50 Words or Less
The LAB Golf VZN.1i putter is arguably LAB’s best looking putter yet. Easy alignment paired with zero torque performance. Very forgiving. Produces excellent roll.
Introduction
The promise of zero torque putters is that they make it easier to hit your intended start line, but that only matters if you’re actually aimed in the right spot. That’s where the newest putter from L.A.B. Golf comes in. The LAB Golf VZN.1i putter was “designed to show where the face is pointed and intentionally positioned to help lock in on the target line.” I got to put one to the test to see if it could live up to its promise.
Looks
From the moment I got it out of its headcover, I loved the look of the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter. To me, this is LAB showing their evolution, making their putters both high performance and beautiful. This is still a big, modern mallet, but there’s a flow to it, a smoothness to all the edges, that’s absent in the MEZZ.1 [review HERE] and the OZ [review HERE]. Overall, the shape is unique without being too busy, sitting confidently behind the ball.
Above, you can see the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter next to the DF3i [review HERE]. Both are very large, but, to me, the VZN.1i doesn’t appear quite as hulking as the DF3, and it is roughly 1/2″ shorter from front to back. The face of the DF3i is a bit wider, but the putters are almost equally wide at their largest point.
One common feature that I like in both putters is that the face is not the widest portion of the putter. For me, this makes the face look like an arrow pointing at the hole. In the VZN, that’s enhanced by the way the putter also tapers toward the rear.
The sole of the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter features all the weights you expect from a LAB putter. Four sit on either edge, surrounding the moderately sized “VZN.1i” branding. My VZN.1i came with a white head cover that I had not seen before. I found that I could interchange covers with the VZN and the DF3.
As with all recent L.A.B. Golf putters, the VZN.1i can be ordered stock or custom. If you go the custom route, you have access to all the different head colors and alignment aids, in addition to the performance specs like lie angle and shaft length. The stock models retail for $499, customs start at $599. [See Price / Buy]
Sound & Feel
The “i” in the name of the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter refers to the stainless steel insert in the face. This is an increasingly common feature in L.A.B. Golf’s putters, first seen in the OZ.1i [review HERE] but now also featured on the DF3i. However, eagle-eyed readers will notice something different about the insert on the VZN.1i: the milling. Where the OZ.1i and DF3i have a tighter, shallower milling pattern, the milling here is deeper and wider.
In testing the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter head to head with the DF3i, I found a noticeable difference from this new milling pattern. The VZN.1i feels softer. There’s still some pop to it, enough firmness to have a sense of speed, but it’s a gentler impact sensation.
The sound of the VZN.1i is duller, too. It’s not a full “thud”, but it’s 80/20 more thud than tock. It’s also quiet and low pitched, traits that enhance the soft sound and feel.
For a large, forgiving putter, the VZN.1i has surprisingly good feedback. Through the hands, there’s a clear distinction between poor, good, and perfect strikes. The sound of impact doesn’t change much until you get to the edges of the face where it turns into a muted piano “plink.”
Performance
Alignment is a personal thing – different people like big putters, small putters, lots of lines, no lines, and everything in between – so I don’t know that any single putter is going to be universally easier to aim. What I can report is that I found the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter very easy to align. Importantly, my aim was not only accurate, I was confident in my aim. Those two things don’t always go together. Even with the abundance of lines on this configuration of the VZN.1i, I felt like the putter’s shape allowed for natural, intuitive aim as opposed to trying to meticulously strive toward unattainable perfection.
As with all L.A.B. Golf putters, I also found it easy to hit my start line consistently. Admittedly, the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter had the advantage of all my experience with previous LABs. Nonetheless, the performance was impressive. When my read and pace were good, a gimme was the worst possible result.
Strong forgiveness is the expectation with a mallet this big, and the VZN.1i doesn’t disappoint. Having all the weights at the very edge of the head make this putter very stable on mishits. In launch monitor testing, its smash factor consistency rivaled that of the DF3i. The VZN.1i also does a good job keeping the ball online, twisting only slight even on intentionally extreme mishits.
One unexpected feature of the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter that I found in my launch monitor testing is the outstanding forward roll. In a test group that included the DF3i and other putters, both traditional and not, the VZN.1i stood alone at the top, producing more forward roll off the face. More forward roll can mean less skidding which leads to more reliable reads.
A fun benefit built into the LAB Golf VZN.1i putter is its ability to pick up the ball in two ways. The cut out is perfectly sized so you can stab a gimme or scoop it up via the flange.
Finally, there are a lot of options available if you choose to design a custom LAB Golf VZN.1i putter. You can choose a zero degree or 1.5 degree shaft lean, which will influence your choice of grip. If you opt for shaft lean, you’ll likely want one of L.A.B. Golf’s Press grips. You can also customize the headweight – light, heavy, or standard – lie angle, length, and shaft. L.A.B. Golf offers several shafts including black stainless steel and graphite from TPT, Accra, and GEARS. [See Price / Buy]
Conclusion
Its hard to point to a putter company that’s had a better two years than L.A.B. Golf. Not only are they winning at the highest levels – JJ Spaun at the US Open – they’re also releasing one great putter after another. The LAB Golf VZN.1i putter is, to me, their best looking putter so far, and it makes alignment easy. Paired with forgiveness and zero torque performance, it makes a strong case to be your gamer in 2026 and beyond. [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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26 Comments
Hope they can actually fulfill orders on these. Plenty of people who ordered the link 2.1/2.2 on pre order day who still haven’t received there’s
I am eagerly looking forward to trying this one! And having played around with the LAB customizer many times I love the look of the green finish!
