There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

What We Tried

L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Customizer: L.A.B. Golf’s new online customizer that allows you to build a custom MEZZ.1 or MEZZ.1 MAX putter.

Your Custom Builder

Dave Wolfe – MyGolfSpy writer and putter fanatic. I’ve tested hundreds (maybe thousands) of flatsticks.

L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Customizer

When you design a putter online, does the putter’s online rendering look like the putter that arrives at your house? That’s the first question that should be asked when exploring any online custom putter interface. The whole process fails if the virtual putter and in-person putter are different. Why spend the time and money designing a custom putter if something else entirely shows up at your door?

Today, we review L.A.B. Golf’s new MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Customizer. That’s right. We have a double dose of custom commentary. We will see if what L.A.B. Golf shows in their designer is close to the finished putter. I may even chime in a little bit about how they play as well.

How’s that for the price of admission?

L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Heads

Right off the bat, you need to get your head straight. Do you want the more compact MEZZ.1 or the newly expanded MEZZ.1 MAX? While they are similar in shape and construction, the MAX does have the larger profile. Surprisingly, the MAX is not larger in all dimensions, though.

In terms of profile, the MEZZ.1 MAX is longer heel-to-toe than the original MEZZ.1. This extra width mandates a different weighting scheme than the original MEZZ.1. The MEZZ.1 MAX lacks the front corner weights and the sole weight pattern is different. For both heads, the weighting design changes should you choose the armlock or broomstick version.

MAX In All Dimensions?

Before seeing the putters in person, I had assumed the MAX head would be the same as the normal MEZZ.1, just larger. As I mentioned, the MEZZ.1 MAX is longer heel-to-toe but, overall, it has a more delicate profile than the squattier MEZZ.1.

Yes, I did just call a very geometric putter that looks like a large staple “delicate.” It’s the vibe I get.

Back to the different shapes. Visually, the sharpest contrast comes at address. The MEZZ.1 MAX lines stretch my eyes along the face of the putter. With the original MEZZ.1, my eyes focus more on the center of the putter, perhaps even back a bit from the face. I attribute this to the increased length of the lines near the alignment insert. I also found the lines of the cavity in the MEZZ.1 MAX played more of a role in alignment than the cavity edges did with the standard MEZZ.1. The subtle design changes make a difference.

Not to belabor the point, but selecting the head is the first, and most important, part of the process. Spend some time looking at these from address before you pull the trigger. Sure, they are similar but the differences could influence how you aim the putter.

L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Build Options

OK, so you’ve picked your head. Now it is time to select the other options for your unique-to-you build. (Hint: First, figure out if you are left-handed. If so, then select left-handed. If you are not left-handed, select right-handed.)

Now decide if you want a standard-length putter, an armlock putter or are ready to go all Adam Scott with a broomstick. Don’t let me see you anchoring that broomstick to your chest!

Choose Your Hue

Next, you get to the important part: color! You have six to choose from. I went with orange because it’s nice and bold and purple was not an option. I almost went with blue because that color packs some visual pop as well.

Should you live life in more neutral tones, there are four more conservative colors. Admittedly, red and cappuccino-brown are lean bold-ish. However, black and platinum are mellow, right? All right, so you have six striking colors to choose from. Happy now?

From here, the options get a little more play-centered and potentially more confusing. You can build your MEZZ.1 or MEXX.1 MAX with one of eight shafts. Relax, it’s really only four shafts with color options. Black steel is stock with the other shafts coming with premium prices.

The ACCRA x L.A.B. collaboration shaft adds $100 to the build. A BGT Stability shaft has an upcharge of $275. The LA Golf P-Series 135 will require you to deposit $380 more into the coin slot should you drive that road.

You may be asking, “Why would I need an upgraded putter shaft?” Well, L.A.B. has a guide for you to follow. Here is a LINK detailing how changing the shaft could change performance of the putter. If LA Golf’s $380 putter shaft has you apoplectic, take solace in knowing that “The Golf Scientist” uses one in his putter.

L.A.B. Golf’s Remote Fitting

L.A.B. Golf can help you with the next build options, especially lie angle. Did you know L.A.B. stands for Lie Angle Balance? This type of putter design keeps the face of the putter square to the arc through the stroke. Ideally, this helps you return the putter nice and square at impact.

