LAB df2.1 vs df3

[Jknz]

Looking to pull the trigger on a DF2.1 or DF3. Only catch is, I live in NZ and nowhere locally has either in stock to try or see before I purchase. Looks don’t bother me so not bothered by the ‘ugliness’ of 2.1 and don’t think the size would bother me but $1500 NZD is a lot to drop on a putter so don’t want to regret whichever way I go!

Do you have one or both?

What would you do??? 

Please help me!!

[__jimmyd]

8 hours ago, Jknz said:

Looking to pull the trigger on a DF2.1 or DF3. Only catch is, I live in NZ and nowhere locally has either in stock to try or see before I purchase. Looks don’t bother me so not bothered by the ‘ugliness’ of 2.1 and don’t think the size would bother me but $1500 NZD is a lot to drop on a putter so don’t want to regret whichever way I go!

Do you have one or both?

What would you do??? 

Please help me!!

 

I don't own both, but do have a DF3 and tried the 2.1.  It only took one putt with each to think the feel of the DF3 was better.  I also thought it sounded nicer.  Performance felt similar between the two.  With performance equal (for me) it was a no brainer to chase that soft feel.

Edited September 11, 2024 by __jimmyd

[OspreyCI]

10 hours ago, Jknz said:

Looking to pull the trigger on a DF2.1 or DF3. Only catch is, I live in NZ and nowhere locally has either in stock to try or see before I purchase. Looks don’t bother me so not bothered by the ‘ugliness’ of 2.1 and don’t think the size would bother me but $1500 NZD is a lot to drop on a putter so don’t want to regret whichever way I go!

Do you have one or both?

What would you do??? 

Please help me!!

Easy choice here. DF3. I owned 2.1 Broomstick for almost total years. Idiot and sold it. Owned a DF3 CB for about a month and sold it. DF3 Broomstick being delivered. 
 

2.1 is so solid and swings itself. 3 looks way better and feels way better. Maybe a touch less stable, but not enough to give up the better looks and feel of the 3. Outlet has good prices and ship fast. Just picked up a Broom from there.  

[Sean124]

Get the 3 if you care about sound and feel. 

[Ngjg21]

I own both—identical specs. 34/69, Accra shaft. Only differences are alignment aid (T on the 2.1, single topline on the 3), color (cappucino on the 2.1, charcoal on the 3), and grip (Press 3* on the 2.1, Press 2* on the 3).

 

The DF3 wins on looks and is plenty stable. I find the DF2.1 to be easier to sole…its larger footprint helps with that. However, it can get caught if putting from the fringe. I’m happy using either but the DF3 has been great in my few rounds this year so it’s been in the bag. 

Edited September 12, 2024 by Ngjg21

[Falnders]

I recently bought a DF 2.1, was concerned about the look initially but within 5 minutes got used to it. Roll and feel is sensational, beautifully balanced.

 

I'd agree the sound takes some getting used to but amazing how quickly you don't care when putts drop.

 

 

Mick

[PStrangerX]

I had emailed LAB asking about this differences between them. The person who responded said "in terms of forgiveness, bigger is better, and so the 2.1 is more forgiving. But htey made the DF3 because people hated 2.1's looks." He even said that he still uses the 2.1 on 60% of his rounds.

[hamptons fade]

I just ordered a 2.1 with a TPT (couldn’t pass up the sale). In person, I found it smaller than I was expecting, and it performed better to me than the 3.

[kingbing]

Just purchased the 2.1.  Spent the last month extensively rolling both the DF3 and 2.1.  The 2.1 just puts a better roll on it, plus it was more forgiving.  For some reason I would occasionally miss left with the DF3.  It was a tough choice, but I drained more with the 2.1.

Edited December 3, 2024 by kingbing

[4bees]

I too got a 2.1. I have played a round with both. 
 

the DF3 while it “looks” better and is a bit softer on the feel, does not even compare in the performance of the 2.1. If you want to improve your putting the 2.1 is the only choice you need. If you want to roll putts with ease, 2.1 all day. I will never look at another putter ever again. Period. 

[Macroach]

It could be 100% mental, but I still miss my old df2.1. Bought it on classifieds here, had Accra shaft and a gouge on the side that made it even uglier.  But man, that thing just made putts. Since then I have been through Mezz, Mezz max, Link, DF3 CB, DF3 … and while they are all great, the old 2.1 is the one I think about with great longing. 😂

[BombsIntoTheWoods]

1 hour ago, Macroach said:

It could be 100% mental, but I still miss my old df2.1. Bought it on classifieds here, had Accra shaft and a gouge on the side that made it even uglier.  But man, that thing just made putts. Since then I have been through Mezz, Mezz max, Link, DF3 CB, DF3 … and while they are all great, the old 2.1 is the one I think about with great longing. 😂

Ya, beyond the looks and love or hate relationship with that, they always say the 2.1 is the most forgiving. I picked one up on a steal to give a run.

