RECAP: LIVE Q&A with COBRA GOLF

[jabrch]

Cobra is CLEARLY a leader in the style/design/color aspect of building clubs in demand. Nobody does a better job building a brand around the look of the club. But what you are doing around being a leader in innovative technology in addition to just the best looking color combinations?

BTW - You beat TM to the "loft up" concept years ago with the Long Tom... The market just didn't accept it the way I imagine you had hoped. I liked my Long Tom... probably the most underrated release in the past few years.

Keep up the good work!

[jcorna01]

I love these Q&A threads, so thank you to WRX for hosting them and thank you to Cobra for taking the time to answer our questions!


What innovation in equipment technology over the last 4-5 years or so is Cobra most proud of?

How has becoming a part of Puma impacted Cobra's equipment business and strategy? How is it different now (if at all) than it was under Acushnet?

[AdamB.]

Thank you Cobra and WRX for this opportunity, big Cobra Fanatic! My question....

I did not see any new Forged/Pro Clubs on the horizon for Cobra, do you consider your BIO Cell+ line a Tour/Pro club line?

[WVP]

[quote name='jabrch' timestamp='1395530360' post='8927351']BTW - You beat TM to the "loft up" concept years ago with the Long Tom... The market just didn't accept it the way I imagine you had hoped. I liked my Long Tom... probably the most underrated release in the past few years.
[/quote]

Not to derail, but that was more of a leader in the mini-driver trend (low loft, larger FW's) IMO. Definitely underrated, now every OEM has one out.

[Volgolfer]

Thank you for taking questions:

1. Will Cobra be offering a MyFLY8 adaptor with fad settings in place of draw settings?
2. Will there be other colors coming (hoping the hunter green, yellow, white...)

[fishstix94]

Does cobra plan on releasing any putters in the future? Also do they plan on releasing a players cavity iron line?
Thanks!

[eagle1997]

Sorry to be a downer, but this question is based on how I truly feel. The bio cell and bio cell + irons have been lambasted on WRX for their abysmal appearance. Even after seeing them in person a couple days ago,I still think they are bordering on hideous.

The 'line' I kept hearing from cobra sycophants was that the consumer needs 'to see' the tech in order to believe the tech.

Is this cobra's rallying cry for these irons? If so, it's an awful marketing plan IMHO. People don't need to 'see' the tech... They need to see the PERFORMANCE.

I was looking to go to a more GI club in the upcoming season (due to my current inability to practice and play a lot), and the bio cells were instantly ruled out due to how the looked. Which is a shame, because I have the S3 pro combos and cobra staff bag and I wanted to stay with the cobra family.

Please address the design behind the bio cell irons, and how such a monstrosity could make it all the way to market without someone saying 'STOP! These are ugly as sin!'

Thank you, and I apologize for my harshness. I love cobra & puma and hate to see what has happened here.

[fishstix94]

One of the new trends in golf is driving irons and driving hybrids, does cobra plan on releasing their own version of one? Maybe a baffler driving iron?

[timbo08]

Any plans to release a Bio Cell driving iron?

[ThatBigBen]

Is there going to be a new version of the Amp cell forged or is the Bio Cell+ irons somewhat filling that space with a similar head shape and tungsten weights?

Any plans to expand the special edition Masters/US Open colors to fairways/hybrids?

[Golfingfanatic]

Any chance the rf proto blades could be available through venom vault?

[wldchld22]

What are the difference in launch characteristics between bio cell and bio cell +?

Any more options coming to the trusty rusty wedge line? I thought they were very under rated last year!

[youngwaldo]

Any plans to release a 440cc or 430cc bio driver to compete with big names like Titleist and TaylorMade.

Wk

[caddyshack1885]

Ricky Fowler and Jonas Blixt are both playing the Bio Cell, not the "player's" head, Bio Cell +. Are they using stock Bio Cell heads or have they been issued prototype heads with weighting and center of gravity closer to the Bio Cell+? Would Cobra have them play the Bio Cell head as a marketing effort to push the Bio Cell to the mass majority of average golfers? Thanks!

[Fourpar18]

Cobra Golf,
What invested research are you currently working on that will put you on the map such as Taylormade and Callaway? It seems that those two companies are always tweeking and tinkering with different things; it put there drivers ahead of all other companies each year. I love that Cobra Golf has invested in color and flash but that won't put clubs in the hands of traditionalist, which we comprise of 45-65% of the market.

I really through you were going to break that mold when you came out with last years line of irons AMP Cell Pro's! But when I saw the Bio Cell and Bio Cell+ irons I think you took two steps back, too much!

Thanks for your time and thank for doing this with GolfWRX! I look forward to hearing what you have to say and I hope to one day TRY the AMP CELL PRO's because they are the best looking irons I have seen in a long time.

Fourpar18

[castellar]

1. It has been 4 years since Puma bought Cobra golf. In that time has the acquisition affected Cobra at an R&D level? If so how?

2. The club industry is widely becoming infamous as more of a marketing game rather than actual results driven R&D and products. What sets cobra apart and how do you continue to make advancements in technology in a time where everything is essentially "maxed out"?

[Deng808]

How big of a signing has Rickie Fowler been to the brand and how do you think he influences your brand as a whole?

[gophers79]

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions.

I play the original Cobra ZL and absolutely LOVE the driver. I haven't tried the ZL Encore, but do you have plans to continue making ZL (or ZL-like) drivers in the future?

[tmcbigblue]

I currently game a cobra amp driver 9.5 degree. I have the stock shaft in x flex and was wondering how much spin reduction to expect if I move to the Bio Cell with the stock shaft. I also game the s3 pro irons and they are awesome. Keep up the great work!

[mcrobertsjmac32]

With all the wedge customization out there why have you guys not jumped on board with paintfill and stamping options in the tour trustys? Also are there plans to bring out any new wedges in 2014?

[3 piece]

What were the reasons for choosing tungsten as the material for the weights in the Bio Cell Irons?

[3 piece]

As a major company in the golf industry, do you think all of the emphasis on hitting it long has cause some of the slow play in today's game?

[wldchld22]

Any chance of a combo set for better players? Either with hybrids in the long irons or blades in the short irons?

[Kylekoz17]

Is there a purpose for the two toned paint job on the bio cell plus? I like the look of it, just wondering if there was another reason for it.

[golf0101]

I like the bio cell hybrid a lot but the shaft was too light and an upgrade shaft puts the pricepoint above some of the other brands that have a premium shaft. Why not offer a heavier shaft stock option in the hybrid?

[The General]

The Bio CELL line is great. All the people that I've talked to love the sound and look, as well as the extra yardage they've picked up.

my bag is full of cobra clubs, thanks TO.

[ShutSteepStuck]

My Amp Cell is BY FAR the most forgiving driver I have ever hit. Thank you Cobra!

My miss tends to be out toward the toe, can you explain how your e9 (elliptical) face technology helps improve ball speed and dispersion on off-center hits?

[Lancejoker]

Thanks for the opportunity Cobra and GolfWRX

Time after time,the question of "growing the game" has come to the table. Many times price and time are the top two contenders, or offenders if you will. What is Cobra Golf's short term and long term plan to bring new players to the game and current players towards Cobra and Puma golf?

[Hairpie]

Your use of multi-materials in clubhead design is quite legendary. What are the advantages of the multi materials? More efficient weight distribution? Better dampening and acoustics? Is there a conscious effort in the aesthetics of the club to accentuate these design characteristics or are the aesthetics used more as an attraction for the younger golfers?

[wldchld22]

The bio cell irons all have an interesting look. Can you talk about the benefit of that frame around the back of the clubs?