2023 MGS Forum: Cobra 50th Anniversary Special!

[TSauer]

2 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

I haven't seen too many posts where I'm both happy then sad at the same time. Hopefully they'll make it right soon @TSauer. 

It was a high and then instant low just like that. FedEx dropped it off at 9 this morning. I brought it in, sit it next to me, and fought the urge to open the box until I went on lunch break… yano, to get the full unboxing experience. An experience it was. 

I have no doubt Cobra will make it right, they’ve been awesome throughout all of this. 

[GolfSpy BOS]

6 hours ago, TSauer said:

GOOD NEWS:

 

BAD NEWS:

 

dang... looks like you got my driver.... 

Jokes aside, I know we talked already and we will get that sorted for you!

[JerryB]

On 7/27/2023 at 9:33 PM, JerryB said:

A few final-ish thoughts...

I use Shot Scope as a tracking device and have been looking through some of the data, comparing the Cobras from the last couple months to my gamers from earlier in the year.  Results have been interesting. 

On the left/first (depending on your screen) are what SS calls my Performance Average for my gamers.  For those that don't know, my clubs were mostly an eclectic mix.  My 18° hybrid is actually on a shorter shaft, so I expect it to be shorter than my 21°.  That shorter hybrid took the place of my five iron early in the season, and the six iron...(shrugs).

The other graph shows the Cobra clubs.  First thing that really stands out to me are the distance gains.  I finally have a 3 wood that I can hit consistently, and my new 7 wood does exactly what my old 7 wood did, only further.  And that's mostly the case right down the bag.  Keep in mind that I'm maddeningly inconsistent, and that small sample sizes still apply.  But on the whole, my gapping looks better.  Score one for the "get fitted" crowd.

 

 

The next comparison is my approach accuracy.  There's very little change and that's a little sobering.  I've been telling myself that this was a big improvement, but the numbers aren't quite backing up that theory.  As I pull more and more recent data, though, the numbers do look better.  The initial feeling-out period was rather rough.  I'm certainly not playing great golf; I may be able to hit them farther, but that's only part of the equation!

 

Moving into the short game, this is an area that I do relatively well comparatively.  Getting onto the green is decent, but I need to do better at finishing the job.

 

I've definitely developed some driver yips, and my putting has gotten worse.  Now that the challenge period is over, I'll be able to make a little more time for some comparisons.  I've gotten objectively worse as the year goes on, but I do finally seem to be trending in the right direction.  I've made some big strides with my longer clubs, though that SG-Approach will always be a little haggard because I can't usually reach the green from so far away.  Driver and putter, though...

 

This was always going to be the toughest club to un-seat.  I'd gone through a demo day when I got my Callaway and it's performed pretty well.  I'm getting a little more distance with the Aerojet, but the dispersion is tighter with the Rogue ST.  I suspect a decent amount of that wider dispersion comes from my current driver woes and that anything I hit would produce similar nonsense right now.  

 

Putting...I just suck.  Some of it is physical, but most of it is mental.  I'm just not putting in the focus when it comes time to putt.  I think the stock grip that came with the Stingray is not right for me.  Getting that updated sooner rather than later will help.  Changing putter types and going with a mallet has been a process, too.

 

I know this is a bit of a broken record from both me and the rest of the Cobra Challenge Crew, but I just want to re-iterate how lucky I feel and how thankful I am to have been chosen for this test.  It's been a great ride and I'm happy to have gone through the everything.  I may not be scoring well (both on the course and in the challenge itself) but I've had a blast and I hope I've done a good job being both entertaining and informative.  Big thanks to the mods for putting up with us and thanks to MyGolfSpy and Cobra for the amazing opportunity.

 

It's been about a month and here's another quick update.  

 

As I've gotten comfortable, things are starting to fall into place.  Most of my clubs have continued to gain distance.  Shot Scope's Performance Average takes out the real clunkers so these aren't always happening, but when I hit it pretty well, the chart on the right is what I generally get.  Driver, 3 wood, hybrids...all longer.  The 5 hybrid continues to relatively under-perform a bit, but generally I don't find myself in that 180-210 range on my home course that often so the hybrids don't get used a ton.  If I could do it all over again I wouldn't get as cute with club selection.  I'd likely drop a hybrid and add a wedge; change to 50/54/58.

