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L.A.B. Golf and Lie Angle Balanced putter technology
How L.A.B Golf putters and their Lie Angle Balanced technology are changing the face of putting
L.A.B. Golf has steadily made waves in the putter industry, quickly rising from niche technology to a respected name on professional tours and among everyday players. Founded by engineers with an obsession for both innovation and precision, L.A.B. (Lie Angle Balance) putters bring an entirely new way to conceptualize putter design by addressing the inherent flaw in traditional putter balancing. Here’s an in-depth look at the journey of L.A.B. Golf, their technological edge, and how they are changing the game with their signature putters.
Founding of L.A.B. Golf
L.A.B. Golf was co-founded by Sam Hahn and Bill Press, both passionate about engineering, biomechanics, and finding ways to improve the experience and performance for golfers. Hahn, with a background in business and golf sales, worked closely with Press, a tinkerer and engineer, to create the original concept for the Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology. Press was inspired by the imbalance he observed in traditional putters, leading to inconsistencies in face angle during a putting stroke, even for accomplished players.
After years of research and testing, the duo unveiled their first L.A.B. putter to the golf world. Their work initially gained attention among a select group of golf enthusiasts interested in equipment science, but the design and results were undeniable, eventually leading to wider interest.
Understanding Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) Technology
L.A.B. Golf’s most significant contribution to putter technology is its Lie Angle Balance design, which aims to create a perfectly balanced putter face during a stroke. Traditional putters tend to twist or rotate through the stroke due to torque, requiring the golfer to subconsciously adjust their stroke path or grip pressure. With Lie Angle Balance, the putter face remains square to the target line without additional manipulation.
How Lie Angle Balance Works
To achieve Lie Angle Balance, L.A.B. putters are engineered with a unique shaft positioning and distribution of weight that neutralizes torque on the face, regardless of the golfer’s stroke path. This is achieved by setting the putter at a specific lie angle that aligns the center of gravity perfectly with the clubface orientation throughout the stroke. As a result, players can achieve more consistency in their putting, experiencing fewer pushes or pulls due to twisting forces.
This advancement particularly helps golfers under high-pressure conditions, where any subtle deviation can lead to a missed putt. It provides a stabilized stroke, which, according to L.A.B., not only reduces stroke inconsistencies but also offers a calming effect by allowing golfers to trust that their putter will not deviate from the intended line.
Rise in Popularity on Professional Tours
Although L.A.B. Golf initially garnered attention from weekend warriors, their putters have since made their way onto professional tours, thanks to their reliability under pressure and unique engineering. Several PGA Tour players, including pros like Adam Scott and Jason Kokrak, have experimented with L.A.B. putters. Their use on the tour has brought even more credibility to the technology, as professionals are always looking for any competitive edge.
Golfers across professional tours who have adopted L.A.B. putters often praise the immediate stability they experience, leading to more confidence in their putting and measurable improvements in their performance stats. This adoption signifies a broader trend: as players seek every advantage to improve their consistency and edge on the greens, they are increasingly willing to embrace unconventional-looking equipment if it offers tangible benefits.
Disruption in the Putter Industry: Comparing L.A.B. Golf to Historical Tech Changes
L.A.B. Golf’s emergence may signal a disruption in the putter industry akin to the decline of persimmon drivers and balata golf balls. These technologies once dominated the sport but were rendered obsolete with the introduction of metal drivers and solid-core balls, respectively.
Persimmon Drivers and Balata Golf Balls
Persimmon drivers, made from hardwood, were used by professionals until the 1990s. However, with the advent of metal drivers, golfers quickly switched to the more forgiving, lighter, and higher-performing metal drivers. Similarly, balata balls were prized for their soft feel and workability but lacked durability. The solid-core golf ball, made famous by Titleist’s Pro V1, offered better distance, spin control, and resilience, ultimately leading to the balata ball’s obsolescence.
The Potential Shift Toward Lie Angle Balance
L.A.B. putters represent a similar leap forward in putting technology. Traditional putters require golfers to manage face control actively, which can vary under stress or inconsistent strokes. L.A.B. putters, however, effectively eliminate the need for such manipulation by aligning the club’s center of gravity with its face angle. If widely adopted, they could marginalize traditional putters, especially for players seeking more forgiveness and stability.
The adoption of L.A.B. putters may disrupt the market, pushing other manufacturers to explore similar technologies or alternative innovations that address torque and twist more effectively. This technological shift would reflect the same kind of departure seen with persimmon drivers and balata balls, as golfers seek out equipment that makes the game more accessible and improves consistency.
