Modding LAB OZ.1 & OZ.1i

[vanderputts]

Been wanting to try one of these and was able to pick up both of these off the trade-in rack locally for a discount. Apparently someone already gave up.

 

I did get fit and I guess I’m one of the rare off the rack specs at 69* at 33”.

 

I’ve played with both already and can’t seem to stop myself from wanting to measure and understand everything - half the fun has been taking them apart.
 

Let the fun begin.

Edited April 22 by vanderputts
Before anyone gets hysterical. I’m a hobbyist machinist and make custom clubs/putters all the time.

[ChaosTheory]

9 minutes ago, vanderputts said:

Before anyone gets hysterical. I’m a hobbyist machinist and make custom clubs/putters all the time.

 

Love the disclaimer!  🤣

 

Yes, people will get their undies in a knot about letting the poon escape from a LAB putter.

[vanderputts]

LABs are apart. Both are 33"

 

Initial measurements:

 

OZ-1

Head: 361.5g

Shaft + Grip: 160.1g

Grip: 57.2g

Total: 521.6g

Swing Weight: D6.6

 

OZ-1i (Insert)

Head: 375.8g

Shaft + Grip: 160.1g

Grip: 57.1g

Total: 535.2g

Swing Weight: E4.5

 

NOTEs:

1. I have been building custom clubs and milling putters for a long time.
2. Swing weights are surprisingly different for effectively the same exact heads other than the face insert.
3. The steel shafts and construction are identical.
4. No extra weight applied at tip or grip.
5. All the magic is in the weighted screws and balance of the head.
6. I'm speculating that the OZ-1 lighter Head Weight (-14.3 grams) may mean it was cut down. The OZ1-insert was brand-new, had been returned a only a few days after purchase.
7. I'd be curious to see other LAB OZ total weights and swing weights - they might all be around E4.
8. The above is likely why they have you send them in. If the shafts are identical then the lie angle balancing is essentially swapping screws to "balance the head" while from the tip up is almost the same. Similar to adjustable fitting clubs.

Edited April 22 by vanderputts

[ChaosTheory]

18 minutes ago, vanderputts said:

LABs are apart. Both are 33"

 

Initial measurements:

 

OZ-1

Head: 361.5g

Shaft + Grip: 160.1g

Grip: 57.2g

Total: 521.6g

Swing Weight: D6.6

 

OZ-1i (Insert)

Head: 375.8g

Shaft + Grip: 160.1g

Grip: 57.1g

Total: 535.2g

Swing Weight: E4.5

 

NOTEs:

1. I have been building custom clubs and milling putters for a long time.
2. Swing weights are surprisingly different for effectively the same exact heads other than the face insert.
3. The steel shafts and construction are identical.
4. No extra weight applied at tip or grip.
5. All the magic is in the weighted screws and balance of the head.
6. I'm speculating that the OZ-1 lighter Head Weight (-14.3 grams) may mean it was cut down. The OZ1-insert was brand-new, had been returned a only a few days after purchase.
7. The above is likely why they have you send them in. If the shafts are identical then the lie angle balancing is essentially swapping screws to "balance the head" while from the tip up is almost the same. Similar to adjustable fitting clubs.

 

According to what I've read, the difference between the standard and heavy head option is 15 grams.  I suspect you have one of each.  My standard Mezz.1 head was 361. (I disassembled it.)

Edited April 22 by ChaosTheory

[vanderputts]

44 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

 

According to what I've read, the difference between the standard and heavy head option is 15 grams.  I suspect you have one of each.  My standard Mezz.1 head was 361. (I disassembled it.)

 

Definitely could be. I may or may not remove the insert to see if that is the difference.

 

I would think that to do their magic they would try to make all around the same SW & Overall weight at the same length for the off-the-rack options but perhaps they found it easier to supply at lower SW/OW for the non-insert OZs.

[vanderputts]

Tried a few of my spare putter shafts, OZ head works with many other options.
 

Looks hilarious with one of my left over Scotty’s built for 33" but measures at 30" on the OZ. Putts well enough lol.

 

 

Test fitting KBS GPS Tour 120g shafts.

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

Builds complete. 
 

Forward press is already engrained in my stroke so won’t be using the LAB Pistol Press 2* grips.
 

OZ1

Lie / Length: 69* / 33.25” 

Shaft: KBS GPS Tour 120 

Grip: Garsen Ultimate (54g)

Swing Weight: E5.0

Total Weight: 528.5 grams (+7 grams over stock)

I actually retrofit a .355 GPS shaft for this over a .370. Simply measured and cut it down about 1.5” at the tip to get to .365 to fit the LAB.

 

I’ve had these Garsen grips lying around for a while and figured this might be worth a try since it’s the same weight as the original LAB pistol press.

 

OZ1 Insert

Lie / Length: 69* / 33.25”

Shaft: KBS GPS Tour 120

Grip: Scotty Cameron Paddle (75g)

Swing Weight: E5.5

Total Weight: 560.5 grams (+25 grams over stock)

Might be blasphemy to some to put a Scotty grip on a LAB putter but I don’t care. Functional and the right size/weight. I wanted to try a heavier grip to balance the heavier head and love this grip on other Scotty’s.

 

Feel and balance on both all are great. Will start rolling. 

 

Edited April 23 by vanderputts

[ilikegolf26]

How in the heck did you get those press grips off!?

[vanderputts]

7 hours ago, ilikegolf26 said:

How in the heck did you get those press grips off!?

 

Very carefully. Takes about 5 minutes.

 

1. Take the heads off first. LAB uses a strong epoxy that seems to have a higher than normal melting point. Be careful with the heat gun.

