LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX Putter
While L.A.B. Golf has become somewhat synonymous with whacky looking putters that look like anything else in golf, they’ve also been well documented as some of the most stable and forgiving putters in the game. We’ve been fortunate enough to test all of their models, but the still super unique “mid-mallet” MEZZ.1 had a much more traditional palatable look that could appeal to more golfers all with L.A.B.’s “Lie Angle Balance” stability that allows the putter to practically swing itself. The new LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX putter is very similar but is 20% larger in size making it even more stable and closer to the level of forgiveness found in their Directed Force 2.1 putter. On top of that, L.A.B. Golf is also offering more custom colors, shafts, and alignment options to get your putter just right for you.
The Looks
Look, L.A.B. Golf is notorious for making some of the most interesting looking putters in golf. It’s no secret that they are big, weird, and take some getting used to, but that’s ok. Now, I understand the big branding iron/bottle opener look of the DF 2.1 is too much for some people. That’s a fair assessment. (Let me go on record of stating that if you can get by that, that thing really works well.) However, the LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX is much easier to look down at. I sort of see a claw shape standing over it that really frames the ball nicely. The ridged design on the topline contrasting with the stainless alignment aid makes aiming easy and clean.
Speaking of that alignment aid, it’s a stainless steel insert in the middle of the putter. This serves a major role in weight, but also creates contrast in your setup toward your target. As of writing this review, L.A.B. Golf currently offers 11 different “mark” options so you can select whatever appeals to your eye the most. I’ve traditionally gone with a straight line, but decided to try a dot for this go around.
Also new are more color options! L.A.B. Golf is offering the MEZZ.1 MAX head in multiple colors. There’s the traditional black and silver/platinum we’ve seen before, red, blue, cappuccino, and the orange pictured here.
How Does it Feel?
As with any L.A.B. Golf putter, the MEZZ.1 MAX feels incredibly stable and easy to swing. So much so, it practically swings itself. 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. It’s important to note that getting properly fit for your MEZZ.1 MAX is crucial. This will be key in realizing all of the putter’s stability benefits. If you’re unable to go get fit at a certified fitter, L.A.B. Golf offers a remote fitting process here.
The MEZZ.1 MAX 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. The sweet spot is generous and gives you a little more allowance toward the heel and toe.
How Does it Sound?
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. To be clear, that has to be a pretty significant miss. The MEZZ.1 MAX’s larger sweet spot makes the tone pretty consistent across most of the face. The closer you are toward the center, the sound is sweeter and more “pure”.
On-Course Performance
First thing’s first with any L.A.B. Golf putter’s performance – the Press Grip. With all of the L.A.B. putters, this really makes a huge difference. Press Grips play a huge role in getting your hands in the right place for a more natural putting stroke to go along with the head’s Lie Angle Balance technology. Most players will lean toward the Press II 1.5º grip, but there are additional options for different strokes. Players with more forward press may prefer the Press II 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.
Like I’ve said already, the LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX practically swings itself. I felt like as long as I setup to the ball properly and consistently, the MEZZ.1 MAX did all of the work for me. Keep the face square and hitting my target consistently with a smooth, pure roll was automatic.
One last performance note I’ll point out is how the MEZZ.1 MAX compares to the Direct Force 2.1. The MEZZ.1 MAX’s stability and control is much closer to the DF 2.1 than the original MEZZ.1. I would say the DF 2.1 is still a little more forgiving and stable, but the gap is much closer and borderline negligible. In my opinion, for players that enjoy the performance benefits of the DF 2.1 but struggle with its looks, the MEZZ.1 MAX is the solution.
Final Thoughts – LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX Putter
Lie Angle Balance technology is a real concept that I’ve seen work in multiple putters from L.A.B. Golf now and there’s certainly something special about it. Though still a slightly whacky looking putter, the LAB Golf MEZZ.1 MAX is much easier on the eyes and very easy to putt with. Add in some fun color options, different Press Grips, multiple shaft upgrades, and you can setup quite a dangerous weapon for the greens.
This putter has arrived in my life at the perfect point in time. I wouldn’t say I have the “Y word”, but I’m certainly not relaxed standing over a putt as of writing this. As I got more and more used to the MEZZ.1 MAX, my confidence increased and I felt much calmer over putts. This has become increasingly important lately and is making a compelling case to see some extended time in my bag. It’s also worth noting that DRH’s own Tommy O’Connell is currently dabbling with a L.A.B. MEZZ.1 for the very same reason. If those two examples aren’t enough to catch your interest, I don’t know what is!
Excellent review, and one of the best for this putter I’ve seen. However, a question: Are you required by contract NOT to post pictures of the address position? I have seen dozens of reviews of this putter, and the closest I’ve seen is a shot mid shaft of the alignment position. Aggravating when trying to determine the looks at address and the color of the putter. Close ups skew the color. One of the “big” new options are the colors available. As in most every review I’ve seen…and I look for new ones every day….the color of the putter is downplayed [noting what colors are available is quite different from showing what they look like under real lighting conditions]. Thanks for the review, looking forward to more.
I only had access to the orange, so really can’t help much with providing looks at the other colors.
I guess I don’t really understand your “required by contract” question regarding the address position? Is the second picture in the post (above the Looks section) not the address position? I tried to capture that, I guess I’m not understanding what you’re actually looking for.
What I think he means by address position is exactly that, not looking down the shaft at the head held up with trees in the background, but the actual putting surface, perhaps with a ball for a size reference. Ball logo hidden, of course, for legal reasons.
That’s fair feedback, I can work with that. And I’ll put logo up of the Bridgestone golf ball – official ball of That Range Life – all day 🙂
I’m interested in your Mezz 1 putter. How do we get the right height for me?
You need to contact LAB Golf through their website. We’re an independent review site, not LAB Golf.
Hi, I am interested at ur putter.just to check whether do u have any distributors in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Click any of the LAB Golf links in this review to go to their website. You can contact them through there to get an answer. We’re an independent review site.
Bill,
Any idea what the weight range in grams is on these putters? I currently use 2 different putters, one a 410 gram mallet putter and a 385 CS white hot versa CS mallet. I tried to research through LAB and other owners but have not found any information on gram weight possibilities. Thanks.
I don’t know either, honestly. The weighting will, in theory, vary from player to player in order to achieve the correct balance. That said, I would encourage reaching out to them and discuss weighting options as I assume the concept and design pretty easily lends itself to dialing in preferred weight.