For years now the members and readers of THP have continuously asked Cobra Golf one specific question without relenting. Do you plan on releasing putters?
The answer has always been the same, that the costs versus the benefits of getting into traditional putter design and production just wasn’t worth it as they wouldn’t put their name on just anything. That was the answer, until the Cobra KING SuperSport 35 Putter.
Today is a new day and if you have been paying attention, this a new Cobra, one not afraid of reinvention and disruption in a golf industry that so desperately clings to doing things the way that they always have just for the sake of it. Joining forces with HP and Parmatech, Cobra Golf has created and will be releasing a putter unlike anything an OEM has ever released, a 3D printed one.
Relationships Pave the Way
This has been a labor of love, and flat out cutting-edge technology for Cobra. Realizing that potentially creating and releasing a putter via traditional casting and forging methods would be tedious and costly, not to mention limiting for a company that has been all about pushing the boundaries in recent releases.
That is why they needed partners, and in the end, they joined forces with HP and Parmatech. Why them? Simply put, HP Metal Jet 3D Printing.
Although there are many out there doing 3D printing, Cobra believes that HP is the best out there, and a company more than willing to show off just what 3D printing can do, and why they believe it truly is the future of production for all sorts of products. Compared to traditional methods this is not only much faster, but the quality and precision is top of the line according to Cobra. To exemplify what this technology means, the relationship with HP began in 2019 and within eight months they coordinated and produced thirty-five iterations. Best of all? This also allows a company like Cobra to meet and maintain economic demands as well.
Rounding things out, they are also forging a relationship with SIK, the same brand which Cobra Ambassador Bryson DeChambeau works with. In Bryson’s own words:
“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, 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.”
Keep reading to find out more.
Cobra KING Supersport 35 Putter
To the meat and potatoes of it all, shall we? The first model being released in extremely limited quantities is named the KING Supersport 35. This putter design is fully 3D printed, something that is being done by one or two boutique companies out there, but by no other OEM and certainly not in coordination with HP and their Metal Jet printing.
The Supersport 35 is a heel-toe weighted blade putter that is slightly oversized in terms of footprint. Thanks to 3D printing not only was Cobra able to streamline the design, prototype, test, and release process, but they were also able to create something totally unique and not done before.
The body is printed out of 313 Stainless and features a wild and unique “metal lattice” within the frame that would be quite literally impossible via traditional casting or forging. The goal here was fine tuning the feel as well as moving weight to maximize the MOI in a blade putter without having to use adjustable weights or varying materials. The Supersport 35 also features a plumber’s neck hosel design with a 35° toe-hang. The putter is finished out with a CNC milling to bring out the final high-quality look, again faster and more streamlined than the usual putter production methods.
The Supersport 35 is finished out with a face design done in cooperation with SIK golf as previously mentioned. This is a huge deal as it is taking their patented DLT (descending loft technology) and implementing it into an aluminum insert. For those unfamiliar, SIK’s face design features four different lofts from the top of the face to the bottom (4°, 3°, 2°, 1°) and has been shown to provide consistent roll regardless of the persons putting stroke AoA. Needless to say, a tremendously cool aspect to this putter that will almost guarantee the performance it taken up a notch.
So, for those of you who have been clamoring for a putter, its time to get excited.
The number one question that will be asked with this new technology is what does it sound like? We dropped our tiny microphone near impact and rolled a few putts for you.
Just the Beginning
This release is the continuation of exciting outside the box and disruptive thinking from Cobra, first MIM, and now 3D printing, both things that no other major manufacturer is utilizing. That said, the company also assures everyone that this is just the beginning of their partnership with HP which will span multiple years as well as extending beyond putters. This is a new era in speed as well as quality, making the impossible possible, and to prove that there will be two more 2021 releases coming from these relationships.
What do you think of the KING Supersport 35? How about the new path that Cobra Golf is blazing for itself in the industry? Be sure to let us know both below as well as in the THP community.
