MEMBER REVIEWS: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 and OZ.1i Putter Member Testing | See What Members Are Saying

[hwwong]

1 hour ago, bladehunter said:

Curious specifically on the reviews for the tpt shaft.  Glad to see at least one in the bunch. 

The TPT was the biggest surprise for me.  Such a different sensation.  It’s certainly stiff, but the feedback is really nice. You can tell where the ball is impacting the putter face very clearly.   
 

I tried the Accra as well and that’s more what I expected from a graphite putter shaft - little flex and kind of a harsher/muted feel.  

Edited April 9 by hwwong

[DKgolfAZ]

4 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Curious specifically on the reviews for the tpt shaft.  Glad to see at least one in the bunch. 

It’s soooooo good. I have a putter with a KBS GPS and one with a Diamana P105 2.0 and it handily trumps both in looks, feel, and stability… and I really like both of those shafts.

 

It feels closer to the Diamana than the KBS. The diamana 2.0 might be a touch more laterally rigid, so the TPT has more feel, and a better sound, without sacrificing any torsional stability. It could be the aluminum head and medium insert compared to a tuna milled face blade, but it seems to have a bit more of a midrange tone on impact.

 

almost splits the difference in sound and feel with the KBS GPS while retaining more stability.

 

its just really really good.

Edited April 10 by DKgolfAZ

[Rbsiedsc]

4 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Curious specifically on the reviews for the tpt shaft.  Glad to see at least one in the bunch. 

I really like it. Feels firmer that the steel in my DF2.1. I can’t even believe it’s graphite with how stiff it feels. It’s very stable and like others mentioned, you get amazing feedback on strike and it lets you know. I feel it maybe swing weights things lower. I saw early reviews of the oz.1i and folks said the steel shafted felt heavy. To me this putter feels lighter than I would have expected based on that feed back. When I putt with the TPT, it adds to that on rails feeling. It’s just good. 

[Jut]

8 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

I really like it. Feels firmer that the steel in my DF2.1. I can’t even believe it’s graphite with how stiff it feels. It’s very stable and like others mentioned, you get amazing feedback on strike and it lets you know. I feel it maybe swing weights things lower. I saw early reviews of the oz.1i and folks said the steel shafted felt heavy. To me this putter feels lighter than I would have expected based on that feed back. When I putt with the TPT, it adds to that on rails feeling. It’s just good. 

Mine has the Accra and I also feel like it's on the lighter side of what I would have anticipated (again, based on the reports of the steel shaft "feeling heavy").  I will check it on my swing weight scale tonight and report back.   

[ColdOkieGolf]

1 minute ago, Jut said:

Mine has the Accra and I also feel like it's on the lighter side of what I would have anticipated (again, based on the reports of the steel shaft "feeling heavy").  I will check it on my swing weight scale tonight and report back.   

 

I could be misquoting, but Sam had mentioned that the TPT is a little more tip heavy than the Accra.

 

Not really a good comparison, but the df3 heavy with TPT feels so so different from my df3 CB with the Accra.

 

 

[dam276]

22 minutes ago, ColdOkieGolf said:

 

I could be misquoting, but Sam had mentioned that the TPT is a little more tip heavy than the Accra.

 

Not really a good comparison, but the df3 heavy with TPT feels so so different from my df3 CB with the Accra.

 

 

Would make total sense given the lighter feel of the Accra and the feel of the head weight more in the TPT.

[StoutKing]

54 minutes ago, ColdOkieGolf said:

 

I could be misquoting, but Sam had mentioned that the TPT is a little more tip heavy than the Accra.

 

Not really a good comparison, but the df3 heavy with TPT feels so so different from my df3 CB with the Accra.

 

 

TPT probably is.  For sure it's 20g heavier than stock steel per my scale.

[Dpavs]

Congratz and enjoy you lucky ducks!

[bladehunter]

11 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

I really like it. Feels firmer that the steel in my DF2.1. I can’t even believe it’s graphite with how stiff it feels. It’s very stable and like others mentioned, you get amazing feedback on strike and it lets you know. I feel it maybe swing weights things lower. I saw early reviews of the oz.1i and folks said the steel shafted felt heavy. To me this putter feels lighter than I would have expected based on that feed back. When I putt with the TPT, it adds to that on rails feeling. It’s just good. 

