(Answered) AMA - Mike Yagley - VP of Innovation and AI - Cobra Puma Golf

[thechrisgibbs]

(Answered)

Coming to us from the home of golf innovation in Carlsbad, CA for this weeks AMA, we are joined by Mike Yagley from Cobra Puma Golf. Mike’s time in the golf industry has been prolific to say the least. It’s hard to put all his accomplishments in a list, but here are some highlights of his CV:

• He is currently the VP of Innovation and AI at Cobra Puma Golf with 10 and a half years there
• Before Cobra, he was with Callaway for 12 years starting in R&D and finishing as the VP of Innovation
• He was also a testing manager at Maxfli for 3 years before joining Callaway
• To top things off, before getting into the golf game, Mike was a Aerospace Engineer for Boeing, AKA a rocket scientist

Huge thank you to Mike Yagley for being willing to do an AMA as we kick off the Cobra Connect 5 challenges!

[knightsofnii]

Wow, I totally missed this one!! Bummer.  Awesome response!  

 

I work in aerospace/defense product design, and sporting goods product design.  Would love to pick Mike's brain some more someday.  

[CSGolfer]

I picked up an older set of nice looking blades. I assumed they were a set of early Nike blades. The only writing on them is V series (in black) on the back of the club. No Nike or Nike check mark logo. No serial numbers on the clubs. The shafts have the black and silver True Temper Dynamic label in stiff (not dynamic gold).

I have searched online and can not find who made these, when made, or any specs. Could these have been some prototype?

Any information on these would be appreciated.

 

[Michael Lubarsky]

Should sand and lob wedge shafts be the same as other irons, heavier or softer. I have seen recommendations all over the place. I just bought SM8 54 & 58 degree wedges and am thinking of having the same shaft model as that which is in my irons, but about 13 grams heavier. My iron shaft is about 67 grams.

What are your thoughts?  

[Reesedw]

MIke: first off thank you for all you do at Cobra, Your products are Amazing.. As a former aerospace engineer, how much does aerodynamics come into play when desiging clubs i.e. Drivers. Or is it more, yes a factor but not as much as say Calloway claims or Ping with turbulators and dragon fly technology.. Drivers have long been the same "basic" shape for the most part for a very long time. The shape seems to have changed only slightly as the size has??? Thanks

[JimL]

As someone who is up on the top improvements in the game I wonder if you have a golf simulator in your house or at work that you use and if you have any recommendations. Over this next year we are building a detached garage and I plan to use the upper floor as an entertainment center with a simulator. While I am not "money is no object" I am willing to spend to get a really good simulator for entertainment and for improving my game. Thanks for any thoughts/recommendations you might have.

[thechrisgibbs]

Cannot thank Mike enough for doing this. He spoiled us with a 30 minute response to most of the questions!

[Golfspy_TCB]

Awesome Q&A. Thanks Mike and MGS for making this happen.  

[PMookie]

Thanks so much, we really appreciate it!!!

[MDGolfHacker]

Thank you Mike Yagley for taking the time to answer many of our questions!  It was very cool to hear your thoughts on the questions posted to you!

 

MDGolfHacker

[Shankster]

Can’t wait to see what these “bold” products are.

[HeathS16]

Loved the response thanks for taking the time!! My first driver was a Cobra so the company holds a special place in my heart! 

[Nunfa0]

Massive thanks to Mike for the answers, really enjoyed what he had to say.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Mike,

Thank you for answering our questions and mine as well. Looking forward to what is to come. I still have the first set of new clubs I purchased put aside. King Cobra II's from 1996 vintage. 1 iron through the lob wedge. 

[VtheGNMan]

Very nice interview and great job to MGS for thinking this concept up.  

Just have to add: 

GO IOWA!  

 

[Clayton]

Dear "Yags" - thanks for the in depth answers.  It sounds to me like working in R&D in the golf industry is much like what I experienced in the bicycle industry.  I already liked Cobra Golf, but your video makes me like them even more than before.  I was pretty shocked at the % of iron sales you guys are doing with One Length.  I haven't tried them yet, but bought a set for my dad this fathers day and it's the single best thing to happen to his golf game in several decades.  So much so that I'm considering trying a set.

[txgolfjunkie]

My biggest takeaway...besides all the engineering talk...and the fact that this was my question...is that 400 people touch a club from raw material to finished product. 

400.

That's insane. 

[Agent 87]

On 8/23/2021 at 12:41 PM, GolfSpy_TCG said:

(Answered)

Coming to us from the home of golf innovation in Carlsbad, CA for this weeks AMA, we are joined by Mike Yagley from Cobra Puma Golf. Mike’s time in the golf industry has been prolific to say the least. It’s hard to put all his accomplishments in a list, but here are some highlights of his CV:

• He is currently the VP of Innovation and AI at Cobra Puma Golf with 10 and a half years there
• Before Cobra, he was with Callaway for 12 years starting in R&D and finishing as the VP of Innovation
• He was also a testing manager at Maxfli for 3 years before joining Callaway
• To top things off, before getting into the golf game, Mike was a Aerospace Engineer for Boeing, AKA a rocket scientist

Huge thank you to Mike Yagley for being willing to do an AMA as we kick off the Cobra Connect 5 challenges!

When you speak about torque is that about twisting about the longitudinal axis of the club.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Just getting caught up on this. 
 

Great stuff Mr. Yagley. Can’t wait to see what’s coming from Cobra!

Now working for Cobra I know you have to have better taste than that ugly hat and shirt!  Only a blind man wears red and gold together!

 

GO  HAWKS!!

[fixyurdivot]

13 hours ago, blackngold_blood said:

Just getting caught up on this. 
 

Great stuff Mr. Yagley. Can’t wait to see what’s coming from Cobra!

Now working for Cobra I know you have to have better taste than that ugly hat and shirt!  Only a blind man wears red and gold together!

 

GO  HAWKS!!

Today's the day.

[sirchunksalot]

Thank you Mike for coming on the forum and answering our questions, I really enjoyed hearing you speak on both your work at Cobra and in aerospace. It's amazing how much work and thought go into building clubs and hearing about where innovation can go in the future was fascinating.