L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 Putter
“Yes, it’s crazy looking.” Straight from L.A.B. Golf themselves. I had seen plenty of pictures of the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 putter before, but that first in-person experience was legitimately overwhelming. The Directed Force 2.1 is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, but you know what? There’s definitely something to it. L.A.B. founder, Bill Presse, wanted to create a forgiving putter to simplify the putting stroke by removing torque. The end result is the crazy looking Directed Force 2.1 putter.
L.A.B Golf Remote Fitting
L.A.B. Golf has a remote fitting process they use to help get you in the perfect putter with the exact Lie Angle Balance you need. Jon described the process well in his BLaD1 review so I’ll borrow his explanation.
L.A.B. Golf first asks you to choose a putter length that feels good to you and shoot a quick video. The first step is to put on your favorite golf shoes and then take a few smooth strokes while you’re lined up with a door, or some other vertical surface. This is how L.A.B. calculates your exact lie angle and selects the right grip for you.
To optimize the performance of the Directed Force 2.1, L.A.B. suggests one of their Press Grips which has 3º of forward tilt. There are four different options and we went with the largest 2.M which really quiets the hands. “A special benefit of using Press Grips on L.A.B. Golf putters is that they align the hands directly over the golf ball at address, a position that the majority golfers find most comfortable.”
The Looks
One of the things that I appreciate with the Directed Force 2.1 is that L.A.B. Golf doesn’t shy away from its “unique” looks. L.A.B. Golf describes the the unique head shape as a “branding iron” which is spot on. Pictures don’t really do it justice, but the Directed Force 2.1 has a very large footprint. A center shaft positioned considerably back from the elongated face certainly gives you an interesting setup behind the ball. It may take some acclimating so have an open mind and give it some time.
The Directed Force 2.1 is currently available in three different colors: black, red, and blue. Additionally, there are 36(!) different alignment aid options for you to choose from.
How Does it Feel?
Let’s be honest, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 takes a lot of all around getting used to. The weighting/balance is different, the Press Grip sets your hands up differently, and then you’re swinging one of the largest mallets I’ve ever seen. Remember, though, this design is intended to simplify your putting stroke and make it easy to repeat the same swing time after time. Once you adjust to the general feel, you realize the Directed Force 2.1 is incredibly balanced and swings smooth as long as you just let the club do the work. If the putter fits correctly, you just have to create a steady pendulum motion. You can also have the Directed Force 2.1 built with Breakthrough Golf Technology Stability shafts. I’d have to imagine the balance and stability with one of those shafts could be unreal.
As far as feel at impact, the Directed Force 2.1 is muted yet firm. I suppose if you went with a smaller size grip, the feel could get a little less muted. There’s still plenty of feedback so you know where you’re hitting the ball and how well it came off the face. The overall response makes you feel very in control of your ball speed and distance.
How Does it Sound?
Being that the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 is a large aluminum putter with an open design, I expected an almost tinny sound. Imagine something like a tuning fork. While that was what I expected, I was pleasantly surprised to find a very solid and firm sound. Strikes around the center of the face have a muted “clock” to them. Almost like a reindeer hoof quietly walking on your driveway…if you can imagine that. As you stray from the center of the face, the sound gets a bit rockier. Though the sound and feel changes as you deviate from the center, the Directed Force 2.1 impressively maintains its performance due to its forgiving design.
On-Course Performance
Lie Angle Balance is a concept that L.A.B. Golf developed to take torque out of the putter. Bill Presse developed a device called “The Revealer” which demonstrates how much a putter will want to move around during a natural putting stroke based on its balance. The Revealer shows different putters’ natural desire to move when your hands aren’t there to control it. This demonstrates the amount of extra work you have to do while putting. With the Directed Force 2.1, the putter doesn’t move at all in The Revealer. There’s a great video demonstrating this here which is really worth watching if you’re interested in the DF 2.1.
Say what you will about how this thing looks, but I’ll vouch for all L.A.B. Golf’s claims about the design of this putter. Between the Press Grip, the shaft position and lean, and overall balance, it just sets up perfectly for a smooth and natural swing. I will reiterate, there is definitely an adjustment period. Your first excursions with the DF 2.1 may feel foreign as you’re fighting against every tendency you’ve ever had. Once I made that adjustment, however, the Directed Force 2.1 was one of the most consistent putters I’ve used. It’s on you to get the line and speed to make the putt. The DF 2.1 will keep the face square and make up for your heel or toe misses.
PS. I love L.A.B.’s candor about their own products. “And if you do happen to contact your putt off-center with the DF 2.1, it won’t really affect the result. That’s the benefit of playing a putter that looks like Darth Vader.”
Final Thoughts – L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1
I won’t sit here and tell you that it’s easy to get used to looking at L.A.B. Golf’s Directed Force 2.1 putter behind the ball. I think that is the biggest hurdle players will have to get over with this putter, but I think L.A.B. Golf would tell you the exact same thing. That said, if you’re able to do so, the Directed Force 2.1 is a hell of a performer. The stroke feels so natural and easy while the face is as forgiving as putters come. I will also admit that this may have been the most skeptical I’ve been about a piece of gear going to into a review. After spending enough time with the DF 2.1, I was happy to tip my proverbial cap to L.A.B. Golf. Their design delivers on its promises and I was really impressed with how the Directed Force 2.1 rolls the ball.
These WORK in getting the ball to rattle in the bottom of the cup. Because it is so forgiving on toe or heel hits, I’m able to look at the flag stick when I make my stroke, which REALLY helps me with my distance control. Tap-In remaining at even 30 and 40 feet, and draining most 12 to 15 footers. I couldn’t be happier to have found L.A.B. putters and made the switch.
I first saw this putter at Somersett golf course in Reno. It was being tested by a very good player who was also a good putter. This putter made him an even better putter. I now own one of these and it has improved my putting to the point that I feel my putting is now the strongest part of my game. If you let the putter do the work, you will be a better putter.
Do you sell in Japan?
Where should I adjust the lie angle in japan ?
Kou, we aren’t LAB Golf, we just reviewed the putter. I’d suggest clicking one of the links in the review and ask them through their website.
Sorry for the necro-bump. And the poster’s probably solved their problem, but still… Love the site, Bill.
Anyway, L.A.B. is kind of fussy about they being the only people to modify their putters. And since tinkering with the lie will also mess with the balance, I can see why. I think they require you to ship it back to them. Which, in Japan, is going to be a toughie.
Me? I’d sell it, and buy something better fitted to you. That said, if you get the fit correct, these putters are black f%#*ing magic with how well they work.