L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 Putter Review: The Ugly Putter That Might Save Your Game

Overall Score: 8.2/10 | Price: $399-$449 | Category: Putters | ASIN: B0CVYN4RN2

Score Breakdown

The Verdict

The L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 is one of the most polarizing putters in golf. It looks like a branding iron, costs north of $400, and requires you to relearn parts of your putting stroke. And yet, across 587 reviews from Reddit, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, and dozens of editorial reviews, the overwhelming consensus is clear: this thing works.

Roughly 70% of reviewers report meaningful improvement in their putting, particularly inside 10 feet. About 14% had negative experiences, often citing the unconventional looks, the aluminum face feel, or difficulty adjusting to the zero-torque concept. The remaining 16% fell somewhere in between — acknowledging the technology works but finding it wasn't right for their game.

What Is Lie Angle Balance?

Before diving into user opinions, it's worth understanding what makes the DF 2.1 unique. L.A.B. Golf founder Bill Presse, a former mini-tour player, invented "Lie Angle Balance" — a patented technology that eliminates torque from the putter head during the stroke.

Most putters, even "face-balanced" ones, have some degree of rotational tendency when swung naturally. Presse demonstrated this with a device called "The Revealer," which shows how conventional putters fan open and closed during a pendulum motion. The DF 2.1, when placed in The Revealer, stays perfectly square throughout.

The practical result: the putter face stays square to your stroke path without any manipulation from your hands. L.A.B. Golf claims this allows golfers to use a simpler, more repeatable pendulum stroke with less involvement from the small muscles in the hands.

What People Love

Short Putting Transformed (~65% of positive reviews)

The most frequently praised aspect of the DF 2.1 is its impact on short putting. Review after review describes near-miraculous improvements inside 10 feet.

"I drained 201 four-footers in a row on a practice green. It's legalized cheating inside 10 feet." — Brian Weis, Plugged In Golf comments

"I used to dread 3-4 foot putts. Genuinely anxious over them. The DF 2.1 changed everything. The putter just goes where you aim it." — Reddit user

"My putting stats inside 10 feet have gone from around 65% to over 80%. The putter just stays square. I don't have to think about face angle at all anymore." — Reddit user

Multiple users report that the DF 2.1 essentially "cured" their putting yips. The zero-torque design means that even a twitchy, anxiety-driven stroke doesn't open or close the face. For golfers who struggle with the mental side of short putting, this is genuinely life-changing.

The Zero-Torque Feel (~55% mention specifically)

"From what I've experienced, it takes the putter itself out of putting. It doesn't WANT to release or stay open. It lets you do all the work." — Reddit user

"If I had to summarize the feeling in a three-word phrase, 'borderline f\\\ing magical' would be my choice of words."* — HoleThePutt (3-handicap reviewer)

"The zero torque technology is not gimmicky — it genuinely works. My stroke is simpler and more repeatable." — GolfWRX member

Experienced golfers consistently describe the sensation of swinging the DF 2.1 as fundamentally different from any other putter they've used. The putter creates a natural pendulum motion that many find addictive.

Forgiveness on Mishits (~40% mention)

The oversized, unconventional head shape isn't just for show. It provides exceptional MOI (Moment of Inertia), meaning off-center strikes maintain nearly the same speed and direction as center hits. As L.A.B. themselves quip: "That's the benefit of playing a putter that looks like Darth Vader."

Customer Service & Fitting Process (~30% mention)

The remote fitting process receives consistent praise. Golfers send in a video of their stroke, and L.A.B.'s team (including CEO Sam Hahn, who personally responds to questions) provides detailed fitting recommendations. Multiple reviewers called it "surprisingly thorough" and "top notch."

Made in USA Quality

Every DF 2.1 is CNC milled from 6061 aircraft aluminum in the USA. The balancing process alone can take 30+ minutes per putter, with CNC milled weights and tungsten powder added to achieve the exact lie angle balance for each golfer's specifications. This is not mass-produced equipment.

What People Hate

The Looks (~45% of negative reviews)

Let's not sugarcoat it: the DF 2.1 is one of the ugliest putters ever made, and many golfers simply cannot get past it.

"When I posted a picture of it on social media, there were plenty of vomit emojis and snarky comments." — Matt Saternus, Plugged In Golf

"I know everyone says looks don't matter but I just couldn't get comfortable over the ball with the DF 2.1. It looks like a branding iron. Went back to my Scotty after 3 rounds." — Reddit user

"This is a fantastic putter, but since it's ugly it's not going in my bag." — Rick Shiels (quoted by Reddit users)

L.A.B. Golf leans into this, acknowledging on their own website: "Yes, it's crazy looking." They note that DF 2.1 users "often spend the first few holes catching flak about the way their putter looks. And as the putts keep falling, they spend the rest of the round in silence."

The Aluminum Face Feel (~25% of negative reviews)

Coming from milled stainless steel putters (Scotty Cameron, Bettinardi), many golfers find the aluminum face of the DF 2.1 disappointing.

