Review: L.A.B. Golf Link.1 Putter
- keithfmuir
- Jun 26
- 6 min read
Testing a theory
If you've been following my recent posts, then you will know that I've been reviewing a lot of putters. Specifically, I've taken another look at the hot new trend of Zero Torque with reviews of the TaylorMade Spider 5K ZT (here) and the BGT Paradox (here) blade and mallet options. Having been sceptical of the whole ZT hype, especially after my experience owning a DF3 (here), I was particularly surprised by the performance of the BGT blade. It was so good, it made me question my views on ZT putters and wonder if blade putters were the secret rather than mallets.
Enter the L.A.B. Link.1
Firstly, my thanks, as ever, go to Adam Legg and Auchterlonies for lending me the putter from their fitting kit. It is a standard specification at 34" long, 69° lie angle, fitted with the standard steel shaft and Simple Rubber. This is a relatively old putter now, having been released back in 2023, but it is still relevant in today's market and remains the only blade that L.A.B. offer.
First Impressions
From toe to heel, this is a big putter. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the BGT Blade to compare it, but you can see how long it is compared to a standard blade putter. The cavity, in particular, is massive and from address, I find it just a bit too large to be comfortable. To me, it looks too large behind the ball, and I'd go as far as saying that I prefer the simpler looks of the older L.A.B. BLaD.
The size reduced my confidence when using the putter, and I found it difficult to find the sweet spot consistently. This putter also has the standard steel shaft fitted, which does nothing to improve feel either. I think the head cover is excellent, though. The simple way the putter slides in and the secure way the magnetic flap holds it in place is a great bit of design. I can't see that falling off during play.
The main purpose of this review was to see if I perform better with ZT blades over mallets. My theory is that I prefer blades because they have less onset than mallets. To make a zero-torque putter, the shaft joins the head at the centre of gravity. With a mallet, that point will usually be well back from the face and therefore produces an element of onset. The difference between blades and mallets is shown below.
How did it perform?
I put this putter through the same standard tests I've used for other putters, consisting of 6 putts, repeated 3 times from 3', 6', 9', 12' and 15', followed by a 30' lag test and start-line drill. The tests were only conducted once with the Atlanta putter, which has been performing better since changing the grip!
Toulon Atlanta | L.A.B. Link.1 | |
3 feet | 6 | 6/6/6 |
6 feet | 6 | 6/5/6 |
9 feet | 5 | 6/5/4 |
12 feet | 3 | 2/3/2 |
15 feet | 3 | 2/1/2 |
30-foot lag test | 5 | 5 |
Start line test | 6 | 5 |
While I don't like the look or feel of the Link.1, the test served its purpose. The performance today would not make me switch to the Link.1 from my Atlanta, but it strengthened my belief that ZT blades suit me better than ZT mallets. The ironic aspect here is that I switched from traditional blades to mid-mallets to get an extra element of stability. In my recent review of the Scotty Cameron Catalina (here), I particularly liked the shape of that head.
Likes and dislikes
Head shape and size (-ve): I think this is a good example of function over form. To my eye, it is just a bit too long, and the cavity is too large. That puts me off when I address the ball, and I've found it difficult to find the centre of the face. Looking at the pictures above, the Mezz, DF3 and BGT Blade all frame the ball better. If the cavity were the same size as that on my Lajosi blade, then I think it would look much nicer.
Feel and sound (-ve): It's not terrible, but it's not great either. I think it may be a function of the large cavity, but it has quite a dull, thunk sound and doesn't feel particularly responsive. Saying that, my pace control with it was ok. Could they make a blade putter with a face like the Oz insert?
Shaft (neutral): This putter was fitted with the standard steel shaft. From reading and watching other reviews, I believe the feel of the putter is improved through the use of the upgrade shafts - Accra, Gears, TPT - but these all add considerable cost.
Forgiveness (+ve): Relative to a standard blade, the Link.1 feels more forgiving while also still providing plenty of feedback on off-centre strikes. Sometimes with the big, high MOI mallet putters, there is very little feedback on the quality of your strike. While I struggled to find the centre of the face consistently with the Link.1, the balls still got to the hole.
Interestingly, I moved to the Toulon Atlanta, a mid-mallet, to provide more forgiveness and stability than the blades I traditionally played. It has been a good putter for me, and my Tangent stats back that up. However, if a zero-torque blade can provide the extra stability/forgiveness I'm looking for, in a shape that I prefer, then maybe I can get the best of both worlds from it.
Head cover and grip (+ve and -ve): I don't like the rubber grip. It's got quite an unpleasant feel, is a little too thin and doesn't look like it will wear well. However, the Link.1 doesn't require a press grip, so you can replace it with whatever you want. The head cover, on the other hand, is one of the best I've seen. I really like the way it closes and how secure it feels on the head. I thought it was much better than the cover that came with my DF3.
Customisation (+ve): This is where L.A.B. stand out against the competition. They can change shafts, grips, lie angle, loft, colour and alignment lines. That all comes at a cost (often very high), and I struggle to see where some of that comes from. They claim to balance these by hand, so changing the loft, lie, and length surely doesn't add anything extra to that process. I don't believe they are taking a standard putter that they've already balanced and then re-balancing it, for example. But you pay your money and you take your choice!
I stumbled across this excellent video by Matt Blois / Liberty Golf regarding L.A.B. custom fitting and what to consider when you are trying the putters. It's independent and unbiased, and I found it very informative.
Lie Angle Balanced (+ve): If you buy into the ZT concept, then why would you go anywhere other than L.A.B.? They are the only company that offers true customisation to your exact requirements for length, lie and loft. BGT (review) also offer customisation of length and lie, but only if you take the Stability shaft. Unfortunately, L.A.B. only offer one blade-style putter at the moment, and I don't particularly like it!
Final thoughts on the Link.1 (and ZT blades)
While I'm sceptical about the whole trend towards zero-torque putters, I can't deny that the L.A.B. Link.1, and more especially the BGT Blade, have performed well. The mallet designs with their greater onset don't suit my eye, and I'm still a bit undecided about the look of the centre-shafted blades. Given the results I saw with the BGT blade, can I get over the looks? Ideally, I would like to try out putters that use an alternative attachment method to achieve ZT, such as Axis1 and PXG. Most particularly, the Axis1 models, as they have no onset. Unfortunately, they are hard to find in the UK.
The Link.1 is not the putter for me. Perhaps I could get used to the looks and the feel if it kept holing putts, but I wouldn't want to take that risk. The purpose of this review was to see if I prefer ZT blades over mallets, and the answer to that is a resounding yes. I like the forgiveness that comes with ZT, and I prefer the lack of onset with blades.
Watch this space!
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Other recent putter posts:
Scotty Cameron Catalina and Fastback 1.5 - here
BGT Paradox - blade and mallet - here
Taylormade Spider 5K ZT - here
Seemore M7 Tour Platinum - here
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