A not too long ago leaked photograph of the “probably” upcoming Odyssey Sq. to Sq. MAX putter has set golf social media ablaze.
The putter in query bears a placing resemblance to L.A.B. Golf’s DF2.1 or DF3 (take your choose)—a lot in order that many within the golf neighborhood are already calling it a blatant knockoff. Whereas Odyssey has but to formally announce the putter, historical past suggests it can make its method to retail. And, with that, the inevitable debate begins: Is that this simply one other instance of golf’s copycat tradition or is Odyssey stepping over the road like a drunk making an attempt to navigate the ropes on the Phoenix Open?
Be a part of me, received’t you, at the hours of darkness recesses of my thoughts as I argue with myself over whether or not Odyssey seemingly egregious L.A.B. copy is a step too far.
“Dude, Odyssey just ripped off L.A.B.”
Did they?
(Sure)
The resemblance is fairly rattling apparent. However the higher query is does it truly matter? Let’s not faux the fellows who jumped on the L.A.B. bandwagon after years of gaming counterfeit Scotties they purchased off eBay are out of the blue involved with mental property.
Two years from now will anybody however probably the most hardcore gear nerd keep in mind?
Nah.
“Of course, it matters! L.A.B. created something unique.”
Golf is a copycat trade. At all times has been, at all times will likely be. Distinctive comes with a 10-minute timer.
Have a look round—10K drivers are in every single place, practically each ball producer has a Professional V1 knockoff … and putter firms?
Leaping Jesus on a pogo stick.
In case you don’t have a fang and a spider-style mallet, are you even making an attempt? Wilson’s 8802 has made extra rounds than the drink cart at your member-guest and the variety of Anser reimaginations is rivaled solely by a depend of Tiger’s surgical procedures.
“This isn’t just another mallet—it’s L.A.B.’s whole concept.”
L.A.B. has constructed a recognizable visible identification in a crowded market however their arms aren’t solely clear. One would possibly recommend that the L.A.B. OZ mallet seems to be like center-shafted model of Jon Rahm’s Odyssey OG Rossie milled by a machine that may’t minimize curves. If we’re going to name the Sq. to Sq. Max, as some commenters have, a Temu model of a L.A.B., then shouldn’t we additionally acknowledge the resemblance of the OZ to the Odyssey (even in case you can’t get the Odyssey in pink)?
And whereas we’re at it, whereas L.A.B.’s LINK.1 would possibly nonetheless preserve the corporate’s design fundamentals, it’s additionally simply one other tackle the Anser.
How lengthy does a putter form have to be available on the market earlier than it’s thought of truthful recreation? I actually don’t know.
“Fine. But Callaway is a billion-dollar company. They don’t need to steal from the little guy.”
To cite my brother and doubtless somebody earlier than him, “monster truck don’t give a fuck.” And Callaway (Odyssey’s mum or dad model) is completely a monster truck. Additionally, my brother drove a Tacoma on the time, hardly a monster truck, however I suppose that’s neither right here nor there.
Anyway, Callaway is a behemoth doing apparently large bully behemoth issues however L.A.B. isn’t working out of CEO Sam Hahn’s basement, both.
L.A.B. is the No. 3 putter model in greenback share forward of names like TaylorMade and PING. They’ve gone from area of interest to mainstream quicker than Patrick Reed went from Captain America to social pariah.
Success invariably comes with a goal and, proper now, L.A.B. is sporting an enormous neon fucking bullseye.
“And wasn’t PXG’s Blackbird kind of the first L.A.B. copy that nobody noticed?”
Now that you just point out it (I stated to myself like a loopy particular person), yeah, flip that unhealthy boy over and there’s positively some L.A.B.-inspired shaping. You would possibly even say that every one of that zero-torque, lie angle balancing stuff apart, PXG made a model of the DF3 earlier than L.A.B. (or Odyssey) did.
No one stated a phrase.
Can I get a KABOOM, BABY!?
