Cobra has announced the return of the King to its product line, with the launch of the new King LTD Driver.
The King LTD features a SpacePort design that allowed the brand’s R&D team to strategically position the centre of gravity and make Cobra Golf’s internal speed and stability technologies visible for the first time.
“The King Cobra franchise is synonymous with the brand’s heritage. Now, the new King LTD driver is the next generation of product under the King Cobra name, building upon the legacy created by Cobra founder Tom Crow, in 1990,” said Tom Olsavsky, vice president of research and development for Cobra Golf.
“We knew that if we were going to reintroduce the King Cobra, it had to be something much more advanced and special, incorporating innovative technologies that would only surpass its legacy and we are confident we did that with the King LTD driver,” he said.
“It is truly game-changing for golfers and fit for a King,” said Olsavsky.
In September of 2014, Cobra teamed up with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and Nanoracks LLC, on a materials science research investigation that launched on board SpaceX CRS-4 and was on the International Space Station for six weeks.
Taking design inspiration from the Space Station’s cupola module, a nine-foot. 10-inch earth and space observation platform, the King LTD driver features a SpacePort window that is incorporated into the sole of the driver.
This structural design feature is locked in place by the use of Spiralock thread technology, which is designed to withstand high vibrations and loads during impact without over tightening or loosening. The result is a sleek aerodynamic exterior.
The SpacePort system consists of a 16-gram aerospace grade aluminum dual-purpose weight and translucent port system that allows golfers to view the internal driver technologies.
By removing the port, golfers can visually access all the hidden Cobra technologies – 811 Titanium E9 Face, Low CG Hosel, and Textreme Carbon Fiber Crown.
In total, there are more than 28 grams of discretionary weight strategically positioned in and around the Port perimeter, positioning the CG low and to the back of the clubhead.
The Port also removes the necessity for Hot Melt Glue, a sticky substance typically used in drivers to catch internal debris and achieve final clubhead weight, saving an additional four grams.
Instead, a more efficient solid structured and more precise weight is placed into the head, behind the SpacePort, further optimizing the mass properties.
The Port also allows final swing-weight tuning, with 0-12 g tungsten weight, at time of building to precisely fit the golfer.
Through key structural component weight reduction and critical placement of the discretionary weight, Cobra Golf created its low CG.
Depending on the head configuration, the CG is on or below the “neutral Axis,” a perpendicular line extending back from face centre, delivering its “Zero CG” technology.
The low CG improves the efficiency of the club head to ball impact to allow golfers to achieve higher ball speeds, higher launch angles and lower spin, all three contribute to distances gains off the tee.
“The King LTD is the only driver to ever reach below Zero CG. By combining the Space Port with new materials, the King LTD reaches optimal performance, never been done before by any other driver to date,” said Olsavsky.
There are four key internal technologies used in the King LTD driver.
The crown is ultra-light TeXtreme Carbon composite, a material frequently used in aerospace and other advanced high-performance structures, and 20 per cent lighter than a standard carbon fiber crown.
A thin, lightweight 811 titanium face with next generation E9 zoning removes 10 grams from the face structure. The hosel structure has been lowered, which also contributes to lowering the CG of the clubhead.
The body is constructed of lightweight 811 titanium with an optimized variable thickness sole incorporating a back weight port and 12 gram tungsten weight.
The King LTD driver is available in five lofts – 9, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, and 12 degrees – and three draw settings – 9.5 D, 10.5 D and 11.5 D.
The King LTD PRO is also available in five lofts – 7.0, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, and 10 degrees – and three fade settings – 7.5F, 8.5F and 9.5F.
Both options are equipped with an Aldila Rogue Black 60g graphite shaft and Lamkin UTX/KING LTD grip. A variety of custom shafts are also available.
