So, here we are again folks. Imagine this: a world where golf clubs just pop out of a printer. I mean, not really “pop” like with a toaster, but more like they slowly appear layer by layer. I’m talking about Cobra Golf’s latest kaleidoscope of tech magic with their new batch of limited-edition 3D-printed putters, the LIMIT3D series. Yep, that’s right. They’ve taken their 3D-printed iron success story and applied the same wizardry to putters. Intriguing, right?
I hear you saying, “But how popular are these 3D-printed wonders?” Well, let’s put it this way. If they were books, they’d be on like their third print run this year. Everyone’s grabbing them, and Cobra, like some always-prepared scout, keeps printing more. It’s like they’re playing a satisfying game of whack-a-mole where the moles are buyers craving these irons.
What’s fascinating to me—I’ve no clue why—is how these metal putters are crafted. They’re not sculpted or molded in the old-school way. Nah. They’re printed. Think about it like building a T-Rex with Legos, piece by piece, going layer by layer. And here’s the kicker: this means they can design crazy intricate structures inside that you wouldn’t dream of with regular manufacturing. Mind-blowing, right?
So, let’s dig deeper into this. First up, I should tell you that Cobra isn’t new to the 3D disruption party in putters. Their debut 3D-printed wand came out back in 2020. Since then, they haven’t just rested on their laurels. Oh no, they marched on and sprinkled the market with more 3D-printed beauties until we’re here in 2024 with the latest and possibly greatest of ’em all.
Now, what makes these puppies stand out? Well, it’s this 3D printing voodoo that lets them create putters that look like they’ve been dreamt up in some sci-fi movie. Traditional methods, you see, have boundaries—yawn—but this approach blasts past those limits. It’s like suddenly going from drawing with crayons to painting with laser beams.
Oh, and another neat trick up their sleeve is this tech called Descending Loft Technology or DLT, courtesy of LA Golf. In short, the hitting face of the putter has four different lofts. This effectively means your ball’s launch angle stays consistent, no matter whether you’re hitting it high or low. Who would’ve thought of that? Well, LA Golf did apparently, and it pairs marvelously with the Cobra innovation.
So, get this. One of these Cobra creations is the LIMIT3D ENZO, which looks like a putter designed by auto enthusiasts. It’s a high-MOI mallet, and, fun fact, HP Metal Jet 3D Printing is behind its birth. What’s that? Dunno. Sounds complicated, but likely involves a lot of lasers and wizard hats.
There’s also the PISTA model. Not quite sure about the name—maybe someone had pistachios on the brain? But seriously, it’s a sharp Anser-style putter that brings together exotic design with practical genius. Crafted using a technique called Direct Metal Laser Sintering. “Sintering”… just saying it makes me giggle. Keeps floating around my noggin like a catchy chorus. Actually, COBRA used it to whip up some nifty PISTA-45 and PISTA-60 versions. Different necks and toe hangs, to boot!
Moving on to something more subjective: how do these putters feel? It’s that deliciously soft impact that’s got me grinning like a Cheshire cat. It’s like biting into a donut and tasting that unexpected burst of jelly. Sublime! They use some fancy metal—316L stainless steel. It’s like the putter of choice for a diver. Heck, won’t rust on ya… That’s more than you can say for most clubs.
Where was I? Oh, yes. Could 3D printing be the slam dunk future of club manufacturing? Hard to say. Maybe putters are the sweet spot due to their single-head format. Big-number clubs like irons might still be suited to traditional techniques, but let’s see how this rolls out. Either way, gotta applaud Cobra for pushing the boundaries. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll tell your friends about the time you read some zany article about 3D-printed golf putters, and it’ll sound like it was written by a total human.
