Why the LAB LINK.1 Replaced the Scotty Cameron Newport in My Bag

For the past several years, I’ve gamed a Scotty Cameron Newport that was a gift to me for Christmas. I waited years to have one and I never thought I’d find another putter like it.

However, LAB Golf sent me a LINK.1 recently, and it has replaced my Scotty Cameron. It comes down to feel and performance, and although they are both incredibly high-quality putters, as a player that is actively trying to shoot better scores, I have had to go with the hot hand.

In the first rounds that I used the LINK.1, I liked it a lot. I’ve come to realize that the mallet heads on the market just are not for me. I’ve spoken highly of putters like the DF3, OZ.1, and TaylorMade Spider, but I just do not seem to have as control on lag putts, nor the confidence to perform them.

I’m more comfortable with a blade. However, I wasn’t sure if it would replace the Scotty:

First round this morning on the @labgolfputters LINK.1

While I’ve been a fan of the DF3 from LAB, I haven’t loved any of their putters more than my @ScottyCameron ‘21 Super Select

The blade head style is catered more to my putting style and I really like the face-balancing of… pic.twitter.com/t9LknHeTVI

— Joey Klender (@KlenderJoey) April 30, 2025

Over the past month and a half, I’ve only played the LINK.1, and it’s safe to say I won’t be changing up anytime soon. Why? Here’s a few reasons:

Feel

One thing I notice about the LINK.1 is that the sound and feel are amazing. I love the feel of how the ball rolls off the putter, and I’ve found my speed control has improved since switching to it. I’ve lowered my three-putt occurrence by about 15 percent, and a lot of this is due to the feel of the putter.

I truly feel so confident over the ball, especially from 40 feet and in. I know I have a very good chance of getting it within tap-in range for the second putt. Rarely do I make one of that distance, but sometimes they manage to slide in.

I use the Titleist AVX, which is a softer ball than most, and some have equated it to a “super ball” on the greens. It surely is a little more bouncy than something like a Pro V1x, but I am sure that also contributes to some of the feel preference I have talked about above.

Performance

The one thing I can say about all LAB putters and not just the LINK.1 is that consistency is truly what you’ll really begin to notice.

While you might not make more of those 30-50 footers, you’ll find that, as your starting line gets better, your putting will continue to improve. This is simply due to the fact that the company’s zero torque technology and patents help get the face square at impact. 

This is not something that should be ignored because so many other companies are doing the same thing in an effort to attract players to their clubs. I’ve really enjoyed the fact that LAB putters take the guesswork out of getting the face square. Some might think this is easy, but it’s something that many struggle with.

When you hit a bad putt with the LINK, you know that you pull or pushed it with your stroke. It will never be the face being left open or closed shut.

What’s Significantly Different than the Scotty Cameron Newport

Most of it is personal preference, but my biggest difference is truly the consistency between the two. I am not a TOUR-level golfer; I’m a 9.9 handicap with really good days and really bad ones.

I need all the help I can get, and that’s why I recently decided to use more forgiving irons rather than the T100S I was fitted for two Summers ago. These decisions have made the game easier for me.

This is not to say I’ll never go back to the Scotty. I like to try different putters when I’m struggling on the greens. Eventually, it will make its way back into my bag, I am sure. But for now, the LINK is truly the #1.