Cobra King Putters from £199
Cobra is making a triumphant return to the putter market with two full ranges, the King 3D Printed Series and the King Vintage Series.
The brand gave us a glimpse of the unique route it was planning to go down last year with the limited edition Supersport-35 model. The King 3D Printed Series is Cobra’s first complete line of 3D printed, multi-material putters to feature a 3D printed nylon lattice cartridge, created in partnership with HP’S multi-jet fusion printing technology. This lattice structure optimises weight distribution within the chassis to deliver a high MOI for better stability and roll performance on the greens.
Alongside this, Cobra has partnered with SIK Golf to use its patented Descending Loft Technology (DLT), which features four descending lofts on the face to produce consistent launch angle and roll for different putting styles and stroke consistencies. Cobra’s insert is made from a 6061 aluminium for weight savings and a soft feel at impact.
The 3D Printed Series comprises three models with names inspired by popular sports cars and numbers that refer to the angle of toe hang. The King Grandsport-35 is an oversize blade ideal for the golfer with a slight arc in their putting stroke. It has 30g of combined tungsten weights in the heel and toe for forgiveness and a Tri-plane sole with centre relief for added versatility.
The King Supernova features an oversize fang design while the oversize mallet, King Agera, has an MOI of over 7,600, making it one of the most stable putters around.
Alongside the King 3D Printed Series, Cobra has launched the King Vintage Series of putters for golfers seeking a more traditional look.
It comprises four classic shapes with simple sightlines for alignment, adjustable sole weights and the SIK Golf DLT face insert.
The models available are: the blade Sport-45 and Sport-60; a mallet Torino (not available in the UK); fang-shaped mallets, Nova and Nova-40; and oversize mallets in the Stingray and Stingray-40.
The King 3D Printed Series (RRP £269) and King Vintage Series (£199-£249) models are on sale now featuring a Lamkin Sinkfit grip embedded with Cobra Connect sensors powered by Arccos. 1.
How is the final design of the Grandsport-35 different to the limitededition model we saw in November and why?
The LE Supersport was a fully 3D metal printed putter. In the Grandsport-35 we have optimised weight distribution to enhance overall MOI by adding a 21g aerospace-grade, forged aluminum crown and two tungsten rods in the heel and toe. We also upgraded the shaft to the KBS CT Tour 120 to provide a stiffer tip that enhances consistent head delivery at impact.
2.
A big focus with the 3D Printed putters is MOI. How does high MOI translate into better putting performance?
The benefit users will see using a higher-moi putter is the resistance to the putterhead twisting open or closed on off-centre hits. By reducing the twisting we will be able to keep the face more square to the target and, in turn, help keep the ball more online. Speed control will not suffer as much as with a low-moi putter that twists open or shut through the impact zone. Three-putt avoidance is what we are all looking for as golfers!
3. Did you consider 3D printing the Vintage range?
Sure. We are always looking for ways to bring as much performance as possible at different price point levels. But 3D printing has been one of the more challenging projects for our engineering team to figure out and, in addition, it’s a more expensive process to accomplish. The Vintage line is still packed with many performance benefits over what you will see in the market.
“THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO RANGES IS VAST BUT THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE”
Joel Tadman, GM technical editor