Incred RFB vs LAB Golf
Both putters reject traditional design. They solve two different physics problems, and which problem you have decides which putter fits.
Face rotation during the stroke
LAB Golf builds on lie-angle balance, also called zero torque. The DF3, OZ.1 and Mezz.1 all rest toe-up. The geometry is designed to hold the face square as the putter travels back and through.
Face twist at off-center impact
Reverse Face Balanced® puts the center of gravity in front of the shaft, so the head rests face-down. That forward weight meets off-center impact torque with counter-rotation.
Most golfers miss the center of the face. That is the second problem.
Face twist on a heel mishit
heel mishit, robot-struck
The published test does not report a figure for the LAB Golf models on this measure.
Method: gravity-driven robot, controlled 8 mph, struck on the center, heel and toe. Quintic Ball Roll capture. Independent robotic testing.
Half an inch off center, measured against the center-strike speed.
Center strikes. Same robot, same stroke, same conditions.
The ball starts rolling sooner after it leaves the face.
Side by side
"Not since my first experience with LAB Golf putters have I made so many 15-20 footers."
Matt Saternus · Plugged In Golf
Both putters have public independent robot-test data, which is rare. LAB pricing as listed at the time of writing.
Two problems, two geometries
Lie-angle balance answers what happens between takeaway and impact. Face-down balance answers what happens in the millisecond after it.
Rotation during the stroke
Balance the shaft on a finger and a LAB putter sits toe-up. That geometry works against the face opening and closing as the putter swings. On a center strike with a square stroke, it performs well.
Torque at impact
A strike away from the sweet spot twists the head. Reverse Face Balanced® sets the center of gravity in front of the shaft, and that forward mass answers the twist with counter-rotation. The robot measured the result at 0.13°.
A robot, not an opinion
- Gravity-driven robot at a controlled 8 mph — no human stroke, no bias
- Quintic Ball Roll Analysis captured at 1,100 fps
- 36 putts per putter across centre, heel and toe — 540 putts in total
- Commissioned from an independent lab, results published in full
Read the full physics on the technology page, or the wider field test on the most forgiving putter. Other comparisons: Incred vs Scotty Cameron, Incred vs Bettinardi and Incred vs Evnroll. All four mallets side by side: Best Mallet Putters Tested.
Blair Philip is an independent contractor. Mr. Philip does not endorse these products, is not paid to endorse these products, and is not affiliated with the company or enterprise in any manner.
Start with your miss
Face rotation through the stroke
Lie-angle balance targets exactly that. LAB Golf is a well-engineered line and belongs on your shortlist.
Striking off the center of the face
This is where the robot data separates the two. Face-down balance held twist to 0.13° and kept 99% of ball speed.
There is also a build difference. LAB putters are made in production runs and shipped from inventory. Every Incred putter is hand-milled to order in the United States, and you choose the head shape, face material, alignment aid, length, lie angle, weight and grip.
Find your fit
Two minutes of questions, or browse the lineup and build from there.
A 30-year golfer, in his own words
“When I saw the putter online I thought to myself ‘this could be a good design’. It wasn’t until I got the SK1 in my hand that I realized how good it actually was. This is not a zero torque putter but it behaves in a similar way but with a more intuitive feel.
When I would use the Lab Oz1i I would consistently leave putts over 40ft long short. This was due to losing feel of the face of the putter on long strokes. After testing multiple 40ft+ putts with the SK1 I can confirm that this is not the case with this putter. The feel is phenomenal at this distance, better than I have felt on any other putter. There is no more leaving my putts short with the SK1.
Shorter putts feel like they are on rails. 3ft-5ft putts align amazingly well without any effort.
I noticed that their forgiveness claim is definitely true. I hit a few putts off center to see how far they would go compared to a regular centered hit. They did not faulter. The putts ended up exactly where the other putts went.
Overall I would give the putter a 10/10 for forgiveness, accuracy, alignment, and feel. It is absolutely one of the best putters I have tried and I have been golfing 30 years.”
Frequently asked
Is Incred or LAB more forgiving?
On the published independent robot data, the Incred RFB Black Mallet held face twist to 0.13 degrees on heel mishits with 99% ball speed retention, and rolled 77% better than LAB putters on center strikes.
What is the difference between zero torque and Reverse Face Balanced?
Zero torque, also called lie angle balanced, rests the putter toe-up to stop the face rotating during the stroke. Reverse Face Balanced® rests the putter face-down so the head resists twisting on off-center impact. One targets the stroke, the other targets the mishit.
Is the Incred RFB a good LAB Golf alternative?
If LAB appeals to you for forgiveness and a non-traditional design, the Incred RFB is the closest alternative with public robot-test data behind it, plus a hand-milled head assembled to order in the USA.