 

12 hours ago, DKgolfAZ said:

It’s soooooo good. I have a putter with a KBS GPS and one with a Diamana P105 2.0 and it handily trumps both in looks, feel, and stability… and I really like both of those shafts.

 

It feels closer to the Diamana than the KBS. The diamana 2.0 might be a touch more laterally rigid, so the TPT has more feel, and a better sound, without sacrificing any torsional stability. It could be the aluminum head and medium insert compared to a tuna milled face blade, but it seems to have a bit more of a midrange tone on impact.

 

almost splits the difference in sound and feel with the KBS GPS while retaining more stability.

 

its just really really good.

Thanks to you both.  I’m currently anxiously waiting the FedEx truck to bring me my duplicate spec. But upgraded mezz max tpt armlock.    I played the accra for a long while. And totally cured my Yip situation from a standard putter. I decided that if I wanted to stay with this ( been with it over a year ) I wanted a blue head , upgraded shaft and alignment aide ( thin line vs thick ) that i preferred. So I went for a fitment check. Decided on 1 more degree upright.  Heavy head again , tpt shaft , and blue head etc. it arrives today.   The initial reaction I had from the fitting with the tpt was that I liked it a lot more on long putts. But I only got an hour ish with it.  I hope it translates to the course.  I just wondered what the thoughts were here. Not trying to hijack. But the way these things work , they fit some of us so well that it’s almost scary to go putt with toe hang if you play in pressure situations.  This putter type has made me stop thinking about putting as a dread. And start loving to do it.  

[jongalt55]

Got my putter in yesterday!  Some unboxing pics below.  Happened to have our club's men's league last night, so I packed up the putter and got up to the club a little early to hit some puts with it.  Pictures are below, but here are my initial thoughts:

• Head feel:  I got the heavier head option in a counterbalanced 38" length.  It feels as advertised and the head is clearly heavier, and easier to feel, than the standard version I hit at Golf Galaxy before I ordered.  I much prefer the heavier head as it makes it easier for me to feel where the head is during the stroke (I actually up the head weight on all my putters, so the heavier head helped the transition for me).  With the heavier head, longer TPT shaft, and Winn counterbalanced grip (which weighs just over 120g), the total system has a very solid and substantial feel to it.
• Impact Sensation:  This is one area in which I felt the putter really shines.  Impact feels both soft and solid off the face.  No harsh feelings or sounds at all.  I'm testing the OZ.1 with the all aluminum head, and I love the way that I can make a solid stroke with the putter without having the ball rocket off the face.  The vast majority of the putters I've played over the last ten years or so have had inserts of some sort (mostly odyssey 2-balls with their various insert evolutions over the years).  I felt like the OZ.1, despite not having an insert, did not require a huge adjustment in terms of speed control.
• Feedback:  Despite feeling very stable, it was very easy to tell where on the face I was contacting the ball.  Off center strikes were not at all harsh, nor did I notice a significant deviation in starting path or ball speed.  But they were easy to feel.
• Alignment:  I went with the "C" type alignment, which is the T at the front of the putter, just like the standard models you see in the store.  I find that style worked very well for me with this putter.  It really focuses my attention on the front edge of the putter and lets me see the target line easily.  I felt as though the ball was consistently coming out on line in my practice and on the course yesterday.
• Overall Experience:  Overall very impressed so far.  The putter feels like its on rails during the stroke.  As the evening wore on, I found that the lighter the grip pressure was with my thumbs (and my right thumb in particular, as I'm right handed and putt right-hand low), the better the stroke felt.  I was particularly impressed with the speed control right out of the gate.  Most times when you switch putters, it takes a while to dial in the speed, particularly on longer lag putts.  I faced a couple lengthy lags last night on difficult down hill putts that I ended up leaving in gimme range.  I also made a couple six foot benders where I needed to match line and speed.  Last night was only nine holes, so lots of testing left to do, but a promising start.  I'm planning on playing twice this weekend, so I'll game the OZ.1 both days and report back with more thoughts then (unless I'm able to squeeze out for some practice before then).