To ensure this happens, the putter needs to be built to match your putting stroke’s natural lie angle. Don’t worry if you don’t know your ideal lie angle. Just send L.A.B. a five-second video of you putting and they will let you know your lie angle. There is some necessary framing of the video but it’s an easy process. All the details can be found on the L.A.B. remote-fitting page.

Interesting sidebar: L.A.B. determined my ideal lie angle is 72 degrees, almost the same angle the PING PLD Custom sensor determined for me last spring. Call me Mr. Consistency …

MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Grip, Weight and Alignment

Most of L.A.B. Golf’s putter grip options come with some built-in forward press, the reason being that this type of press works well with the lie angle-balanced design. You can go with a 1.5- or 3-degree press or a standard grip, should you prefer.

L.A.B. also recommends going with the standard weight unless you know for sure that you need a heavier or lighter head. Though there are a lot of screws in both the MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX, they are not intended to be adjusted by the customer. Should you change your mind and want to reweight your putter, you’ll need to send it in and it will cost you $100.

MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Alignment Insert

The last selection that you will make is the alignment insert. You have 11 options. You can go blank or something a little more exotic like a dot, arrows or even a heart. Can your choice impact how you aim the putter? I believe so. Putter maker and Edel Golf founder, David Edel has told us for years that the lines on the top of the putter influence how one aims the putter. Unfortunately, there is no real way to know how the graphics will affect your putting if you are doing this all online and these are not interchangeable inserts. I went with the three-line scheme primarily because I saw that configuration perform well during my Edel putter fitting.

Dave’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putters

So how did L.A.B. Golf do with the “online to in-hand” challenge? They killed it! The in-hand putters look way better than they did in the computer rendering. That’s the recipe for any good interface. Make it look good online and then make the actual putter even better.

The interface itself was easy to use, especially if you had the data from the remote fitting to enter. How nice is that orange? Man, it pops in person. The overall build quality is excellent as well. These putters are not inexpensive and that shows in the materials and workmanship. The finish on the shaft and the feel of the grip and headcover speak to the quality of materials.

Comparing the MEZZ.1 and the MEZZ.1 MAX on the Course

These putters are more different than you would think. I alluded to this a bit when talking about the heads. Both require a little bit of acclimation if you are not familiar with lie angle-balanced putters. Your hands will want to force the putter as per usual but you just need to let these putters take the wheel. Let the putter be the boss.

Both of my L.A.B. putters featured the ACCRA x L.A.B. graphite shaft and 1.5-degree press grip. The shaft/grip combo produced a balanced stroke, so much so that I sort of took it for granted. It swings pure, so I paid little attention to it. Even the odd grip was not odd at all. Instead, it allowed me to set up consistently at address.

Back to the Heads …

So what about the heads? For me, the differences between the two heads were noticeable. I found the original MEZZ.1 easy to aim and consistent on the green but it just didn’t grab me and shake me. I’d be happy to have it in the bag but it didn’t really separate itself from the other putters in my garage competing for bag time.

The MEZZ.1 MAX was a whole different story. The first round out, I dropped putts from everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. The longest was more than 30 feet. It was stunning. I can’t recall another time when I have had so many “Holy s**t!” moments with a new putter. The MEZZ.1 MAX just dropped bomb after bomb. It was point and shoot. I am sure I had a personal best feet-of-putts-made statistic that round. Had my iron play shown up at all, I would have easily had a personal low round while rolling an unfamiliar putter.

Subsequent rounds have produced similar results. Rough green conditions impacted performance a bit. Such is the case for all putters, though. That said, on smooth fast greens, the MEZZ.1 MAX is a true weapon. It’s small wonder that so many PGA TOUR pros are looking at L.A.B. putters these days. Maybe L.A.B. is right when they say we are better putters than we think we are.

The Takeaway: L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Customizer

Back to L.A.B. Golf’s MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Customizer. L.A.B. Golf has produced a quality online custom interface for the MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX putters. Options are easy to select and, maybe except for the alignment insert, L.A.B. does an excellent job of explaining how the options could affect your putting.

Excluding an upgraded shaft, going from stock to custom will cost you an additional $110 for the original MEZZ.1 and $90 for the MAX which is $20 more for stock. That additional cost allows you to pick your color, grip, headcover, alignment aid and custom specifications. To me, that seems like a deal. You are already investing $449 or $469 for the stock MEZZ.1 or MEZZ.1 MAX respectively. How can you not spend the extra few bucks to get it customized?

