#CobraCONNECT Challenge 3

[palvord]

19 hours ago, GolfSpy STUDque said:

Actually, let me add to these a question of my own: 

Competitors, What advice would you give to forum members that would like to participate in a future Cobra Challenge?

@Nunfa0 and @Bucky CC are correct with the main thing. If you are married or in a relationship, make sure that your significant other understands how much time you will be spending at the range, course, and on the forum. Having their support really helps.

Secondly, be ready to be humbled. Golf humbles us all, but Arccos is another level. The honest data that you see after a round is incredibly helpful, but if you have played like crap the system shows you why. Over and over and over until you stop playing like crap.

Third, and this probably goes for all testing opportunities, but understand that this is not about you. This is an opportunity to serve the members of the forum, not to get equipment. Being selected means that you need to be reasonably accessible, engaging, and thoughtful.

I'm lucky to be in the challenge with four great guys. @robertson153, @bardle, @Nunfa0, and @Bucky CC all make me want to be a better contributor to the forum based on their hard work and contributions. It's nice to have us pushing each other. We all want to give you, the forum, the best experience possible.

TL;DR:
1. Have support and understanding at home
2. Be humble
3. Be ready to work hard for others

[bardle]

6 hours ago, Peaksy68 said:

If you guys are seeing reduced scores, how much to you put down to the new equipment, and how much to improved knowledge of your game via Arcoss data? 

Almost entirely equipment at this point. I don't even look at caddie recommendations right now.  Arccos is nice in that I can see, for example, on par 5's, I'm not great at chipping but I'm pretty accurate with my wedges from 40-90 yds out. So taking a 7 iron and not risking losing a ball is probably just as good as taking a 4 iron if I'm say 215 yds out...

That way I don't risk losing my 4 iron shot in the woods. My 7 iron is in play and I can take a wedge into the green and be just as close as my terrible chipping. Basically its a course management enforcer which is probably not as helpful for some of the better competitors here, but for me it really helps my game. 

Anyway, things like that are happening more and more often when it comes to looking at what clubs I'm most accurate with. I can hit to those distances and go in instead of just shooting at the green with a 3h or 4 iron every time I hit a bad drive. 

[KurtActual]

How is that black finish holding up on those wedges? The PVD on my wedge wore off the first shot out of a bunker haha

[Bucky CC]

2 hours ago, KurtActual said:

How is that black finish holding up on those wedges? The PVD on my wedge wore off the first shot out of a bunker haha

I'm working from home today so I just ran into my back yard to take a few pictures of the wedges.  The grooves are a little dirty but so far the black DBM finish has held up perfectly.  I've probably played about 15 rounds with them plus another 10-15 range sessions.

[edingc]

1 hour ago, KurtActual said:

How is that black finish holding up on those wedges? The PVD on my wedge wore off the first shot out of a bunker haha

These use the same DBM (diamonized black metal) finish as my Maltby M+ wedges, which is completely different than PVD. The finish is actually part of the metal and will not wear off like PVD.

If you combine my nines, I have about 15 full rounds on my wedges and at least 20-30 range sessions on my 54 specifically. They are turning a little more gray colored, but no signs of finish wearing off.

[edingc]

Thought of another fun one:

Since Cobra is often known for its color schemes, and this year being no different with the yellow and white drivers, assume you had the ability to chose whatever color scheme you wanted for your driver/woods. What would they look like?

[KurtActual]

Awesome feedback on the black finish. Thanks guys.

@edingc Wouldnt surprise me to see chrome and gold plating used. Perhaps something like bass boat colorings, with lots of metal flake in the paint.

[MDGolfHacker]

So, have any of the testers hit a shot with the Cobra clubs and thought, Rickie would of been proud of that one!?

 

MDGolfHacker

[Bucky CC]

12 minutes ago, MDGolfHacker said:

So, have any of the testers hit a shot with the Cobra clubs and thought, Rickie would of been proud of that one!?

All of them!?!?

If I had to pick just one I'll go with Hole 16 last Sunday.  Absolutely smoked my 3 wood off the tee.  Hit my 54° wedge to the front of the green.  Three jacked it for a bogey.  I'm sure Rickie would have loved the bomb but fully understood how much it hurts to three putt.

