Last week, Cobra Golf hosted a media gathering where it showed off its newest toys (more on that to come) as well as its newest brand ambassador – Jason Dufner. The multi-year agreement has Dufner sporting a Cobra staff bag and clubs, which to date includes the following:
- Driver: COBRA KING F9 SPEEDBACK |10.5° black/yellow| LAGP OLYSS 6x shaft
- Irons: COBRA KING Forged CB (chrome) | 5-P | Dynamic Gold Tour Issue AMT S400 shaft
- Irons: KING driving iron 4i | LAGP Proto Rev A shaft
- Wedges: COBRA KING V Grind | 52°, 56° & 62° | Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shaft
Fellow gearheads will likely notice LAGP shafts (same brand Cobra staffer Bryson DeChambeau used in all 14 clubs at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October) in Duffner’s driver and 4-iron. In 2018 LA Golf acquired inventory, assets, and patents from the now-defunct Maxtrix Shafts. In place of traditional pay-for-play contracts, it offers players equity ownership in the company.
Dufner is perhaps best known for his particularly slouchy way of sitting, semi-bizarre hat sponsorships (who doesn’t love Dude wipes, amirite?), and laconic course demeanor.
By the way, he’s also a five-time PGA Tour winner (including a PGA Championship), former top 10 player in the world, and historically one of the best ball-strikers on tour from tee to green.
Dufner parted ways with Titleist in early 2018, deciding to play without a signature equipment sponsor, though he did maintain a ball-glove deal with the brand.
The move to Cobra appears to be a good fit as Dufner already had the F9 driver in the bag for a good portion of 2019 and a reputation for being more gear savvy than most. Cobra doesn’t have a massive tour staff and likely needed to add a player to its stable, preferably one with a different appeal than Ricky, Bryson, or Lexi. Dufner most certainly fits that description.
The 42-year-old Dufner is likely in the back-half of his PGA Tour career, with only four top-10 finishes in the last two seasons, but perhaps a fresh start and the backing of a major brand is just what Dufner needs to regain his major-winning form.
Jeff
4 years ago
Playing irons that they no longer sell? Cobra is a strange company. They know how to make decent clubs but don’t seem serious about better players.
Gerald Teigrob
4 years ago
I actually play 2014 bio Cell clubs and love them…they’re a huge upgrade from my Adams A7s and Redlines! It;s not so much the age of the clubs but how well you play them that speaks volumes to me!
Jeff
4 years ago
Gerry. Nobody would mistake either of those Adams offerings as a players iron. The Bio Cells are also not remotely a players iron.
All three models are made for 15+ handicappers.