Equipment
Cobra partners with HP to unveil 3D-printed King Supersport-35 putter
The engineers at Cobra are well known for pushing the boundaries of materials and manufacturing processes. Recently, they introduced the King Tour irons produced using MIM (Metal Injection Molding), and now they are unveiling the King Supersport-35 produced using 3D-printing technology.
Cobra King Supersport-35 putter: The details
The King Supersport-35 is a collaborative effort by Cobra with teams at both HP and Paramatech—companies that are leading the way in the mass commercialization of metal 3D-printing technology, along with help from SIK putters and its patented face insert. The King Supersport-35 is the first large scale commercially available 3D-printed putter, with the technology being using up until this point by boutique brands.
The putter is 3D-printed using 316 stainless steel and features a metal outer body filled with a complex-looking intertwined lattice structure to optimally distribute mass and create the highest-possible MOI in a blade-shaped putter. Beyond just being 3D-printed to optimize performance, the King Supersport-35 utilizes a face insert designed with the team at SIK Golf to take advantage of their patented Descending Loft Technology (DLT) to impart consistent launch and roll putt after putt.
The team at Cobra selected HP as its partner to pioneer 3D printing in golf for the same reason other companies, including Volkswagen, have in the car industry—because HP is leading the way in technology and production capabilities. HP’s Metal Jet Technology offers faster processing time and greater adaptability through the development process. Similar to how artificial intelligence allows for exponential virtual modeling, 3D printing allows the fastest way to design, prototype, and test multiple products compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
To give you an example of the effectiveness of the process, within eight months of beginning the project, HP and Cobra had created 35 different designs to showcase just how far they could push various designs using HP Metal Jet.
“At COBRA Golf we strive to deliver high-performance products that help golfers of all levels play their best and enjoy the game”
“To do that, it’s critical to use the most effective manufacturing processes to design, develop, and achieve optimal results, and we’ve certainly done that with this new putter… During the development of the KING Supersport-35 Putter, we saw immediate benefits from this process, including design freedom, rapid design iteration, and high-quality parts that meet our economic demands. 3D printing is accelerating design innovation, and this breakthrough putter will help usher in a new era for the sporting equipment industry at large.” –Jose Miraflor, Vice President of Marketing, Cobra Golf.
The future goes way beyond putters
The King Supersport-35 isn’t just intended to be a single showcase piece designed to align brands. In fact, with the launch of the putter, Cobra along with HP, have announced working on a strategic product roadmap that will take advantage of the manufacturing advantages of HP’s additive technology. There are plans to launch two additional products in 2021 that feature 3D-printed technology.
“The power of personalization enabled by 3D printing delivers completely reimagined consumer products and experiences. This first of its kind putter is a shining example of the disruptive design and production capabilities of HP Metal Jet 3D printing technology. Cobra’s commitment to innovation and competitive excellence combined with the technical expertise and leadership from Parmatech has led to a breakthrough design win for golf fans around the world.” – Uday Yadati, global head of HP Metal Jet, HP Inc.
King Supersport-35 putter: Price, Specs, and Availability
The King Supersport-35 putter is priced at $399 and will be offered in extremely limited quantities online, exclusively at cobragolf.com, starting Friday, Nov. 20th.
It is available right-handed only at 34″ standard spec with a lightweight Lamkin Sinkfit Smart Grip. Speaking of grips, the putter comes equipped with COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos.
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Equipment
Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
On Monday at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Block had a full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons in the bag.
Block is the first player of many on the PGA TOUR to bag a set of the mysterious “Proto” irons. Rory McIlroy first switched into a “Proto” 4-iron at the Valero Texas Open, and Collin Morikawa followed suit at the 2024 RBC Heritage. Block isn’t using just the 4-iron, though, he’s using a full set to go along with a TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron.
Speaking with GolfWRX.com on Monday at the PGA Championship, Block revealed the full backstory.
“I hit a couple super “Proto” irons when I was at the Kingdom (TaylorMade’s fitting facility in Southern California) a couple months ago, and it was a 9-iron that didn’t have any badges or anything on it,” Block said. “I had no idea what it was … It was very similar to what I was using back then, you know, my old MCs, and very similar from the top. I hit it and absolutely loved it. For me to even think about switching irons from the last 11-12 years is crazy.
“I got this set about two weeks ago, and I’m working my way into them. I hit them more solid; it comes off the face more solid. Much higher. I think they’re still slightly too upright for me, so they’re being bent a degree flatter, because they’re going a little too high for me and drawing a little too much. When that starts to happen, I start to drop the club under and compensate too much, so I’m getting them flattened slightly, and I’m going to test them on the range again, and hopefully have them in play on Thursday…
“They go further, and they go higher … that combination is kind of a no-brainer. If I can take a 5-iron from 204 rather than a 4-iron, it’s good on me. It’s going to help me out for sure, especially at a major with the pin locations. Having that height coming in, that descent angle is going to be huge.”
