L.A.B. Golf

Corporate Headquarters: Creswell, Oregon

Website: www.labgolf.com

Category: Equipment

LEADERSHIP

Sam Hahn — CEO and Founder
Robert Johnson, President
Mike Beal, COO
Amanda Weselak, CFO
Ryan Deiro, Chief Growth Officer

Company Overview

L.A.B. Golf has rapidly emerged as one of golf’s most innovative putter manufacturers since its founding in 2018. The company’s name stems from its breakthrough Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology, which revolutionizes putting by eliminating torque and allowing golfers to maintain a square putter face throughout their stroke. This patented technology has garnered attention from both amateur golfers and professional players, among them Adam Scott, Will Zalatoris, Lucas Glover, and Phil Mickelson.

The company’s journey began when founder Sam Hahn, a self-described “putter psycho” with a background in the nightclub and entertainment industry, acquired the assets of the nearly bankrupt Directed Force company. What started as a primarily online business has grown into a significant force in the premium putter market, now employing 150 people at its headquarters, which is uniquely situated on a golf course in Oregon.

Innovation and Technology

At the core of L.A.B. Golf’s success is its proprietary Lie Angle Balance technology. Unlike traditional putters that require the golfer to actively maintain a square face, L.A.B.’s technology naturally keeps the putter face square to the arc throughout the stroke. This innovation builds upon PING founder Karsten Solheim’s breakthrough in perimeter weighting, taking it a step further by addressing twisting during the entire putting stroke, not just at impact.

The company’s commitment to precision is evident in its manufacturing process, where each putter is hand-built by expert craftsmen who must account for multiple variables including head design, length, lie angle, shaft, and grip to achieve proper Lie Angle Balance. This attention to detail has helped establish L.A.B. as a premium brand in the putting category.

Strategic Vision

“To me, Lie Angle Balance is the most important putter technology in modern history,” says CEO Sam Hahn. “What it allows a putter to do is stay square to the arc of the putting stroke throughout the entire stroke. With other putters, you have to KEEP the face square. With L.A.B. Golf putters, all you have to do is LET the face stay square. How could that not be easier?”

The company’s growth trajectory has been particularly noteworthy given its initial reception in the industry. “Initially, our putters were not well-received by the market or the industry,” Hahn reflects. “This skepticism persists to some extent even today, though it has lessened as more people have become familiar with our products. We now receive significantly more respect within the industry.”

Recent Developments

Seeing a tipping point for the adoption of Zero Torque putters, L.A.B Golf in 2025 bolstered its leadership team to accelerate innovation, expand market presence, and deliver on its commitment to help golfers putt better. This included the appointment of former TaylorMade executive Robert Johnson as President. Johnson has over 30 years of experience in the golf industry – scaling global brands and driving growth – and is now helping lead a transformative and disruptive company that’s achieved nearly 18,000% growth since 2018.

Partnerships

In early 2023, L.A.B. Golf partnered with Adam Scott to develop the OZ.1 putter, featuring a half-moon, solid-body construction that marries modern performance with classic aesthetics. The company also formed a strategic partnership with TPT Golf, a Swiss manufacturer known for its advanced shaft technology, launching the L.A.B. Golf by TPT Golf putter shaft—positioned as one of the highest-quality putter shafts in the market.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

L.A.B. Golf has transformed from a startup challenging industry norms to a respected innovator in the putter category. The company’s unique approach to putter technology, validated by tour professionals and backed by scientific principles, has established it as a significant player in the premium equipment market. With strategic partnerships and continuous product development, L.A.B. Golf is positioned to further expand its influence in the golf industry. As noted by MyGolfSpy, “L.A.B. isn’t Odyssey or Scotty Cameron but it’s getting harder to ignore.”