[JohnSmalls]

@Nunfa0  @robertson153  @Bucky CC

@bardle @palvord

 

Not sure if this has been asked yet.  But as of this point in the contest, which club has not lived up to expectations and would be the first to be put on the bench? 

Also is there a club choice that you wish you would have made instead (ex: extra hybrid instead of an iron, or additional fairway wood versus a hybrid, etc.)?

 

[palvord]

48 minutes ago, MDGolfHacker said:

So, have any of the testers hit a shot with the Cobra clubs and thought, Rickie would of been proud of that one!?

 

MDGolfHacker

To be answered later for me. But I have a few in mind

[MDGolfHacker]

If given the chance to create a funny tv commercial touting the strengths of the Cobra F9 series that you tested,  how would the commercial pan out?

 

MDGolfHacker

[KurtActual]

1 hour ago, KurtActual said:

Awesome feedback on the black finish. Thanks guys.

@edingc Wouldnt surprise me to see chrome and gold plating used. Perhaps something like bass boat colorings, with lots of metal flake in the paint.

@edingc and of course, just 1 hour after I posted this, I see Rick Shiels has posted a new YouTube video of a gold driver. Haha.

 

Another question for testers: When using new equipment, how much does the look of it matter to you before you even swing/try it?

If something doesnt sit right to your eye (seeing the cavity of an iron, or the finish, etc) how long does it take you to get over it?

[Bucky CC]

58 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

 

Not sure if this has been asked yet.  But as of this point in the contest, which club has not lived up to expectations and would be the first to be put on the bench? 

Also is there a club choice that you wish you would have made instead (ex: extra hybrid instead of an iron, or additional fairway wood versus a hybrid, etc.)?

Looking at my club usage I'd have to say the 5 or 6 iron.  I don't purposely avoid hitting either club but they don't come into play much on my home course.  My old 6 iron used to be my perfect 180 yard club but with the F9's that's an easy 7 iron now.

My home course is 6400 yards par 72.  Hitting driver or 3 wood off the tee usually leaves me inside of 150 yards on the par 4s.  The par 3's are set to play 125, 156, 151, and 178.  No 5 or 6 iron there either.

My answer to the extra club question would be the same as the question about the USGA letting us add a 15th club.  If forced to choose I would get rid of the 5 iron and add a 62° or 64° wedge.

Looking at those stats really shows how important being fit for a putter is.  I've hit my Evnroll ER2 540 times since I started using Arccos this year.  The next highest club is my driver with 147 shots (89 Cobra F9 plus 58 with my old Callaway Epic not shown above).  Go get fit for your putter!

[MDGolfHacker]

1 hour ago, Bucky CC said:

All of them!?!?

If I had to pick just one I'll go with Hole 16 last Sunday.  Absolutely smoked my 3 wood off the tee.  Hit my 54° wedge to the front of the green.  Three jacked it for a bogey.  I'm sure Rickie would have loved the bomb but fully understood how much it hurts to three putt.

Nice!  F9 3w 284 yards!?  That's longer than my F8 DRIVER and SW WEDGE...combined!

 

MDGolfHacker

[robertson153]

Hey all Spies! Just been reading I. The background this year, trying to stay quiet. However, I have a question....... Do any CCC testers have an iWatch, Series 3 or 4? The reason I ask is that Arccos works like a GPS watch with the iWatch. Pretty amazing once you get the hang of it. I had signed up for the Link, then my Series 1 iWatch developed a crack in the housing so I got the Series 3.

Also, are you using the Caddie? Are you playing the suggested club or are you second guessing and playing a different one? If so, are you going up or down?


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I have the iwatch series 2. Have used it a couple of times and it works perfect. Just don’t like wearing a watch while playing. Haven’t looked at the caddie suggestions so don’t know what I’m going to do yet.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Nunfa0]

2 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

@Nunfa0  @robertson153  @Bucky CC

@bardle @palvord

 

Not sure if this has been asked yet.  But as of this point in the contest, which club has not lived up to expectations and would be the first to be put on the bench? 

Also is there a club choice that you wish you would have made instead (ex: extra hybrid instead of an iron, or additional fairway wood versus a hybrid, etc.)?

