In the midst of the new release chaos that is December through January in the golf equipment, COBRA nearly snuck one past us.
Recently Added to the USGA’s conforming driver list is COBRA KING Mini Driver. To be clear, we assume it’s a mini. It sure as hell looks like one.
The USGA photo shows a 13.5-degree driver head with a pair of front-to-back flip weights (12g, 2g). Also visible in the image are references to COBRA’s PWRSHELL technology and the new FutureFit33 hosel.
It’s a little early to tell when or even if COBRA’s Mini is coming to retail, but given that TaylorMade, Callaway and PXG have Minis on the market and Titleist has one coming, it stands to reason that COBRA would want to add its spin to the category.
Unfortunately, nothing suggests the relative size of the COBRA KING, so we don’t yet know how COBRA will seek to balance off-the-tee performance with some measure of usability from the fairway. Without evidence, I’m going to suggest that smaller might be better.
When will the COBRA KING Mini be available?
If I were a betting man, I’d wager you’ll be able to find one at the PGA Show next week (even if it’s not on display, it’s definitely a you need to know who to ask situation). I’ll parlay that part of my wager with an April release date.
But again, I’m just speculating here as the Mini wasn’t mentioned when we visited COBRA late last year.
Should COBRA release the Mini (and I’m 99.84% positive it will), that would leave only PING among major brands without a Mini either on the market or publicly in the pipeline.
What are you waiting for, guys?
Who Has Your Attention?
As I said, we’ve gone Mins on the market, and more on the way. Based on where the category is today, which brand has most captured your attention?
HikingMike
3 weeks ago
Off topic a bit –
Cobra has an odd situation with its brand names. First of all, Cobra is a pretty kick ass brand name. And their old King Cobra irons are legendary now, at least that’s how they made a name for themselves in my head way back. “King Cobra” sounds cool, named after the snake. However if they used that, then it would be like the company name was King and the golf club line(s) were Cobra. King is not a great brand name. Hah, and I just reminded myself of the King Snake knockoff irons. What kind of driver do you have? “It’s a Cobra” vs. “It’s a King” – obvious which is better. But anyway, it makes total sense their company name and top-level branding should be Cobra, while King is the club line. But it’s just odd due to the previous King Cobra name and of course the snake.
I’d be interested to hear any more history on that.