I don’t think anything can really prepare you for how massive the Directed Force 2.1 head truly is. I mean there’s mallet putters and then there’s this thing. I saw a Mezz.1 in person a week before I got the DF2.1 and it was a fine sized putter. Very traditional fang-style size. This DF2.1 is a jumbo jet!
I rolled a few putts on the carpet and it sets up and feels good. I did not notice any issues with the forward ball position setup as I already tend towards forward ball position.Overall, the first impressions are positive. If you sole it correctly for the lie angle it’s built for and hold it with light grip pressure, the thing just wants to stay square for you.
Aesthetics (3/5 Stars)
You’ll either love or hate the aesthetics of the DF2.1…Personally, I love and hate it all at the same time, but am growing to love it more and more.The all black look I went with is clean.The matte black finish on the head and LA Golf shaft are just what I want them to be.No glare and mean looking.I also really like the long white line I chose for the alignment marker.
The size of the DF2.1, as mentioned earlier, could be a huge turnoff to some people.I was just putting with it on TrackMan’s putting analysis and our rep told me that larger mallets sometimes interfere with the TrackMan camera accurately picking up the ball on putts! LOL.He said, “Yeah this one might be an issue…”
The more I’ve putted with it, the more I view the massiveness as a positive though.It just inspires confidence.I know I miss toe side with putters, but with this thing, it doesn’t really matter.
The Numbers (5/5 stars)
Usually I'm all about data. I taught a graduate statistics course at my last university for crying out loud. But I wanted to keep this review on my experience. My stroke is not your stroke. My woes are not your woes. At the end of the day, you've got to like the way your club/putter looks, trust that it will perform, and what works for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you.If it gives you more confidence, that’s a good thing right?Here’s what I can say.In my experience, I’ve never putted better.My playing partners have noticed as well.I know that if I pick the right line and speed, I’ve got nothing else to think about or focus on.With other my other putters (of which there are many), I would miss putts low side and wonder if I pulled them (often I did).Now I don’t think about it.I can evaluate if I over/under read break or speed.
Totally awesome putting video:
I have made more putts from inside of 10ft and over 15ft since using the L.A.B. than ever in my golfing career.My lag putting has improved as well.I don’t know how else to say it, this thing just drains putts.There were several putting practice sessions that come to mind.I wrote about these in the comments section, but one time I literally made 10 putts in a row from 10+ feet.Then I drained one from 25ft just for good measure.In other sessions I’m making tour-average percentages from 4-6ft (which never happened before).L.A.B.’s slogan of “You’re a better putter than you think” rings true for me. They also say on the DF 2.1 page, “Every putt is now makeable.”I truly do believe that now.
As far as the actual stats go, my 3 putts are down, my make rate from inside of 10ft is up, and my confidence (while unquantifiable) is also way up.This thing is staying in the bag.Here is a quick screenshot of the consistency of this putter from my short TrackMan putting session today.You’ll notice all of these launch directions were inside of 1* (our TrackMan rep said he’s pretty sure most PGA Tour players are inside of 1* either direction consistently). If you can do that, you'll hit your line over and over. You'll probably ask why these putts aren't consecutively numbered 1-10 or something. The TrackMan rep and I were taking turns so I deleted his putts.
On-Course (5/5 stars)
This thing just makes putts.Again, I don’t know how else to describe it.I feel very confident over the ball.Pick the line, speed, and just let it flow.As I said in the ‘Numbers’ category, my 3 putts are down, my make rate inside of 10ft is up, and more importantly, my 5 footers after a missed green and a short game save chip/pitch shot are up.These are very valuable to keeping my scores where I want them.I’ve also made more putts over 25ft during actual rounds of golf than I ever have before.The ball just seems to be on a string connected to the cup.
The Good, the bad, the in-between (5/5 stars)
One thing I really appreciated during this process was Sam Han, the CEO reaching out to us as testers for a phone call.We ended up having close to a one hour phone call about the putter, golf, and life.Sam is very passionate about the company, the products, and the game.That was icing on the cake for me.
People also take notice of this putter.When you take it out to practice or for a round of golf, people are very interested.Once they see you start rolling in putts, they really get interested!
Another thing I really like is that this is the first putter that ever sits flat for me naturally. And it should! It’s built to my lie angle specifically. All my other putters are always way toe up because of my low hands at address.
I didn’t really like the idea of the online fitting at first. But after talking with the CEO, it makes sense. Get comfortable, they build you a awesome putter, go make more putts. Simple.
Play it or Trade it (5/5 stars)
This should come as no surprise, but this thing is staying in the bag for the foreseeable future (check my updated signature).I honestly don’t think any of my current putters could hold a candle to it.There is no reason to make putting any harder than it has to be.L.A.B. gets my vote.
Conclusion
TL;DR:This thing just makes putts.I have supreme confidence whenever I step on the green.Before, I dreaded putting practice, putting during a round of golf, and only when I was inside of 1ft did I feel like I knew the putts were going to fall.Now, I feel like any putt is legitimately makeable.Inside of 10ft is no longer a weakness for me.Putting is finally fun! (never thought I’d say that)
L.A.B. DF2.1 Putter
Posted
L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 Putter – Official MGS Forum Review by GolfSpy_CS
Full Introduction - click here
First Impressions (4/5 Stars)
I don’t think anything can really prepare you for how massive the Directed Force 2.1 head truly is. I mean there’s mallet putters and then there’s this thing. I saw a Mezz.1 in person a week before I got the DF2.1 and it was a fine sized putter. Very traditional fang-style size. This DF2.1 is a jumbo jet!