[SunsetDreams]

On 9/11/2024 at 12:43 PM, OspreyCI said:

Easy choice here. DF3. I owned 2.1 Broomstick for almost total years. Idiot and sold it. Owned a DF3 CB for about a month and sold it. DF3 Broomstick being delivered. 
 

2.1 is so solid and swings itself. 3 looks way better and feels way better. Maybe a touch less stable, but not enough to give up the better looks and feel of the 3. Outlet has good prices and ship fast. Just picked up a Broom from there.  

Still feeling this way?
 

Apologies if asking something you’ve covered already. New Lab Rat here. Been seeing you wax poetic about the 2.1. Kind of wild to see you say “Easy choice.”

 

Curious why you refer yourself as an idiot for selling the 2.1 if it’s an easy choice. 

Edited July 1 by SunsetDreams

[OspreyCI]

16 minutes ago, SunsetDreams said:

Still feeling this way?
 

Apologies if asking something you’ve covered already. New Lab Rat here. Been seeing you wax poetic about the 2.1. Kind of wild to see you say “Easy choice.”

 

Curious why you refer yourself as an idiot for selling the 2.1 if it’s an easy choice. 

Now that I have more time with the 3, I am putting it on BST and going back to the 2.1. It is so big and so stable and my 2+ years with it, I made everything. GOLFWRX got me and I went to the 3 and now regretting it. 
 

I will say I do like the standard length 3 more than the 2.1 in a normal length putter. 

[mystvalley]

I’ve had the DF 2.1 for 8 years and have purchased every single model that came out following it. DF3 is what I would recommend to the first timers but I too can confidently say that DF 2.1 is the most stable putter. The easiest analogy I can give you is that DF2.1 is a 450cc head driver and DF3 is a 430cc head. The DF3 is softer feeling but feel is obviously subjective. I’m an old fart and grew up playing Ping Anser and then a Newport Beach model. I’ve always preferred the firmer feeling on my putter. But again for the someone new to LAB I would recommend the DF3. It’s the perfect starter model.

 

 
I recently upgraded and ordered a new DF 2.1 with TPT and in the green color. Back when I bought mine, we were limited on color options and shaft options (I have the LA Golf shaft on it).

 

 

 

[eRod v1.0]

1 hour ago, mystvalley said:

I’ve had the DF 2.1 for 8 years and have purchased every single model that came out following it. DF3 is what I would recommend to the first timers but I too can confidently say that DF 2.1 is the most stable putter. The easiest analogy I can give you is that DF2.1 is a 450cc head driver and DF3 is a 430cc head. The DF3 is softer feeling but feel is obviously subjective. I’m an old fart and grew up playing Ping Anser and then a Newport Beach model. I’ve always preferred the firmer feeling on my putter. But again for the someone new to LAB I would recommend the DF3. It’s the perfect starter model.

 

 
I recently upgraded and ordered a new DF 2.1 with TPT and in the green color. Back when I bought mine, we were limited on color options and shaft options (I have the LA Golf shaft on it).

 

 

 

 

I wish they offered the DF2.1 in a CB!  

[Green Valley]

Does anyone know if 2.1 heads are sold without the shaft. I have a Stability shaft laying around the house and would put it on a 2.1 head. Thank you 

[StoutKing]

2 hours ago, Green Valley said:

Does anyone know if 2.1 heads are sold without the shaft. I have a Stability shaft laying around the house and would put it on a 2.1 head. Thank you 

I doubt it because the putter is mailed balanced from LAB.  I also see that they stopped selling stability.  Contact them and see what they'll do.  You never know.

[Bunkersarebigcups]

They probably (!) would install your shaft into a DF2.1 and balance it, if you send them your shaft. They usually charge 100$ for rebalance and shaft installation (+cost of the shaft) when you send your putter back to make a shaft change. If you buy a new putter, the shaft installation and balancing should already be included so in theory you should get yours for the stock/custom price listed on the website. Try reaching out to their customer service, they are really good!

[dmbolp]

They won’t sell just a head, and won’t take a used, unverified shaft from someone and place it in a new head at the factory; quality control.  Your option would be to buy a putter, new or used, and then re-shaft it yourself.

 

 

[Green Valley]

Thank you

[StoutKing]

Well, Charlie Woods has dropped his circle T for a LAB DF3.  Who knows, maybe Eldrick is next to do so.  Very nice putters