Golf!!!2!

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Has anyone gone the LAB putter route? Putting has been the bane of my golfing existence for years, having the worst case of liprocy you can imagine. I had a friend suggest torque being the issue so I bit the bullet and had LAB look at my putting. They suggested a certain setup for a putter and I mulled over the cost/benefit. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

I spent a lot of time pondering things last winter and listened to a series of podcasts about LAB. I ended up getting one (actually 2) and have just finished my first season with LAB.

For me, the juice was definitely worth the squeeze. The putter is amazing in my opinion (I was a good putter to start with and spent years toying around but had reps from different brands tell me not to bother upgrading - nothing they could provide was giving me better results than what i was using). Anyway, I was bored this winter and bit the bullet.

Putting was really good this year - great roll on the ball and it goes where you want it to. For me it was about reducing the variability of getting your putt rolling on line - all i have to worry about is line and speed, not worry about line, speed, and making sure I hit it online!

I play with a few guys much better than me (I'm a mid single digit handicap) and they all commented on how solid my putting was this year and how many I was making from all kinds of distances.

It is definitely a pricey proposition, but I am two thumbs up on the LAB. Highly recommend.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Thanks for the information Carl. I think we may have faced similar challenges so it is great to hear your feedback. Which LAB did you get?

[CarlLester]

I had originally bought the Link because I wasn't sold on the Mezz shape and the DF2 was too big for me. Shortly after that, they released the DF3 so I bought one of those, and that is the one I predominantly use. I went with the Accra shaft upgrade as the TPT was a bit too pricey for me.

Also, you can check their outlet site - sometimes you get lucky and find something with your spec, save a few bucks and shipping time too. I bought my Link from there and it came in pristine condition. DF3 I bought customized from the main site.

[Slava]

I switched to a Mezz partway through this year, and it’s so good. I do think it takes a little time to get used to, and it’s particularly notable for longer putts. But I switched to the Mezz and also went with (almost) full time heads up putting. I feel like within about 10 feet it’s just so good. I hesitate to say lights out, because that’s just not likely at 10 feet, but it’s improved things for me significantly.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Do you guys track putts per round?
How has your average changed since going lab?

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I do track my stats, generally. Not religiously though. I rarely three putt, even from outside of 30 feet. My lag is not the issue. My converting from in close is the problem. Structurally, everything looks good. The comment from LAB was drift in the head of the putter where I am missing right over the edges of the cup, so a very minor problem causing loss of easy strokes. I actually have really good make stats from outside of ten feet (above average), where I run into issues is cashing in from eight feet in, then blowing easy strokes between four to six feet (below average). LAB's solution is a forward press, which is handled through a grip offset and an extremely balanced putter head to eliminate possible torque. It's an extremely frustrating problem because this very small challenge is hindering some really low scores and probably a couple stroke swing in handicap, which is huge for my handicap level. It ain't the yips, but it is almost as damaging.

I don't know what your handicap is, but I think it's pretty low. If so, a 2 shot swing seems unrealistic.

My kid is now a +2.1 HDCP, and putting is still where he's losing the most strokes. He's -1.78 SG putting against pga tour average. Before he started tracking stats, he would probably said about the same thing as you about missing so many makeable birdie putts. When he first started advanced stats religiously, he was -1.99 SG putting.

It took a lot of practice and analysis to even take a .25 off putting per round. I'm pretty skeptical that a new putter could take off 2 strokes from a low handicap player.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Do you guys track putts per round?
How has your average changed since going lab?

I keep track of my putts per hole and I was down to 1.7 from 1.9. It was a notable improvement. I had a couple rounds where guys would say “maybe I’ll have to get one of those labs” and of course I’d immediately ask “you don’t think it’s the guys using the putter that matters?”

And of course I’d hear “I’ve seen you putt before”.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I don't know what your handicap is, but I think it's pretty low. If so, a 2 shot swing seems unrealistic.