Don’t let the odd look of the L.A.B. MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX put you off. Full disclosure: I was not a fan of the looks and, as such, was in no real rush to try them. Funny how making a bunch of long putts will make a putter look more attractive.

Design your own at L.A.B. Golf

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The Directed Force 2.1 is the flagship putter of L.A.B. Golf. There is a lot of chatter about this lie-angle balanced putter so we wanted to see whether it could compete against the best mallet putters of 2022.

As you will see, there is some excellent performance from this putter from 20 feet and, although we know it may not be the prettiest one out there, some bonus points are earned for functionality.

L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 Putter Details

We tested the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 putter as part of our Best mallet putters in 2022 test. When considering ties, the Directed Force 2.1 took 10th place. The putter features the same technology that L.A.B. Golf has implemented in all of its putters: face angle technology. L.A.B. stands for “lie angle balance.” If you struggle with excess putter head rotation, the Directed Force 2.1 will help. Combining this with the alignment technology, the putter is supposed to make putting considerably easier. 

Players looking for a pendulum-style stroke with improved distance control will find the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 a smart choice. The integrated forward-press technology promotes proper hand position. Ultimately, the larger muscles are incorporated into the stroke.

The 6061 aircraft aluminum putter head was also heat-treated to provide a consistent feel. You can choose between black, blue or red if you go the custom route. The alignment lines on the top of the golf putter look quite a bit like the Triple Track design on a Callaway golf ball.

Pros

• Integrated forward press
• Customization options
• Three alignment lines
• Lie angle balanced for very little head rotation
• Consistent distance control from 20 feet
• Good feel and consistent roll

Cons

• Hard to align on shorter putts
• Strange -looking clubhead takes time to get used to
• Some golfers feel it sets up open for the shorter putts

How We Test 

In testing the best mallet putters of 2022, we analyzed 27 putters. A total of 12,000 putts were taken and each was analyzed and recorded to collect data. We studied putters at five, 10 and 20 feet and picked a winner for each category. If you compare results from our previous mallet putter testing, you will notice that this year’s test focuses on making one-putts from 5, 10 and 20 feet. 

L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 Putter Review

The L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 was ranked 10th overall, scoring 83.10/100. As you will see from the individual scores from each distance, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 putter shines in the 20-foot range.

Performance From Five Feet 

From five feet, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 took 15th place, the worst of all the categories and one of the worst in our 2022 mallet putter testing. The problem we discovered with the five-foot range is that the putter has just too much going on. First, the design should allow for a square face throughout the stroke but the putter sets up a bit open. Secondly, the alignment lines make it hard to get the putter on track from a short distance. Ultimately, testers struggled with consistency from this range.

Performance From 10 Feet 

The 10-foot putt range reflected slightly improved performance with jump to 10th place. 

Performance From 20 Feet 

From 20 feet, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 finished second with impressive distance control, feel and consistency. This is a club worth considering if you struggle with consistency on longer putts.

Although the performance from five feet is not nearly as strong as others in the test, a few of the testers mentioned that they could get used to the funky alignment on the short putts.

Overall 

The results from 20 feet redeemed the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1. A second-place finish from the 20-foot mark indicates lie-angle balancing technology may help golfers struggling with the unwanted rotation of the putter head. If you have a straight-back and straight-through stroke and are looking to make your game more consistent, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 would be one to look at.

Tester Feedback

Here is some specific tester feedback about L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1: 

• Good feel
• Alignment is helpful on long putts but not as much on short putts.
• Putter sets up open
• Couldn’t get it lined up correctly on a short putt
• Really impressive distance control
• Felt smooth considering the look and the size
• Felt a bit light to some players (custom weighting is available)
• Rolls well off the face

Bottom Line 

The L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 performs as advertised. From the 20-foot range, the putter face stays stable, has limited rotation and will help you control distance. However, the overall look is a bit funky. It took our testers some time to get used to. Undoubtedly, for a smaller brand working its way up, it competed pretty well in the 2022 mallet test. 

FAQ

Is the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 worth it?

The best thing about the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 is its performance from 20 feet. If you are working to keep the face angle square from long range, the putter is well worth the money.

L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 vs. Mezz.1—Which is better?

In the 2022 Mallet Putter test, the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 had a slightly better overall finish than the Mezz.1. Interestingly, the Directed Force 2.1 is stronger on long putts and the Mezz.1 is stronger on short putts. Maybe L.A.B. Golf will figure out a way to marry the two in 2023.

