Their designs are bold, unique, a bit in your face, and absolutely contrarian to everything we as golfers have been programmed to think about putters. However, no matter where you stand on them, L.A.B. Golf is absolutely on fire right now.
It all started with their DB 2.1. It was a behemoth of a putter by all intents and purposes, but the one which brought L.A.B.’s “fully automatic” Lie Angle Balanced system into the golfing world. Today, we see the much requested evolution of that, a smaller but no less effective version, named the DF3.
L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter
In case you’re unfamiliar, that “Lie Angle Balance” which was mentioned is the main technology behind the success of L.A.B. Golf. According to them, it is the only design tech which can keep the putter face square on its own. To make that happen, everything has to be accounted for, from lie, weight, length, and even the grip. It is then accounted for and balanced using the small weights in the heads which give the putters part of their unique look.
You can call them a disruptor if you want, but the reality is their putters are winning on LIV, the Korn Ferry, as well as the PGA Tour without them paying for play. The key to that success lies behind the “fully automatic” aspect. It is also why, despite golfers immediately clamoring for a smaller version of the DF 2.1, the company had to take its time to get things right.
That time let them get the new DF3 to perform with the same lie angle balanced and “fully automatic” nature of its bigger sibling, as well as the rest of the L.A.B. lineup: The MEZZ.1, MEZZ.1 Max, and LINK.1. Every aspect has been refined when it comes to the DF3, and though it still has an abstract shape, the size should be much more appealing to typical mallet users.
According to L.A.B. Golf CEO Sam Hahn, a key to getting the DF3 to work was that they now had years under their belt working and building Lie Angle Balanced putters. So, with the new model they were able to shrink the design, while keeping all the forgiveness and stability. Like the DF 2.1, the putter wants to guide itself on the way back and through with zero-torque which keeps it square throughout.
The Details
The L.A.B. Golf DF3 will be available in a stock version for $449 and the DF3 Custom which comes in at $559. The stock version comes in a black finish while the custom will open up a world of possibilities including eight colors (black, red, blue, cappuccino, platinum, pink, green, and orange), standard or counterbalance, various weights, and thirty-three different alignment markings.
For more information on any of the L.A.B. offerings, check out their website here.
Wasn’t a fan of the larger design in my CC fitting but the fitter kept swearing these would be the number 1 putter on tour this year (Odyssey might have something to say about that). Will be nice to give this a go after the last dinner plate sized option, and hopefully the feel improved as well with this update.
[QUOTE=”Golfers Anonymous, post: 12094362, member: 59233″]
Wasn’t a fan of the larger design in my CC fitting but the fitter kept swearing these would be the number 1 putter on tour this year (Odyssey might have something to say about that). Will be nice to give this a go after the last dinner plate sized option, and hopefully the feel improved as well with this update.
[/QUOTE]
There’s a 0% chance it’s the number one putter on Tour, but that’s a great effort by your CC fitter.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094365, member: 1579″]
There’s a 0% chance it’s the number one putter on Tour, but that’s a great effort by your CC fitter.
[/QUOTE]
In his defense he didn’t seem all that great of a fitter for what it’s worth :ROFLMAO:
I mean I could see L.A.B being among the fastest growing brands on Tour and maybe #1 in terms of Broomstick models, but #1 overall seems a little aggressive.
[QUOTE=”macolyte, post: 12094391, member: 67886″]
I mean I could see L.A.B being among the fastest growing brands on Tour and maybe #1 in terms of Broomstick models, but #1 overall seems a little aggressive.
[/QUOTE]
0.0% chance. People don’t grasp how many Odyssey putters are on Tour, ever. They dwarf even SC.
That said, I have always believed, and still do, their presence will grow.
There is absolutely something to the lie angle balanced thing.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094400, member: 1579″]
0.0% chance. People don’t grasp how many Odyssey putters are on Tour, ever. They dwarf even SC.
That said, I have always believed, and still do, their presence will grow.
[B]There is absolutely something to the lie angle balanced thing.[/B]
[/QUOTE]
Absolutely agree. I’ve tried both the DF2.1 and the Mezz Max in the past and liked them, but never enough to commit to one. I recently was fit for the counterbalanced version of the Mezz Max and it finally clicked for me. I think it is the “normal” grip and shaft lean that makes it far easier to align for me compared to their other putters. I really didn’t like the whole shaft lean + press grip combo.
