When LA GOLF hit the scene, they were met with reactions all over the place. From the simplest assumptions that they would just be a Matrix reboot, all the way to discussion of them trying to modernize the golf shaft segment with a deep ownership group that includes several PGA Tour players.
As it turns out, none of us had any clue just what LA GOLF planned on becoming, and realistically, we still may not know as this brand continues to dip its toes into a little bit of everything.
An example? How about them acquiring the SIK putter brand and then proceeding to release what they are calling the first all carbon putter head that is melded with the SIK Descending Loft Technology and the most expensive putter shaft on the market. There is a lot of technical design info in this one, it isn’t just another blade putter head design which feels at this point to be a dime-a-dozen sort of thing, and it sure isn’t priced like them either.
The LA GOLF Putter
Alright, lets get it out of the way, this one, is a $1,500.00 putter.
OK, do you have your breath? Have you collected your bearings a bit? Are you ready to learn why its priced as such, and even why LA GOLF is taking dead aim at Scotty Cameron in their marketing for it? Keep reading and we will break it down for you.
If you don’t realize it yet, LA GOLF is bold. They believe what they are doing is unlike anything else on the market, and are more than willing to say it, to anyone, including some of the biggest names in putter design. When LA GOLF dropped this putter on the world, it was a notable surprise as most of us believed we would simply see the SIK designs pushed more with the backing of LA GOLF and that they would naturally come standard with their putter shafts. Instead, we are getting what the company believes is one of the most technologically advanced putters ever made.
While the company might be slapping Bryson DeChambeau on their marketing for this putter, the story doesn’t really need the “mad scientist”, it’s pretty cool all on its own when you get down to the nitty gritty. This is an all-carbon fiber head. Why? Because LA GOLF is adamant that material technology in golf has surpassed traditional putter makers and their block of steel designs. The ability to take 435 layers of low fiber aerial weight carbon and CNC it into two putter shapes which allows precise weight placement and savings is the critical element in play here.
You see, the LA GOLF Putters (blade and mallet) can range from 350g to 400g depending on the head and which weights are installed. Those weights are either 70g or 90g and are in the sole of the putter heads at the heel and toe just as we have seen in many putter designs for several years. The difference? The MIM (metal injection molded) tungsten weights make up at least 40% of the putter’s overall weight. We are talking 140g to 180g at the perimeter of the designs but still in a traditionally weighted design. The lightweight carbon mixed with the tungsten means, according to LA GOLF, a sweet spot that is 50% larger than the most popular milled putters on the market. Which makes sense when you have the putter in hand because the overall blade length is quite large.
But wait, there’s more! That perimeter weighting means more MOI, or resistance to twisting at impact, but it is also being blended with an LA GOLF putter shaft designed just for these two heads. The company already makes some of the stoutest (four times what “X” flex would be), most vibration dampening, and stable putter shafts on the market, and according to them these blacked out designs take that to another lever making for a putter that is not only forgiving, but maybe the most stable through impact out there. You see, it is that stability which they believe helps limit variances in face angle at impact which lead to exponentially larger misses on the greens.
As mentioned, the LA GOLF putter comes in either a traditional plumber’s neck blade model or a mallet (more of a mid-mallet) with plumbers, slant, and face balanced slant neck options. The entirety of the putter is finished in black, including the Winn grip and the PVD finish on its CNC milled 303 Stainless SIK DLT insert which has scientifically proven to be one of the best pure-roll insert designs out there. The putters can be ordered in 33”-36”, but the MIM weights which are selected are not adjustable and neither is the 71-degree lie angle due to the materials and production methods in play here.
Like we said, LA GOLF is bold, and this is perhaps their most bold endeavor with a putter carrying a price tag which might send most golfers into shock. Something else it does, however, is create some interesting conversation with the brand taking aim at the exact companies who might otherwise offer their shafts as an upcharge option in their own putter lineups. Will this bold and brash stance with the LA GOLF putter have unintended consequences for the entire putter industry? Only time will tell, but it is going to be one heck of a fun discussion while we wait and see!
For more information on this putter or any of their offerings, check out their website at www.lagolf.co.
I honestly don’t even mention the price because that won’t be a deterring factor for some people. I’ve seen stupid amounts of money spent on plenty of other parts of bags. So while it’s a shock, I’m sure there’s a market for it.
I just can’t get over the shape. Seems like the ones who have used it, it’s something that’s quick to get over but until I’d have chance to see in hand, I’d pass on that alone.
Any specifics on what is different about this shaft as it is made specifically for this putter?
Honestly nothing more than @Jman talks about.
It’s built for the size of this head. It’s a little wider in the tip section. It’s also like a telephone pole.
I heard the cover was fairly tight/disappointing but I hope someone here can confirm or deny.
It is tight. Im not sure I would say disappointing as much as unassuming and is a bit of a tight squeeze for the size of the head.
Thank you.
One hears things in reviews and I trust THP.
Exactly….can’t imagine buying this then not being able to adjust lie if needed. Adding weight is easy with lead tape, but seriously it’s kinda laughable.
Oof. I don’t get that. Is there a reason you can think of that they would make it unassuming? I mean that’s a high priced piece of hardware, the presentation of it would seem to matter to most. That’s what people will see. I don’t collect covers or anything, not crazy about all that, but a real nice putter with a less than stellar cover would be tough for me. I really want to see it now.
Because of the entire presentation is my guess. Its a black shaft, black head (generally speaking) and black cover.
Okay, well I get that. I guess I think of unassuming as not overly .. premium? And I guess I want a little bit of that, even if it’s more monotone, on something like this. Want the cover to express the quality of what’s underneath.
Fitting what? The only thing you’re able to change is the shaft length. Can’t change lie, loft or head weight, and no options on alignment aids.
If I was going to splash out big money on a putter, I’d spend it on a fitting and a custom-built putter from Edel. Still nowhere near the cost of the LA Golf putter, but at least I’d feel like I was getting my money’s worth.
My understanding was you can select which weights get installed, so some sort of demo/fitting to determine that would go a long way towards a commitment to a $1500 putter.
i would think that with all this tech that "makes" it a great putter. it would have all golfers picking it up in droves. right?
Agreed. 1500 is astronomical money.
I understand its carbon fiber and the shaft, but just can’t do it. I was never their target demo to begin with though.
Is it though? Carbon fiber isn’t bendable.
What do ya mean?
I know it’s not bendable that’s what I said, it’s crazy not being able to adjust it if needed for $1500.
Hard pass for me, especially given the steep price.
Kind of. If it’s something different and unique, it’s understandable imo. Plus, people know what they’re getting into at least with it being stated up front.
As always, options are good.
i mean everyone thinks they can be better…so if tiger was still at the top of his game, would he flock to this to put the exclamation point on his putting? is brad faxon gonna tell rory he’s gotta be in this tech filled putter and that’ll be the answer? just some way-out thoughts when i see something like this
I mean, those two hit a spot on the putter less than the size of a dime every time, and practice putting 4 hours a day…we, sure as hell don’t. ?
SIK takes care of the loft, but does anyone know what percentage of people play a non-standard lie? I feel like it’d be a pretty small number.
I’ll grab some outside on the course pics today, but woah.
I will say, for a 1500.00 putter, the headcover is….not good.