This was a point of sadness for me last time; nothing really changed from the old clubs to the new.  Now in the last month I'm starting to see some improvements.  I'll try to update once or twice more before the end of the season.

 

[ole gray]

8 hours ago, JerryB said:

 

It's been about a month and here's another quick update.  

 

As I've gotten comfortable, things are starting to fall into place.  Most of my clubs have continued to gain distance.  Shot Scope's Performance Average takes out the real clunkers so these aren't always happening, but when I hit it pretty well, the chart on the right is what I generally get.  Driver, 3 wood, hybrids...all longer.  The 5 hybrid continues to relatively under-perform a bit, but generally I don't find myself in that 180-210 range on my home course that often so the hybrids don't get used a ton.  If I could do it all over again I wouldn't get as cute with club selection.  I'd likely drop a hybrid and add a wedge; change to 50/54/58.

This was a point of sadness for me last time; nothing really changed from the old clubs to the new.  Now in the last month I'm starting to see some improvements.  I'll try to update once or twice more before the end of the season.

 

Your shot scope device seems like an awesome tool to track stats!  Do you have the watch and sensors and how much does this cost?

[JerryB]

6 hours ago, ole gray said:

Your shot scope device seems like an awesome tool to track stats!  Do you have the watch and sensors and how much does this cost?

 

I like it a lot.  I really like that its a one-time purchase with no subscription fees.  They have a number of options at different price points including a new option that uses your phone rather than the watch and is $99.  I have the X5 watch which is $299 but they had an offer of $100 off at release for then-current users of the previous generation V3 watch.

I like that the watch give me F/M/B distances to the green and also distances to the front and back of hazards.  But more pertinent to the Challenge is that I can, at a glance, get stats and info for comparison purposes like above.  My eyes and my memories deceive me often and to be able to look at the information has been really helpful to me, especially as a newer golfer still struggling to be consistent.

[ole gray]

1 hour ago, JerryB said:

 

I like it a lot.  I really like that its a one-time purchase with no subscription fees.  They have a number of options at different price points including a new option that uses your phone rather than the watch and is $99.  I have the X5 watch which is $299 but they had an offer of $100 off at release for then-current users of the previous generation V3 watch.

I like that the watch give me F/M/B distances to the green and also distances to the front and back of hazards.  But more pertinent to the Challenge is that I can, at a glance, get stats and info for comparison purposes like above.  My eyes and my memories deceive me often and to be able to look at the information has been really helpful to me, especially as a newer golfer still struggling to be consistent.

Very Interesting!

[sirchunksalot]

Just a quick update on some things. 

As you all know, I haven't swing a club since the challenge ended. I was able to go out to the range yesterday and hit a small bucket and use all the clubs. 

Well, they're still awesome! I only meant to hit some short shots with the wedges but I'm not the smartest guy. After hitting the PW out to around 70 yards, I decided to hit full shots at less than 100 percent. 

The irons are still crazy easy to launch, the hybrids are still my favorite clubs, and the fairways and driver continue to impress. Cobra knows how to make clubs, y'all.

The one thing I forgot to mention and I meant to get a photo was I noticed what looked to be dried Georgia red clay on the sole of the PW. When I looked at it closer, it was rust. I expected to see rust over time as they put a sticker on the irons telling me they would rust. I sprayed it with the Groove It brush and wiped it clean. I'm not the biggest fan of rusty clubs but am willing to accept the fact these will, but want to keep them pretty as long as possible. It's a perfectly fine trade off for the performance of the Forged Tec X. 

I wanted to give the putter some time on the practice green, but it was 95 with a heat index of 105 while I was out there so I made the decision to wait. Hopefully I'll be able to get it out next week. 

[JerryB]

Good to see you swinging again Jason!  

