LAB MEZZ.1 Putter
Those guys LAB Golf are back with another wild putter that’s blowing my mind! Perhaps best known for their crazy branding iron-looking Directed Force 2.1 putter, LAB’s latest putter uses the same “Lie Angle Balance” concept in their new mid-mallet, the LAB MEZZ.1 putter. A little easier on the eyes, the MEZZ.1 is the real deal and might be my favorite model in the LAB lineup.
The Looks
In some ways the LAB MEZZ.1 looks more in line with modern mallets, but it still has a unique look in a class of its own. From address, you’re looking at a “fang” dual flange with just over a golf ball width between them. That width makes for nice framing of the ball at setup. Like their DF 2.1 putter, the MEZZ.1 is rear center shafted which took a little getting used to visually. Once you settle in, it really lines up nicely. Speaking of alignment, you can choose from three different alignment mark options. There’s the line I chose, a dot, or you can go blank. The contrast of stainless steel mid section alone frames the ball and helps with straight alignment.
More anecdotally, there’s just something about how the MEZZ.1 sets up behind the ball. Like I said, it does take a bit of adjustment, especially if you’re coming from a traditional blade. But once I adjusted, I really liked how it looked on the putting green. Visually, the MEZZ.1 really connected with me and gave me a lot of confidence over the ball.
How Does it Feel?
Per usual with a LAB Golf putter, the MEZZ.1 is one of the best balanced putters I’ve ever swung. The Lie Angle Balance concept removes the club’s natural inclination to twist during the putting stroke. This is done by balancing the putter’s lie angle specific to your stroke through a proprietary putter construction process. I can’t stress enough the value of being properly fit for a LAB putter. Trust me, these are definitely not “one size fits all” putters. If you correctly go that route and get a custom build, the MEZZ.1 will easily be one of the smoothest stroking putters you’ll ever use.
The MEZZ.1 is made up of an aircraft aluminum body with a stainless steel midsection. This gives the face a softer/muted feel, but there’s plenty of feedback to know where you’re hitting the ball. I like this feel because it allows you to use a firmer golf ball and it won’t feel like a clicky rock.
How Does it Sound?
Like the feel, the LAB MEZZ.1’s sound is on the softer side. A good portion of the face gives you a soft “tock” at impact. If you miss more toward the heel or toe, then the sound firms up and gets more clicky. Fortunately, the sweet spot is generous and it’s easy to make a good stroke.
On-Course Performance
I can’t stress enough how important it is to be properly fit for a LAB putter. If getting to a local fitter isn’t an option, definitely utilize their Remote Fitting process so you are guaranteed a putter built to the exact loft, lie, length, and weight required for your putting stroke. With all of those details determined, LAB custom builds every putter to your exact spec utilizing their Lie Angle Balance concept for a smooth and natural stroke.
With the MEZZ.1 being built exactly to my spec, it felt perfectly balanced and easy to control. As long as I leave my brain out of it and trust my muscle memory to do the work, I was able to easily keep the putter face square and hit my lines. The only major adjustment is getting a feel for speed for distance control, but that’s the same for any new putter. Additionally, the ACCRA/LAB putter shaft not only helps with a cleaner feel, but adds to the stability for better control.
The Press grip is the real finishing touch to LAB Golf’s secret sauce. Getting the grip selection correct will get your hands in the right place but also make your putting stroke more natural. Most players will lean toward the Press 2 1.5º grip, but there are additional options for different strokes. Players with more forward press may prefer the Press 2 3º grip. Players with a more upward strike on the ball may prefer the Press 1.L grip. LAB Golf will be plenty helpful with grip selection as part of your fitting process.
Final Thoughts – LAB Golf MEZZ.1 Putter
LAB Golf feels the MEZZ.1 is their best looking and feeling putter to date and I totally agree with them. I feel the MEZZ.1 is the perfect blend of LAB’s unique visual interpretations and “traditional” modern mallets. That said, you really won’t find much that looks anything like it on the racks in stores. But looking good is only part of the deal. At the end of the day, making putts is the whole point of a putter which the MEZZ.1 will certainly do.
Directed Force 2.1 vs MEZZ.1
Just because I know it’s going to get asked, I’ll quickly give my thoughts on the DF 2.1 vs the MEZZ.1. A remark I often receive about the DF 2.1 is “I know it performs great, but I just can’t look down at that.” I think that’s understandable and LAB Golf understood that battle as well. The MEZZ.1 is the perfect solution. I felt that I got the same performance value out of the MEZZ.1, but in a more visually appealing package. So now you can get the benefits of the DF 2.1 with much cleaner looks.
Which shaft do you recommend for this putter?
Thanks!
Jay
Wouldn’t say any specifically lend themselves to the putter. It’s more about what you’re looking for in feel and performance. The BGT Stability they offer (we have some reviews of that shaft on the site too) is going to be much significantly rigid and have more weight to it. The ACCRA shaft will be more rigid as well with a smoother feel, but not as rigid as the BGT. Probably more responsive than the BGT. Then traditional steel will be a little less rigid, but the balanced design of the putter will still keep the putter stable.
Interesting thoughts on the Stability shaft. I heard the opposite. The stability shaft they offer now is the Stability Tour 2 which is more weighted like a steel shaft and affect swingweight less. I was told by LAB that the Stability Tour 2 will feel softer than the Accra. I am about to order a Mezz.1 but will need to clarify this. Thanks.
Tough for me to say, I’ve not tried the Stability or Stability Tour 2 in the MEZZ.1, but I have tried the ACCRA in the MEZZ.1 and can only compare it to my experiences with the BGT in other putters.
How does this compare to a phantom X5? I just got one and like it but always wanted to try the LAB technology
Couldn’t tell you, I don’t have any experience with the Scotty other than seeing them beat to trash on the floor of PGA SS and they’re still asking full ticket for them. One thing I can tell you just from sight is that one is center shafted with a more “rear” position. That alone will create a much different putting experience.
If there’s a Scotty equivalent, I’m unaware of it.
I have the Phantom X 5.5 and this new Mezz.1 putter with BGT Stability shaft is awesome. I also have the DF 2.1 and loved it but this new Mezz putter is amazing! I liked it so much that it will be in my bag a long time that I ordered a spare to keep in my study to practice with.
Bill, it seems that all of LAB Golf putters are center-shafted. It is my understanding that center-shafted putters really benefit or are targeted to smooth, skilled, “pendulum style” putting golfers. If I am more of the “arc-ing stroke” type of putter, should I pass on the LAB putters or at least, give them a try? Thanks, Bill. Enjoy your work.
I would strongly advise doing LAB’s remote fitting process and they’ll be able to address whatever your swing style is. I have an arc stroke and was fine.
how does MEZZ compare to TM spider and other mallets? Is it more forgiving? Big difference in quality
You still use the MEZZ? Current thoughts?
I don’t game the MEZZ.1, no. As far as comparing to other mallets, that’s a pretty large swath to cover. The best I can say is these putters are about as forgiving as putters come and are extremely high quality with tight tolerances.
Do you have any LAB fitting locations near the SF Bay Area (Northern CA)?
We aren’t LAB or a fitter, we just reviewed the putter. I believe they have a list of fitters listed on their website to refer to. Hit one of the links above in the review to head over there, and good luck!