L.A.B. Golf Directed Force Reno 2.1 Putter Review

As golfers, we all have one thing in common. Whether you’re a scratch player or struggling to break 100 you use your putter more than any club in the bag. For most players, roughly forty percent of strokes are taken on the green.

This information is nothing new, but it is a bit starling when you stop to think about it. So, why do the manufacturers spend so much of their R&D and marketing dollars developing and promoting the next “hottest” driver.

The answer is simple. Because the market demands it. We all want to hit the ball farther.

But what we really want is the shoot lower scores. Right? The easiest way for most golfers to do that is by saving strokes on the green.

There is one company that is doing something radical when it comes to putter design. Maybe you’ve heard of them, or seen one of their putters. If not, let us introduce you to L.A.B. Golf and their Directed Force Reno 2.1 putter.

L.A.B. stands for lie angle balanced, a concept which is a distinct departure from toe hang and face balanced putters. Whether you use a toe hang or face balance putter, there is a certain amount of torque which occurs during the stroke. The Directed Force is designed to reduce that torque, keeping the face of the putter square to the line through the stroke.

The direction of a putt is a result of face angle and path, with face angle being responsible for roughly 85% of the direction. It that angle is correct, you’re going to make more putts!

The team at L.A.B. Golf have designed a putter that does just that. The Directed Force doesn’t look like any other putter. It doesn’t perform like any other putter, either!

The unique head design is large, and admittedly a bit unusual looking. It is also very easy to line up and very well balanced. Part of the process involved in getting that balance just right is to custom fit every player. This can be done in person, or remotely. Based on the fitting, L.A.B. will build your putter based on proper shaft length and lie angle. Having those two pieces correct will ensure that your putter is properly lie angle balanced, which will reduce the twisting of the putter head, and help you make more putts.

What really sold me on the validity of the science behind the putter was a couple of videos on the companies website. Owner and Inventor Bill Presse, and Sam Hahn the companies CEO both do an excellent job of demonstrating how the putter face stays square when placed in a device called the “revealer”. The revealer allows any putter to hang freely when in a lie angle plane. Toe hang and face balance putters twist and turn all over the place, while the Directed Force stays right on line. I was sold on the concept and had to give one a try.

I contacted Sam Hahn and he walked me through the remote fitting process. My putter was on its way to me in a matter of days!

I pretty much knew what to expect aesthetically from the Directed Force. It’s anything but traditional. It is easy to line up, however, and the balance is great! All L.A.B. putters come with Press Grips, which have a built in forward press.

Like any club, the real proof is in the shot. How does the club perform. For me, the Directed Force has done exactly what L.A.B. says that it does. The putter stays square through the stroke and has a “flow” to it that I really like.

The key is to let the putter do its job. If you’re like me, you’ve probably developed some tendencies over time to try to keep the putter square and get the ball rolling on line. Those little corrections aren’t necessary with the Directed Force.

The main thing that I’ve noticed since putting the Directed Force in play is that I’ve missed very few short putts. I attribute this to the fact that the putter head stays nice and square through the stroke.

If you’re looking to cut some strokes off your game, start by making more putts. To do that, I’d definitely recommend L.A.B. Golf’s Directed Force Reno 2.1.

To learn more, visit directedforce.com and make sure to check out those revealer videos!