50 Words or Less
The LAB Golf MEZZ.2i putter improves on every aspect of the original. A more refined look, higher MOI, and a more connected feel during the swing and at impact. Arguably LAB’s best putter yet.
Introduction
The company that designed a putter so…unconventional…that it became their logo is turning over a new leaf. As Nick Sherburne recently pointed out, LAB Golf’s biggest innovation in 2026 is making their zero torque putters more visually appealing [read more HERE]. The new LAB Golf MEZZ.2i putter is the latest example. This update on their fang-style MEZZ putter has a much cleaner look, but is there more to this flat stick than a face lift? I tested one to find out.
Looks
When it was released roughly four years ago, I called the MEZZ.1 LAB’s best looking putter yet [read more HERE]. Looking at the MEZZ.1 side by side with the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i is a testament to how far the company has come. While the two putters have obvious similarities, they’re miles apart in refinement. The MEZZ.2i has smooth, flowing lines where the MEZZ.1 is angular and jagged. I can still appreciate the MEZZ.1 for what it is, but it’s hard to argue that the MEZZ.2i is not a substantial glow up.
Above, you can see the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i next to the MEZZ.1 MAX [review HERE]. In terms of size, the MEZZ.2i is slightly smaller from heel to toe – about 1/8″ at their widest points – but it’s longer from front to back. A careful look also reveals that the shaft is 1/16″ further from the face, and the face is no longer the widest part of the putter – a shaping I really like in this and the DF3.
This particular LAB Golf MEZZ.2i features their new “Black Cherry” color and a matching head cover. As with all LAB Golf putters, there is a world of customization options for those that want to go to the custom route. The full slate of options is not available at the time of this writing, but, using the original MEZZ as a reference, we can expect at least eight colors and ten different alignment options. [See Price / Buy]
Sound & Feel
The new LAB Golf MEZZ.2i features the same deep milled stainless steel face as the VZN.1i [review HERE]. Starting with some short putts in my basement putting lab, I noted that the feel was good. It’s on the soft side of the feel spectrum, but not dramatically so. There’s a pleasant impact feel, but I didn’t feel the need to run to my thesaurus for gushing adjectives.
Moving into the middle distances, I noted that centered strikes felt a bit softer. It’s like the MEZZ.2i needed a little stretch to show its best stuff. Long, pure putts felt great, too. At medium and longer distances, the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i also showed off its excellent feedback. Even small misses firmed up a bit, giving a clear signal that the strike wasn’t ideal.
This precise gradient of feels is matched by the sound. On center, there’s a pleasant, slightly dull “tock.” This is a fairly quiet putter, so you do need to pay attention to hear the audio feedback. When you start to get off-center, the sound of impact gets more edge, though it’s never harsh.
Performance
I have a lot of experience with LAB putters over the last few years, and I can’t think of one that was bad. That said, I can’t think of one that was as stellar out of the box as the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i. From the look to the set up, everything about this putter felt natural to me from the first roll. After knocking in my first dozen eight footers, I excitedly noted, “Start line control is just filthy.”
Putting with the MEZZ.2i and the MEZZ.1 MAX side-by-side, I found the MEZZ.2i to be everything I want from a sequel: familiar but better. With the MEZZ.2i, I had a greater feeling of connection. Where the MEZZ.1 MAX does a great job hitting its start lines, there’s a sense that the putter is on autopilot. Rolling the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i, I got the benefits of zero torque with some of the control and fine touch of a “normal” putter.
This speaks to the optimized shaft and weight placement that LAB Golf touts, and it really showed in the distance control. Long putts are one area where I have struggled with some zero torque putters, but I haven’t seen that with the MEZZ.2i.
Any concerns that LAB Golf traded forgiveness for good looks were quickly put to rest. The MEZZ.2i does a formidable job taking mishits and keeping them on line with adequate pace. On putts from twenty to thirty feet, a ball that finished outside of kick-in range was a rarity. To be exceedingly clear, I was very capable of misreading putts or making a poor stroke with the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i, but I was not seeing bad results from simple mishits.
As with all LAB Golf putters, dialing in the specs and set up is the key to optimizing performance. The LAB Golf MEZZ.2i has 2° of loft, and the version I tested has 1.5° of shaft lean (there will be a zero lean option available, too). This, combined with the Pistol Press 2°, was an extremely comfortable set up for me. The Pistol Press 2° is in the running for my favorite press-style grip. I find the size and shape fit my hands perfectly.
If you’ve never experienced a press grip, I would strongly recommend finding a store with some LAB Golf putters and trying a few before you order your custom LAB Golf MEZZ.2i. There are smooth and textured versions of the 1.5° and 3° Press grips as well as an XL 3° grip. Should you opt for the zero shaft lean configuration, you can use any conventional putter grip.
This putter came equipped with the ACCRA X LAB graphite shaft, which I’ve really enjoyed in other LAB Golf putters. The shaft feels very solid during the swing, but the impact feel is soft and focused. A black steel shaft is the stock option. In addition to the ACCRA, there are graphite shafts from TPT, Mitsubishi, GEARS, and Graphite Design available with upcharges ranging from $100 to $400.
One element of this particular MEZZ.2i that I really came to like is the alignment aid. The thin line through the silver section enhances the fang shape’s natural alignment without being distracting. Regular readers know that I’m not a big fan of sight lines, but I found that this gave just the right amount of focus to my aiming. It also allows players to align the putter with a line on their ball, if they so choose. If you’re unsure which of the alignment options to pick, this one gets my universal recommendation.
Finally, the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i takes a cue from the VZN.1i with two methods for picking up the golf ball. You can pick it up by stabbing the putter down onto it (above)
You can also use the more conventional method of scooping it with the fangs (above). While obviously not the primary reasons for bagging this putter, my experience with the VZN.1i tells me that these features will be the most remarked upon by your playing partners. [See Price / Buy]
Conclusion
In October, I was golfing in Utah with Matt Meeker [more on that trip HERE]. After two days of trying to putt with a blade, I switched back to my LAB DF3i [review HERE], putted brilliantly, and swore it was in the bag forever. Then the LAB Golf MEZZ.2i showed up. This putter is beautiful, it has all the forgiveness and start line advantages of the best zero torque putters, and it gives me a feeling of precision I haven’t felt with other ZT putters. “Forever” didn’t last as long as I hoped, but in this case that’s not a bad thing. [See Price / Buy]
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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