The Details
Availability: November 20, 2021 – Only at CobraGolf.com
Price: $399.00
Specs: 34” only, with Lamkin SinkFIt Smartgrip featuring Cobra Connect powered by Arccos
Quantity: Very Limited
I completely agree on the SIK face. I moved the ball around in my stance and it came off fine each time. Fewer of those strikes that bounced immediately.
Half of me wants to tinker with the grip and length.
Half of me wants to mount it on the wall.
Wow, that’s one and a half. Lot’s of room for pumpkin pie.
1. The putter is extremely consistent. They were surprised by its consistency.
2. The sik face technology is real.
3. Like we have said here in this thread, the putter functions very much like a mallet, but has that blade look (albeit larger than a traditional blade).
4. The putter feels not, having a soft, pleasing sensation. There are softer putters, but this leans to that side of the spectrum.
One of the most surprising things to me was that the putter performed better an a slight toe hit than dead in the sweet spot.
Worse case I’ll look at SIK putters in the future. The face tech seems really good.
Yup, the SIK variable loft design is legit, no matter how you putt.
I would bet a fair amount that this is not the end of Cobra putters.
Agreed. No reason to check the interest, sell out, and not launch something.
Looking forward to your longterm thoughts. How is the wear? Anything abnormal?
No wear on mine after a fair bit of practice and rounds. It’s pretty darn good.
That’s solid feedback. Glad it’s working for you.
Nothing abnormal with respect to wear, but it is only one round. I am one who throws the head cover right back on a putter, though.
Love hearing this about the lag putts. It’s what I do better with a mallet, but closer putts I’m better with a blade with the added feel. This putter continues to intrigue me. Thanks for the great feedback!
Agreed. I’m having darn good luck with mine and I have less than 30 putts today. Some of that was good chipping but I made some putts I normally don’t and scared the hole a lot. Playing partners mentioned I was putting better than normal (but didn’t notice the new flatstick). Lateral forgiveness in a blade is an interesting concept that definitely has a future.
I’m the same way – I make more with a blade but lag better with a mallet (off center speed drop kills me with blades on longer putts). This is turning out to be a happy medium.
the bolded though…. ? ? ?
First thing I want to say is I adore the feel of this putter. The ball comes off the face and it just feels and sounds great. Honestly, Shiels must have concrete for hands if he thinks this thing doesn’t feel good.
Second thing is as much as I loved the feel, my distance control was pretty poor today with it. I legitimately had eight out of nine holes with birdie putts tonight and only made one. I left the other seven short by decent margins most of the time. All of them were within 10-22 feet so it’s not like I was trying to lag the ball up there. Now this head and shaft combo is heavier than my gamer, Toulon Chicago. And while it’s not a lot heavier, that weight difference is messing with me a little thinking that I don’t have to hit the ball as hard as I should be since I’m used to something lighter. That is all on me and something I need to figure out myself, and is by no means a fault of the putter, I just wanted to put it out there that I did struggle with distance today.
But regarding the line I was able to put the ball on was close to perfect. If I didn’t hit the damn ball with my purse all night, I could have possibly been roughly -6 (finished at even par) or so through nine holes with 10-12 putts. That’s how well this thing was rolling on the line I started it on. I really think this putter is the real deal. I just have issues to fix with how hard I think I have to hit the ball.
After the round we played another nine and I purposely used the whole face to hit putts and this thing is nutty when it comes to stability. I was trying to hit the full on toe and heel of the blade and the ball stayed true on the line and was rarely losing distance compared to how I was normally hitting in the center of the face. It has crazy forgiveness and truly feels like I’m putting with a mallet even though I’m looking at a blade.
Like I said, this was all done on a simulator but the simulator we have has specific sensors for putting as well so I feel like it is pretty darn accurate. I still love my Chicago and trust that club fully but I’m loving my first interactions with the Cobra putter and can’t wait to keep using it.
It is interesting. I had ordered a Chicago from the Garage and had just put it into play when these became available. Had I known about these, I would not have ordered the Chicago. Anyway, we are coming from a similar perspective. Even though the Chicago is a wide blade, these play quite differently. I like them both a great deal, but going into 2021, this is going to be in the bag until it betrays me, LOL.
