A technology that’s a cut above the rest or a passing fad?
I had one for a little while (a Link) and honestly can’t say it made a difference in my putting. Statistically it performed exactly the same as my other putters. My main takeaway is that they’re probably really helpful for people who really struggle with putting. If you’re already decent enough, it’s a wash.
Their entire claim to fame is lie angle balancing. When the club is put in a contraption that allows it to spin freely, the face stays square while it’s moving. It’s definitely a different feel. I tend to prefer the feel of not feeling like I’m fighting the face angle. You can just hold it with super light grip pressure and trust the face isn’t trying to flop open. Not everyone loves that feel though. I have a hard time thinking it’s a passing fad based on how well established they are now and how many LAB putters you see being used by professionals.
@Dru
Are there a lot of pros using them? Aren’t there other center weighted putters on the market?
Blaise said:
@Dru
Are there a lot of pros using them? Aren’t there other center weighted putters on the market?
There’s a decent number - especially broomstick. Glover, Will Z, Adam Scott, Ben An. Standard length, Schwartzl was using one. Mickelson was/is using one. Garrick Higgo was using one for a while. I think Grayson Murray (RIP) was using one. Sergio had one in the bag for a bit. A few years ago they had like 1 guy using one, now they’re popping up all over. As far as ‘Center weighted’ I’m not sure what that means. That’s not a term I’ve heard before. There are plenty of center shafted putters out there. LAB is a little different in that they’re torque balanced, meaning lie angle balanced. The easiest way to explain what it is, is just to see it in the video below. https://youtu.be/ZayLXumWkJQ?si=NUHwu5kNqSzCL5VR
Blaise said:
@Dru
Are there a lot of pros using them? Aren’t there other center weighted putters on the market?
I read that a dozen players in the Masters field were playing a LAB. I don’t know if you’d consider that a lot. Adam Scott is probably the most notable one. Or maybe Will Zalatoris because he used to have the shakiest putting stroke I’ve ever seen on Tour and switching to a LAB seemed to help him out.
Had one for a couple of weeks. Loved it for flat putts, couldn’t feel where I was aiming for anything that wasn’t flat so I sold it. Really wanted to like it.
I have a Mezz Max, it’s definitely not a fad. It’s helped my putting tremendously personally, both in accuracy and confidence. I will say it’s not a putter that makes you automatic like many people think (you still have to line your putt up properly) but the fact that they will customize for you allows for some remarkable results once you get the hang of it.
May be a fad. But they roll incredibly well. Hate the looks but love the results. They feel much more balanced than traditional putters, even face balance center shafts. Spendy but a great tool.
I picked up a DF3 this year and it has helped my putting. I find it much easier to keep the face square through impact on short putts and I still get good feel on mid-long putts. If I do push pull one there is no mistaking what happened because if you are doing either your stroke is off by quite a bit. The last couple of weeks I’ve been comparing it against some of the other putters I have while doing putting practice and every time I think that one of them might go back in the bag, the DF3 outperforms it. That being said, it’s not the end all be all. If you already are a good putter then it’s just another putter and may/may not be a good fit for you. Also, if you are a horrible putter then it’s not going to magically make you better. I am one of the players who basically plays tee-to-green like a scratch golfer but putts like a 10 index. This has put my index around 3-5 the last couple seasons and since getting my DF3 I’ve seen an actual increase in my strokes gained putting.
I’ve been using a DF 2.1 the past year and a bit. I used to be a crazy good putter until I got the yips and had to start putting with a claw grip. My distance control was still good but I found I was fighting the face angle on short and medium putts. I also found the putter was laying slightly flatter when I putted with a claw grip vs regular. Since getting my LAB (I did the remote custom fitting then found the right spec on their outlet site), I’ve been putting like I used to again. It’s rare I miss short ones aside from the odd misread. I’ve also been making more mid-range putts than ever. Distance control maybe took a hit but really not much different at all. It’s definitely not automatic, and took some getting used to, but I think if you find you’re both pushing and pulling putts it’ll really help.
I borrowed a friend’s and after a week sold my Scotty and bought one. Big ugly DF 2.1. Absolutely love it. Never going back.
It’s different and helps some. So a mixture of all of the above.
I’ve known a few guys who are very good at putting. It never felt like the actual putter they used mattered. They would putt better than me with mine. One of them used an ancient Ping blade.
I was always a bad putter. I got a DF3 and it made a huge difference on short putts. 3-5 feet. I make way more of them now and actually have confidence. Lag putts and medium range little difference although I did drain a 60-footer the other week. Longest putt of my life.
I was trying out putters and the MEZZ 1 Max was my favorite of like 10 of them. I went with the Odyssey AI One Cruiser 7 though because it was pretty close and $200 cheaper lol. To me though, nothing else was close to those.
From what I’ve experienced, it takes the putter itself out of putting. It doesn’t WANT to release or stay open. It lets you do all the work. If you’re already a good putter, you’ll like them. Personally, I like to feel the putter wanting to open and close, so a LAB hasn’t ever made my bag, but I GET it.
One guy I golf with who is -3 swears by it and says it fixed his putting. Another guy I know got one who is probably like a -18 and hasn’t gotten used to it. edit I get my handicap + confused.
Azriel said:
One guy I golf with who is -3 swears by it and says it fixed his putting. Another guy I know got one who is probably like a -18 and hasn’t gotten used to it. edit I get my handicap + confused.
+18. Whoa, you know the best golfer of all time.
It’s not really technology, it’s just a design where the shaft goes through the center of mass of the club. Simple as that. I don’t think it’s a passing fad, but by nature they’ll always be gross and cumbersome, and have weird shaft angles and lofts. A lot of people go to LAB but leave after. I don’t think they’ll run out of people trying them.