Love they are keeping the color options around. Hopefully the golf galaxy near me will get some to see the size difference in hand. The Mezz is too angular for my taste so this is a little more appealing of an approach for me
This is my number one putter to try this year. I’m a big fan of L.A.B. Putters and this seems like a logical evolution of the DF lineup.
I want a pink one.
I had a 2.1 and liked it. Will take a look at these.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094425, member: 1579″]
I want a pink one.
[/QUOTE]
[IMG alt=”Bill Murray GIF by Groundhog Day”]https://media0.giphy.com/media/WS6vTB4ip7cLYkQm2I/200.gif[/IMG]
The custom options look outstanding for this putter!! Well written article [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]!
Don’t forget to mention the fact that the rear “flange” can now pick up the golf ball gimmies 😉
I know I love my MEZZ.1 Proto. I may not make as many as I would like, that’s the Indian & not the Arrow, but I do give putts a better chance of going in by burning a lot of edges. Now if I could learn to stare out of my right eye instead of my left, I might be draining a few more. 😉
[ATTACH type=”full”]9237802[/ATTACH]
Thanks for the article, [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. Not really my thing, but you can’t deny the success.
I need Swag to make headcovers that fit center shafted putters first before I try out one of these ?
[QUOTE=”golfinnut, post: 12094473, member: 21902″]
Don’t forget to mention the fact that the rear “flange” can now pick up the golf ball gimmies 😉
I know I love my MEZZ.1 Proto. I may not make as many as I would like, that’s the Indian & not the Arrow, but I do give putts a better chance of going in by burning a lot of edges. Now if I could learn to stare out of my right eye instead of my left, I might be draining a few more. 😉
[/QUOTE]
I left that out on purpose. ?
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094425, member: 1579″]
I want a pink one.
[/QUOTE]
I have used a pink one on the practice green. The color is really good.
[QUOTE=”Doubleb21, post: 12094580, member: 50153″]
I have used a pink one on the practice green. The color is really good.
[/QUOTE]
Well yeah, it’s pink! Haha
I’ve tried all of the L.A.B. models they carry at the local PGASS – and to me they just feel terrible. Especially on off center hits. I wanted to like the concept – but I just will not enjoy using a putter that feels this bad.
I love my DF 2.1. It has changed my putting game 100%. i make more putts now than I ever imagined I would. The quality on my LAB is good and I have zero complaints with it. [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] are you going to test these out? I hope so I am super excited on your thoughts between the DF3 and the 2.1! Nice review
[QUOTE=”Doubleb21, post: 12094591, member: 50153″]
I love my DF 2.1. It has changed my putting game 100%. i make more putts now than I ever imagined I would. The quality on my LAB is good and I have zero complaints with it. [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] are you going to test these out? I hope so I am super excited on your thoughts between the DF3 and the 2.1! Nice review
[/QUOTE]
We should be getting one in hand for review!
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094593, member: 1579″]
We should be getting one in hand for review!
[/QUOTE]
Excellent news!
Cool to see them evolving, but I jsut can’t get over looking at the shape. Hope it works out for some, but to me, a putter has to be appealing to my eye for me to feel confident over it.
I like it. Looking forward to rolling one when they get into stores.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12094514, member: 50607″]
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_1583.jpeg”]9237802[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
much much more tolerable.
I wish more companies would make green putters
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094425, member: 1579″]
I want a pink one.
[/QUOTE]
With sparkles. ???
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 12094613, member: 40538″]
Cool to see them evolving, but I jsut can’t get over looking at the shape. Hope it works out for some, but to me, a putter has to be appealing to my eye for me to feel confident over it.
[/QUOTE]
I was the same way for a long time, until I rolled one of the 2.1’s. I can’t fully put into words, but it works, it’s almost scary how well it comes back to square.
That said, I’m a long time looks first guy, but I could roll one.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094677, member: 1579″]
I was the same way for a long time, until I rolled one of the 2.1’s. I can’t fully put into words, but it works, it’s almost scary how well it comes back to square.
That said, I’m a long time looks first guy, but I could roll one.
[/QUOTE]
Interesting. It is definitely good to see they shrunk the head size. It was fricking huge before. Might be worth trying, but you are gonna have to pry my Eight-T out of my hands lol.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094425, member: 1579″]
I want a pink one.