Is a L.A.B. Golf Putter for high handicappers?

Any golfer can use the L.A.B. Golf putters and can order them customized to their requirements. L.A.B. Golf allows you to complete the process on their website and provides data of your putting stroke to help with the putter build-out.

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It should come as no surprise that we like “labs” here at MyGolfSpy. Having built our own golf testing lab, it’s fun to see an upstart brand like L.A.B. competes against the biggest names in the game. We put the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 putter to the test to see how it did against the competition.

L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Putter Details

We tested the L.A.B .Golf Mezz.1 putter as part of our Best Mallet Putters of 2022 test. It ranked 12th overall amid mixed feedback from our testers. The thing that helps all L.A.B. putters stand out is the 100-percent lie angle balanced (thus L.A.B.) design. The idea behind the lie angle balanced putter is more consistency, more forgiveness and less work on the part of the golfer. 

The club head is fully CNC machined from a 6061 aircraft aluminum body and 303 stainless steel midsection. There are 10 weights that can be customized to fit the exact needs of your putting stroke. With the Mezz.1, you will get quite a bit of feedback which is good for the golfers that want to make adjustments. The Mezz.1 allows more feedback than the Directed Force from L.A.B. Golf but less than the B.2.

Pros

• Lie angle balanced design
• Durable aircraft aluminum
• Can be custom built
• Impressive feedback
• Easy to use alignment aids

Cons

• Design is different looking and didn’t appeal to many of the testers
• Distance control on the longer putts was lacking
• Center-shafted design is not for everyone

How We Test 

The L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 was part of our 2022 Most Wanted Mallet Putter test comprising 27 putters. There were 12,000 putts taken. We analyzed putters at five, 10 and 20 feet and picked a winner for each of these categories. Slightly different than with previous golf putter tests, we did this one with the main focus on making a one-putt.

L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Putter Review

The L.A.B. Golf Mezz. 1 was ranked 12th overall with a score of 80.66/100.. However, there is kind of an outlier in the Mezz.1 performance that is worth taking a look at. 

Performance From Five Feet 

From five feet, the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 is solid. In fact, this was its best performance. At the five-foot mark, the Mezz.1 earned a third-place overall. Golfers felt the alignment was solid and the putter did what it needed to do from this range. For golfers who struggle with those knee-knockers, the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 could be a game changer.

Performance From 10 Feet 

At the 10-foot mark, the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 was tied for seventh with a score of 82.8. One of the complaints was that it looks a bit funky, like too much was done with the putter head. It makes sense that, from five feet, you can use what you need to get the ball in the hole, but at 10 feet, the look of the putter starts to feel a bit off at times. 

Performance From 20 Feet 

From 20 feet, the Mezz.1 from L.A.B. Golf struggled. It placed tied for 12th with a ranking of 58.80/100. The problem that golfers had was not necessarily alignment but more distance control. The center-shafted design helps keep the putter stable on those short putts but, from further away, the consistency really fell. 

Overall 

As you see, the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 is a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. From five feet, it’s excellent. From 10 feet, it’s mediocre but from 20, it got a bit ugly. If you hit the ball close to the pin all the time, this should be of no concern. The overall ranking for L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 was 12th and that is primarily because of its distance control issues. 

Tester Feedback

Here is some of the most helpful feedback from our testers about the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1:

• Good feel on short putts
• Alignment can be a little off, not as easy to align as some other putters in this test
• The ball comes off the face of the putter nicely.
• The forward press was just enough to help with a more pure roll.
• The putter head is a bit funky and it took some time to get used to.
• A more streamlined look would have been preferred.

Bottom Line 

The L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 had some tough competition in the 2022 mallet putter test. The overall consensus here is that L.A.B. Golf is on to something from the 10-foot and under range but the overall distance control on longer putts still needs work. 

FAQ

Are L.A.B. putters any good?

L.A.B. putters are good. They are a newer brand and very into customization, fitting and player preferences. We like that L.A.B. goes out on a limb with some of their designs and models, even if they missed the mark on the long putts with this Mezz.1.

Which L.A.B. putter is best?

The best L.A.B. Golf putter, according to our 2022 Best Mallet putter test, was the Directed Force which finished two spots higher than the Mezz.1.

Do any pros use L.A.B. putters?

Adam Scott was using the Directed Force for a bit but there is not too much talk of these being widely distributed across the PGA TOUR. That may change over time.

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