I've also noticed the shaft on my putter is rusting up a bit.  I haven't noticed anything on my wedges and the rest of my shafts are graphite.  Like @sirchunksalot, I'm a little bummed about it but it be what it be, y'know?

On another note, I had planned on doing some more head to head driver testing between the Aerojet Max and the Rogue ST Max D, but that's no longer going to happen.  I passed the Callaway on to a buddy at work who had been gaming a Pinemeadow driver with a giant dent on the crown.  Now he hits bombs!!  (When he hits it clean, lol)

[sirchunksalot]

23 minutes ago, JerryB said:

Good to see you swinging again Jason!  

I've also noticed the shaft on my putter is rusting up a bit.  I haven't noticed anything on my wedges and the rest of my shafts are graphite.  Like @sirchunksalot, I'm a little bummed about it but it be what it be, y'know?

On another note, I had planned on doing some more head to head driver testing between the Aerojet Max and the Rogue ST Max D, but that's no longer going to happen.  I passed the Callaway on to a buddy at work who had been gaming a Pinemeadow driver with a giant dent on the crown.  Now he hits bombs!!  (When he hits it clean, lol)

I appreciate it, Jerry! The last month or so has been one of the worst as far as getting to do golf related activities. I can't describe the sheer amount of joy I got out of just hitting a small bucket. Golf can be frustrating at times, but it's so beneficial to my mental health. Not having it in my life has been a bummer. 

I'm glad to see you're getting along with the Aerojet Max, I think it's a great driver. Kudos to you for passing on the Callaway to your friend, I couldn't imagine how big of an upgrade it is over the Pinemeadow. 

[TSauer]

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

[chisag]

16 minutes ago, TSauer said:

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

 

 

... Pretty nice prize!  

[sirchunksalot]

43 minutes ago, TSauer said:

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

In glad to see it finally arrived and in the proper orientation this time. That's one good looking club and I can't wait to hear how you hit it. 

[TSauer]

3 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

In glad to see it finally arrived and in the proper orientation this time. That's one good looking club and I can't wait to hear how you hit it. 

For sure! I'm going to try and get out this weekend if I can find some spare time. I may bust out the tripod and get a few clips as well.

[Preeway]

1 hour ago, TSauer said:

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

Looks like they put the shaft on backwards…

[GolfSpy_KFT]

3 hours ago, TSauer said:

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

My oh my, what a beauty! Can’t wait to see it in action! 

#LeftyGang!!!!

[TG8]

12 hours ago, TSauer said:

For sure! I'm going to try and get out this weekend if I can find some spare time. I may bust out the tripod and get a few clips as well.

Your welcome to grab numbers/compare anytime. 

[CFreddie]

15 hours ago, TSauer said:

well, well, well… 

I’ll get some more glamour shots when I have more time, but man… this thing is sweet! 

Wow, looks amazing!!!

I guess I’ll say what everyone else (at least RH) is thinking…what happened to the other one???

[TSauer]

50 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

Wow, looks amazing!!!

I guess I’ll say what everyone else (at least RH) is thinking…what happened to the other one???

Boxed up and waiting for a return label lol. If it doesn't show, I'll probably just end up donating it to my FIL. He's rocking something from the 90s and has been asking about drivers for the past couple years. 

[chisag]

... Update: I am still enjoying all my Cobra clubs still in the bag which includes 2 fairway woods, Hybrid and irons along with the actual Cobra bag. But the club that surprised me the most is the Cobra Sport-60 putter. I just have to assume the SIK face is the real deal because my putting has never been better. Not bragging but I can putt with anything and not lose much, but over time a putter with the right balance that produces a good roll on the ball will separate itself. 

... The best compliment I can give the Sport-60 is I never notice it. I just make putts using it and I am considering buying a back up since they are on sale for only $159 and I consider them a real steal at that price. I have used very similar putters before including a Cameron Newport 2.5 and a Nike B1/07 and the nike put a better roll on the ball with it's face technology but the Scotty had a better balance. The Cobra Sport-60 is a combination of the best of both. 