PICS:

[Rbsiedsc]

5 hours ago, bladehunter said:

 

Thanks to you both.  I’m currently anxiously waiting the FedEx truck to bring me my duplicate spec. But upgraded mezz max tpt armlock.    I played the accra for a long while. And totally cured my Yip situation from a standard putter. I decided that if I wanted to stay with this ( been with it over a year ) I wanted a blue head , upgraded shaft and alignment aide ( thin line vs thick ) that i preferred. So I went for a fitment check. Decided on 1 more degree upright.  Heavy head again , tpt shaft , and blue head etc. it arrives today.   The initial reaction I had from the fitting with the tpt was that I liked it a lot more on long putts. But I only got an hour ish with it.  I hope it translates to the course.  I just wondered what the thoughts were here. Not trying to hijack. But the way these things work , they fit some of us so well that it’s almost scary to go putt with toe hang if you play in pressure situations.  This putter type has made me stop thinking about putting as a dread. And start loving to do it.  

Ya I am curious on longer putts with the TPT, especially on course. Will make sure to focus on that here. I have also tried a Mezz a couple times with an Accra shaft in it. I found it to be to “whippy” and having a somewhat dead feeling off the face if that helps. The combo of the TPT and the insert really help get past that. 

Edited April 10 by Rbsiedsc

[DKgolfAZ]

2 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Ya I am curious on longer putts with the TPT, especially on course. Will make sure to focus on that here. I have also tried a Mezz a couple times with an Accra shaft in it. I found it to be to “whippy” and having a somewhat dead feeling off the face if that helps. The combo of the TPT and the insert really help get past that. 

This!

 

After talking with Sam and Calvin about feel and why I didn’t go for the DF3’s I’ve tried, they both recommended the insert and TPT. They were spot on. My favorite feeling putter has been a smooth milled blade with the KBs gps shaft, and this is right in that ballpark in sound/feel but with a little deeper tone.

 

Lag putting has been good for me so far. Pretty plug and play in that regard. I’ll go more in depth about it a little later in my post and continued practice. This putter has changed my putting routine up a bit, it made me kinda re-evaluate how I go about putting overall, and so far it’s been great.

Edited April 10 by DKgolfAZ

[ANimz]

On 4/8/2025 at 1:45 PM, Jut said:

HOW IT STARTED

Hello Friends!  Excited to get this party started.  I would assume you’re all most interested in the pics (we dudes are visual folks for sure), so feel free to jump straight to the bottom, but do so at your own peril as these words are championship level.  😊  To start, I can’t thank @labgolf and @GolfWRX_Official enough for this literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  About 5 years ago, I won the opportunity on here to test out some new grips.  This though is on a whole different level.  The chance to experience/test/put through the paces a L.A.B. Oz.1 putter!?  That I was fitted for and got to design!  Are you freaking kidding me!  I was begging for an Oz.1 for Christmas – like I’ll clean the litter box for 6 months straight & even watch Bridgerton with you begging (to no avail).  I live at my local golf store and I’ve fooled around with all the L.A.B. designs (and putted well with them), but just couldn’t get over the look.  I know, I know, if it performs then damn the look!  I just couldn’t do it.  But then, here comes the Oz.1, and boy oh boy, it’s go time for me for zero torque.  Then I win the GolfWRX/L.A.B. Golf lottery!  “You’re my Density”.  Sorry.  Destiny. 

 

AN EARLY SHOCKER

On Tuesday, March 11th, I receive an email from Shelby at L.A.B. asking for some potential times for me to have a 15 minute Zoom meeting with Sam Hahn, CEO.  What?!  How does the busiest man in golf have time to spend one minute, let alone 15 minutes, chatting with some rando Ohio golf dude?!  But damn if he didn’t.  A few days later we hooked up and spent a good 15 minutes just shooting da spit  - about golf, my putter history, Dayton (Sam has relatives in the area and visits periodically), the explosion of L.A.B. golf, imitators, etc.  I got a good sense for Sam’s passion and intensity, but I also could tell that he’s a chill, down-to-earth dude.  My man crush is in full bloom…my buddies are already sick of hearing, “well, Sam said this” or “well, Sam said that”…jealousy is not a good color for them.  LOL.  Overall, a very cool and unexpected part of the process.  We ended with Sam letting me know that Calvin, L.A.B.’s head fitter, would be in contact with me soon to get the ball rolling on the remote fitting and ordering processes. 

Sidenote:  Not trying to be a stage 5 clinger, but a day or two later I emailed Sam and thanked him for the meeting and told him the next time he’s in Dayton, the round of golf is on me.  No lie, the dude emailed me back within 5 minutes.  Just unreal and very surreal.  

