Last May, COBRA released the first-ever set of commercially available 3D-printed irons. Despite the $3,000 price tag, that first limited-numbered batch sold out. Excited about the initial response to a 3D-printed iron product, COBRA made additional non-numbered sets available in August. Those sold well, too.
So, for early 2025, COBRA is re-re-releasing its 3D-printed irons with a new name (3D Printed TOUR) and an updated cosmetic featuring COBRA’s classic crown logo.
Why 3D printing?
We covered the benefits of 3D printing irons in detail when we wrote our original story. There’s a lot of good info there and I’d recommend revisiting it for all the details but here’s a quick recap.
Simply, the benefit of 3D printing a golf club is that it allows designers to create significantly more complex geometries than are possible with traditional club manufacturing techniques like forging, casting or even milling.
In theory, 3D printing opens doors to significant performance breakthroughs.
Again, that’s the theory. It’s going to take some time to see how this plays out.
Specifically, 3D printing allows COBRA to create (literally print) complex internal lattice structures that save a significant amount of mass while still maintaining the structural integrity necessary to survive repeated impacts with a golf ball.
3D printing reduces head weight by 33 percent compared to conventional methods and that gives COBRA’s engineers plenty of discretionary mass to allocate to the perimeter.
I know what you’re thinking. Yeah, that last part is 100 percent boilerplate for nearly every iron story we tell. Where COBRA’s story is different is that it’s able to strategically allocate a mammoth amount of mass (100 grams of tungsten split between the heel and toe) without increasing the footprint of irons.
You’re getting the low center of gravity and MOI that exceeds many game-improvement designs and you’re getting it in a package that’s slightly more compact and with a thinner topline than COBRA’s KING TOUR iron.
High launch with lots of forgiveness in a diminutive package is pretty much the Holy Grail of iron design and there really isn’t anything else that comes as close as the COBRA 3D Printed TOUR.
More to come
This is COBRA’s third iteration of what is really a single model of player’s irons so it’s reasonable to wonder when COBRA will expand its 3D-printed offering into other categories. Given the forgiveness levels COBRA was able to achieve in a compact playe’rs package, imagine what might be possible with a larger, game-improvement-ish design.
The thought alone is compelling.
My hunch is that COBRA has only begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible. For what it’s worth, my understanding is that its patents around 3D printing are broad and may give it the freedom to operate all but unchallenged in the space.
If that is the case, 3D printing could prove to be the differentiator that will get COBRA well-earned attention in the marketplace.
Time will tell.
COBRA 3D Printed Tour Irons – Specs, Pricing, and Availability
Available in both right- and left-handed, COBRA 3D Printed TOUR irons will retail for $2,450 (4-PW). A 3-iron and gap wedge are available.
The stock shaft is a KBS $-Taper (110g). The stock grip is a Lamkin crossline. Additional shafts and grips are available through custom order.
Retail availability begins March 21.
For more information, visit Cobragolf.com.
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