I love the color and line choices. Were you fitted for this putter in person, virtually, or did you already have specs from previous LAB testing? Any personal thoughts on forward press vs non that these recent LABs give the choice of?
Brett,
I have specs locked in from previous LAB puters.
I prefer the forward press, it’s what I’ve always had on LAB putters, so going to a “neutral” position with the shaft in the center of the head feels odd. I’ve tried it on other putters, it’s not bad, but I prefer the forward press.
Best,
Matt
So is that still the pistol 2.0 grip or do they make a pistol in 1.5 to match the shaft lean of this?
Josh,
It’s still the Pistol 2.0.
Best,
Matt
not on the website to order yet
Teron,
It just launched today, though I am surprised that page wasn’t ready.
Best,
Matt
Btw….. Just want to say that Plugged In Golf is my go to for reviews. You all seem to be the most unbiased reviewers. Other, not naming names, seem to just tow the company lines. Thank you all!!!! Keep up the great work!!
Thanks, Teron! We do our best.
More AI designed slop from Lab. They just laid off a large number of people, so wait times are going to get longer and quality will be questionable at best.
John,
You’ll find no greater critic of private equity than me, and I hate that a bunch of people got laid off. That said, the critiques of LAB need to be fair. If you don’t like the design, that’s fine, but to say it’s AI slop (I hate AI, too, for the record) requires some proof that this was AI designed. It does seem the wait times have gotten (or stayed) long, but I’ve rolled a lot of LAB putters over several years, and the VZN is as good as any of them in terms of build quality.
And before anyone says I’m a shill, LAB has never given Plugged In Golf a dime. If they start turning out bad putters, I’ll be the first to say so, that’s just not the case at this time.
Best,
Matt
So, is the VZN taking a spot in your bag over the DF3? I always enjoy checking in on the bag and seeing what changes. I don’t get to change clubs often and live vicariously through PIG and your bag. I do have a set of Staff XBs coming at some point, but time will tell if they take a spot in my bag ;)
Seth,
I’m not sure just yet, but it’s definitely getting a chance.
Best,
Matt
I gamed the DF2 for a season a few years ago. I liked it but that model was a bit too heavy for me (it gave me jitters on downhill putts) so I switched to a PXG zero-torque model. My only complaint here is that now that numerous companies are making zero-torque putters, spending (a minimum of) $500 on an LAB model requires some serious contemplation.
Any insight as to why the layoffs occurred? As someone w/ a long career in corporate America, usually layoffs occur due to new technology and/or financial concerns.
Michael,
I have no special insight. I only know what’s publicly known: LAB is now owned by a private equity group. One assumes that the new owners initiated the layoffs to save money, but I don’t know that.
Best,
Matt
Nice comprehensive review. I currently have a df3 sweeper and a standard DF2.1. Haven’t decided which one to use consistently, but alignment is still an issue for me(both putters do help mitigate my chronic yips affliction, though). So, this new release is definitely something I will definitely sample.
Although I understand that with standard models, an upgraded shaft is not something that’s really “needed”(unlike sweepers, where one is encouraged to upgrade from the stock Accra), I’m curious if the model you tested has the stock steel or one of the “upgrades?
Thanks!!
Jim,
For the last few releases, LAB has been sending their review samples with the stock steel shaft.
Best,
Matt
Would you recommend going 0 shaft lean if considering putting their pistol cord grip on it? Thanks.
Manny,
I haven’t tried that grip, but, based on their website, that’s not a Press grip, so yes, I would go with 0 degree shaft lean.
Best,
Matt
Matt, as usual a great review without bias. Your reviews are not only unbiased, but are based on evidence that you experienced during use. Wish at my super senior age that I could afford to purchase one of them. Thanks again!
Very good review. I have always been a Seemore guy. If I am not mistaken they were zero balanced before that was thing. I also find the flight scope alignment is the best tool I have seen in terms of a square face to your target line. I feel like if I missed the out I chose the wrong target line and speed. I am using the new Seemore Skx platinum. I would love to get your thoughts on this putter. Thanks for your years of great reviews Matt.
Tom
Sully,
I like the SKx a lot. I have a full review here: https://pluggedingolf.com/seemore-skx-putter-review/
Best,
Matt
Have you had the opportunity to review VZN .1i with both the Gears and/or TPT Shaft?
Have you previously used the TPT in any of the other LAB putters?
Jordan,
I only tested the VZN with the steel shaft. I have tried the TPT shaft in other putters, it’s very stable.
Best,
Matt
I really like the look and alignment lines on your VZN-1i, although I would get the 0 shaft lean. Every time I pickup a LAB with the forward shaft lean, it just doesn’t feel right. I need to test one out at PGATSS to see if I like it and if it would push my Antidote SB2 out of my bag. Hard to put that kind of $$$$ down when you aren’t sure you will like it.