I rolled a few putts on the carpet and it sets up and feels good. I did not notice any issues with the forward ball position setup as I already tend towards forward ball position. Overall, the first impressions are positive. If you sole it correctly for the lie angle it’s built for and hold it with light grip pressure, the thing just wants to stay square for you.
Aesthetics (3/5 Stars)
You’ll either love or hate the aesthetics of the DF2.1… Personally, I love and hate it all at the same time, but am growing to love it more and more. The all black look I went with is clean. The matte black finish on the head and LA Golf shaft are just what I want them to be. No glare and mean looking. I also really like the long white line I chose for the alignment marker.
The size of the DF2.1, as mentioned earlier, could be a huge turnoff to some people. I was just putting with it on TrackMan’s putting analysis and our rep told me that larger mallets sometimes interfere with the TrackMan camera accurately picking up the ball on putts! LOL. He said, “Yeah this one might be an issue…”
The more I’ve putted with it, the more I view the massiveness as a positive though. It just inspires confidence. I know I miss toe side with putters, but with this thing, it doesn’t really matter.
The Numbers (5/5 stars)
Usually I'm all about data. I taught a graduate statistics course at my last university for crying out loud. But I wanted to keep this review on my experience. My stroke is not your stroke. My woes are not your woes. At the end of the day, you've got to like the way your club/putter looks, trust that it will perform, and what works for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you. If it gives you more confidence, that’s a good thing right? Here’s what I can say. In my experience, I’ve never putted better. My playing partners have noticed as well. I know that if I pick the right line and speed, I’ve got nothing else to think about or focus on. With other my other putters (of which there are many), I would miss putts low side and wonder if I pulled them (often I did). Now I don’t think about it. I can evaluate if I over/under read break or speed.
Totally awesome putting video:
I have made more putts from inside of 10ft and over 15ft since using the L.A.B. than ever in my golfing career. My lag putting has improved as well. I don’t know how else to say it, this thing just drains putts. There were several putting practice sessions that come to mind. I wrote about these in the comments section, but one time I literally made 10 putts in a row from 10+ feet. Then I drained one from 25ft just for good measure. In other sessions I’m making tour-average percentages from 4-6ft (which never happened before). L.A.B.’s slogan of “You’re a better putter than you think” rings true for me. They also say on the DF 2.1 page, “Every putt is now makeable.” I truly do believe that now.
As far as the actual stats go, my 3 putts are down, my make rate from inside of 10ft is up, and my confidence (while unquantifiable) is also way up. This thing is staying in the bag. Here is a quick screenshot of the consistency of this putter from my short TrackMan putting session today. You’ll notice all of these launch directions were inside of 1* (our TrackMan rep said he’s pretty sure most PGA Tour players are inside of 1* either direction consistently). If you can do that, you'll hit your line over and over. You'll probably ask why these putts aren't consecutively numbered 1-10 or something. The TrackMan rep and I were taking turns so I deleted his putts.
On-Course (5/5 stars)
This thing just makes putts. Again, I don’t know how else to describe it. I feel very confident over the ball. Pick the line, speed, and just let it flow. As I said in the ‘Numbers’ category, my 3 putts are down, my make rate inside of 10ft is up, and more importantly, my 5 footers after a missed green and a short game save chip/pitch shot are up. These are very valuable to keeping my scores where I want them. I’ve also made more putts over 25ft during actual rounds of golf than I ever have before. The ball just seems to be on a string connected to the cup.
The Good, the bad, the in-between (5/5 stars)
One thing I really appreciated during this process was Sam Han, the CEO reaching out to us as testers for a phone call. We ended up having close to a one hour phone call about the putter, golf, and life. Sam is very passionate about the company, the products, and the game. That was icing on the cake for me.
People also take notice of this putter. When you take it out to practice or for a round of golf, people are very interested. Once they see you start rolling in putts, they really get interested!
Another thing I really like is that this is the first putter that ever sits flat for me naturally. And it should! It’s built to my lie angle specifically. All my other putters are always way toe up because of my low hands at address.
I didn’t really like the idea of the online fitting at first. But after talking with the CEO, it makes sense. Get comfortable, they build you a awesome putter, go make more putts. Simple.
Play it or Trade it (5/5 stars)
This should come as no surprise, but this thing is staying in the bag for the foreseeable future (check my updated signature). I honestly don’t think any of my current putters could hold a candle to it. There is no reason to make putting any harder than it has to be. L.A.B. gets my vote.
Conclusion
TL;DR: This thing just makes putts. I have supreme confidence whenever I step on the green. Before, I dreaded putting practice, putting during a round of golf, and only when I was inside of 1ft did I feel like I knew the putts were going to fall. Now, I feel like any putt is legitimately makeable. Inside of 10ft is no longer a weakness for me. Putting is finally fun! (never thought I’d say that)
Final Score (27/30 stars)