With such new irons in the bag, after using the same irons for over a decade, surely you’d think there will be a bit of a learning curve. Block, however, is finding immediate comfort with the new “Proto” irons.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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Whats in the Bag
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s even harder to believe McIlroy hasn’t hoisted a major trophy since his 2014 victory at Valhalla.
After a slow start to his final round, McIlroy tallied an eagle and two birdies on the back nine and his fourth major championship. Take a look at the clubs he played a decade ago in Kentucky.
Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70X
3-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X
5-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (19 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X
Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0
Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Putter: Nike Method 006 Buy here.
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Nike RZN Black
Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.
WITB Time Machine is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
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Whats in the Bag
Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)
- Tiger Woods WITB accurate as of the PGA Championship. In-hand photos from 2024 Genesis Open. Check out more photos of Tiger at Valhalla here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (10.5 degrees @9.75)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 X
5-wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees @18.25)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
- Check out more in-hand photos of Tiger Woods’ WITB in the forums.
- Check out more photos of Tiger at Valhalla here.
Irons: 2023 TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7TW (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 Raw (56-12TW, 60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
- Check out more in-hand photos of Tiger Woods’ WITB in the forums.
- Check out more photos of Tiger at Valhalla here.
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS prototype
Grip: Ping PP58 Blackout
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X (2024)
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord 58R
- Check out more in-hand photos of Tiger Woods’ WITB in the forums.
- Check out more photos of Tiger at Valhalla here.
More Tiger Woods WITBs
- Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (February)
- Tiger Woods WITB 2023 (November)
- Tiger Woods WITB 2023 (February)
- Tiger Woods WITB 2022 (December) (new in-hand photos)
- Tiger Woods WITB 2022 (July)
- Tiger Woods WITB at the 2022 PGA Championship (with a new 2-iron!)
- Tiger Woods WITB: 2022 Masters
- Tiger Woods WITB 2021 PNC Championship (new in-hand photos)
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Mando
Nov 19, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Welcome to 1983. Took Golf this long to get in the game. LOL
heck guns, homes, airplanes, bridges, etc. Now a putter haha….I still want one.
jgpl001
Nov 19, 2020 at 5:39 am
Wow, persimmon woods and balata balls seem like the Stone Age era now
Marcel Dubois
Nov 18, 2020 at 2:56 pm
A large equipment company like Cobra should be offering new releases in both right and left hand.
This is a shank for me??
Dunno
Nov 18, 2020 at 3:30 pm
If they’re 3-D printing it, making it lefty should be about as easy as it gets…
SeeDiver
Nov 19, 2020 at 12:06 pm
It comes in LH as well as 34″ and 35″. Although looks like 35″ is already sold out.
JP
Nov 18, 2020 at 11:30 am
That looks terrible at address! What is that in the cavity? I would have bet money they would have released this is some 43 inch armlock configuration for bryson deshampoo.
John
Nov 18, 2020 at 9:54 am
I thought 3D printing was meant to bring prices down?
What's an inch?
Nov 17, 2020 at 6:41 pm
How is the Kingsport 35 only available in 34″?
jim
Nov 17, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Rick Shiels gave it the thumbs down … next ..
Cris
Nov 17, 2020 at 2:37 pm
That should settle it then. Rick is the authority in everything golf and he speaks for all of us.
Richard Shiels
Nov 17, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Thanks, I agree!!!!
RickyBoy
Nov 17, 2020 at 3:42 pm
It should be a great putter then, Ricky boy is only concerned with price of products these days!
Eric Hutchens
Nov 17, 2020 at 12:37 pm
This putter would look great beside the MIM King irons in the bag. Pretty Cool!
Paul Runyan
Nov 17, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Now this is what I call innovation and real technology in golf!
Not just having a heavier weight in the toe or heel or a “special” line.
And the in the important club in the bag! As seen on TV last week.
I’ve always said what would a putter be with if you could get 24 putts per round or less!?
Great Work Cobra!!!
DD
Nov 17, 2020 at 11:33 am
Cool idea. Pretty strange that they didn’t include a picture of what the putter actually looks like at address.
Also it only comes at 34 inches? That’s pretty weird that you can’t specify length at that price point.
chip75
Nov 17, 2020 at 7:44 pm
I think they’re only running off 500 of these, so having variations in lengths (and head weights) wasn’t a concern, although the Supersport (terrible name) 35 could have been 35″!
Travis
Nov 17, 2020 at 11:33 am
Partnered with SIK golf, eh? They must really, really want to get Bryson into a Cobra branded putter.