50 Words or Less
The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS putter puts the company’s latest mallet in a whole new perspective. More traditional look may open up appeal of zero torque to a wider range of players. Same outstanding performance as the original OZ.1.
Introduction
L.A.B. Golf is having a monster year. They kicked things off with the release of the OZ.1 [review HERE], a more traditional mallet that golfers have loved. Then they got their first major win at the US Open in the bag of J. J. Spaun. Now they’re bringing golfers something that will change how we look at L.A.B. putters…literally. The new L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS is the first heel-shafted putter in the company’s history, an offering geared toward golfers who have stayed away from the center-shafted style that L.A.B. has always created. I got to test one to see if this blend of old and new is the secret to success on the greens.
Looks
Everyone who got their hands on my L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS gushed about the looks. From the company that built their brand around a putter that looks like a spaceship [check it out HERE], this putter looks positively old school. The secret is the new hosel, placed in the heel but slightly back from the face, like PXG’s S-Hosel [see it on the Bat Attack ZT review HERE].
Overall, this is a large, angular mallet that combines modern and traditional elements. While it’s size and sharp lines feel more futuristic, the design is clean and straightforward, sitting comfortably behind the ball. I like how the body narrows toward the face, like an arrow pointing toward the hole.
Above you can see the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS (left) next to the standard OZ.1. Not only is the hosel very different, the shaping of the cavity is dramatically changed. Without the need to put the shaft into the middle of the head, L.A.B. was free to create a stepped cavity which adds to the flow of the design. I liked – and still like – the original OZ.1, but the HS model is much more appealing to my eye.
As with all previous L.A.B. putters, the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS has a world of customization options. You can choose from eight different head colors, 32 front alignment aids, and 22 back alignment aids. With the HS, you can also choose between a black and platinum “riser” or neck.
Finally, the L.A.B. OZ.1 HS comes with a cover very similar to the original OZ.1. It’s a high quality, embroidered cover with a strong magnetic closure. The big difference is that the cover doesn’t need to maneuver around L.A.B.’s unique center shafted design. For headcover collectors, this is a big deal: you can now use traditional mallet covers on a L.A.B.
Sound & Feel
You’ll note the “i” in the name of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS, meaning that this is the insert version of the OZ.1. That insert is stainless steel in an aluminum head, used to create a firmer feel and faster ball speeds.
As with the original OZ.1i [review HERE], the OZ.1i HS has a much firmer feel than any non-insert L.A.B. putter. It’s also worth noting that the HS version that I tested has a steel shaft; all my previous L.A.B. putters have graphite shafts (graphite shafts are still available for the HS model). This is another piece of the feel equation, and it likely contributes to that firmer feel. I’ll add that I felt less feedback on strike quality with the OZ.1i HS than with the standard OZ.1i.
The sound of impact is a very gentle “tock” from 15 feet and in. I found the volume to be average, though it did depend on the golf ball. Softer golf balls produced a quieter impact sound; firmer balls (all urethane covered) were louder. The sound of impact got noticeably louder at longer distances, but there was never much audio feedback on impact location.
Performance
Let’s start with the facts. Despite the different hosel placement, the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS has the same zero torque properties as any other L.A.B. putter. It wants to stay square to your stroke path and works best if you can keep from steering or manipulating the club face. When you let this putter do what it wants to, hitting your start line is automatic. Learn more about zero torque putters HERE.
The OZ.1i HS also has good forgiveness. Small misses, especially at close range, are a nonissue. At long range, the ball will get within tap-in range as long as you make a fair effort.
Before getting into the part I can’t quite explain, a little background on me. I’ve used an Anser-style putter for the vast majority of my golfing life. In the last two years, I switched to the L.A.B. MEZZ.1 MAX [review HERE]. I made the switch because I got better results from the MEZZ, particularly in the midrange. My long putting has never been great with zero torque putters, but I’ve always put a large portion of that blame on the fact that I’ve been playing less in the last few years.
When I started using the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS, something felt more comfortable right away. In my first testing session, I was rolling most 60 footers into gimme range – something I struggle to do with my MEZZ. Despite the HS and standard OZ both being zero torque, the HS felt like it had a better flow during the stroke.
With most zero torque putters, I need to give up control fully to get good results. If I try to steer it, things go badly. That’s one end of the spectrum. On the opposite end, there are traditional putters where I need to have both hands on the wheel. Both of those are hard – I want to have some control, but I also like some help. The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS feels like a middle ground where I don’t get punished for doing a little steering, but the putter is doing the lion’s share of the work. This led to great results at all distances.
My last note is about L.A.B.’s signature Press grips. As you can see above, the shaft enters these grips at an angle to offset the built-in shaft lean. I’ve always felt that the grips looked and felt normal, given the design of L.A.B. putters. Interestingly, with the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS, I didn’t feel that way. The grip looked odd to me – probably the mixture of the more traditional hosel with the less traditional grip. If you want a “normal” putter grip, you can order the OZ.1i HS without shaft lean. Regardless, the putter soled square at address, the grip was perfectly installed, and I quickly got over my aesthetic issues thanks to the results.
Conclusion
If you’re reading this at publication, I’m currently sidelined by knee surgery. I’m hoping that we get a long, temperate fall in Chicago so that I can steal some golf when I’m back on two feet. If all that comes to pass, I’ll have the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS putter in my bag. I’m not typically one for 4th quarter WITB changes, but this putter has been too good to ignore.
Visit L.A.B. Golf HERE
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.