver setups in one season…..

 

This is pretty uncommon imo

[Kale_m]

4 minutes ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

This is pretty uncommon imo

What’s uncommon?