Unofficial Review: L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 Putter

[Berg Ryman]

I think the bundle is s good deal, we all just dreamed too large

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

8 hours ago, Berg Ryman said:

Time to disappoint, it's a bundle, not a huge discount. You get your choice of the putter, the compact version of the perfect practice perfect putting mat, a sleeve of Oncore's new Vero X1, and a Lab Golf Hat.

Retail value is 610, you can nab it for 500, so 500 for 4 items. Upcharges still apply on the putters though.

If they did a dozen balls that maybe would make it worth it. Thanks bad I have 5 dz snells coming and no room for a putting mat

[joen]

Here is my question about the bundle deal.  How many people who are willing to drop $450-$700 on a putter don’t already have a putting green of some sort at home?

[edingc]

Bummed out for everyone that they weren't $100 off or something similar for Black Friday. 

I got out for a quick nine holes this morning. 15 putts, including one three-putt. Worst round with the L.A.B. so far according to Arccos:

It was about 38-40 degrees when I teed off, so I played with my new FootJoy Wintersof gloves that I bought on Wednesday. Took me three holes to realize I had no touch with the L.A.B. while wearing them. For the rest of the round I took them off before putting. Putted much better for the remaining nine holes.

Short game was rusty so I didn't do myself any favors. Did sink a nice 15 footer to save par on No. 4 after flying the green with my approach shot, and had a couple nice "chips" from the fringe with the L.A.B. I had only one good look at birdie from about seven feet on No. 7, but left it just right of the hole and tapped in for an easy par.

[dlow206]

2 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

I might do the factory second thing if my remote fitting comes back with something they have. Hard to say. I do like there idea. That combo deal isn’t terrible although I’ve read the vero ball is for really fast swings

Pretty sure they have just about anything you could need available in factory seconds. Was asking Matt about something the other day and they have unshafted heads in different lie angles in factory seconds so they can build those heads to any factory length. These factory seconds are under $300.

[yungkory]

7 minutes ago, dlow206 said:

Pretty sure they have just about anything you could need available in factory seconds. Was asking Matt about something the other day and they have unshafted heads in different lie angles in factory seconds so they can build those heads to any factory length. These factory seconds are under $300.

I would buy one if it comes out to be the correct specs. The putter is already so ugly who cares if it's a little scratched up

[joen]

13 minutes ago, edingc said:

Bummed out for everyone that they weren't $100 off or something similar for Black Friday. 

I got out for a quick nine holes this morning. 15 putts, including one three-putt. Worst round with the L.A.B. so far according to Arccos:

It was about 38-40 degrees when I teed off, so I played with my new FootJoy Wintersof gloves that I bought on Wednesday. Took me three holes to realize I had no touch with the L.A.B. while wearing them. For the rest of the round I took them off before putting. Putted much better for the remaining nine holes.

Short game was rusty so I didn't do myself any favors. Did sink a nice 15 footer to save par on No. 4 after flying the green with my approach shot, and had a couple nice "chips" from the fringe with the L.A.B. I had only one good look at birdie from about seven feet on No. 7, but left it just right of the hole and tapped in for an easy par.

Update for all interested in a Black Friday purchase.   I emailed them and said I already own a putting green. Is there any chance I can just get a discounted putter. Presto!!!!  15 minutes later I had a code for 15% off. I was going to get the blade putter but the DF 2.1 works too well....so I just got a DF 2.1 with the stability shaft and the 3 lines like edingc got on his putter. I lost my line earlier this year and the triple track putter and ball gave it back to me almost instantly. Looking forward to the new putter with the improved aim lines and stability shaft.  

[joen]

9 minutes ago, yungkory said:

I would buy one if it comes out to be the correct specs. The putter is already so ugly who cares if it's a little scratched up

My old DF 2.1 will be available shortly if you need a 32 inch 70 degree lie angle right handed putter.  

As far as the looks go....you will forget about it once your playing partners start accusing you of “cheating” with the Directed Force. 

[yungkory]

Submitted my video yesterday. Matt said he'll reach out to me this weekend to have a quick chat about the putter

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

After my putting performance today idk how I can pull the trigger on this. Maybe this putter means less three putts and better long putt consistency??

[edingc]

46 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

After my putting performance today idk how I can pull the trigger on this. Maybe this putter means less three putts and better long putt consistency??

That's been true for me so far. Distance consistency has really improved. Even today when I didn't warm up at all and the greens were firm, wet and pretty fast. 

