LAB Direct Force 2.1 Armlock

[SEP1006]

Saw the thread on the Lab Broomstick putters so figured we could use one on the Armlock method. Post up with your thoughts or experiences with the DF 2.1 Armlock. May help others who are looking at this  method. Would have DEFINITELY helped me.

 

My story:

Was always curious about the Armlock method but never tried it or read about it. Just seemed like it had to be an easier way because it basically eliminates the hands. Play with a buddy one day who has always been a bad putter. He had bought a DF 2.1 conventional putter and it totally changed his game. Now he's not a great putter by any means but has consistently been way better than he was. After seeing this a few rounds went to the LAB website and watched the videos, pretty impressive.

 

So I decided to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Bought ( used ) a DF 2.1 Armlock and really like it. I am 6'-1" and have a very upright putting stance. Had to adjust my normal putting style a little but the putter is just money, especially from 10' and in. 

 

I then found out one of the members at my club is a rep for them. I was talking to him about the putter and he asked me if I got fitted. Dumbo me never even thought about a fitting for an armlock. I just thought they were all the same.

 

The one I bought has the Accra white shaft, metallic red head with 3 alignment marks, 41.5" long and 73.5* lie angle. The LAB rep told to me to go the website and do the fitting process, which I did. And boy am I glad I did. Jake came back and recommended a DF 2.1 Armlock with a 78* lie angle, 41.5" long and 4* of shaft lean. Ordered it on the spot and can't wait to get it. 

 

If I putted that good with a putter that wasn't quite fit for me I can't wait to see what a properly fitted putter does !!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by SEP1006

[Bumbershoot]

23 hours ago, SEP1006 said:

Post up with your thoughts or experiences with the DF 2.1 Armlock.

I got mine this December, and I haven't played much with it yet, just a couple of rounds on bumpy winter greens.  So far, it's going great, but I had to move the ball a couple of inches forward in my stance to prevent a right miss.

 

Two years ago, I decided to run an informal test regarding my putting stroke.  At the time, I decided to take the hands/wrists out of the stroke and simply rock my shoulders.  It took a while to learn how to lag putt using this method, but once I became accustomed to it, I never lag putted better.  Almost no three putts (I'm a dead weight putter, trying to have putts die towards the hole, rather than away from it).  Last year, I figured I'd try going back to my previous putting method, using my hands and wrists.  I never did putt as well as I did the previous year, becoming a bit fidgety over shorter putts, and struggling with speed on lag putts.

 

So, I had L.A.B. build me an armlock DF 2.1.  It's 42" long, lie is 70° with 6° loft.  Right now, I'm making a lot of 10' to 15' footers (indoors), but I had to adjust the ball placement.  I'm getting used to rocking my shoulders to get the correct speed again, and there's no twitchiness on the shorter putts.  I'm expecting my best putting year ever.  Time will tell...

EDIT: corrected length

Edited March 2, 2023 by Bumbershoot

[SEP1006]

1 hour ago, Bumbershoot said:

So, I had L.A.B. build me an armlock DF 2.1.  It's 46" long, lie is 70° with 6° loft.

 

WOW, that's a long Armlock putter for a 70* lie.

[Z1ggy16]

I drained so many10footers with this thing but long term I couldn't control distance on long putts. 10 footers aren't that common. After leaving like 95% of my long putts short (most common), I retired it. For sale if anyone is left handed.

 

[Bumbershoot]

11 hours ago, SEP1006 said:

 

WOW, that's a long Armlock putter for a 70* lie.

Yeah, it would be.  I guess I had my mind on a driver when I was typing...  It's 42".  It's long, but it's legal (below the elbow).

Edited March 2, 2023 by Bumbershoot

[Aucaveman]

I’ve tried multiple, more expensive armlock’s and just never had that ah-ha moment others have had. Purchased a mezz and it was ok. It just doesn’t set up right for me, but my stroke is horrible. Went to pgass to try a link with every intention of buying one. While messing around, picked up a 2.1 armlock. And there it was, the ah-ha moment. I Couldn’t miss. It was so easy. Found out the specs on it, drove home and went straight to the lab outlet. Took a flyer on one that was a little flatter but it fits me great. You’re not going to make every putt, but I’ve quickly turned into the guy that is expected to make putts. I know I will hit my line and I believe I can make any putt I have. One guy has already purchased a 2.1 because of me and another guy text me about an armlock. These putters actually do something different. The technology works. 

[SEP1006]

3 hours ago, Aucaveman said:

These putters actually do something different. The technology works. 

 

For sure. The technology along with the Armlock method are just plain SOLID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SEP1006]

I know I sound like a broken record. BUT, the DF 2.1 combined with the Armlock method is just SO LIKE CHEATING. 

 

Most say it takes about a month to get used to the Armlock method. Well this is right at 4 weeks for me. And this last Thursday Saturday and today have been my best putting days. I was a really good putter before the Armlock/DF 2.1. But now I have even twice the confidence on the greens!!!!

 

 

[Haber]

Last year I went through a brutal patch of putting with my circle T. It came to a head in a match play where I missed 4 putts inside 4’ for halves and lost 2&1.

 

I decided it was time for a change and had always been intrigued by the LAB putters. I had played with a guy that rolled a DF and swore by it. At the same time the Mezz had just released and I loved the headshape so I did an online fitting and received it in July. It took a few hours on the putting green to get untorqued but once it was working it was night and day difference. My putting became a strong suit and I rarely missed anything inside 4’.

 

After a few months I started to wonder if the DF would make my putting even better and got to researching it on their site. Came across their article on how most ams would drop strokes if they committed to arm locking and that got the gears spinning. I ended up doing a fitting and ordered the next week. I received the putter in October and had multiple short stints with it trying to get accustomed to the feel and stroke. It took multiple set up tweaks to find the right grip and feel over the next couple months. I was never able to fully commit to it and would be hot and cold. Come January I was reading about the DF on here and someone had mentioned just how far forward they had to set up the ball in their stance to make it work. I figured why not give it one more whirl and committed to it for a good 3-4 weeks. It’s been a couple months now and my putting has never been so good. I’ve fired my career low +1 73 with it and I leaned on it heavily for some up and downs coming down the stretch. I truly do believe in the tech and if most guys committed and got comfortable they would drop strokes with one too.

[SEP1006]

7 hours ago, Haber said:

I truly do believe in the tech and if most guys committed and got comfortable they would drop strokes with one too.

 

@HaberThis is so right, it is all about getting through the growing pains. Luckily I did a little reading on the Armlock and pretty much everyone said it is a 4 - 6 week adjustment. 

 

Also like you I had the "AH HAH" moment when I moved the ball more forward in my stance. Totally changed everything and it all started to come together.

 

Game changer for sure !!!!!!

 

 

 

[Gr8_Brandino]

Just ordered mine yesterday. Did armlock for 2 seasons and it really helped my 12’ in range. But felt like I struggled on lag putts at times. 
 

after a season of normal putting and somewhat improving at lag putting I noticed my 12’ and shorter putts suffered quite a bit.  For me the consistency of hitting my line with the armlock is what is bringing me back. 
 

I have the link.1 and love the feel but I am just more consistent with armlock. 
 

im excited to get the DF in and hit the course with it and see how I do. I was never fit with my previous Cobra Agera armlock so excited to see what a fitted LAB armlock can do.