L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.2i Putter Review

The L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.2i Putter is L.A.B.’s update of the MEZZ, a zero-torque fang mallet with softer lines, a slightly narrower head and two ways to pick up your ball. It suits golfers who want zero torque in a putter that fits a more traditional eye. In my testing it dropped putts from all over the green and took over first place in the race for my gamer spot.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of the original MEZZ, because it looked too angular and too big behind the ball for my eye. The MEZZ.2i fits my eye perfectly, and it looks amazing in the Black Cherry finish. It also started a real battle between L.A.B. putters for the spot in my bag.

Looks and alignment

Not all zero-torque putters are the same, and with so many to choose from it’s easy to get confused about which one to pick. No single putter suits everyone, and some fit your eye and your stroke better than others. I didn’t expect the MEZZ.2i to suit mine at first glance, but once I set it behind the ball I fell for the fang look, the Black Cherry finish and the racing-stripe alignment.

This center-shafted fang sits square behind the ball, and with the 2-degree forward press built into the grip, it feels aligned every time I set it down. It took no adjustment time and no thought. I just dropped it down and putted.

Feel and distance control

Most L.A.B. putters have aluminum bodies, and the “i” models add a stainless steel face. The MEZZ.2i uses the same deep-milled steel face as the VZN.1i, and weight screws in the sole set the balance that makes it zero torque. I love the feel and “pop” the steel face gives at impact, and the roll is clean and smooth on short and long putts.

What impressed me most was the distance control. Whether it was a 5-footer or a 25-footer, the ball either dropped or finished inches from the hole. With the weight spread wide in the head, it feels balanced at impact and the ball rolls consistently forward.

Picking up the ball with the fangs

The fangs work from the top or the bottom, so you can press the head down onto a ball or slide the fangs under it and scoop it up. Since 99% of my rounds are with friends for fun, plenty of putts get conceded, and a lot of them finished well inside the leather with this putter. The fangs do double duty, helping with alignment and spaced just right for picking up the ball.

Results on the course

My putters are in a serious battle for the IGR gamer spot, and the MEZZ.2i is in first place, ahead of the VZN.1i and the Link 2.2 because it’s even more consistent. I’d love to have 18 putts a round, but I’m averaging about 28 with it, and it feels like many of those had a chance to drop in one. The pars and birdies have been pouring in, and it’s going to take something special to knock it out.

Putting green test from 5 to 20 feet

On the IGR putting green, I hit five putts each from 5, 10, 15 and 20 feet. I made all five from 5 feet and four from 10 feet, with 3 inches left on average. From 15 feet I made three with 6 inches left on average, and from 20 feet I made three with 7 inches left. That’s 15 of 20, and the misses were so short that this putter has a good chance of staying in the bag.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.2i Putter is legit, especially in Black Cherry with the ACCRA shaft. It’s a compact fang putter with zero torque, excellent feel and the distance control to cut putts on the course, and it takes no time to adjust to. It caught me off guard how well it has performed, and it’s a serious contender for my gamer spot.

Skip it if you don’t like a center-shafted look or want a classic blade shape. If you want a different look, the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i won Best Zero-Torque Putter in our best putters guide, and you can read my OZ.1i review.

More on labgolf.com