 

ME

Just a bit about me, well, just golf me.  I play a lot of golf (just hit the big 5-0, 3 kids at Ohio State, wife that understands my obsession).  Like a lot of you, when I’m not playing golf, I’m thinking about golf – looking up golf s***, spending hours on the forums, BST hourly, I know the local Golf Galaxy, Miles of Golf, and Golf Exchange bros by name).  The sickness is real.  I’m a higher single digit capper (4-7 depending on the time of year).  When I can get off the tee and hit greens (my weaknesses), I play pretty well.  Short game, especially putting, has always been a strength.  3 putts are very rare and I make a lot of mid to longer putts that my buddies just don’t understand.  If I could use help on the greens, it’s in that 4’ to 8’ range.  I miss more of these makeable putts than I should and once I miss one or two in a round, it snowballs (mental?!).  My theory is that this is where lie angle balance, zero torque, and the L.A.B. fitting process will be an aid to my game.

 

THE PUTTER

Before Calvin could even reach out to me, I’d already recorded my 5 second video for the remote fitting (it only took me like 30 takes to get a video that I was happy with – between the camera adding 10 lbs. and my putting stroke not being “perfect” - thanks to the wifey for her help and patience).  I also blew up L.A.B.’s website, building and deleting custom OZ.1s 20 times or so.  Calvin was right on schedule with his email and I sent him my video.  Within no time, he had my specs and it was a “go” for me to build my putter!  BTW – I know there’s been some griping regarding the current lead times, but I will say that Calvin was emailing me after midnight on a Saturday, so the team is definitely busting their you-know-what’s trying to serve customers as quickly as possible.  I decided pretty quickly to go with the OZ.1 and not the OZ.1i because I love a softer feel and I enjoy the cleaner look of no insert.  From there, I chose the white Accra shaft.  I liked that it was stable – maybe not as stable as the Gears or TPT – but stable and with a softer feel than the other two.  Shaft lean 2*.  35” per the fitting.  Press Pistol 2* white.  I went back and forth a million times on the color.  I love the blue color, but I play a yellow ball.  This combo of maize and blue is a hard no (if you know, you know).  Red and black were great options, but I’ve had those before.  Cappuccino just kind of jumped out to me.  Distinct without being overwhelming and a good fit (at least to me) with a yellow ball.  Plus, it looks fantastic against the white shaft and grip.  I’m a feel putter, so I kept it simple with alignment, just a solid line before and after the shaft insert (Alignment Mark Front G and Alignment Mark Back 7 for those keeping score at home).  White Icon head cover to finish off this gorgeous gal.

 

THE ARRIVAL

I’m not sure there’s anything quite like the anticipation of receiving a long, rectangular brown box.  She arrived in all her glory on Monday, April 7th in the late morning (again, the wife saved the day since she was working from home and brought the beige beauty right inside).  Getting through the rest of the work day was BRUTAL.  The sound barrier was broken on the drive home.  From this point on, pictures are definitely worth a thousand words, so check 'em out.  Packaging = A+, Instructions = A+, Workmanship = A+, Visual presentation = A+, First roll(s) = A+, Overall = A+.  

 

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER

Dear Diary – I know it’s early, but I’m already quite smitten with this Cappuccino Concubine.  She’s a 10/10 in the looks department.  Feel is what I imagined – soft yet solid.  It’s only indoors to date (due to the Ark that would be needed to take her outdoors in Ohio right now), but alignment and roll are true.  This is my first foray into any type of forward press, so I was expecting an adjustment period, but it seems so natural right out of the gate.  The one caveat is look-at-address - this putter (and I see the same thing with almost all Ping putters I've had) visually seems to sit just a hair closed when seated on the ground.  Ironically, whether I leave it like this or adjust it to square before taking her back, it just rolls dead straight.  It's not the slightest bit bothersome and doesn't impact me one bit, I just know that some folks are super sensitive to this look.  Heck, it may just be me visually getting used to the center shaft and forward press setup.  I'll keep everyone updated on it.  The real kicker will be getting outside and testing the lag putting and those pesky 4’-8’ putts that I have nightmares about.  Much more to come, but for now, please enjoy our first pictures together…

 

With all due respect to LAB, you should probably cover the oil can LW in the photos.  😂😍

[Jut]

6 minutes ago, ANimz said:

With all due respect to LAB, you should probably cover the oil can LW in the photos.  😂😍

Lol.  I figure I get a free pass since the TV in one of the pictures I posted shows Roger Murtaugh checking out the L.A.B.  “Riggs!!”.  Lethal Weapon in full support of the new putter! 

