L.A.B. Golf has released a third version of their popular Directed Force putter.
The DF3 is a smaller version of the original Directed Force putter.
Though smaller, the DF3 is still lie angle balanced like the other L.A.B. putter models.
Available Jan.23 at
LabGolf.com with a MSRP of $449 stock/$559 custom.
I don’t know if there is another company in the putter business, if not the golf industry as a whole, that had a year like L.A.B. Golf did in 2023. In terms of putter usage and brand awareness, it was a massive year for L.A.B. Golf.
As Mugatu would say, “That L.A.B. Golf is so hot right now.”
A quote from a 2001 movie may not seem timely to some but, to those of you familiar with the epicness that is Zoolander, you know that quote represents the highest of accolades.
I think it is important to establish L.A.B. Golf’s level of hotness right away, because the putter that L.A.B. Golf released today is going to make them even hotter in the market.
The DF3 is going to be L.A.B. Golf’s best-selling putter to date.
What if the Big Ugly Putter Wasn’t Big or Ugly Any Longer?
We golfers are a shallow bunch. There are so many aspects of the game where we can see golfers valuing style over substance. From banded collars to joggers, some golfers focus only on the looks of golf gear, completely ignoring the performance aspects.
Every awful golfer who plays blades is doing the same thing.
I’m a big believer in playing what you want to play. If you want to play blades, play blades. Just don’t complain about how poorly you play with them when you know a “uglier” cavity-back would help you score better.
Sometimes, we don’t use gear that could help us play better because we don’t like how it looks. I believe the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 putter is a prime example.
Very few can question that L.A.B. Golf’s Lie Angle Balanced design works. It really does make putting easier. I’ve had amazing putting rounds with the Mezz.1 MAX and the Directed Force 2.1 putters.
Despite this, the Directed Force 2.1 putter shown above rarely makes my bag. I take it to the practice green all the time for recreational rolls but just not on the course. There is one simple reason.
It’s a huge f**king putter.
The L.A.B. DF3 is a Smaller Directed Force Putter
Maybe I’ve buried the lede here but the big thing about the DF3 is that it is not as big as the other Directed Force putters. I know I am not alone in feeling like the only thing keeping me from playing the Directed Force was its size.
The DF shape is odd but not so much that you can’t get used to it.
For me, the overall size wasn’t even an issue when using it but rather for transporting it during the round. In my carry bag, the DF made room for my other clubs like my dog does for me on the couch.
The reduced profile of the DF3 should cause my size complaints to vanish along with my three putts.
“With DF3, we refined every aspect of the design. DF3 is quite a bit smaller, but because of all we’ve learned about building Lie Angle Balanced putters over the years, we were able to maintain almost all of the forgiveness and stability that makes DF 2.1 the easiest-to-use putter in the game.”
-L.A.B. Golf CEO Sam Hahn
Think about this. The DF3 is smaller than the DF2.1 but still works like the DF2.1. If that doesn’t get you excited, then you have yet to experience how nicely these putters roll the ball.
Why are L.A.B. Golf Putters a Thing?
Though improbable, I’ll consider the possibility that you are reading this and learning about L.A.B. Golf putters for the first time. You are feeling my excitement about this new model but are unsure why L.A.B. Golf putters warrant that excitement.
Really, it is all in the name. L.A.B. stands for “Lie Angle Balanced.” The design of the putter (aka the atypical shapes and lots of weights) makes the putter amazingly stable during the putting stroke. L.A.B. Golf putters don’t twist open and shut during your putt, making them exceptionally easy to return square to the ball, and the target, at impact.
This lack of twisting is not typical for putters which is why the L.A.B. putters do not look like typical putters.
L.A.B. Golf describes their putters as “automatic.” That may be a bit of an exaggeration but they really do swing themselves for the most part. Yes, you still need to swing the club but you don’t need to do much more. The Lie Angle Balanced design will handle the details.
Yes, there will be a DF3 Custom Program
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For those who want something non-stock, L.A.B. Golf will be offering a custom program for the DF3. Not only will you be able to choose the color but also the alignment scheme, shaft, grip and so on.
With all L.A.B. Golf putters, a correct fitting is just a video away. Send a video of you putting with your current putter to L.A.B. Golf and they can tell you your correct specs. Follow this link to learn more about the Remote Fitting and other fitting options.
Final Thoughts on the L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter
I know we are a little thin on details here. I can’t tell you exactly how much smaller the DF3 is than the DF2.1., or what the head weight is or really much of anything specific.
I can tell you that the rear of the putter is being billed as the ‘Gimmie Getter”, allowing you to pick up the ball with the putter. For everyone who has tried to scoop a ball with the DF2.1, this is a welcome addition.
Regardless, I plan on documenting my experience with the L.A.B. Golf DF3 custom program here in the near future. I’ll be sure to have all the answers to all of your questions by then.
The questions I want answers to are, “Will the DF3 fit in my bag and how long will it live there?”
Find out more about the new DF3 at LabGolf.com
FAQ: L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 3 Putter
Did you drop an F-bomb up there?
I did. Sorry about that. I chose the expletive to emphasize my frustration with the size of the DF2.1. I do love rolling that putter but just couldn’t get past the irritation it added during transport. I suppose I could just buy a larger golf bag …
How can L.A.B. Golf make the Directed Force smaller and still have it work the same?
Right? What kind of sorcery are they doing at L.A.B. Golf? Every one of their putters that I have used comes with a sticker that says don’t remove the weights because that is where the magic lives. My guess is that they figured out how to manipulate the magic weights into the smaller package.
Do they pay pros to play their putters?
They do not. They work with players such as Adam Scott and Grayson Murray to get their builds correct but I don’t believe any money exchanges hands. My understanding is that the increasing number of pros playing L.A.B. Golf putters are doing so because they putt better with them. A pro who putts better is getting paid more at tournaments.
Will there be other new L.A.B. Golf putters in 2024?
Nothing that I have heard of. There will be armlock and broomstick versions of the DF3 coming later this year but that is all I know right now. I’ll keep you posted.
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