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re: Which L.A.B. putter?

Posted by GirthBrooks62 on 4/17/26 at 7:53 am to mikedatyger

I’ve owned about six different L.A.B. Golf putters at this point including a Counterbalance DF3 with an Accra shaft, Counterbalance Mezz with an Accra shaft, Broomstick Mezz, DF2.1 in both standard and armlock, DF3 armlock, and the original Link.1 so I’ve had a pretty complete run through the lineup.

If you are serious about performance, custom is the way to go. Getting fit for lie angle and upgrading to the Accra shaft makes a noticeable difference in consistency and face control. One thing that catches a lot of people off guard is head weight when transitioning to a zero torque design. Coming from a traditional torque putter, the head can feel unusually light at first. That sensation is not actually about weight but about the absence of torque that your hands are used to feeling during the stroke. If you prefer a heavier and more stable feel, it makes sense to go with a heavier head option from the start so you do not go through the full custom process only to realize the feel is not what you expected. Custom builds typically take about a month unless you pay for expedited production and shipping, so getting that decision right upfront matters.

The transition to zero balance is faster than most people think. With consistent weekend play and some focused practice, it usually takes about two to three weeks to feel natural. The key is committing to the change and not bouncing back and forth between putters because that slows down the adjustment.

For most golfers, the DF3 is the best off the rack option. It provides a high level of forgiveness without the extreme look that some of the other heads have. The DF2.1 is still the most forgiving head they make and truly feels like the putter is locked on rails, but the DF3 is easier to manage when it comes to pace and distance control on longer putts.

Face, feel, look and sound differences are worth understanding because they are very distinct across the lineup. The Mezz has a more clicky sound and a firmer feel assuming the standard non insert face, and visually it is most similar to a fanged Scotty Cameron style mallet. The DF3 has a very soft feel with the same non insert assumption and gives you comparable forgiveness in a cleaner and less intimidating shape, which makes it easier to transition from a traditional mallet. The DF2.1 is the original design and has a more pronounced ping or almost gong like sound that reminds you of an old school Ping putter, and it truly feels like the putter is doing the work for you with the lowest torque profile of the group. The Link.1 is best compared to a traditional blade like a Scotty Cameron rather than a mallet, but it is significantly more stable than anything in that category. The difference in torque profile between a Scotty blade and the Link.1 is substantial, with Scotty being on the higher torque end of the spectrum, so moving into a Link.1 is a noticeable shift even within blade style putters.

If I were recommending one setup, it would come down to a standard or counterbalance DF3 based on personal preference. If you like a firmer feel with a little more pop off the face, I would go with the insert option. It produces a bit more rollout so you do not need as long of a stroke for comparable distance. I do not currently have the insert, but it is the next version I plan to add.

At the end of the day, practice is always required no matter what putter you use. I would recommend incorporating drills like the thumbs off drill, which you can find on YouTube, along with using a putting board to dial in your setup and ball position. With L.A.B. putters, the ball generally needs to be played slightly more forward in your stance, closer to your left pinky toe. The goal is to develop a consistent square to path stroke, which is what L.A.B. is referring to when they say the face stays square. If your setup or path is off, you will negate the benefit of the technology. These putters are very natural and intuitive once you get used to them, but they are different from what most golfers have used before, so it takes a reasonable amount of time and focused practice to fully unlock the performance.

GirthBrooks62

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