Cobra Golf Introduces New Composite Driver Technology

Cobra Golf Introduces New Composite Driver Technology
Press Release

CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 17, 2004) – Cobra Golf advances the emerging driver technology market of integrating composite materials and titanium with the introduction of the new King Cobra COMP family. Featuring an ultra-lightweight, carbon composite top, combined with a milled rhombus oval face insert and dual weighting system, Cobra has developed 3 new cutting-edge King Cobra COMP drivers for power from top to bottom.

“We are bringing Cobra Technology to the forefront of the industry with the introduction of the new King Cobra COMP driver line,” said Jeff Harmet, President, Cobra Golf. “Our King Cobra COMP drivers allow us to compete in two distinctly different market segments. The first is the established market of high performance pure titanium with our popular King Cobra SZ line, and the second being the emerging market of composite-titanium integration. We believe that the SZ driver is the best performing titanium line and the King Cobra COMP driver is the best performing titanium/composite driver line in golf.”

The benefit of Cobra’s composite top technology is that the lightweight composite crown replaces the heavier titanium crown. This allows for larger face areas and head sizes, as well as optimal low and back weighting in the Dual Weighting System (DWS), for higher launch angles and greater carry distance across all nine hot points of the club face.

The King Cobra COMP drivers are available in three different models - the 454 COMP, 414 COMP and 414 COMP TOUR. The 454 and 414 COMP drivers feature custom ultra lightweight 45 gram Mitsubishi Rayon shafts to promote higher swing speeds for greater carry distance. This revolutionary new shaft design promotes superior accuracy and feel via a uniquely constructed low resin/high carbon fiber content design. The King Cobra 414 COMP TOUR features a custom Fujikura Vista Pro 65 shaft for tour type performance.

All King Cobra drivers conform to the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf. They will begin shipping to golf shops in June with a suggested retail price of $450.

KING COBRA COMP DRIVER PLAYER PROFILES AND SPECIFICATIONS

KING COBRA 454 COMP: Designed for players of all skill levels seeking the ultimate combination of distance, forgiveness and accuracy. At 454 cc’s, this model features the largest Sweet Zone of any driver in the King Cobra arsenal. The dual weighting system provides a lower, deeper center of gravity for forgiveness and high draw bias ball flight. The King Cobra 454 COMP features a custom Cobra/Mitsubishi Rayon SL-45 shaft.

KING COBRA 414 COMP: Designed for 0-20 handicap players, the King Cobra 414 COMP features a large Sweet Zone that optimizes distance and accuracy across all nine hot points across the club face. Its dual weighting system provides a lower, deeper center of gravity for a high, straight ball flight. More workability than the King Cobra 454 COMP. The King Cobra 414 COMP features a custom Cobra/Mitsubishi Rayon SL-45 shaft.

KING COBRA 414 COMP TOUR: For accomplished, low handicap players with high swing speeds seeking superior distance with shot-shaping ability. Features a large Sweet Zone with low spin characteristics for a lower, more boring trajectory and optimum workability compared to the King Cobra 454 and King Cobra 414 COMP drivers. The King Cobra 414 COMP TOUR features a custom Cobra/Fujikura Vista Pro 65 shaft.

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND KING COBRA COMP DRIVERS

COMPOSITE TOP: The ultra-lightweight, carbon composite top shaves up to 15 grams off the top off the club, depending on head size. The weight is moved from the top to low and back, which promotes a higher launch angle for greater carry distance.

DUAL WEIGHTING SYSTEM: Precisely positioned dual weight inserts promote a high launch angle, low spin rate and left bias ball flight. Weighting varies by model to optimize trajectory and spin rate by model/player type.

MILLED RHOMBUS OVAL FACE INSERT: A milled titanium rhombus face insert, positioned within a larger, thinner face perimeter, optimizes the dynamics of the swing and delivers greater face flex on both center and off-center hits. That means greater ball speed and a larger, hotter Sweet Zone.

PLASMA WELD: Eliminates the uneven weld bead of standard TIG welding found on most competitive golf clubs. This results in a more consistent, hotter face across all nine points.

LARGER FACE AREA: Helps create a higher moment of inertia (MOI) and promotes greater face flex across the entire club face which generates a hotter nine points for deeper, more accurate drives.

LIGHTWEIGHT MITSUBISHI RAYON 45g CUSTOM SHAFTS: King Cobra 454 and 414 COMP drivers feature lightweight Mitsubishi Rayon 45g custom shafts built with ultra high-modulus carbon fiber. These high-tech shafts help create superior accuracy and powerful carry distance by promoting higher swing speeds. The King Cobra 414 COMP Tour model features a custom designed Fujikura Vista Pro 65 shaft.

GOLF PRIDE TOUR VELVET GRIP: Custom made featuring a softer compound than most standard grips. Provides excellent feel while firm enough for control and confidence.

For more information about King Cobra COMP drivers, please visit us online at www.cobragolf.com, or contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications (508.979.3211). Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE - FO).