This December, L.A.B. Golf released their latest mallet putter, the OZ.1i. This putter came about through collaboration with Adam Scott. Working together, L.A.B. Golf and Scott designed what is arguably the most traditional-looking mallet L.A.B. Golf has ever produced.
The sports car-inspired aesthetics are only part of the OZ.1i story, though. Here are five things you should know about the new L.A.B. Golf OZ.1.
1. The OZ.1i has a stainless steel insert
Prior to the OZ.1i, L.A.B. Golf mallets featured 100-percent milled-aluminum construction. While the body of the OZ.1i is still aluminum, its face has a milled stainless steel insert. The “i” at the end of the OZ.1i name stands for “insert.”
Why did L.A.B. Golf add an insert? Basically, the story is one of ball speed and feel. The firmer stainless steel will increase ball speeds. Not only is there more pop off the face but the stainless steel face provides firmer feel at impact. For some golfers, the bump in ball speed and the firmness of feel are just what they are looking for.
If you prefer the feel of L.A.B.’s traditional milled aluminum face, like the one found in the DF3, the OZ.1 is coming soon, and will not have a stainless steel insert.
2. The OZ.1i has a traditional mallet shape
L.A.B. Golf makes odd-looking putters. Those familiar with the success of L.A.B. Golf putters over the past few years know that “odd” does not mean “bad.” Maybe a better descriptor for their putters would be “unusual” or “atypical.”
Simply stated, the OZ.1i is not an odd-looking putter. It still has an unusual number of weights on the bottom for balance but from every other angle, the OZ.1i is decidedly un-wacky looking.
Think of it this way. With the Directed Force, MEZZ.1, Link.1 and the DF3 putters, you know immediately that they are L.A.B. putters as soon as you see them.
At address, one could easily think another company had made the OZ.1i. The shaft position is the only element that says the OZ.1i is a L.A.B. Golf putter and not one made by someone like Bettinardi or PING.
3. There are two shaft angle options
Like the other L.A.B. Golf putters, the OZ.1i is fully customizable. What is not like the other models is that there are two options for shaft angle. You can build your OZ.1i with L.A.B.’s typical two-degrees forward shaft lean or with zero degrees of lean.
The zero shaft lean option is for players looking for more of a vertical shaft position at address. This allows the OZ.1i to set up more like a traditional mallet. You can even use your usual putter grip with the zero-lean shaft. Those who go with the two-degree shaft options will need to use one of L.A.B.’s Press Grips.
I’ve spent a few hours rolling putts with the two shaft options. Truth be told, the main differences I observed occurred at address. With the shaft lean, I set up with the ball a little more forward than I do with the straight shaft. I believe shaft choice will come down to personal preference rather than a performance difference.
Bottom line: Golfers who are new to L.A.B. may find the zero-lean shaft option an easier transition from their current non-L.A.B. putter.
4. All versions of the OZ.1i are Lie Angle Balanced
Though there are some significant new build options, all permutations of the OZ.1i putters are still Lie Angle Balanced. This is true even with the stainless steel face insert and a zero-lean shaft.
No matter how you want your OZ.1i putter built, L.A.B. Golf will make sure that it is Lie Angle Balanced to your specifications.
If you are not sure what your fitting specifications are, L.A.B. Golf offers a Remote Fitting Program. All you need to do is record a video of you putting and they can tell you what lie angle you need.
You may be skeptical but their video fitting fit me into the same lie angle that was previously determined at an in-person fitting.
5. The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i is built and balanced in the U.S.A.
Though some of the components come from other countries, the majority of the production and all of the assembly of L.A.B. Golf putters occurs in the U.S.A. For some customers, the manufacturing location plays into the purchasing decision.
Case in point: When I was testing the OZ.1i at a local practice green, I was approached by a curious golfer with his MEZZ.1 in hand. During our chat about L.A.B. Golf, he brought up that he appreciated that they were made in the U.S.A.
More than once, I have had someone tell me about L.A.B. Golf’s amazing customer service. When customers reach out to L.A.B. with questions or concerns, they receive prompt replies and resolution. I credit this to the L.A.B. Golf headquarters being in Oregon rather than overseas.
There is another OZ.1 down the (yellow brick) road.
(You didn’t think that I could go a whole article about the OZ.1i putter without an off to see the wizard reference, did you?)
Now that you are up to speed with the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i, let’s chat about what is coming next. In January, the OZ.1 will be available for purchase. This version of the OZ will not have the stainless steel insert, the face looking more like the milled aluminum face of the DF3.
I look forward to comparing the milled stainless steel face of the OZ.1i to the softer aluminum face of the OZ.1.
In 2025, L.A.B. will release long versions of the OZ.1i and OZ.1 as well.
In the coming year, I also expect to see a whole bunch of new professional and amateur golfers with L.A.B. putters in their bags. 2024 was a hot year for L.A.B. Golf and as long as they keep making new putters like the OZ.1i, the Lie Angle Balanced fan club will continue to grow in 2025.
Find out more about the OZ.1i and L.A.B. Golf at labgolf.com
Gunnar
1 year ago
Really excited to see the feedback from the testers on this one. The logic makes perfect sense but wonder how much L.A.B. actually improves your ability to make consistent strokes. Would have to be significant in order to be able to justify the price point IMO!