[dam276]

Finally back home after a ridiculous week. As it pertains to the putter, all I can say is I’m impressed.

 

As others alluded to, there are definitely some changes required. A few things I’ve noticed after a week with my new LAB:

 

1. Let the putter do the work

I know we’ve all heard the adage, but the reality is as a left-brained golfer I really never could. I’ve always worked on path, alignment, setup, etc, religiously in an effort to perfect my stroke. With the OZ I have complete confidence the only thing that could possibly go wrong is on my read, provided I don’t try and manipulate my stroke. 
 

2. Counterbalanced putters are a different animal

I did not appreciate how much a fitting would change my outlook here. I’ve posted some charts below from my out of the box 5-7 footer testing, but after spending some time, adjusting for ball position was key. The initial reaction to moving the ball forward was to create little to no forward spin, but after a few practice sessions I’m at a point where I’m consistently starting with forward roll and hitting my line.

 

3. Lighter grip pressure is key

one of the things Sam talked about in my chat with him was the “thumbs off” drill. Allowing the putter to just do its thing for me has lead to a much lighter grip pressure than I’m used to. 
 

Here’s a quick look at the out of the box results for my custom OZ (37”, 71*, TPT) compared to my gamer Scotty 5.5 (34”,70*), a stock Link.1 (steel) and a stock OZ CB (Accra):

 

 

After some setup work, I was able to get the custom OZ rolling immediately and consistently:

 

Looking forward to more reps at lag pitting and a few more rounds on the course.

[beedub96]

I got fit for my LAB putter over two months ago and still haven’t received it. Hopefully it comes soon. 

[LBattaglia93]

Good morning folks! I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Oz testing. First and foremost, special thanks to @GolfWRX_Official and @labgolf for this incredible opportunity! 

 

For some background, I live in New Engalnd and my home course is a Fazio design with some severly tilted and undulating greens. Putting is crucial to playing well, as half-hearted lag putts can often result in knee knocker 6-8 footers. I have a rotation of putters that include (in the order they were aquired) a Scotty Studio Select Newport 2.5, Taylormade Spider X, Bettinardi BB46, and a LAB DF3. Since purchasing the DF3 the rest of my putters haven't seen any action. I'm a believer in the tech behind LAB putters, but the feel/sound/speed off the DF3's aluminum face is something I struggle with. I'm much more accustomed to the roll of a traditional stainless steel putter. When LAB first announced the Oz.1i I thought this would be the golden ticket, combining LAB's tech and forgiveness with the familiar feel and sound of stainless steel.

 

As many of the other testers have described, the entire team at LAB (Shelby, Sam, Calvin) was a pleasure to work with. Its easy to see how passionate the LAB team is making people better putters...and making a damn good product to boot. 

 

When I first submit my tester application post, I requested the standard Oz.1i with the 2* lean shaft and press grip (matching the off-the-rack DF3 I've been playing for the last year). After being notified of my selection I immediately went to my local golf shop to try rolling some different Oz configurations. To my surprise, the counterbalance Oz.1i was the clear winner. My hand and ball position felt very natural and comfortable. The weighting of the counterbalance Oz setup encourages a light grip pressure, focusing solely on length of stroke (and letting LAB's tech handle the face staying square). I'm also a taller guy with habitual lower back pain, so the additonal length of the counterbalanced allowed a slightly more comfortable posture at address. 

 

After going through my remote fitting with Calvin, we settled on a 38" Oz.1i, 70 degree lie angle, TPT shaft, charcoal head finish, and C-1 alignment marks. The putter was delivered to me this past Monday and I'm very impressed by the overall build quality. The charcoal finish and alignment marks are clean and confidence inspiring. The visible carbon weave on the TPT shaft is so freaking cool for a tech nerd like myself. At address, the Oz looks very compact when compared to the DF3 I was used to. 