2. Flip the shaft butt side down.

3. Use a small metal pick to slightly pull the grip off the shaft.

4. Gently slide a grip saver tool into the space. 

5. With the tool now between the grip and the shaft, squirt some grip solvent in. 

6. Lightly work the tool 360* around the shaft to break the tape and loosen the grip off.

7. Make your way about every 2-3" adding a small amount of solvent each step.

8. Once near the bottom, the grip should nearly slide itself off.

 

Here is a quick decent video: 

 

 

 

[ilikegolf26]

1 hour ago, vanderputts said:

 

Very carefully. Takes about 5 minutes.

 

1. Take the heads off first. LAB uses a strong epoxy that seems to have a higher than normal melting point. Be careful with the heat gun.

2. Flip the shaft butt side down.

3. Use a small metal pick to slightly pull the grip off the shaft.

4. Gently slide a grip saver tool into the space. 

5. With the tool now between the grip and the shaft, squirt some grip solvent in. 

6. Lightly work the tool 360* around the shaft to break the tape and loosen the grip off.

7. Make your way about every 2-3" adding a small amount of solvent each step.

8. Once near the bottom, the grip should nearly slide itself off.

 

Here is a quick decent video: 

 

 

 

I attempted it a few weeks ago and gave up.  Couldn’t get the grip saver tool in there. 

[leomessi10]

Can you give me the dimensions of the Oz1.i head? I ordered one which will still take about a month to arrive. I’m looking to buy a non lab headcover and want to make sure it will fit before pulling the trigger. Thanks!

[cocolamb22]

On 4/22/2025 at 1:26 PM, vanderputts said:

Been wanting to try one of these and was able to pick up both of these off the trade-in rack locally for a discount. Apparently someone already gave up.

 

I did get fit and I guess I’m one of the rare off the rack specs at 69* at 33”.

 

I’ve played with both already and can’t seem to stop myself from wanting to measure and understand everything - half the fun has been taking them apart.
 

Let the fun begin.

 

Where did you heat the head to remove the shaft? I have a mezz with TPT shaft and Ozi with Accra. I like to switch them out but don't want to ruin the graphite.

[Ngjg21]

This is a very cool thread. Thanks for sharing. 

[vanderputts]

On 4/29/2025 at 6:35 AM, leomessi10 said:

Can you give me the dimensions of the Oz1.i head? I ordered one which will still take about a month to arrive. I’m looking to buy a non lab headcover and want to make sure it will fit before pulling the trigger. Thanks!

 

Its a slightly smaller center shaft head size - 3.25" deep x 4.25" wide
 

 

On 4/29/2025 at 8:09 AM, cocolamb22 said:

 

Where did you heat the head to remove the shaft? I have a mezz with TPT shaft and Ozi with Accra. I like to switch them out but don't want to ruin the graphite.

 

Directly behind however I would be very wary of doing this on graphite. I had to heat the head up to a very high temperature. The hosel is a straight bore at the lie angle of your club i.e. (its a hole in the aluminum). Graphite and high heat don't mix well

 

 

21 hours ago, Ngjg21 said:

This is a very cool thread. Thanks for sharing. 

 

No problem!

[vanderputts]

Both putters are rolling well, the "upgrade" to the KBS did make both feel more stable and the impact on the face is a lot smoother/less tinny than the steel

 

Was well worth it.

 

The milled face is much hotter, you'll get more roll out over the aluminum as others have found. 

 

Will keep testing against my gamer to see 

[leomessi10]

Thanks!

[Redpro]

Edited April 22 by vanderputts
Before anyone gets hysterical. I’m a hobbyist machinist and make custom clubs/putters all the time.

 

 

I love this!! I recently had a mild head-explosion reaction to an innocent, simple question here. 

 

Do any fu%kin thing you want with your tools/clubs, it’s your $$ and time. 👍

[Need4spd]

19 hours ago, Redpro said:

Edited April 22 by vanderputts
Before anyone gets hysterical. I’m a hobbyist machinist and make custom clubs/putters all the time.

 

 

I love this!! I recently had a mild head-explosion reaction to an innocent, simple question here. 

 

Do any fu%kin thing you want with your tools/clubs, it’s your $$ and time. 👍

I’m shocked there haven’t been any such comments yet…

[roxald]

On 4/23/2025 at 9:30 AM, ilikegolf26 said:

How in the heck did you get those press grips off!?

I have squeezed Varsol into the hole of the grip cap/lil blast of air from the compressor gun and repeat a few times.

Then a burst of air into the grip cap hole and slowly twist the hip back and forth maintaining air pressure in the grip to expand as the Varsol moves down the grip.

Always secured in a shaft clamp of course!

Be gentle and patient.

Also used this technique to remove JumboMax grips numerous times with this method.

 

Rox

[rodders]

Brilliant mate, and congrats. Thinking of doing the same as a tinkerer myself.

 

So a KBS 370 way to go to fit LAB as note you tipped 1.5 on 355 to fit?

 

Cheers.

[barry87]

very cool build 

[Stephen1125]

@vanderputts Any chance you’ve tried to remove the insert on the OZ1i? 
 

I have a burning desire to torch the face and weights to either honey brown or blue. I’ve torched several heads before but never just an insert. I think the LAB would look great with some color. 
 

I’m also wanting to pull my stock steel shaft and replace with a graphite. I have a BGT Stability 1 shaft I want to put in. 
 

Thanks for sharing! 

Edited July 20 by Stephen1125

[vanderputts]

I didn’t remove the insert but would probably stick to a heat gun due to the aluminum/paint/etc

[cocolamb22]

I know the insert is just held on by the back screws and 2 thin double sided tape pieces. One on the sole side and one behind the face