While there have been some efforts in years past, LAB Golf deserves the credit for this revitalized revolution into zero-torque putters. Once considered a niche putter, it is now one of the most popular putter design theories on the market today. Is it for everyone? No, but no putter is.
Still, with the number of recent entrants into this zero-torque market, it’s clear that L.A.B.’s success has other companies wanting a piece of the pie. Instead of resting on the designs that gained L.A.B. notoriety, they have continued to pump out new designs to keep things fresh, and today we are taking a look at their newest model, the VZN.1i.
A New Alignment-Focused Mallet
Fresh off releasing their updated blade models, the LINK 2.1 and 2.2, LAB is getting back to mallets with the VZN.1i putter. As the name would suggest, this model focuses squarely on alignment.
At first glance, the general shaping isn’t all that different from the OZ1.i, although there are noticeable differences as you move towards the rear of the putter. In its more elongated profile, we find more straight edges in the cavity, which also double as alignment lines.
This section of the putter also features a cutout in the cavity, which allows golfers to either scoop their ball up from the green or press down on it, with the cutout securely holding the ball in place. Both methods work flawlessly.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with. Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”
– Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf.
The Story Behind the Insert
Make no mistake about it, the story behind the VZN.1i putter is the shape and its alignment features. But as true L.A.B. loyalists recognize, the “i” in the name means there is indeed an insert.
We’ve seen L.A.B. bring inserts in other models, including the Oz 1.i and the DF3i. One of the main reasons to bring an insert into something like the DF3, which had traditionally been a solid milled aluminum head, was to change the feel and increase ball speed, helping golfers get the ball to the hole more frequently.
For the VZN.1i, the insert is made of 303 stainless steel and has a milling pattern that is deeper than that of any of the other inserts L.A.B. currently employs.
In Play Thoughts
As luck would have it, the VZN.1i putter arrived at my house about an hour before my tee time, which means it immediately went into the bag for some on-course testing.
Let’s be honest: whether you call it a lie-angle-balanced putter or a zero-torque putter, these styles don’t work for everyone. Fortunately for me, this type of putter has been very effective for my game. I’ve had a zero-torque putter in my bag since 2022, and I’ve become quite comfortable with it. During this timeframe, I used a L.A.B. Mezz 1 Max for over two seasons. If there’s one thing I would change about that putter, it’s that my alignment occasionally got a bit off. After reading about the VZN.1i, I was excited to try it out.
After recording two rounds of golf, three things stood out to me. First, while the head doesn’t feel very heavy, it is incredibly stable. I noticed how well I was hitting my intended starting lines, and, coincidentally, I found myself making more putts. Which brings me to my next point: I really appreciate the three alignment lines and how they extend onto the flange. It gave me a complete turnaround in my ability to line up putts with the VZN.1i compared to my previous experience with the Mezz 1 Max.
Finally, there’s the insert, marking my first experience using one on a L.A.B. putter. I noticed it produced a lighter sound at impact, which I found quite satisfying, as I typically prefer putters that deliver a deeper tone. Overall, I was very satisfied with the quality of the roll and the speed control I achieved with this stainless steel insert.
L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i Putter Custom Options
The VZN.1i putter, like all putters from L.A.B., will be available in both stock and custom versions. Choosing the custom option allows golfers to modify nearly every feature of the putter. They can select their preferred color, shaft lean, lie angle, and even a custom shaft from brands such as Accra, TPT, and Mitsubishi Chemical.
Since VZN focuses on alignment, there are also various alignment aid options for those who prefer alternatives to the standard three alignment lines. Regardless of which direction one chooses, each putter will go through L.A.B.’s 10 stages of craftsmanship before finding its way into your bag.
L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i Putter Pricing and Availability
The VZN.1i will be available at online and at authorized retailers beginning June 9th. The stock model is priced at $499, while custom versions begin at $599. Golfers can explore all custom options on L.A.B. Golf’s official website.
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