Cobra unveils first consumer-ready 3D-printed irons. Here’s how they work

3D-printed golf clubs aren’t new, but they always have been limited to prototypes and small limited runs for specific Tour players. That is, until now, with Cobra releasing its newest creation: the 3D-printed LIMIT3D iron set.

The irons represent a technology shift in iron construction by creating weight reduction that combines the look and feel of a blade-style club with the MOI of a larger clubface. The feel component is key. Through the 3D-printing process, the engineers are able to tune acoustics without internal polymers while also creating a stable head at impact.

This culture of innovation aligns with Cobra’s drive to innovate, which dates back to the original railed-soled hybrid — the Baffler. It’s continued with MIM (metal-injection molding) irons, 3D-printed steel putters, iron badges and the aerodynamically designed DarkSpeed.

Cobra DarkSpeed LS Custom Driver

The LS model features a Tour inspired shape for better players that demandlow spin and low launch for maximum workability and control. REFINED AERODYNAMIC DESIGN An improved aero shape features a streamlined face to topline radius, a highercrown peak, raised skirt and reduced clubface surface area to maximize speed. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING A refined clubhead shape features a reduced visual footprint at address thatpromotes workability and control.

$399.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Mike Yagley, the VP of innovation and AI at Cobra, said the irons’ fully 3D-printed 316L stainless steel body features an innovative internal lattice structure, which allows for 33 percent of the clubhead weight to be repositioned — and without sacrificing strength.

“This unique design, which is only possible using 3D-printing, allows for up to 100 grams of tungsten to be placed in the heel and toe areas of the clubhead, creating a low CG and an exceptionally high moment of inertia relative to the shape and size of the club,” Yagley said. “The result is a compact blade shape with a low CG location, high forgiveness and distance comparable to that of a player’s distance or game improvement model like Cobra’s King Tec or Tec-X irons.”

Part of what makes this tech possible is Cobra’s partnership with nTop, a leader in computational design software whose namesake product helps companies build better-performing state-of-the-art designs that leverage the benefits of additive manufacturing (3D printing). This has allowed Cobra to streamline its design and prototyping processes to get real clubs to test faster.

Price and availability

The new 3D-printed LIMIT3D irons from Cobra are $3,000 (4-PW set) and are now available for custom order. They are limited to just 500 sets worldwide and will be available for purchase on June 7. The price includes a large selection of aftermarket steel and graphite shaft options, as well as grips.

Cobra Limited 3D Printed Custom Irons

The LIMIT3D irons utilize 3D printing technology to push beyond the capabilities of traditional casting and forging to develop a compact player’s blade profile that has a soft forged feel and the forgiveness of an oversized, game-improvement iron.

$3000 from Fairway Jockey

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