I've tested over 200 putters in the last decade. Scotty Cameron, Bettinardis, Odysseys – you name it, I've probably rolled putts with it. So when I initially laid eyes on the L.A.B. DF 2.1, my immediate reaction was "what in the world am I looking at?" This thing looks like someone crossed a traditional mallet with a spaceship and decided subtlety was overrated. The oversized head, the prominent alignment aid that practically screams at you, the whole aesthetic is... different. Not bad, different, just different. After unboxing it (which felt more like unpacking a small appliance than a putter), I spent a good five minutes just turning it over in my hands, trying to wrap my head around what L.A.B. was going for here. The Type-3 anodized black finish on the aircraft aluminum portions contrasts nicely with the brushed stainless steel, giving it a premium feel despite its unconventional looks. But the main point is – after three months of testing and probably 2,000 putts later, I can honestly say this weird-looking stick might have fundamentally changed how I think about putting.
The L.A.B. DF 2.1 Putter is built for golfers who demand true roll and effortless stability. Its revolutionary Lie Angle Balance design transforms consistency on every green.
Let me back up and explain what makes this putter so different, because it's not just the looks. The whole premise of L.A.B. (Lie Angle Balance) technology is that it eliminates torque during your stroke. In simple terms, the putter wants to stay square without you having to manipulate it. When you hold a traditional putter and let it hang freely, the face usually opens or closes. Not with the DF 2.1. This thing stays dead square, and that's not marketing fluff – it's physics. The company uses CNC milled weights and tungsten powder to achieve this perfect balance, and you can feel the difference immediately. During my initial practice session, I noticed my hands felt oddly relaxed. Usually, I'm subconsciously fighting to keep the face square (especially on those nerve-wracking three-footers), but with the DF 2.1, the putter does that work for me. This design encourages a more natural pendulum motion, letting gravity and the putter's balance do most of the work rather than forcing you to manipulate the club head through impact.
What really sold me was a simple drill I do with every putter I test. I make 100 three-foot putts from different angles around the hole, tracking my make percentage. With my gamer (a 2022 Spider GT), I typically make between 92-94%. With the DF 2.1, after just one practice session to get used to the feel, I made 97. That might not sound like much, but over 18 holes, those extra makes add up fast. The technology also helps with distance control because the putter doesn't "flop" or release through impact – it maintains its angle naturally. On lag putts from 30+ feet, I found myself leaving the ball within tap-in range more consistently than with any putter I've tested in recent memory.
If you're someone who struggles with alignment, prepare to have your mind blown. The alignment aid on top of the DF 2.1 isn't just a thin line or a couple of dots – it's a full-blown targeting system that makes it nearly impossible to aim incorrectly. The oversized mallet head features a prominent sight line that extends from the back of the putter all the way to the face, and when you combine this with the natural stability of the LAB technology, you get a putter that practically aims itself. I've always considered myself pretty good at alignment (years of practice will do that), but even I noticed an improvement in my starting lines.
During on-course testing, I tracked my putts using a launch monitor whenever possible, and the data was eye-opening. My face angle at impact was consistently within 0.5 degrees of square, and my path deviation was minimal. For reference, with my Spider GT, I'm usually within 1-1.5 degrees. Again, small numbers, but in putting, fractions of degrees matter. The visual confidence this alignment system provides is worth its weight in gold, especially on those knee-knockers that decide matches. One minor adjustment I had to make was trusting the alignment completely – at first, I found myself second-guessing because the aid is so prominent it almost feels like cheating. Similar to how rangefinder users trust their accurate distance measurements completely, I had to learn to trust what the alignment aid was showing me.
At 370-415 grams depending on your specs (mine came in at 395g for a 34-inch model), this isn't a lightweight putter, but it doesn't feel heavy in your hands. The weight is distributed in a way that creates an incredibly high MOI (Moment of Inertia), which translates to forgiveness on mishits that borders on ridiculous. I purposely tried to miss-hit putts during testing – hitting toward the heel, toward the toe, high on the face, low on the face – and the ball still rolled surprisingly true. Not perfect, mind you (no putter can completely eliminate the effects of a bad strike), but remarkably better than what I'm used to.
