Developed over the last two years in collaboration with the teams at HP and Parmatech, the new Cobra King Supersport-35 putter features a fully 3D printed metal body with an intricate lattice structure that delivers the highest possible MOI in a blade shape.
The first of a number of new products from Cobra Golf featuring 3D printing technology, the King Supersport-35 putter represents a revolutionary advancement in the way golf clubs are designed and manufactured.
The King Supersport-35 also boasts a face insert designed in partnership with SIK Golf, which utilises Descending Loft Technology (DLT) to create extremely consistent and accurate roll.
Cobra selected HP as its partner to pioneer 3D printing in golf due to the advantages that their Metal Jet Technology presented over traditional manufacturing and other 3D printing methods. With its quicker processing time and greater design adaptability, engineers were able to design, prototype and test multiple iterations and bring the product to market much faster. Cobra and HP began working together in early 2019 and, by early 2020, the team had created 35 different design iterations over the course of eight months, showcasing the design freedom and speed of product innovation available with HP Metal Jet.
In addition to this launch, the brands are working together on a strategic, multi-year product roadmap that leverages the design and manufacturing benefits of HP’s additive technologies to deliver future golf equipment. This is just the first foray into what promises to be a significant element in future Cobra golf clubs, with the company planning to launch two additional products in 2021 that feature 3D printed technology.
HP Metal Jet 3D printing also delivers superior part quality and requires minimal post-process finishing.
“At Cobra Golf we strive to deliver high-performance products that help golfers of all levels play their best and enjoy the game,” said Jose Miraflor, vice president of marketing, Cobra Golf. “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. To continue innovating and transforming the way equipment is manufactured, we worked with HP and Parmatech to take advantage of the benefits of Metal Jet technology.
“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.”
Uday Yadati, global head of HP Metal Jet, HP Inc, said: “The power of personalisation enabled by 3D printing delivers completely re-imagined 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.”
The Supersport putter has an oversized blade shape and features SIK Golf’s Patented Descending Loft technology re-engineered into an aluminum face insert. This face design utilises four descending lofts (4°, 3°, 2°, 1°) to ensure consistent launch conditions for every putting stroke, resulting in significantly improved consistency and roll performance. Weight is also saved from the front of the putter, which is re-positioned heel-toe and tunes the feel to slightly softer than a traditional all-steel SIK putter face. The partnership was born out of work with Cobra ambassador Bryson DeChambeau, who is also a SIK Golf partner.
“I’ve had a lot of success over the years with my SIK putter and was really excited to work with Cobra to develop a new way to manufacture equipment and bring this new putter to market,” said DeChambeau. “HP’s Metal Jet technology is an incredibly advanced production method and very exacting, which is pretty critical in golf equipment. I think golfers of all levels will benefit from the combination of Cobra’s high MOI design and SIK’s Descending Loft technology.”
The entire putter body is printed using 316 stainless steel, and then sintered at a high temperature to bind the metal and form the final head part. With Metal Jet printing, engineers were able to print an intricate lattice structure within the body – a feat that wouldn’t be possible using traditional manufacturing. The lattice optimises weight distribution to create the highest MOI possible without needing additional fixed weights.
“HP’s 3D printing technology allows us to utilise a complex lattice structure to remove weight from the centre of the putter head and push significant amounts of weight to the perimeter,” said Miraflor. “The result is superior MOI levels and massively increased stability and forgiveness. So not only is the 3D production method more consistent but it also allows us to design products in a new and superior way.”
In the final step of the manufacturing process, the putter surfaces are CNC-milled to ensure precise shaping and detail while adding the finishing cosmetic touches.
The Supersport-35 features a high MOI heel-toe weighted design and a plumber neck hosel with 35-degree toe hang, suitable for slight arc putting strokes. It will be available in very limited quantities starting next month (34”, right hand only). The lightweight polyurethane Lamkin Sinkfit Smart Grip comes standard with Cobra Connect Powered by Arccos, where embedded sensors record detailed putting data.
SRP: SGD$799 (approx. RM2,450)
www.cobragolf.com
