Customizing And Comparing The L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i And The New OZ.1

The insert-free L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 mallet putter is accessible in inventory and customized configurations.

The face of the OZ.1 lacks the chrome 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 via a collaboration with Adam Scott but it surely was the primary L.A.B. Golf putter to function a stainless-steel face insert.

Moreover, the OZ.1i was the primary L.A.B. Golf putter to have a zero-degree shaft lean choice. 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 choice permits any grip for use and may make the putter really feel acquainted to a conventional mallet participant.

Naturally, the OZ.1i remains to be Lie Angle Balanced no matter face or shaft choices.

L.A.B Golf stated an insert-free model of the OZ can be coming sooner or later. Properly, the longer term is now. The OZ.1 with its all-aluminum face now could be accessible.

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 packages for the OZ.1i and the OZ.1. Does what you see on the pc display screen match the delivered product?

After that, I’ll get to the query that a lot of you could have 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 all the issues I examine right here at MyGolfSpy, one in all my favorites is on-line golf membership constructing. I take pleasure in spending time working the assorted configurations via the pc interfaces.

With every design tweak, I envision how the assorted 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 moderately the opening of the field.

Nothing beats opening the field and discovering how the actual life putter compares to the one I constructed on the pc.

Based mostly upon my experiences, L.A.B. Golf’s customized monitor report is ideal. I’ve ordered 5 customized L.A.B. putters and all 5 have crushed any computer-generated expectations.

For sure, 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. Should you add a customized shaft, the value rises from there. Contemplating that the inventory putter is already $499, that baseline additional hundred bucks pushes the value 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 normal 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 lets you 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 choice

Along with the brand new face, the OZ.1 and OZ.1i even have a brand new shaft choice: L.A.B.’s new GEARS putter shaft. L.A.B. Golf believes you need 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 should 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 choice is a little bit of a Goldilocks when it comes to stiffness.

When constructing your customized, upgrading the shaft is the priciest choice. Ideally, you will discover a fitter with the assorted 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 reality.

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 bought a little bit 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, all the different construct specs had been the identical for the 2 putters. By minimizing variables, I hoped to raised perceive how the chrome 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 appeared means higher in particular person than on the monitor.

The cappuccino L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i was a richer brown than I anticipated. I assumed it could be flat brown for some motive. In particular person, the end may be very wealthy, particularly in full solar the place it radiates.

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Relying upon the angle of the solar, I did sometimes discover the sting of the toe finish screw gap at handle. I might see the little scalloped edge on the backside of the screw.

I don’t keep in mind my eyes being drawn to that space with the black inventory model. Clearly, since there isn’t any insert to screw into, these holes are usually not current within the new OZ.1.

The new pink is a dynamic end. The shade of pink sits extra towards the purple 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 way in which the white shaft and alignment traces complement the colour as properly.

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The affect of the insert

Finally, 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 chrome steel insert not aluminum however its milling sample is totally totally different. It appears to be like like a conventional milled face.

The story from L.A.B. Golf is that the chrome steel face of the OZ.1i offers it extra pop and a firmer really feel than the aluminum face of the OZ.1.

After rolling them face to face, I utterly 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.

Pace will not be the entire story, although. I discovered the texture of the aluminum to be much more pleasing than the chrome steel. Maybe I’m biased due to my time spent enjoying the all-aluminum L.A.B DF3.

Regardless, you need to count on the chrome 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 endured so I went into the store to measure the swing weights.

Positive sufficient, the swing weight of the OZ.1i was marginally greater than the OZ.1. What does that imply? To begin with, it means I’m overly delicate to putter nuance. It additionally implies that the additional weights on the OZ.1 don’t fairly exchange the mass of the insert and the OZ.1i.

This isn’t a knock on the OZ.1i, simply one thing to contemplate when selecting the face to 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 in need of the cup? If that’s the case, go together with the chrome 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 chrome steel could worsen your state of affairs. Select the softer aluminum face of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1.

As soon as you establish the face that’s best for you, then you’ll be able to transfer on to all the different construct choices. The GEARS shaft did appear to play softer than the TPT however I believe my favourite shaft remains to be the ACCRA. As with the face really feel, I want the softer really feel of that also very stiff shaft. Nonetheless, there are legions of L.A.B. Rats that swear by the TPT.

If you head over to the L.A.B. Golf website to take a look at the customized choices, you’ll be impressed, and maybe intimidated, by the alignment choices. As per typical, 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 all the choices are overwhelming, attain out to L.A.B. Golf. They’re recognized 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 may get the entire customized course of began with a Distant Becoming.

See all the construct choices and design your L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 or OZ.1i at labgolf.com

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