I'm finding less "horrible" first putts and lots of tap-ins for 2-putts.

Full disclosure, I did nuke one from the fringe that went a good 9 feet past the pin and also left my 42-foot first putt on No. 6 at least 8 feet short (I hit the the second putt, thankfully). So there is still plenty of room for user error!

I'm excited to get this out on my home course next spring. I'm much more familiar with those greens and can't wait to see some improvement there because I was awful this season with distance control.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

34 minutes ago, edingc said:

That's been true for me so far. Distance consistency has really improved. Even today when I didn't warm up at all and the greens were firm, wet and pretty fast. 

I'm finding less "horrible" first putts and lots of tap-ins for 2-putts.

Full disclosure, I did nuke one from the fringe that went a good 9 feet past the pin and also left my 42-foot first putt on No. 6 at least 8 feet short (I hit the the second putt, thankfully). So there is still plenty of room for user error!

I'm excited to get this out on my home course next spring. I'm much more familiar with those greens and can't wait to see some improvement there because I was awful this season with distance control.

How did you decide on what shaft to use? The up charge sucks because I think the stability shaft has neat tech. 

[dlow206]

12 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

How did you decide on what shaft to use? The up charge sucks because I think the stability shaft has neat tech. 

I got the stock one and put a stability original myself

[joen]

12 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

How did you decide on what shaft to use? The up charge sucks because I think the stability shaft has neat tech. 

Not a question for me but I thought I would chime in.  My original DF was purchased off E bay after finding out my lie angle. Putter was a little longer than I wanted, but it was used and I wanted a cheap way to try one out. Loved it so I bought a brand new one in the length I wanted.  I was scared to get the stability shaft because I was afraid it would change the feel of the putter that worked so well.   The KBS is a solid shaft for this putter. Don’t be afraid of that shaft. Full disclosure, I did order a new one today with the stability shaft. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

5 minutes ago, dlow206 said:

I got the stock one and put a stability original myself

I’m not much of a DIY builder although that would save $100. Hoping I can talk Matt into waiving that since the stability shaft is marked down if you go directly to BGTs site. 

1 minute ago, joen said:

Not a question for me but I thought I would chime in.  My original DF was purchased off E bay after finding out my lie angle. Putter was a little longer than I wanted, but it was used and I wanted a cheap way to try one out. Loved it so I bought a brand new one in the length I wanted.  I was scared to get the stability shaft because I was afraid it would change the feel of the putter that worked so well.   The KBS is a solid shaft for this putter. Don’t be afraid of that shaft. Full disclosure, I did order a new one today with the stability shaft. 

My question is if it worked so well, why get one with the stability shaft?

[joen]

10 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

I’m not much of a DIY builder although that would save $100. Hoping I can talk Matt into waiving that since the stability shaft is marked down if you go directly to BGTs site. 

My question is if it worked so well, why get one with the stability shaft?

Because I was curious if it would work better.  

Hi.  My name is Joe and I am a club ho.  I think that’s what you are supposed to say when you introduce yourself at the meetings 

I figured if I didn’t like it, then I would switch out the shaft and sell the stability shaft. 
 

Total gamble.   If I hadn’t previously used the KBS shaft with success, then I would have went with the stability shaft last time as well.

[edingc]

2 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

How did you decide on what shaft to use? The up charge sucks because I think the stability shaft has neat tech. 

I wanted the softest feel possible. I basically asked Matt what he thought would achieve that and went with it. I originally thought it would be the LAGP, but Matt warned me the LAGP is very grip end heavy and would make the head feel lighter. I didn't want that (also why I wanted the lighter Press II grip).

[dlow206]

1 hour ago, joen said:

Because I was curious if it would work better.  

Hi.  My name is Joe and I am a club ho.  I think that’s what you are supposed to say when you introduce yourself at the meetings 

I figured if I didn’t like it, then I would switch out the shaft and sell the stability shaft. 
 

Total gamble.   If I hadn’t previously used the KBS shaft with success, then I would have went with the stability shaft last time as well.

That 32" 70 lie angle putter you have would actually be a better fit for me than the one I have lol.

[dlow206]

2 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

I’m not much of a DIY builder although that would save $100. Hoping I can talk Matt into waiving that since the stability shaft is marked down if you go directly to BGTs site. 

My question is if it worked so well, why get one with the stability shaft?