 

Mother nature hasn't been very cooperative since the putter arrived. Its been cold, rainy, with a smidge of snow during the last week. My testing has been limited to my Perfect Practice putting mat and some tinkering with the Why Golf Putting Thing, but initial results are very promising. For me, this Oz.1i is the perfect combination of a putter with great looks, ideal firmness/sound/ball speed, and all the forgiveness and stability one could ask for.

 

I'm praying for some weather improvement in the next week so I can actually roll some on real turf. I'll be sure to circle back with additional notes and feedback as I get some more reps under my belt. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

[StoutKing]

Got my OZ.1i TPT today that I actually paid for.  Here are some observations after a test drive on the practice green:

 

- The shape is really good looking.  I definitely see the German sports car inspiration

- It's heavy but smooth because of zero torque.  You guys who think DF3 is too light will like this.  My standard weight 35" weighs 589g, much more than my DF3.

- The SSS insert feels good.  I wouldn't say better than DF3 just different.  You can tell it's not a one piece head.  For instance my PING DS72 Hovland carbon feels better

- Speed control with zero lean is better for me.  It more like what I'm used to pre-LAB.  I still need to get it on the course not just the putting green

- Accuracy was good not great.  I hit most of my lines but the DF3 is more on rails for sure.  I hit a few squirters on five footers that were ugly.  I believe this will be worked out in time

- I like the standard rubber grip.  It feels good in the hand.  It's probably too heavy but it's better than a SS for me

- The white headcover is looser out of the gate.  Honestly I like how tight the DF3 cover was until broken in.  The materials feel cheaper, especially the very thin material between the magnets and the putter head.  I hope it doesn't wear the finish.  Disappointed in the new headcover

- TPT rules but I think steel feels good with this head too

[StoutKing]

On 4/10/2025 at 5:34 PM, ANimz said:

With all due respect to LAB, you should probably cover the oil can LW in the photos.  😂😍

Agree!  Those new oil cans are, uh, not good

[gator022]

Thank you @labgolf and @GolfWRX_Official for this opportunity!

 

This will be short but will write more once I test and get to laptop. Doing this from phone!

 

I echo the sentiments about the fitting process and Zoom call with the CEO. Absolutely fabulous!

 

Just arrived today! I’m coming from an Odyssey Jailbird Ai One so thru the fitting we were trying to make it as much like it as we could. Loved my Jailbird but I’m pretty sure this LAB is a gamer given my 10-15 putts inside. 
 

Here are my early pics of it. More to follow! This thing is awesome!

[Rbsiedsc]

Finally got out for a round with my Oz. Practice green prior was decent but nothing on special. 
 

in the round I had a little adjustment needed on speed and then my putting method. I found when I look at the hole then back to putter and make a stroke it holds my line well. When I putt heads up my directional control is a little off.  One I figured that out things went better. Downhill putt on speed control were also a little off that will come with time. I sunk some mid range putts I’ve typically struggled with. I also had a couple unfortunate lip outs. Overall 31 putts and -1.00 compared to a 15 hdcp. For reference I am an 18 and last year my putting was -2.4 vs a 15. A great start and curious where I can take things with this setup. So far so good. 
 

Edited April 12 by Rbsiedsc

[jjthomp2]

10 hours ago, StoutKing said:

Got my OZ.1i TPT today that I actually paid for.  Here are some observations after a test drive on the practice green:

 

- The shape is really good looking.  I definitely see the German sports car inspiration

- It's heavy but smooth because of zero torque.  You guys who think DF3 is too light will like this.  My standard weight 35" weighs 589g, much more than my DF3.

- The SSS insert feels good.  I wouldn't say better than DF3 just different.  You can tell it's not a one piece head.  For instance my PING DS72 Hovland carbon feels better

- Speed control with zero lean is better for me.  It more like what I'm used to pre-LAB.  I still need to get it on the course not just the putting green

- Accuracy was good not great.  I hit most of my lines but the DF3 is more on rails for sure.  I hit a few squirters on five footers that were ugly.  I believe this will be worked out in time

- I like the standard rubber grip.  It feels good in the hand.  It's probably too heavy but it's better than a SS for me

- The white headcover is looser out of the gate.  Honestly I like how tight the DF3 cover was until broken in.  The materials feel cheaper, especially the very thin material between the magnets and the putter head.  I hope it doesn't wear the finish.  Disappointed in the new headcover

- TPT rules but I think steel feels good with this head too

Let’s see some photos of the new flat stick. 