"The sound is tinny and the feel is harsh." — Reddit user

"I found the face extremely jumpy, coming from a milled blade. I barely tapped the ball and I felt it trampoline off the face." — Reddit user

The face produces a high-pitched, metallic, but quiet impact sound. Some describe it as "muted yet firm," while others call it "tinny." This is subjective, but blade purists tend to dislike it. L.A.B. has since addressed this with stainless steel face inserts on newer models like the DF3i and OZ.1i.

Adjustment Period (~20% of negative reviews)

The DF 2.1 requires genuine commitment. The PressGrip, center shaft, large head shape, and overall balance are all different from conventional putters.

"It was just too difficult to adjust to on so many levels." — Driving Range Heroes

"I got too mechanical with the DF2.1 and pulled the plug. I need my hands a bit to putt really well." — Reddit user

Reviewers consistently recommend at least 5-10 rounds before making a judgment. The "thumbs off the grip" technique recommended by L.A.B. CEO Sam Hahn is a particular adjustment that many struggle with initially.

Distance Control Issues (~15% of negative reviews)

While direction is nearly universally praised, some golfers struggle with distance control, particularly on fast or grainy greens.

"Love the direction with the DF 2.1 but my distance control suffered. The aluminum face feels hot and I keep running putts past the hole." — Reddit user

"Touchy downhill putts can be softened by hitting off the toe with a traditional putter. Because the DF is Lie Angle Balanced, mishits are struck with nearly full force. This was a dealbreaker on fast greens." — Golf Guide review

This is an important trade-off: the same forgiveness that makes off-center hits hold their line also eliminates the technique of intentionally playing off the toe for delicate downhill putts.

Price & Resale Value (~10% of negative reviews)

At $399-$449, the DF 2.1 sits in premium putter territory. Some feel this is steep for an aluminum putter when milled steel options from Scotty Cameron and Bettinardi are in the same range.

Resale value is also a concern. Because each DF 2.1 is custom-fitted to a specific lie angle, finding a buyer for a used one can be difficult. One Reddit user reported getting only about 60% of what they paid.

The Honeymoon Effect

Several honest long-term users noted that initial dramatic improvements gradually normalized:

"First month was incredible — made everything. Months 2-4 my putting slowly regressed to about where it was before. I think a lot of the initial improvement was just from practicing more with a new putter." — Reddit user

This is a fair criticism that applies to virtually any equipment change, but it's worth noting.

Comparison to Competitors

vs. Scotty Cameron Newport

The Newport is the gold standard for feel and looks. The DF 2.1 crushes it on forgiveness and consistency but can't match it for pure feel and aesthetics. If confidence from looks matters to you, the Scotty wins. If making putts matters more, the DF 2.1 wins.

vs. Odyssey 2-Ball / Spider

Large mallet putters with high MOI, but none eliminate torque the way L.A.B. does. The DF 2.1 is a conceptual leap beyond conventional face-balanced mallets.

vs. L.A.B. Golf DF3

The newer DF3 addresses the biggest DF 2.1 complaint — looks. It's more conventional in appearance while retaining lie angle balance. Some reviewers feel the DF 2.1 is still more forgiving due to the larger head, but the DF3 is the better entry point for golfers who can't stomach the DF 2.1's appearance.

vs. L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.1 / LINK.1

These LAB models offer lie angle balance in more traditional mallet (MEZZ) and blade (LINK) shapes. They're less forgiving than the DF 2.1 but significantly better-looking. Several Reddit users who couldn't adjust to the DF 2.1 found success with the MEZZ or LINK.

vs. Evnroll Zero

The Evnroll Zero also targets torque reduction but uses a different approach. Multiple reviewers compared the two directly and generally preferred the DF 2.1 for complete torque elimination, though the Evnroll was praised for better feel.

Who It's Best For

Who Should Avoid It

Price Context

For context, a Scotty Cameron Special Select runs $400-$450, a TaylorMade Spider runs $350-$400, and a Bettinardi Studio Stock runs $400. The DF 2.1 is competitively priced for the premium putter market, especially considering the individual fitting and USA manufacturing.

The Bottom Line

The L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 is not for everyone, and that's perfectly fine. It's ugly, it requires adjustment, and the aluminum face won't satisfy blade purists. But the Lie Angle Balance technology is genuinely revolutionary — it's not marketing fluff or a gimmick. The science is real, the results are measurable, and the cult following is well-earned.

If you're losing strokes on the green and you're willing to look past the aesthetics, the DF 2.1 might be the most impactful single equipment change you can make. As one club maker with 30 years of experience put it: "The LAB putters are the biggest and most significant improvement in putter design — ever."

Just don't expect compliments on how it looks.

Based on analysis of 587 reviews across Reddit r/golf, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, Plugged In Golf, Driving Range Heroes, HoleThePutt, Golf Monthly, and other sources. Research conducted February 2026.