My kid is now a +2.1 HDCP, and putting is still where he's losing the most strokes. He's -1.78 SG putting against pga tour average. Before he started tracking stats, he would probably said about the same thing as you about missing so many makeable birdie putts. When he first started advanced stats religiously, he was -1.99 SG putting.

It took a lot of practice and analysis to even take a .25 off putting per round. I'm pretty skeptical that a new putter could take off 2 strokes from a low handicap player.

Great comments. Now I'm going to have to consider coughing up for Arrcos again and start tracking my stats closer to determine what exactly I'm throwing away and where I should be. LAB seems like they're going to get some of money though. ;-)

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by Slava

I switched to a Mezz partway through this year, and it’s so good. I do think it takes a little time to get used to, and it’s particularly notable for longer putts. But I switched to the Mezz and also went with (almost) full time heads up putting. I feel like within about 10 feet it’s just so good. I hesitate to say lights out, because that’s just not likely at 10 feet, but it’s improved things for me significantly.

One of my regular playing partners went to a broomstick Mezz at the end of last year. Completely turned his historically streaky putting around. He was so solid on the short ones. Its probably the seed that started me considering LAB. Since then we’ve had another one of our group ( a plus 1 or plus 2 handicap) go that route as well. No regrets from anyone.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Got fitted for a Ping G430 Max driver recently and what a difference it has made!
Still waiting on the correct shaft I ordered but even with the stock shaft my drives have improved massively.

Highly recommend getting fit before buying anything new. I used to just grab stuff on sale or from marketplace and now will never buy a driver/irons without a fitting again.

A beautiful day on the course today and back out again tomorrow.
Fall golf is the best.

[CedarMeter]

Beautiful day tomorrow. Anything open?

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

Beautiful day tomorrow. Anything open?

I heard the City Courses (Maple, Shag) are opening.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

I heard the City Courses (Maple, Shag) are opening.

I'd imagine on temp greens?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Played again today, course is in amazing condition (except the bunkers). Felt like mid season golf out there.
Ended with a 25' bird and tied my course PB.
For all of Vancouver's warts, year around golf sure it awesome.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I'd imagine on temp greens?

Ya. No point in playing to be honest.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Do you guys track putts per round?
How has your average changed since going lab?

LAB is in the bag and back to using Arccos. First four rounds of putting went as anticipated. Sitting -1.6 SG, with the damage coming inside of 10 feet (+2.2 SG). All other stats are positive with the putter +0.3 10-25, +0.4 25-50, +0.6 >50. Averaging 1.8 putts per hole. Last round was an improvement at -1.6 SG inside of 10 feet, so small gain there as I get used to the LAB.

[Weitz]

Anyone have any suggestions for an “out of the box” golf trip? Have some buddies and we’re looking to go somewhere next year during the June - September time period.

I already have a Phoenix trip in a couple weeks and Pebble Beach in the spring so looking for something that may be off the beaten track. PEI? Myrtle beach?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have any suggestions for an “out of the box” golf trip? Have some buddies and we’re looking to go somewhere next year during the June - September time period.

I already have a Phoenix trip in a couple weeks and Pebble Beach in the spring so looking for something that may be off the beaten track. PEI? Myrtle beach?

Nashville?

Minnesota?

[nomad]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have any suggestions for an “out of the box” golf trip? Have some buddies and we’re looking to go somewhere next year during the June - September time period.

I already have a Phoenix trip in a couple weeks and Pebble Beach in the spring so looking for something that may be off the beaten track. PEI? Myrtle beach?

Alabama? Friends (one an ex-club pro) went and said it was fantastic.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have any suggestions for an “out of the box” golf trip? Have some buddies and we’re looking to go somewhere next year during the June - September time period.

I already have a Phoenix trip in a couple weeks and Pebble Beach in the spring so looking for something that may be off the beaten track. PEI? Myrtle beach?

Hilton Head? Michigan has some good courses spread around the state and closer to home there are some good options around Spokane.