“However how bush league was that cease-and-desist Callaway’s authorized workforce despatched L.A.B. over its use of ‘Broomstick’?
Bush-league AF. Golf trade absurdity at its absolute most interesting. There needs to be an awards present for this type of factor.
The irony right here is wealthy. Callaway threatening L.A.B over the “Broomstick” identify solely to show round and have Odyssey recreate what definitely seems to be an entire like a L.A.B. design is the form of company hypocrisy that deserves an eye fixed roll or three.
FFS, Callaway.
You possibly can’t copyright shapes (apparently). You possibly can trademark widespread family phrases when utilized in particular context.
It’s silly however I suppose Callaway didn’t create the system.
At the very least L.A.B. had the creativity to flip it right into a advertising and marketing win by rebranding their lengthy putters as “Sweepers.” (I’d have gone with “cheater sticks.”)
It’s all a part of an trade recreation performed for no different motive than for authorized groups to justify their existence as full-time workers.
“This is dumber than the red putter war between Odyssey and TaylorMade.”
My god, was that ever forgettable (and one way or the other I can’t)? These two spent the higher a part of a season making an attempt to out-red one another’s putters in a contest that was as petty because it was pointless. It was peak golf trade—all ego, no substance.
At the very least there’s actual tech concerned this time.
“And doesn’t it look like Odyssey is borrowing from L.A.B.’s grip as well?”
Yeah, that’s completely some bullshit. L.A.B. has patents round their distinctive grip designs and Odyssey’s model certain seems to be prefer it borrowed greater than just a little inspiration. L.A.B. may very well have some authorized enamel (although I’m certain Callaway’s equally toothy legal professionals are assured they’ve sufficiently nibbled across the edges).
Maybe oddly, that is the one a part of the story that feels over the road to me.
It’s in all probability solely a matter of time earlier than Callaway will get a cease-and-desist of their very own—circle of life, child. It’s like karma, besides it prices $50,000 in authorized charges.
“So you’re saying this is might actually good for L.A.B.?”
I didn’t truly say that however now that you just point out it, there may very well be a silver lining for L.A.B.. If Odyssey’s putter performs, doesn’t that validate L.A.B.’s design idea? Extra folks asking, “What’s this L.A.B. thing all about?” isn’t a foul final result. It’s free advertising and marketing courtesy of the competitors’s R&D finances. Nothing sells new putters like FOMO.
“So everything is just fair game in the golf equipment world?”
Kind of, yeah. Shapes get copied and tweaked. They at all times have. The fang, the spider, the Anser and maybe the OG Rossie. Positive, there’s one thing much less palatable a couple of large company gratuitously and unapologetically borrowing designs from smaller firms however the actuality is that golf gear has at all times been a recreation of “follow the leader” with an occasional real innovation combined in.
And guess what, it’s at all times the true innovators that get copied.
“So, in the end, does this even matter?”
All the things value its salt will get copied. You discover the primary couple of occasions and you then cease caring. Does anyone keep in mind the primary or second firm to steal inspiration from the Anser?
Golf gear lives in a world of iterations and inspirations. And if L.A.B. is de facto onto one thing, this received’t be the final time we see one other firm borrow from their designs.
Bringing this again full circle: Is Odyssey copying L.A.B.?
Hell, yeah. I can’t be satisfied in any other case however that’s additionally simply enterprise as common in an trade the place originality is as uncommon as a scratch golfer who forgets to say his handicap or a rustic membership that truly needs to be accessible.
The golf trade loves to speak about innovation however it loves a certain factor much more. Possibly as an alternative of getting outraged about who’s copying whom, we needs to be asking why the large firms with all of the sources pushing boundaries within the first place. However that’s a dialog for one more day, ideally after I’ve had a nap and a dose of anti-psychotics.
What do the remainder of you suppose?
The put up Odyssey’s L.A.B. “Knockoff” Is So Bonkers I’m Arguing With Myself About It appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
