Today, LAB Golf adds two new LINK models to their line of strings.
I’ll start the discussion about these new releases with this quote from LAB Golf founder Sam Hahn.
“Putters are such a personal thing. Everyone prioritizes different aspects of a barrel design. While our technology was in its teens, our designs were limited by certain realities around shaft size and location, but our R&D team has been adamant that we should have something in our lineup for everyone.”
The subtext of that quote made me laugh a little. Since we’re talking about LAB setters, “constrained by certain realities” loosely translates to “the arrays had to look like this for the technology to work”.
The views of the original Directed Forces shooter divided the players into one of two camps. You either accepted atypical profiles due to exceptional performance or avoided looking directly at shooters for fear of turning to stone.
I wasn’t an early adopter of LAB, but I gradually moved from the latter group to the former. For me and many others, what we saw the ball do on the green ended up being far more important than how the player looked.
Gateway LAB golf
Although LAB Golf’s popularity and acceptance with the golfing public has skyrocketed, they still face a constant optical barrier when it comes to attracting new customers.
After all, LAB Golf needed players that the unknown wouldn’t be afraid to try. In 2023, the original LINK.1 blade was a great ambassador for LAB Golf beginners.
Although loaded with weights and a new barrel design, the LINK.1 felt like a more traditional knife. LINK.1 was closer to normal, but not quite.
At the time, I believe I referred to the LINK.1 as a “three-headed goat”. It looks like a goat, but there is something special about it.
Which brings us to today’s release. Without a doubt, the new LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 are the most traditional looking LAB golf to date.
Although some LAB loyalists will see these youngsters as such also traditional, I believe that LAB Golf has reached the sweet spot between novel and normal.
It starts with hosel
The new LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 groupset has the heel shaft we first saw last summer with OZ.1 HS. This allowed LAB Golf to eliminate the limited reality of requiring a center shaft structure to operate Lie Angle Balance technology.
Remember, lie angle balanced shooters are not zero torque. They are built to control the rotation of the face at the specific pitch angle required by the player. Spin elimination and spin control are not the same thing. Again, Lie Angle Balancing is about controlling torque, not killing it.
The new heel shaft lady represented a major breakthrough for LAB Golf. Not only did it change the overall appearance of the barrel, but it probably also simplified the process of their production.
Before applying the shaft with the heel shaft, the alignment angle was set by drilling the shaft insertion hole in the head.
If you need a 72 degree alignment angle, this is the LAB drilled hole angle. This made it necessary to manufacture each head separately.
It also essentially destroys the aftermarket by eliminating post-production adjustments. Because the lie angle is drilled, you can’t buy a used DF3 69 degrees and bend it to your regular 72 degrees like you can with a traditional plumber’s neck putter.
With the new bushing, the reach angle is achieved by varying the length of the hose, with flat lies requiring short bushings and straight lies requiring longer ones. The neck changes but the head remains the same.
With the heel shaft clutch, if you need a different lie angle, you can send the insert in and get another angled clutch. Yes, you will need to send it to the LAB because changing the lie angle will likely require the head to be rebalanced.
This new lodge has changed the production history of LAB Golf. Now they can produce single heads and bolts on the right neck as needed. No drilling required.
This should dramatically improve delivery times for these setters, potentially freeing up some build time for traditional styles as well.
By clicking new links
While the eclectic elements of the LAB Golf are still present, the new LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 are mostly ordinary in appearance and construction.
This is a good thing.
Both look like traditional heel and toe blade designs. Although you’ll still find the necessary balance weights on the sole, they’re missing from the upper part of the thrower.
Remember, the LINK.1 needed weights on top to achieve the right balance.
If you compare the three models in the address, the new LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 inserts are more traditional in size, shape and appearance than the LINK.1
As with the LINK.1, the LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 are milled from stainless steel 303. Unlike the LINK.1, both feature deeply milled faces. While this change is primarily intended to affect feel, it also makes the new LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 machines look like more traditional shooters.
The area is the same as OZ.1 HS from last summer, but there is a slight difference. The pipes on the LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 poles have the alignment angle printed on them. One benefit of the label is that it helps remind the consumer of the importance of correct lie angles for LAB golf putters.
The new label also helps people building gauges know exactly which hose they are installing. Without the printed number, they would probably need a ruler to know what the lie angle is.
Of course, there are some differences between LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 as well. Let’s take a deeper look at each model.
LAB Golf LINK2.1
LAB Golf LINK2.1 is the most similar model to LINK.1. It is also the closest to a traditional Anser style blade. Based on the length and profile of the square, I’d say it’s more Anser 2 than Anser.
Regardless, outside of the hose location, it looks and feels a lot more like a “normal” shooter than the LINK.1. It’s a little hard to describe the difference between the LAB Golf LINK2.1 and the LINK.1, but they feel different when you swing the balls.
The LINK.1 is longer from heel to toe and feels longer from heel to toe. It feels like it takes up more space during the stroke.
LINK2.1 feels more like a normal blade shooter. While alternating back and forth between the two, the LINK.1 reminded me of running a squeegee across wet glass. Like I said, it feels wider, almost like a scythe swinging across the grass. In comparison, the LINK2.1 feels like a shooter.
This is an observation, not a criticism. They are different heads and will feel and perform differently for different players. I just call them how I feel.
LAB Golf LINK2.2
LAB Golf LINK2.2 is a delightful square of pleasure. It’s not actually scratched but it makes me want to grab her chubby little cheeks making funny noises. This barrel is very fat.
I find it more balanced than the LINK2.1, likely due to the reduced heel space behind the hose.
The LAB Golf LINK2.2 is shorter from heel to toe than the LINK2.1 and significantly shorter than the LINK.1. The mass removed from the length was redistributed across the width, increasing the face-to-face dimension.
At address, this creates a host of alignment assistants. Not only is there a line of sight, but the ends of the thruster and cavity also provide four additional lines parallel to the target.
Paired with the square top line, you should have no problem pointing the LINK2.2 at your target.
The impact feel is a little “thicker” with the LINK2.2 than with the LINK2.1. I believe this is mostly a perceived difference in sound rather than a tangible difference. The LINK.2.2 produces a quieter tone when hitting the ball. The feedback is still there, but the tonal frequency is a few hertz lower.
Are the LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 the most important LAB Golf models to date?
For a long time, I would have said The DF3 was LAB Golf’s most important release. That putter took the Directed Force putter’s Lie Angle Balance technology and packed it into more palatable proportions.
These new LINK setters may turn out to be more impactful than the DF3.
LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 will bring new customers to the brand. Most people have heard of the LAB Golf at this point, but the look of the other models is strange.
From the deep milled faces to the deep black PVD finish, the LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 look like normal machines. This is a big deal.
They will be entry points for new players, perhaps even opening the door for some to eventually explore LAB Golf’s more esoteric designs.
LAB Golf LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 putters look familiar and thus safe to try.
However, remember that these are still LAB golfers. The lie angle balance is still there. Shots will be made with these nails.
Comprehensive fitment and customization options are still key elements when it comes to buying one. As with all other LAB Golf models, the LINK2.1 and LINK2.2 will be available in stock and custom configurations.
I am very impressed with these two new models, especially the LINK2.2. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for my full report on building a custom version of that little treat.
Yes, it will be purple.
For more information about the new LINK.2.1 and LINK2.2 setters visit labgolf.com.