[StoutKing]

20 minutes ago, jjthomp2 said:

Let’s see some photos of the new flat stick. 

 

[jjthomp2]

17 minutes ago, StoutKing said:

 

Very nice. Did you have a chance to try the Accra shaft or were you 100% going tpt route?

[StoutKing]

26 minutes ago, jjthomp2 said:

Very nice. Did you have a chance to try the Accra shaft or were you 100% going tpt route?

I did a while back.  Feels good.  I've also had the steel, which I felt was fine, if not a little light.  TPT made all the difference in my DF3 so I ordered it in TPT.  A lot of money but hopefully my last putter for a while.

[dam276]

Got a chance to play in pretty windy conditions today on slooooow greens. I think Old Barnwell being my first round out with the OZ kind of ruined it for me. Left 5 dead center less than a foot short..all from 5-15 feet.

 

Despite the speed troubles, I hit my line all day. Really enjoying not having to think much about the path/releasing - genuinely feels like the putter does the work. 

 

That said, the Arccos stats didn’t help me today (13 GIR):

 

Still getting used to the insert. It feels firmer than the one piece head for sure, but not as firm as my Scotty. Going to spend some time lag putting tomorrow on slower practice greens and see if I can’t rebound later this week when I play again. 
 

First tournament of the year is in 2 weeks and as of now won’t be debuting the OZ just yet.

[Red4282]

Love seeing all the counterbalanced putters. With the heavy head, chefs kiss!

[HackinNut]

Congrats everyone!  Very jealous of your opportunity.  I really wanted to try out the OZ.1   I want to send in another remote video to Sam & ask if my fitting has changed since I was fit into the original MEZZ proto.  It is definitely one of the best putters I have ever owned 💯

[dam276]

2 hours ago, HackinNut said:

Congrats everyone!  Very jealous of your opportunity.  I really wanted to try out the OZ.1   I want to send in another remote video to Sam & ask if my fitting has changed since I was fit into the original MEZZ proto.  It is definitely one of the best putters I have ever owned 💯

Definitely worth getting fit - noticeable change from the stock in my testing. Tougher to test out shafts I know, but they make a huge difference as well.

[jongalt55]

Monday Update:

 

Played the OZ1 both days this weekend.  Saturday was our opening day tournament.  It was an ABCD scramble format.  Really interesting format to test in because I was the A player (unfortunately for my team...) and putted fourth all day.  So every putt I hit was one where I got to see the line a few times first.  Made a few putts from 10-15' and was really pleased with my ability to hit it on my intended line all day.  Speed control was good as well.  Not sure if it is the TPT shaft, or just the putter generally, but feel and execution have been pretty easy to sync up.  I'm in the OZ1 with the heavier head and counterbalanced build and the putter is an absolute unit.  Ideal for guys that love a heavier feel.  Pretty automatic on short putts so long as you just let the putter do the work and don't manipulate it.

 

Sunday was regular golf, played in a fair wind.  Our course has some very sloped greens where you don't want to be above the hole, but I hit it pretty poorly, so I found myself with a few too many extremely delicate downhillers.  On the whole, I was still pleased with the speed control and touch I was able to have with the putter.  Still felt like I was hitting my lines, even when I had to really baby a couple putts.  I found that doing my practice strokes with my thumbs off the putter helped groove the feel of letting the putter do the work, particularly on some of the shorter putts.

 

Overall, very impressed with the OZ1.  Really appreciated the softer aluminum head this weekend.  Speed off the face is comparable to an insert putter--i.e., it comes off a little softer and slower than it would off a steel face--but the feel is far better.  I know feel is always a little subjective--to me, it's a combination of impact sound and how I can feel impact in my hands.  The sound is very similar to what I experienced when I tied the regular length and counterbalanced OZ1 at a retail store before ordering this one to test.  But the impact sensation through the hands feels much better with this putter.  It's a little bit clearer and crisper if that makes sense.  Not sure if that is attributable to the heavier head on the one I'm testing, the TPT shaft, or a combination thereof, but I'm a fan of the feel.

 

Going to try to spend some time on putting drills this week, comparing the OZ1 against my gamer on a more quantitative basis.  More follow up to come after that.