The forward press technology built into the grip works in tandem with the head weight to maintain consistent loft through impact. The 3.5 degrees of static loft (which becomes about 0.5 degrees effective loft at impact) produces a smooth roll that gets the ball rolling end-over-end quickly. On slower greens, this combination of weight and loft really shines. During a round at my local muni where the greens were running about an 8 on the stimp (basically, pretty slow), the DF 2.1 performed better than any blade-style putter would have. The ball seemed to hold its line better through the imperfections in the green, likely due to the true roll imparted by the consistent loft angle. The design was developed by Bill Presse, a former mini-tour player who understood the frustrations of maintaining a consistent stroke under pressure.
L.A.B. offers more customization options than most boutique putter makers, and that's saying something. You can get fitted in person or remotely for the best lie angle (stock is 69 degrees, but they'll build anything you need), choose from multiple shaft lengths including arm lock and broomstick configurations, select from three different grip options, and even fine-tune the head weight. The level of customization available rivals what you'd get from a full custom shop, but there's the catch – it's not cheap. The base model already commands a premium price that'll make your wallet weep, and adding custom specs pushes it even higher.
I went through their remote fitting process (you send them videos of your stroke), and they recommended a 1-degree upright adjustment from stock. The difference was noticeable immediately – the putter sat more naturally at address, and my stroke felt more repeatable. The Press II 3° grip that comes standard is excellent, providing just enough texture without being overly tacky. The built-in forward press angle helps promote a slight forward shaft lean at address without having to consciously think about it. If you're someone who's particular about your equipment (and if you're reading a 2,000-word putter review, you probably are), the customization options alone might justify the price.
The L.A.B. DF 2.1 Putter is built for golfers who demand true roll and effortless stability. Its revolutionary Lie Angle Balance design transforms consistency on every green.
Yes, you can use the L.A.B. DF 2.1 putter in any tournament. It's fully approved by the USGA and PGA Tour for all competition levels, from amateur to professional play. The putter's Lie Angle Balance technology, CNC-milled construction, and all specifications comply with equipment regulations. Whether you choose the standard, broomstick, or ArmLock version with custom fitting options, you'll meet tournament requirements without any equipment violations or restrictions.
Your L.A.B. DF 2.1 putter comes with a 12-month manufacturing warranty from the date you purchase it. If you've bought an outlet or refurbished model, you'll get a shorter 90-day warranty that covers manufacturing defects only. Remember, you'll need to keep your original order number for any warranty claims, and L.A.B. Golf must approve all warranty requests through their workorders department before they'll start any repairs.
Yes, you can change or replace the grip on your DF 2.1 putter after purchase. The putter uses standard grips that are compatible with regular putter shafts, so you're free to swap them yourself or have a club fitter do it. While L.A.B. Golf recommends their 3-degree forward tilt grips to enhance the putter's Directed Force technology, changing grips won't void your warranty and is common practice in golf equipment maintenance.
You'll find the DF 2.1 delivers considerably better forgiveness than previous L.A.B. models through its oversized mallet design and higher MOI. It's more stable on off-center hits compared to the MEZZ.1 or LINK.1. The precision milling and weight placement are more enhanced, achieving better Lie Angle Balance customization. You're getting improved alignment aids, the Press II 3-Degree grip standard, and more personalization options than earlier versions offered at stock level.
You'll find the DF 2.1 available in multiple shaft lengths to match your height. If you're under 5'4", you'll want the 33-inch option. Between 5'4" and 5'8", go with the 34-inch shaft. Taller golfers from 5'8" to 6'2" should choose the 35-inch length. L.A.B. also offers custom lengths outside these standard options if you need something shorter than 33 inches or longer than 35 inches for your specific build and posture.
The L.A.B. DF 2.1 isn't for everyone. If you're a traditionalist who values the look and feel of a classic blade, this putter will probably make you uncomfortable. If you're on a tight budget, the premium price tag will be a dealbreaker. But if you're a golfer who struggles with consistency on the greens, who's willing to adopt unconventional equipment if it helps you make more putts, and who has the budget for a premium putter, the DF 2.1 deserves serious consideration. After three months of testing, it's earned a permanent spot in my bag, weird looks and all. Sometimes the best equipment isn't the prettiest – it's the stuff that helps you shoot lower scores. And make no mistake, this putter will help you make more putts.