The effectiveness of Lie Angle Balance has generated buzz, and players transitioning from traditional putter brands often notice better distance control and smoother face rotation. The technology also presents a possible shift in the industry; established brands like Odyssey and Scotty Cameron may consider developing their own versions to meet demand as L.A.B. gains traction and more golfers recognize its benefits. The adoption of this technology by other brands could signal a transformative period in the putter market, similar to how persimmon drivers and balata balls were replaced by innovations that forever changed the game.
L.A.B. Golf’s remote fitting process
L.A.B. Golf offers a remote custom fitting service, making it easier for golfers worldwide to get fitted for a putter without needing to visit a fitting location in person. This process leverages video technology to gather the necessary information on a golfer's stance, lie angle, and putting mechanics to determine the ideal specifications for their unique putting stroke.
How L.A.B. Golf’s Remote Fitting Works
Submit a Video: The first step is for customers to record a short video of themselves in their natural putting stance. L.A.B. recommends using a smartphone or camera with a clear view of the golfer’s entire body. The video needs to capture the putter in a vertical position relative to the ground, as this is essential for measuring the lie angle accurately.
Upload and Send Video: After recording, the golfer uploads the video to the L.A.B. Golf fitting platform or shares it via the preferred communication method provided by L.A.B. They also include information on their height, preferred grip type, and any details about their current putting performance or issues.
Professional Analysis: The L.A.B. fitting team then analyzes the video, taking measurements to determine the correct lie angle, shaft length, and other putter specs that suit the golfer's stance and stroke. They leverage their expertise in Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology, which aims to keep the putter face square to the target throughout the stroke.
Customization and Build: With these measurements, L.A.B. custom-builds a putter to match the golfer’s specific requirements. The process includes choosing from models like the MEZZ.1, DF 2.1, or B.2, all of which feature L.A.B.'s unique technology that aims to reduce torque and improve putting consistency.
What the Customer Has to Do
Take and Submit a Video: The main responsibility is recording a clear, well-lit video that captures the golfer's putting setup. Proper setup is essential, as it directly influences the fit.
Provide Necessary Details: In addition to the video, the customer fills out a brief questionnaire about height, preferred grip, and any personal preferences or concerns about putting performance.
Feedback and Adjustments: After receiving the customized putter, L.A.B. encourages customers to test it and provide feedback. If minor adjustments are needed, L.A.B. may suggest further fine-tuning based on the customer's feedback.
Benefits of Remote Custom Fitting with L.A.B.
The remote fitting service is designed to make the fitting process accessible for golfers who may not have easy access to an in-person fitting location. By creating a putter fit to individual specifications, L.A.B. offers golfers a solution that takes advantage of Lie Angle Balance technology for a more stable and effective putting experience.
This service provides golfers a unique way to benefit from L.A.B.'s expertise and innovation in putter fitting without the need for physical travel, emphasizing accessibility and tailored fitting with minimal effort from the customer.
The Future of L.A.B. and Lie Angle Balance Technology
As the popularity of L.A.B. putters continues to grow, the company may expand its technology to other areas of the short game or even irons. Additionally, the growing emphasis on biomechanical engineering and custom fitting in golf suggests that more players will turn to brands like L.A.B. that offer specialized equipment designed to reduce the need for compensations in the swing or putting stroke.
For the average golfer, L.A.B. putters might be an attractive option to help overcome the challenges that come with maintaining a consistent putting stroke, especially under pressure. As they continue to grow their presence on professional tours and attract a loyal following among everyday players, L.A.B. Golf may be well-positioned to become a significant player in the golf equipment industry, challenging traditional designs with their innovative approach to balance and forgiveness.
L.A.B. Golf offers a variety of locations for custom putter fittings in both the UK and the US, providing golfers with access to their unique Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology. In the UK, L.A.B. putter fittings are available at key locations like Verulam Golf Club in Hertfordshire and Billericay Golf in Essex. Verulam Golf, one of four official L.A.B. putting centers in the UK, uses high-tech fitting tools like the SAM PuttLab, ensuring players receive in-depth analysis and customization to find their ideal putter specs
In the US, L.A.B. Golf fittings are more widely available at several certified fitting locations across the country, including their headquarters in Oregon. Some top retail partners and authorized fitting studios like Club Champion and True Spec Golf, present in multiple states, also offer L.A.B. putter fittings. These US locations are equipped with advanced systems that capture the nuanced benefits of L.A.B.'s Lie Angle Balance technology, allowing golfers to explore models like the MEZZ.1 and DF 2.1 putters to see how they can improve putting consistency and performance.
For golfers looking to optimize their putter performance, L.A.B.’s fitting centers in both the US and UK are ideal choices. These locations emphasize the effectiveness of L.A.B. technology, making it convenient for golfers to test and fit these innovative putters.
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