L.A.B. Golf is returning to the characteristics and benefits that put their putters on the map: bigger, more forgiving and easier to aim.
While the company’s most recent releases (OZ.1, OZ.1i HS and LINK 2 models) have been smaller and more traditional, its latest offering, the VZN.1i (pronounced Vision One Eye), maximizes forgiveness and is a synch to line up.
“Now we go back the other way, where bigger is better,” L.A.B. Golf co-founder Sam Hahn told GOLF. “God knows how much research is out there explaining it, and the more you can move weight and mass out to the corners of the putter, the better off you’re going to be. We’ve tested it a bunch internally and most people aim it better than any one of our putters. I think that’s a combination of the trapezoidal shape, some of the intention around the scoops and cuts that we made, and the way that it sits on the ground. You put it all together and you’re just not questioning where you’re looking.”
Hahn called the VZN.1i his favorite putter the company has ever produced.
Keep reading below for more on the L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i, including my take on the release.
While L.A.B.’s most recent releases focused on broadening their consumer base to try the Lie Angle Balance technology, the VZN.1i returns to the super-forgiving designs that became the staple of low-torque putters.
The square opening in the rear of the putter removes mass from the center while increasing the MOI. It also serves as a ball-pickup mechanism, like the DF3, but there’s also an opening in the rear if players want to use it as a scoop.
The result is a trapezoidal shape that gives strong visual cues to help players see their lines better. Hahn said the alignment was more of a focus point of the design than even the forgiveness.
“There was a lot of intention around alignment,” Hahn said. “I think that a lot of people get thrown by onset and certainly shaft lean, and so there was a ton of intention around the way that this putter soles and the way that it lines up.”
Hahn compared the alignment aids, when paired with the extreme stability, to feeling like being on rails. The sole also was redesigned to help the putter sit square, which, as Hahn said, can be an issue for many players when the shaft is in an onset position.
Lastly, the new putter features L.A.B.’s steel insert, which Hahn said has become popular since being introduced on the OZ.1i and later DF3i. The VZN.1i has a new deeper milling, which Hahn said is more of an evolution in technique than trying to create a specific feel target.
What is it: A high MOI, low-torque mallet with sharp lines and visual cues to help players line up to their targets.
Who it’s for: Players who have traditionally struggled to line up onset or low-torque designs.
While I am currently using an onset putter, it’s not a low-torque model — partly because when the shaft gets too far away from the face, I struggle to see the face point anywhere but left.
As low-torque usage has skyrocketed, golfers have become more accustomed to things like center-shafted designs, big shapes and shaft lean. But one issue is that while onset allows an unobstructed view of the face, to someone who has used a putter with offset their whole life, it looks very different.
L.A.B.’s customization program is useful for picking the best alignment aid, but it can do only so much.
The VZN.1i combats this through its shaping and sole. The new sole design wants to sit exactly how you place it on the green. Further, the square cutout in the back and sharp angles have give you reference points to make sure you’re aiming where you want to.
And when you are sure you’re lined up well, you’re going to make a better putt.
The new deeper milled insert provides a slightly more muted sound, while still feeling firm and fast off the face.
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L.A.B.’s new VZN.1i putter is available for pre-order starting June 2 and will arrive at retail locations on June 2.
Stock builds are $499.99 while custom builds begin at $599.99.
Custom options range from lie angle, length, shaft lean (1.5˚ or 0˚) and grip to color and alignment aids.
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