The insert-free L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 mallet putter is on the market in inventory and customized configurations.
The face of the OZ.1 lacks the stainless-steel insert within the OZ.1i.
Inventory and customized builds can be found at labgolf.com.
When L.A.B. Golf launched their new OZ.1i mallet in December, it made fairly a stir. Not solely was the mallet created by a collaboration with Adam Scott but it surely was the primary L.A.B. Golf putter to function a chrome steel face insert.
Moreover, the OZ.1i was the primary L.A.B. Golf putter to have a zero-degree shaft lean possibility. All earlier L.A.B. Golf putters had built-in ahead press within the shaft, requiring a particular L.A.B. Golf Press Grip to finish the construct. The zero-degree possibility permits any grip for use and may make the putter really feel acquainted to a conventional mallet participant.
Naturally, the OZ.1i continues to be Lie Angle Balanced no matter face or shaft choices.
L.A.B Golf mentioned an insert-free model of the OZ can be coming sooner or later. Nicely, the long run is now. The OZ.1 with its all-aluminum face now’s out there.
Naturally, I had to take a look at this newest L.A.B. putter and, oh boy, do I’ve stuff to share. First, we’re going to try the customized construct applications for the OZ.1i and the OZ.1. Does what you see on the pc display match the delivered product?
After that, I’ll get to the query that lots of you’ve concerning the two fashions: How does the kind of face have an effect on the play?
Creating the customized OZ.1i and OZ.1 putters
Of the entire issues I examine right here at MyGolfSpy, certainly one of my favorites is on-line golf membership constructing. I take pleasure in spending time operating the varied configurations by the pc interfaces.
With every design tweak, I envision how the varied construct choices will affect my placing success. Admittedly, I additionally simply check out choices to make the putter look cool.
The second a part of the design course of is satisfying as properly. No, not the time spent ready for the field to reach however reasonably the opening of the field.
Nothing beats opening the field and discovering how the true life putter compares to the one I constructed on the pc.
Based mostly upon my experiences, L.A.B. Golf’s customized monitor file is ideal. I’ve ordered 5 customized L.A.B. putters and all 5 have crushed any computer-generated expectations.
Evidently, the bar was excessive once I submitted my customized builds for the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i and OZ.1.
What are the customized L.A.B. Golf OZ choices?
Going customized goes to value you a minimal of $100. For those who add a customized shaft, the worth rises from there. Contemplating that the inventory putter is already $499, that baseline additional hundred bucks pushes the worth of a customized L.A.B. Golf putter above that of a lot of the putters in your native store.
Is it price it?
The quick reply is sure. For the additional value, you now have management over a broad suite of construct choices reminiscent of:
dexterity (proper or left)
head shade (8 shade choices)
head weight (commonplace. heavier, lighter)
placing type (commonplace or counterbalanced)
size (28″-36″ for traditional construct)
lie (63°-79.5°)
shaft lean (0° or 2°)
grip (7 Press Grip choices)
alignment scheme (31 entrance and 21 rear alignment graphics)
putter shaft (metal, ACCRA, GEARS, or TPT)
That additional $100 means that you can construct the precise L.A.B. putter that not solely suits your eye but additionally your play wants.
New GEARS x L.A.B. Golf shaft possibility
Along with the brand new face, the OZ.1 and OZ.1i even have a brand new shaft possibility: L.A.B.’s new GEARS putter shaft. L.A.B. Golf believes it is best to play a really stiff shaft in your putter to attenuate any affect of shaft flex in your stroke.
Nonetheless, they acknowledge that if a putter shaft is just too stiff, it would really feel harsh and negatively affect suggestions.
As such, L.A.B. Golf has partnered with shaft producers to supply graphite shafts of assorted stiffness. They’re all stiff however some are stiffer than others.
This new GEARS x L.A.B. Golf shaft will not be as stiff as their stiffest TPT shaft however it’s stiffer than their ACCRA shaft. The GEARS possibility is a little bit of a Goldilocks when it comes to stiffness.
When constructing your customized, upgrading the shaft is the priciest possibility. Ideally, yow will discover a fitter with the varied shafts to demo. If not, L.A.B. has a strong clarification of the shafts of their L.A.B. 101 part.
Dave’s OZ.1i and OZ.1 builds
This time round, I went conservative with my putter designs. OK, so that could be a half fact.
For the OZ.1i, I selected a cappuccino brown end and the brand new black GEARS shaft. I’m an enormous fan of the ACCRA shaft however I needed to see how stiff the brand new shaft performed, particularly since my inventory OZ.1i has a TPT shaft.
Admittedly, I obtained somewhat extra on the market with the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 construct. Sure, it’s pink. Generally I get distracted by shiny issues. The white model of the GEARS shaft appeared like a pure complement to the aesthetic.