 

[chisag]

... A follow up post. Having played them awhile now, my Cobra Aerojet 7 wood and 5 wood are too similar in distance. But I really love the performance and how forgiving they are so I just bought an Aerojet 3 wood. I may end up with a 3 and 5 or a 3 and 7 or go back to the 5 and 7. I will most likely be adding a 22* Ping G430 hybrid so that may also affect the viability of the 7 wood staying in the bag. Lots to play with and figure out what works best at the bottom of my bag. 

... As stated in an earlier post I am now playing a combo of Tips and Senior tees so some new yardages in the 200-215 range on 4 or 5 holes has me thinking different clubs may work better for those shots. 

.

[chisag]

... To the Victors go the spoils: the winner of a conflict gains additional benefits, beyond the subject of the conflict.  Thanks to Cobra/Puma and MGS for the winners swag as well as my pards @Jnoble89 and @CFreddie. Killer outfit. 

[sirchunksalot]

26 minutes ago, chisag said:

... To the Victors go the spoils: the winner of a conflict gains additional benefits, beyond the subject of the conflict.  Thanks to Cobra/Puma and MGS for the winners swag as well as my pards @Jnoble89 and @CFreddie. Killer outfit. 

That outfit looks phenomenal! 

[chisag]

8 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

That outfit looks phenomenal! 

 

... Thanks. It was a blind pick of the color black so I am very pleased. 

[sirchunksalot]

25 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Thanks. It was a blind pick of the color black so I am very pleased. 

You're definitely going to be looking stylish in that outfit. I love the shirt, Puma makes one of the most comfortable polos out there. Not to mention, that hat is

[CFreddie]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

... To the Victors go the spoils: the winner of a conflict gains additional benefits, beyond the subject of the conflict.  Thanks to Cobra/Puma and MGS for the winners swag as well as my pards @Jnoble89 and @CFreddie. Killer outfit. 

Mine looks to be arriving Tuesday! Can’t wait to see it!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Looks awesome, Sam! Mine is scheduled to arrive Wednesday!

[chisag]

... Remembering how much fun the competition was, especially the verbal sparring, I will be thinking of @Tom the Golf Nut every time I wear my *winners outfit*. It seems my days as an instructor were not over. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

4 minutes ago, chisag said:

... Remembering how much fun the competition was, especially the verbal sparring, I will be thinking of @Tom the Golf Nut every time I wear my *winners outfit*. It seems my days as an instructor were not over. 

It's nice to see you still love me. 

[chisag]

On 10/8/2023 at 5:06 PM, Jnoble89 said:

Looks awesome, Sam! Mine is scheduled to arrive Wednesday!

 

... Jordan Love likes 'em too! So much so he threw not ONE, not TWO but THREE passes to guys in black shirts. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Little update as my season is getting close to an end here in Wisconsin. My Cobra clubs are still performing very well for me, I am loving the irons and have gotten my distances pretty well dialed in with the wedges to the point where they are becoming aim and shoot. The 60* has changed my game completely when it comes to greenside bunker play, as I cannot recall the last time I didn't get out in one try AND give myself a look at a par save. 

Put the AJ Max driver back in the bag this week, and it is performing better than it ever did over the summer, highlighted by a 267 yard draw last night and another 255 yard baby draw. 

While the King Tec hybrid and I didn't initially see eye to eye, it has again been a solid performer recently. I used it for tee shots on holes 1 & 2 in my round yesterday, and hit a wind aided 255 yard bomb that left me with 82 yards to a front pin. Followed that with a 235 yard draw on the second tee box that left me with about 95 yards to a front pin. 

The 3 & 7 woods have never left the bag, and are both consistent performers for me, although I have been struggling the last few rounds with shots off the deck. That is on my swing, though, and not the clubs, as those are areas where those clubs excelled for me at times during the summer.

My champs swag is set to arrive today, so I will post photos of what I receive, and that will bring my Cobra challenge experience to an almost official wrap for this season.