It can be a pain to install the Stability shaft. Matt was explaining that at some point this year, they switched from using an interference fit to a more standard way of installing the shaft (don't remember what the newer way was). Anyway, my shaft was one of the models with the interference fit, so Matt said its not recommended that you pull the shaft, and also LAB won't pull the shaft for you either. Normally, I would then have just cut the existing shaft and installed it into the Stability shaft "tube". That is a pretty standard approach where you cut the of the existing putter shaft about 8 inches above the head and are left with a shaft "stub" that you install into the Stability tube. But of course this wasn't possible because LAB heavily tips that KBS shaft so 8 inches above the tip its like 0.400" in diameter. 

So I ended up going against the recommendation and pulled the shaft from the head. It was unbelievably hard to remove the shaft. I heated the hell out of that thing with a butane torch and then spent like 5 minutes using all the strength in my body to twist the shaft out. If you have never pulled a shaft with an interference fit, its absolutely nothing like pulling a normal shaft that easily pulls out of a hosel with almost no strength. After that, you have to epoxy and then hammer the shaft back in.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

now, how to buy?? So much for that pairing. 

[yungkory]

[dlow206]

21 minutes ago, yungkory said:

What specs?

[yungkory]

1 minute ago, dlow206 said:

What specs?

34.5 / 71* / Stability Tour / Press II

Since I didn't have a 34" putter to record myself with, I basically simulated it by having half an inch of my top hand off of the grip (my ER5 measured 33.5" from center to end of grip). Matt said I can go 34 or 34.5 and it isn't going to have any significant effect, but he would rather have players choke down a little than not have enough room for their hands. Interestingly, the lie angle is 4* difference vs. my current putter -- excited to see the results.

[edingc]

On 12/2/2020 at 6:22 PM, yungkory said:

Peer pressure is something else, huh? 

Can't wait to see it!

[yungkory]

1 hour ago, edingc said:

Peer pressure is something else, huh? 

Can't wait to see it!

I'm glad you and @dlow206 got them or I probably never would've pulled the trigger. I have a hard time believing YouTube guys aren't shills, so when normal folks spend their money on things like this, and have positive results, it makes it easier.

At this point if I can't putt with a $600 putter laced with tech, it's just not something I'm going to ever be really good at

[Josh Ross]

On 12/2/2020 at 6:22 PM, yungkory said:

Welcome to the club! I believe you'll love it, it feels like cheating!

[dlow206]

I'm still struggling a bit with distance control (blowing past the hole). I made a 30 foot putt today to save a par, but if the ball didn't hit the pin dead center, that ball would have gone at least 10 feet past. 

[ELEL13]

I purchased a DF putter indirectly through a friend, so I don’t know the lie angle and the putter is probably a little long for me.  Although I was putting it pretty well.  Hopefully that’s not a gigantic mistake.  Is there a way to shorten the putter at all, ideally without taking off the grip and taking off part of the shaft?  And how do I check the lie angle of the putter, vs. what I might get from sending LAB a video of my swing?  Thanks!

[joen]

7 hours ago, ELEL13 said:

I purchased a DF putter indirectly through a friend, so I don’t know the lie angle and the putter is probably a little long for me.  Although I was putting it pretty well.  Hopefully that’s not a gigantic mistake.  Is there a way to shorten the putter at all, ideally without taking off the grip and taking off part of the shaft?  And how do I check the lie angle of the putter, vs. what I might get from sending LAB a video of my swing?  Thanks!

You should be able to measure the lie angle of the putter with a protractor. As far as your true lie angle when putting....take a regular putter and set up as you normally would and film down the line. You can measure your lie angle on the video as well....and there is your comparison. 
 

As far as shortening the putter....I am not completely sure you can do that without changing the way the putter works....because all the heads are a different weight. That is probably a better question for the folks at LAB golf. They are always very helpful with any questions I have had in the past. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

11 hours ago, ELEL13 said:

I purchased a DF putter indirectly through a friend, so I don’t know the lie angle and the putter is probably a little long for me.  Although I was putting it pretty well.  Hopefully that’s not a gigantic mistake.  Is there a way to shorten the putter at all, ideally without taking off the grip and taking off part of the shaft?  And how do I check the lie angle of the putter, vs. what I might get from sending LAB a video of my swing?  Thanks!

they can reshaft and rebalance it for you for $100 i believe. just send in a video for a fitting and measure things on your current LAB and let them know and see if they need to make adjustments