This look makes it an ideal Valentine’s Day reward …
Exterior of the colours, the entire different construct specs had been the identical for the 2 putters. By minimizing variables, I hoped to higher perceive how the stainless-steel insert of the OZ.1i rolled the ball in comparison with the all-aluminum face of the brand new OZ.1.
L.A.B. Golf is now 7-0
L.A.B. Golf’s “crushing the pc rendering” streak continues. Each putters regarded manner higher in individual than on the monitor.
The cappuccino L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i was a richer brown than I anticipated. I believed it might be flat brown for some cause. In individual, the end could be very wealthy, particularly in full solar the place it radiates.
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Relying upon the angle of the solar, I did often discover the sting of the toe finish screw gap at handle. I may see the little scalloped edge on the backside of the screw.
I don’t bear in mind my eyes being drawn to that space with the black inventory model. Clearly, since there isn’t a insert to screw into, these holes should not current within the new OZ.1.
The new pink is a dynamic end. The shade of pink sits extra towards the crimson aspect of pink than the whiter pink of the pc rendering.
This end actually pops within the solar, changing into ruby-hued from some angles. I like the best way the white shaft and alignment strains complement the colour as properly.
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The affect of the insert
In the end, the aim of a putter is to get the ball within the gap. As a lot as I like constructing customs and seeing them for the primary time, what I actually like is making putts.
Previous to the OZ.1i, each L.A.B. Golf putter that has frolicked in my bag has had an aluminum face with horizontal grooves. Not solely is the stainless-steel insert not aluminum however its milling sample is totally totally different. It seems like a conventional milled face.
The story from L.A.B. Golf is that the stainless-steel face of the OZ.1i provides it extra pop and a firmer really feel than the aluminum face of the OZ.1.
After rolling them face to face, I fully agree.
On common, the putts I made with the OZ.1i rolled additional than putts from the identical distance with the OZ.1. This was true for brief putts in addition to lags throughout the follow inexperienced. The insert makes the OZ.1i the warmer of the 2 variations.
Velocity will not be the entire story, although. I discovered the texture of the aluminum to be much more pleasing than the stainless-steel. Maybe I’m biased due to my time spent taking part in the all-aluminum L.A.B DF3.
Regardless, it is best to anticipate the stainless-steel face to really feel considerably firmer than the aluminum face.
The princess and the pea
Whereas rolling the 2 OZ variations, an intrusive thought crept into my head. Not solely did the OZ.1i really feel firmer than the OZ.1 however I additionally felt the top was heavier.
All the construct choices had been the identical for the 2 putters however the OZ.1i appeared to have a heavier swing weight. I attempted to disregard that concept as being ridiculous but it surely continued so I went into the store to measure the swing weights.
Positive sufficient, the swing weight of the OZ.1i was marginally increased than the OZ.1. What does that imply? Initially, it means I’m overly delicate to putter nuance. It additionally signifies that the additional weights on the OZ.1 don’t fairly substitute the mass of the insert and the OZ.1i.
This isn’t a knock on the OZ.1i, simply one thing to think about when selecting the face in your OZ.
Which OZ do you have to purchase?
Legitimate query. I’ll reply that with two questions of my very own. First, what’s your typical miss when it comes to distance? Are you all the time wanting the cup? If that’s the case, go together with the stainless-steel insert and the OZ.1i.
Do you ceaselessly blast the ball previous the outlet or play on very quick greens? In that case, the additional pop-pop of stainless-steel might irritate your state of affairs. Select the softer aluminum face of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1.
As soon as you identify the face that’s best for you, then you possibly can transfer on to the entire different construct choices. The GEARS shaft did appear to play softer than the TPT however I feel my favourite shaft continues to be the ACCRA. As with the face really feel, I desire the softer really feel of that also very stiff shaft. Nonetheless, there are legions of L.A.B. Rats that swear by the TPT.
Whenever you head over to the L.A.B. Golf web site to take a look at the customized choices, you’ll be impressed, and maybe intimidated, by the alignment choices. As per traditional, there are some standard ones, like my lengthy T scheme, and a few extra unique choices. Have enjoyable making an attempt them out. I’m curious what you need to see in your putter if you handle the ball.
If the entire choices are overwhelming, attain out to L.A.B. Golf. They’re identified for his or her wonderful customer support. I guess somebody at L.A.B. HQ has the reply to your construct questions. Don’t overlook: You will get the entire customized course of began with a Distant Becoming.
See the entire construct choices and design your L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 or OZ.1i at labgolf.com
The put up Customizing And Evaluating The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i And The New OZ.1 appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