[/QUOTE]
Bluuuuuuue all day long.
However, I just dont like the looks of these. I said it yesterday, and I’ll rehash it…it’s just ugly, and I like ugly putters.
I really need to give one a roll, if it works it works, and I really like their tech when it comes to their designs. It just makes sense.
With very limited experience with the 2.1 I can honestly say I was impressed with the tech. Thing just wants to go straight. Can promise I’ll give to 3 a roll when it hits stores. Custom orange could be just what I need.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094560, member: 1579″]
I left that out on purpose. ?
[/QUOTE]
Well that’s a selling point for us that still give gimmies LOL :ROFLMAO:
[QUOTE=”War Eagle, post: 12094689, member: 6727″]
Bluuuuuuue all day long.
However, I just dont like the looks of these. I said it yesterday, and I’ll rehash it…it’s just ugly, and I like ugly putters.
I really need to give one a roll, if it works it works, and I really like their tech when it comes to their designs. It just makes sense.
[/QUOTE]
I think it would break your mind how it just…stays square.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094706, member: 1579″]
I think it would break your mind how it just…stays square.
[/QUOTE]
That’s why I want to try one.
It might take me a minute to get adjusted to a CS putter again, it’s been a while.
I’ve always said I’d putt with a stick and a tin can if it meant I’d make more putts, I just don’t know if I can accept looking down at one of these…. I’ll give it a roll next time at the store and I see one, I just don’t know if I could do it.
Great article Mr. [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] , as always.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12094514, member: 50607″]
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_1583.jpeg”]9237802[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
That’s impressive shrink. And a lot more visually appealing.
I had a 2.1 and the guys would rip me for my weird fetishes
I would love to see the size of it. I am thinking about a DF broom this year and was leaning toward the 2.1. For some reason I don’t love the Mezz Max in a broom.
I actually like the shape, It just was too big.
[QUOTE=”PatsFan, post: 12094795, member: 42803″]
I actually like the shape,[B] It just was too big[/B].
[/QUOTE]
A putter can never bee TOO big.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094677, member: 1579″]
I was the same way for a long time, until I rolled one of the 2.1’s. I can’t fully put into words, but it works, it’s almost scary how well it comes back to square.
That said, I’m a long time looks first guy, but I could roll one.
[/QUOTE]
100% spot on. I had zero thought of buying a 2.1 was going all in on the Mezz Max until i took this outside on the greens. I kept going back to the 2.1 because it was so easy to use and i kept dropping putts. I don’t even notice the shape or size anymore when putting.
[QUOTE=”Pops, post: 12094694, member: 56070″]
With very limited experience with the 2.1 I can honestly say I was impressed with the tech. Thing just wants to go straight. Can promise I’ll give to 3 a roll when it hits stores. Custom orange could be just what I need.
[/QUOTE]
The orange looks awesome just be prepared for some putter nicknames :LOL:
[QUOTE=”War Eagle, post: 12094804, member: 6727″]
A putter can never bee TOO big.
[/QUOTE]
[IMG alt=”Britney Spears No GIF”]https://media1.giphy.com/media/1msvMtx4RlvDG/200.gif[/IMG]
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12094677, member: 1579″]
I was the same way for a long time, until I rolled one of the 2.1’s. I can’t fully put into words, but it works, it’s almost scary how well it comes back to square.
That said, I’m a long time looks first guy, but I could roll one.
[/QUOTE]
My son had one and it’s so easy to keep square! I will be saving my nickels to get one this year ??
I like the color options but just cannot get behind a putter that looks this awful and costs this much whether it works or not.
It is crazy where this company started and where it is. Bill Presse showed me the original Directed force putter 10 years or so ago. I thought it was big ugly and felt and sounded terrible. But it did work. He had all kinds of manufacturing and quality control issues that almost killed it. Then he sold it and it became lab. they fixed some things because of deeper pockets and it took off..
[MEDIA=instagram]C2crPwzOCHE[/MEDIA]
Using one of these looks like a good time. Like a moped.
A bright colored option could be a lot of fun.
Wonder if they could still pull this off without a center shaft?
I wish I could get over the looks…but if it works, it works. I’m glad people have this option
[QUOTE=”blugold, post: 12095371, member: 3249″]
Using one of these looks like a good time. Like a moped.
A bright colored option could be a lot of fun.
[/QUOTE]
Bright is fun haha