Much like Goldilocks and the Three Bears my journey with L.A.B. Putters has finally found the one that is “just right.”
After trying my first L.A.B. putter, the Mezz Max back in 2023, I have watched the brand become a common sight on most putting greens. The science of Lie Angle Balance and how it is purported to help your game certainly resonated with me but I struggled to make the putters I tried work for my stroke. I found the forward press of L.A.B. shafts and grips up to this point hard to fit my swing, along with the visual shape of the head. The Link 1 was the solution to this press issue but the only head option was a blade when I was used to playing a mallet shape.
Enter the OZ.1i and finally all the options that suited my game: no forward press, a heavy head, and a mallet shape.
Technical Specifications: OZ.1i
- Head Material: CNC-milled 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum
- Finish: Type-3 anodized black
- Lie Angle: 69° (stock)
- Loft: 3° effective loft
- Shaft Options: Premium matte black steel
- Shaft Lean: Available in 0° (vertical) or 2° forward lean
- Grip: Press Pistol 2 Degree
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, or 35″
- Alignment Aid: Baby T alignment line
- Price: $449 (stock), $599 (custom)
Performance and Feel
The OZ.1’s Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology ensures the putter face remains square throughout the stroke, effectively eliminating torque and promoting consistent roll. There are two available models with the new head shape, the OZ.1 and OZ.1i. The OZ.1i is the first putter in the L.A.B. lineup that offers a face insert which contrary to what you may think actually creates a firmer face and faster ball speeds. I have compared the feel by testing putters at a local golf store and can confirm it firsthand.
If you have never swung a L.A.B. putter before there are some unique attributes you will notice right away. First, the putter feels smooth when swinging it regardless of your putting stroke. I have watched arc putters, straight putters and everything in between swing a L.A.B. naturally. Second, the center shaft will feel strange at first but your stroke and eye-line will adjust. It will take you about 40 minutes on the putting green but it will become natural.
Customization Options
L.A.B. Golf provides extensive customization for the OZ.1i. I was really impressed with the combinations available to help you build the perfect putter. The online build process was very easy to use and I felt confident in exactly the model that I was customizing.
- Shaft Lean: Choose between 0° (vertical) for those who prefer a standard grip, or 2° forward lean for use with L.A.B.’s Press Grips
- Putting Style: Sweeper, Counterbalanced, Armlock
- Head Weight: Standard, Heavier, Lighter
- Grip Options: Various grip styles to suit individual feel and comfort.
- Alignment Aids: Multiple alignment markings to assist with setup and aiming.
- Finish and Color: Options to match personal style and preferences
- Lie Angle: A custom lie angle can be selected. If you are unsure L.A.B. offers a free remote fitting. (Watch the video below for more details)
On-Course Performance
I unwrapped my new OZ.1i back in January and promptly took it to Florida for some rounds at Streamsong Resort. Coming off a long winter I was excited to see how this putter would perform. It had been an entire season since I had used a L.A.B. putter but picking up the OZ felt just like riding a bike. Contributing to this ease of transition was definitely the new mallet shaped head which made visual adjustment simpler. The balance of the putter felt better to me as well because of the heavy weight in the smaller profile head.
As I mentioned at the beginning the 0 degree shaft lean was something I really needed to fit my putting style. The setup felt much more natural with the OZ.1i and the accuracy of my putts really improved. The best performance of the putter however was in the speed control on longer putts. I could easily feel the distance and lag putts into that comfortable gimme range we all aim for with friends.
Being the first L.A.B. model that has an insert I was really interested to see how this would change feel and ball striking. I noticed the difference right away as smooth light strokes sent the ball rolling fast and straight. I also chose to go with a classic “T” shape alignment aid which works great for my ball setup as I use a cross to help get my stroke line.
One aspect of the OZ.1i that I had to get used to was the way the face appeared when setting up square to my line. It looked more closed than I was used to and that contributed to me pushing a number of putts at first. Once I trained my eyes to trust the face angle I was rolling putts straight. It continues to be something I watch during practice, and I now make it part of my regular warm-up routine.
Final Verdict
What started as a small, quirky putter company with a cult following has really become a major player in the industry. L.A.B. continues to prove itself from the local muni to the PGA Tour.
The L.A.B. OZ.1i in my opinion represents a completion of options in the overall L.A.B. lineup. The OZ, as with any L.A.B. putter, is something you have to experience to see if it will help you. I would recommend trying one at a local golf shop to find the right model for you, and just like me you might find the “Right” fit with L.A.B.
For more information or to customize your own OZ.1 putter, visit the L.A.B. Golf official website.
L.A.B. Putters are also available through Carl’s Golfland
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