L.A.B. VZN.1i Putter Review: Is this L.A.B.'s best putter to date?

With many brands are now busy figuring out the best ways of getting zero torque putters into the hands of more golfers, L.A.B. Golf, the company that sent this concept into the mainstream, is forging ahead in entirely new directions.

While zero torque technology has undoubtedly changed the game for players of all levels, the fact remains that until recently, adopting a zero torque design meant getting used to a club that looked unfamiliar and often uncomfortable at address, with most defined by a centre-shafted design and lots of forward lean in the shaft.

That has changed more recently however, with L.A.B. being among many brands to offer zero torque solutions in a more conventional-looking range of putters. The brand's latest release, the VZN.1i, is perhaps it's most 'normie' looking putter yet.

With its clean, angular design, the VZN.1i is designed to be a zero torque putter for those who don't really want that whacky L.A.B. look when they look down to address a putt, the diamond-like shape also serving double duty as a comprehensive alignment aid. 

But does it deliver all the stable, easy-putting magic we've come to expect from L.A.B., and could this end up being L.A.B.'s most popular putter yet? We took it out on course to find out.

Check out our video review and scroll on to read our detailed thoughts. Let us know what you think of the new range in the comments below.

Looks & features

As we previously noted, this is probably the most "normal" looking L.A.B. putter released to date. There's still the same centre-shafted, forward-pressed setup that you'll have to get used to if you've never swung a zero torque putter before, but everything behind this looks and feels like a pretty standard, mallet putter – albeit a pretty large one.

The VZN.1i has a crisp, angular diamond-like shape, with a cutout insert in the bottom that acts as both a ball pick-up tool and works with the lines on the top of the head to form an easy-to-use alignment aid. 

Elsewhere, the VZN.1i delivers much of the same feel and features we've come to expect from the brand. Like the DF3 and OZ.1 models, it has a CNC-milled aluminium body, and as the 'i' in the name denotes, has a 303 stainless steel insert that delivers a firmer feel than what you'd get from one of L.A.B's standard milled putters. 

The choice of shafts and grips is also broadly the same, everything working towards achieving that namesake Lie Angle Balance that L.A.B. is famous for.

What we like

As always, the L.A.B. generally makes putting feel like an easy-breezy dream. We're still yet to test many putters that make it so easy to achieve an end-over-end roll as the L.A.B. does.

The feel of the insert is also lovely. Despite being on the firmer side, it has a slightly more muted sensation than other L.A.B.'s we've tested, but if you prefer a firmer-feeling putter overall, this should fit your tastes like an absolute dream.

What really sets the VZN.1i apart, however, is the way it uses its shape. The combination of the cutout and the lines forms probably one of the best alignment systems we've seen in a long time, giving excellent feedback throughout the stroke and really giving you the impression that the putter is keeping things square throughout the entire stroke.

What we don't like

As with all other L.A.B. putters, the VZN.1i is BIG. It has a very large profile, even compared to other high-MOI putters in its class. This is a growing trend, with large, high MOI putters like the TaylorMade Spider Max also hitting the market recently, but it's still so big as to likely put some players off.

Because the feedback you get from the L.A.B. insert is slightly more dulled, it can also make distance control on long putts a little bit tricky. I found myself overpowering a lot of longer putts with the VZN.1i, the muted sensation giving the feel that I needed to apply more force than I actually did.

The VZN.1i also doesn't (yet) come with the option of a heel-shafted variant like the OZ.1 does, which means you're stuck with the standard centre-shafted, forward-pressed set up, which takes some getting used to and simply won't fit some players' eye.

The L.A.B. is also pretty expensive too. At £499, it's about £50 more than PXG's new One and Done or TaylorMade's Spider ZT Max, and significantly more expensive if you want to customise it in any way.

Should you buy the L.A.B. VZN.1i?

If you're craving the stability and forgiveness of a L.A.B. putter but have always been put off by their more unconventional looks, the VZN.1i may just be for you. In fact, we think it's probably their most well-balanced offering yet when it comes to catering for the everyday player.

While the VZN.1i is undeniably very large, it delivers bags of forgiveness and makes achieving a good roll incredibly easy, delivering on the marketing promises with aplomb. The new shape is also incredibly well thought out, helping to form an alignment aid that will genuinely help golfers who struggle to find an accurate line at address.

Is it completely perfect? No. We found that the more muted sensation off the new insert made dialling in our distance a little tricky on longer putts, but as with any putter, this is something you can get used to with time and practice.

As such, if you're after a new, ultra-forgiving putter to change your game on the greens, this will prove a worthy, if pretty expensive, investment.