L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 Putter Review

The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 Putter is a mid-mallet, zero-torque putter with the soft feel of a solid aluminum body and no face insert. It sits between the firmer OZ.1i and the DF3. After 7 rounds, its softer feel and slower roll helped me control speed on firm, fast greens, and it’s edging out my other L.A.B. putters.

I’ve seen my best putting with an L.A.B. putter in the bag. Each model in the line still brings a small learning curve, mostly mental, from shape to feel to speed, and the OZ.1 took me a few rounds to dial in.

Feel and speed

The OZ.1 feels softer than the OZ.1i, and similar to the DF3. The OZ.1i has a stainless steel insert that gives it a firmer feel and a faster roll. The OZ.1 has no insert, so it feels soft and rolls slower, and I found that very predictable. The sole weighting is slightly different to account for the missing insert, but the two models are almost the same otherwise.

I lean toward the softer feel and slower speed on the greens I play in Arizona. Desert courses are firm and fast, so it was easier to control speed with the OZ.1. Depending on the length of the putt, I found about a 10% difference in distance compared with the OZ.1i.

It took a few rounds to dial in the speed after the OZ.1i, but once I did, I loved the softer feel. I don’t worry much about leaving putts short with it.

Shape and looks

Putter shape is a constant debate. Many traditional golfers look down on an Anser-style blade, while many modern golfers have adopted a variety of mallet shapes. L.A.B. has been more interested in balance and performance than shape, but the OZ.1, a collaboration with Adam Scott, is its most traditionally shaped putter.

I love looking down at its mallet shape, angular lines and clean look. The black version looks stealthy with the black head and black shaft.

Zero torque and Lie Angle Balance

L.A.B. stands for Lie Angle Balance. Its torque-free design lets you putt freely without the head twisting or turning in your hands, so you don’t need to manipulate the club. Just let the stroke flow naturally.

Many putter makers now offer some version of a zero-torque putter, so what makes L.A.B. different? I think it’s how the system comes together. The bottom has fixed weights that balance the head, the shaft is set into the head, the loft is matched to the putting style, and the grip adds forward press. They aren’t adjustable, but they’re what makes the putter torque-free.

Press Pistol grip

The Press Pistol 2° grip may be the smartest part of an L.A.B. putter. It gets your hands into a forward press without feeling like you’ve moved them, and you can also move your hands forward yourself. L.A.B. offers custom grips with 1.5°, 2° and 3° of press for more or less, and I’m perfectly happy with the stock 2°.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you want a zero-torque putter with a soft feel and a more traditional mid-mallet look. The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 Putter has been in my bag for 7 rounds, and my putt count is essentially the same as with the DF3 and OZ.1i. The difference is confidence: when I picture a 6-foot birdie putt to win the match, the OZ.1 is edging out the other two.

It comes stock or with hundreds of custom options. If you want a firmer feel and a faster roll, try the OZ.1i instead. More at labgolf.com.