I am actually surprised that there aren’t more listed on eBay, than the one with a purchase price of over $700.
When this came in I was super happy with the weight but the blade length is looooong and I think that will take a bit to get used to. Either way as others have mentioned the face feels a bit firm but certainly not harsh and the sound is good, probably a little more firm than the 10 I’ve been using. I hit some pretty darn solid putts yesterday along with a little tricky down hill curler that made a $40 swing in wolf. Others have mentioned how this seems to track right on line when you hit it and I’ll echo that. I would say that I probably had 4-5 longer putts (15-20’ range) that I snuggled up to a foot or less. That’s probably as tight or better than I would normally hope for from that distance. I also made several putts from 5-8’ that were lets say 50-50 putts. As the round went on I got a little more comfortable and really felt like I had a chance to make any of the “make able” putts I had. I have to think there is something to that Sik face technology, very few hops off of the face, it just seems to get rolling right away. The greens were pretty slow so it’s hard to say for sure but it does seem like the ball comes off a little hot, but not in a bad way.
Part of me wishes I would have left the plastic on and kept it as a sort of collector item, part of me knows this putter has a real chance to make the bag long term. It’s just one round but my initial reaction is very positive for what I would call a mallety blade, or bladey mallet if you will. I don’t know if I’ll get back out this year, I feel like I’m still warming up after yesterday’s round but I want to get this out for more testing.
The feel and roll is so good. And I don’t hate looking at it like most mallets.
The weight is the one thing that might hold me back long-term. maybe a counterweight grip….
I like the look of this putter. The shape frames the ball well and the sight line (dot would have been better) is on the topline where the golf gods intended it to be. As a bonus, the lattice is cool looking.
IMHO, Cobra has a winning combination of the Sik face and 3D printing. The initial reviews by THPer’s seem to support the opinion. Hopefully, additional models will be announced soon.
I have another sim session lined up for Saturday. I’m going to bring my Chicago so I have both of them at the same time and see if my putting stoke is messed up or possibly see if the putter just isn’t a fit for me. Again, the feel was outstanding and the look of the head behind the ball is great. It just may not work for me and that’s okay because I know plenty of others are loving it! I really wish I could put this to work outside and get a true feel for it, but that’s what I get for living where I do and Cobra releasing a putter in November lol
Interesting article! According to the article, this Cobra putter has an MOI of around 5000, which is similar to the EXO Marxman and higher than the original Spider Tour. It definitely is higher than the standard Anser-style blade, which most of us are sensing as we use it.
How are you doing with this and alignment, I keep watching the videos and trying to figure out if it’s good for that and how it frames the ball
I have only played two rounds with it and rolled it outside for forty minutes or so, but I feel like it frames the ball well. It certainly can’t do what something like Triple Track or a Two Ball would do, but the angles created by the lighter upper frame of the head and the black lattice structure help frame the ball nicely, at least for me.
I seem the be hitting with a slightly closed face. I think it’s more of a grip issue though.
I have seen more than one post about the grip being an issue. I assume they chose that grip because of weight and balance, how do you think it would affect the putter if you changed it?
hopefully get more consistent with my arc like on my other putters.
concern would be it would make a heavy putter heavier, especially if i lengthen to 35" as well.
Are the issues with the grips themselves, or the fact that some may not have been put on the putter properly aligned to the face (like @Molten)
I can only speak for myself, but I love that grip. It might be good to check grip alignment, if anyone is struggling. I would hope and think it would be a very isolated thing.
i don’t like the shape, but also mine is also aligned a few degrees off.
Are you missing left more or overcompensating and missing right?
I was wondering about the grip, as someone who prefers a pistol style I would be torn on this one. I like the looks and having an embedded CC sensor is such a win, but definitely a few things that would make me hesitate
Would you and @Molten be able to post a pic of the topline view to show how off the grip is?
@Tenputt is your grip aligned incorrectly?
Thats kind of crazy that multiple THPer putters have the grips crooked.
Mine is dead straight.
I am glad that I really like the grip, because the imbedded sensor is huge.
I wonder in a limited release what the total percentage would be.