My Experience With L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 Putter

[Golf2Much]

After several months of less than stellar putting with my (brand that will remain nameless) putter, I decided to look into the L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 and Evnroll Zero putters.  I did my due diligence on this site, read the reviews, reached out to testers on their experiences and tried at least the Evnroll Zero putter on a trip to the mainland.  Given my issues with putts within the 6-12 ft. range, I decided to go with the MGS recommendation and try the Directed Force 2.1.

I read the L.A.B. Golf's directions on how to set up, take and send them a video of your putting stroke to be properly fitted.  I did the video, sent it in and got a response from Philip Lazich the next day.  He could not have been more helpful.  Armed with the information, I searched eBay and L.A.B.'s outlet for putters that matched my specs.  After about a month, I finally found one that matched on eBay.  I picked it up and received it at the end of 2022.  Without any putting green practice, I put the Directed Force 2.1 right into play.  I haven't looked back and could not be more pleased with this putter!

Rather than sing the praises of the putter, I thought I'd share some of the data generated by my Shot Scope H4 shot tracking.  The data below compares my putting for July-December, 2022 with my old putter and 2023 which is exclusively the Directed Force 2.1 putter:

I'm a short hitter and typically do not get on in regulation on even relatively short par 4's.  So I've learned to improve my short approach and chip shots to score.  The fact that my average first putt is 12 ft for both cases say I'm not chipping any closer this month than last year and leaving putts about the same average distance.   Given I'm only three weeks into my DF2.1 experiment, there's still some "new club" excitement associated with this putter.  So, I can't say that the 2023 numbers are totally sustainable.  However, as you will see, there's positive news to be hopeful about.   My distance of putts made went up three feet.  But included in that is 97 feet of putts I made in my round this week.  I'm encouraged by basically flipping the percentage of one and two putts per hole during a round.  Going from 43% to 51% of one putt greens is big for me.  I wouldn't read too much into three putt and holes between three putt numbers as my home course, Key West Golf Club, is a classic Rees Jones layout with relatively small greens.

Looking at putts made by distance, it's easy to see how the DF2.1 helped with my Achillies Heel:  6-12 ft. putts.

 

The fact that I almost doubled the percentage of putts made from both 9-12 feet and 12-18 feet makes me a believer!  The Directed Force 2.1 is doing exactly what it said it would do.  

Finally, looking at shots gained for both years, I think the data speaks for itself!

As mentioned, I'm a short hitter and rely on chipping and putting to score.  The DF2.1 has made a statement by improving my shots gained by putting by over two strokes.   The strokes gained with the DF2.1 on putts within 10 ft. has doubled to 1.6 and from 10-20 feet improved by almost one stroke.  

Overall, I could not be happier with the L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1.  Some may ask if the putter's performance yields more made putts and confidence or has improved confidence in my putting yielded better performance and more made putts?  It's a bit too early to tell.  What I can say is that with the Directed Force 2.1 putter in my hands, for the first time in a long time, I feel confident I'm going to make those pesky length putts that always cause me problems.  Is it chicken (the putter) or the egg (confidence)?  Probably both!  Time will tell.  So far, I've been so impressed, I recently purchased another L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 putter with the same specifications as a back up just in case something should happen to my first.  

I guess I like the putter that much!

 

[CarlH]

Good to read this, as my DF 2.1 is in production at the L.A.B. factory right now.  Philip also did my remote fitting.

[Golf2Much]

1 hour ago, CarlH said:

Good to read this, as my DF 2.1 is in production at the L.A.B. factory right now.  Philip also did my remote fitting.

Good luck with yours! 

It's funny, people look at it and laugh at the design.  Then they see it in action on the course and have to give it a try.  Yesterday, one of my golfing buddies saw it at the practice green before our round and chuckled about the shape.  I told him to give it a try.  He proceeded to sink his first three 12-15 ft. putts.  I quickly took the putter back because I knew if he sunk the fourth, I'd never see that putter again!

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, Golf2Much said:

The fact that I almost doubled the percentage of putts made from both 9-12 feet and 12-18 feet makes me a believer!  The Directed Force 2.1 is doing exactly what it said it would do.  

Pretty amazing! Great to read, and fingers crossed for you that it continues to perform as well going forward!!

[cksurfdude]

1 minute ago, Golf2Much said:

It's funny, people look at it and laugh at the design. 

Yep .. I initially did. A few years ago I took an AimPoint clinic - guess what the coach (who's taught several tour pros) uses..??

[EasyPutter]

I have been using the DF 2.1 since we tested them last summer.  It used to look big to me but now it looks right and everything else looks too small.  One of my buddies calls it my boat propeller but as more of one of those Veteran to Veteran smack talk things, he appreciates how well it rolls lag two putts and one putts regardless of distance and lie.  

Now if only I could get my shots onto the green where I want them to land.

[GolfSpy SAM]

Yes!!! Great to hear, and amazing to see that 0-for 3-putt stat!!! 

Congrats, and can't wait to see/hear more!

[CarlH]

12 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

Good luck with yours! 

It's funny, people look at it and laugh at the design.  Then they see it in action on the course and have to give it a try.  Yesterday, one of my golfing buddies saw it at the practice green before our round and chuckled about the shape.  I told him to give it a try.  He proceeded to sink his first three 12-15 ft. putts.  I quickly took the putter back because I knew if he sunk the fourth, I'd never see that putter again!

I didn't find it too hard on the eyes.  I was able to test out the DF, the MEZZ and the MEZZ MAX at a PGASS and liked the DF better overall.  I actually found the MEZZ line to be the uglier of the 2.  But, I'm sure that I'll get plenty of comments about how big and ugly the putter is from my "buds" and hopefully be able to smile as they hand me their money   It's supposed to ship the first week of Feb and I'm looking forward to getting it on the greens so I can get a feel for rolling it and put it in action.

[Parshooter36]

Great info, thanks for sharing. I got my DF2.1 a few weeks ago, so I haven't had it on the course yet but I did manage to get to the practice green once. Between what I saw there and the indoor putting I've done I am super hopeful for the upcoming season. The looks don't bother me in the least, as a matter of fact I kind of like it.  I have the #19 alignmet aid and love the 3 stripes going all the way through the head of the putter. I think all of the alignment aid options really set the DF2.1 apart from the other L.A.B. options. I also love how solid this putter feels, I don't know if it's the exteme MOI or the lack of torque or a combination of the 2, but I like it.

[CarlH]

Just got notified that it is shipping from Oregon today!  

 

Edit:  Arrival date moved up a day and will be here tomorrow.  Of course, we're in the middle of an ice storm.  Friday might be available to use the putting green with it.  In the meantime, I guess it's the indoor putting mat to get a feel for it.