 

I'm very happy with the set up of my clubs and how they are performing. The only change I would consider is maybe the set gap wedge but that is a tiny thought in the back of my mind

[Nunfa0]

2 hours ago, MDGolfHacker said:

If given the chance to create a funny tv commercial touting the strengths of the Cobra F9 series that you tested,  how would the commercial pan out?

 

MDGolfHacker

It would have to involve Rickie being awesome and me chopping my way around. He could take a club off me hit an awesome left handed shot and say something like "nice clubs"

Tag line could be " New Cobra F9,  beautiful no matter how you hit it"

(And that my friends is why I'm not in advertising)

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Shirt and hat showed up today. They look amazing and I couldn't be happier with what Puma picked for me. Will definitely be the shirt and hat I wear when I get back on the course.

Thank you so much MGS and Puma!

Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[fixyurdivot]

4 hours ago, Bucky CC said:

Absolutely smoked my 3 wood off the tee.

That's Henrik Stenson-ish... nice rip!

[JohnSmalls]

5 hours ago, Nunfa0 said:

I'm very happy with the set up of my clubs and how they are performing. The only change I would consider is maybe the set gap wedge but that is a tiny thought in the back of my mind

Is it a gapping issue or a preference in bounce?  What is causing the miniature thought?

[Nunfa0]

35 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Is it a gapping issue or a preference in bounce?  What is causing the miniature thought?

A gapping issue but it's easy fixed with a little finesse

[Nunfa0]

19 hours ago, KurtActual said:

How is that black finish holding up on those wedges? The PVD on my wedge wore off the first shot out of a bunker haha

I'm just like Bucky, no issues with the finish on the wedges at all

[Nunfa0]

17 hours ago, edingc said:

Thought of another fun one:

Since Cobra is often known for its color schemes, and this year being no different with the yellow and white drivers, assume you had the ability to chose whatever color scheme you wanted for your driver/woods. What would they look like?

Well, I'm very partial to blue so how about the black top with a blue Cobra and blue underneath, maybe that would work . Also my province plays sport in red and black so I would have liked that too

[Bucky CC]

18 hours ago, edingc said:

Since Cobra is often known for its color schemes, and this year being no different with the yellow and white drivers, assume you had the ability to chose whatever color scheme you wanted for your driver/woods. What would they look like?

I like a simple look on the top of the club.  The only place I could see getting a little crazy is on the bottom where you can't notice it addressing the ball.

I'd have to go with some combination of Red, White, and Black.  Or a giant Bucky logo.

 

[russtopherb]

How are you guys liking the bags? I know the challenge is more about the clubs, however those are some great looking bags in the intro posts. Are they comfortable? Functional? Anything you really like or dislike about them?

[Nunfa0]

2 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

How are you guys liking the bags? I know the challenge is more about the clubs, however those are some great looking bags in the intro posts. Are they comfortable? Functional? Anything you really like or dislike about them?

I'm liking the carry bag I got but I will go into details soon.....

[palvord]

17 hours ago, KurtActual said:

Another question for testers: When using new equipment, how much does the look of it matter to you before you even swing/try it?

If something doesnt sit right to your eye (seeing the cavity of an iron, or the finish, etc) how long does it take you to get over it?

I have bought full sets of clubs only twice before. Both times I looked at the price tag before anything else. That really narrowed my market.

I have never had a club that didn't "sit right to my eye" at address. The only thing it takes me to get over with a new club is if the ball doesn't react the way I expect with the first few swings. Have not had that issue with the Cobras.

[palvord]

1 hour ago, russtopherb said:

How are you guys liking the bags? I know the challenge is more about the clubs, however those are some great looking bags in the intro posts. Are they comfortable? Functional? Anything you really like or dislike about them?

The bags are pretty dang nice. More details to come throughout the challenge.

Here's a hint: there is a good reason that the stand bag finished so high in the Most Wanted testing.

[KurtActual]

12 minutes ago, palvord said:

The bags are pretty dang nice. More details to come throughout the challenge.

Here's a hint: there is a good reason that the stand bag finished so high in the Most Wanted testing.

Speaking of stand bag... do you guys walk or use a cart more often?