Cobra Announces Launch of New King Cobra 460 SZ Driver

Press Release

Posted 2005-03-20

Cobra Golf expands one of the hottest selling driver lines in the industry with the launch of its new King Cobra 460 SZ model. The King Cobra 460 SZ driver features the largest head size (460cc) allowed by the Rules of Golf and is designed for all players seeking to maximize distance, accuracy and forgiveness. The SZ nomenclature refers to the “Sweet Zone”, the expanded, hotter clubface featured in the King Cobra SZ series.

“Using the technological advancements in construction and materials, Cobra engineers were able to develop a 460cc driver with improved distance, accuracy and forgiveness, which are performance attributes desired by golfers of all abilities,” commented Jeff Harmet, President of Cobra Golf. “The key benefit of the King Cobra 460 SZ driver is that it has the largest face area relative to other 460cc drivers in the market, which promotes increased ball speed, greater forgiveness and Hotter 9 Points across the clubface.”

The features and benefits of the new King Cobra 460 SZ driver include:

Milled Rhombus Oval Face Insert Technology: A milled rhombus-shaped face insert is strategically positioned within a larger and thinner perimeter region to deliver greater face flex for maximum ball speed off the largest, hottest Sweet Zone in the King Cobra family of drivers.

Dual Weighting System: Dual weights are positioned low and in the back heel/toe of the club head to precisely control the club’s center of gravity. The weighting promotes optimal launch angle and spin rate for maximum carry distance. This creates a much more efficient energy transfer for optimal ball flight, as well as a higher moment of inertia for greater stability. The Dual Weighting System on the King Cobra 460 SZ driver also promotes a draw biased ball flight and greater forgiveness on off-center hits.

Expanded Face Height and Width: An expanded club face contributes to a higher coefficient of restitution (C.O.R.) over a greater effective hitting area, resulting in longer distance, greater forgiveness and a sweet, solid feel and sound. The King Cobra 460 SZ driver is constructed from a 6-4 cast titanium body and 6-4 plate titanium face.

Plasma Weld: A thinner, more consistent welding process provides greater consistency and forgiveness across the entire clubface. Plasma welding technology eliminates the uneven weld bead of standard TIG welds found on most clubs.

Loft/Shaft Options: The new King Cobra 460 SZ driver is available in lofts of 9.0, 10.5 and 12 .0 degrees in right and left hand, and features the proprietary Cobra/Aldila NV-HL 60 graphite shaft in stiff and regular flex options. The 60g, Mid-Flex design features Aldila’s proprietary NV technology including a consistent taper from butt to tip for unique feel and bend profile and Micro Laminate Technology (MLT) to ensure shaft consistency and ideal feel. In addition, a high launch tip design promotes a high draw biased ball flight for maximum carry distance.

Custom Cobra/Golf Pride Tour Velvet 50D Grip: A softer compound than the industry standard provides optimum feel and firmness for control and confidence.

Price and Availability: The new King Cobra 460 SZ drivers begin shipping to golf shops on March 15, 2005 with a suggested retail price of $370.

Advertising Support: The King Cobra SZ driver line will be heavily supported by demo days and in-shop displays, as well as print, television and Internet advertising campaigns featuring David Feherty and 4-time Re/Max World Long Drive champion Jason Zuback.

Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE - FO). Titleist, Cobra, FootJoy, Cobra Golf, King Cobra, King Cobra SZ, King Cobra SZ Tour and King Cobra COMP and Sweet Zone are trademarks owned by Acushnet Company. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.