With the pending release of the Cobra 3DP Tour irons, I believe that 3D printing of irons is about to change the game dramatically. The initial feedback on these irons has been nothing short of phenomenal. Here I plan to give a brief review of 3D printed golf clubs and some projections going forward, although the future is difficult to predict.
A Brief History of 3D-Printed Golf Clubs
3D printing of golf clubs started with making sample prototype clubs. Engineers used the 3D printing technology to easily create and test models, speeding up the development cycle for new clubs. As 3D printing technology has improved, manufacturers are now utilizing 3D printing in commercially available clubs.
The first real breakthrough came in 2020 when Cobra release the King Supersport-35 putter. It was the first commercially released golf club made from 3D printing. The putter was created as a collaborative project between HP and Parmatech. They used 3D printing to create a lattice structure that could optimize the weight distribution and thus the performance of the putter.
3D-Printed Golf Irons: Current Offerings
While putters have been the primary focus of 3D printing, the technology has also made its way into irons. Cobra Golf has led the charge with innovative designs that leverage 3D printing for precision and customization. Here are some notable irons influenced by 3D printing:
1. Cobra King Tour Irons with MIM Technology
While not fully 3D-printed, the King Tour Irons utilize Metal Injection Molding (MIM), a process closely related to 3D printing. MIM allows for the creation of complex shapes with exceptional precision, resulting in a softer feel and improved performance. In 2020, Cobra released the King Tour irons with MIM technology. The process for Metal Injection Molding consists of using 304 Stainless Steel powder, mixing it with a binding agent to form a type of paste, which is then injection into a mold. This is heated higher than a typical forging process, causing the polymer to evaporate out, leaving behind the Stainless Steel at a very high density. This process is more precise than traditional forging and therefore requires less manual grinding of the end product. Overall, you wind up with a much more consistent head. However, Cobra went away from this process when it released the Cobra King Tour 2023 irons. I’m not entirely sure why they went away from MIM. I have never hit the MIM King Tour irons, but I am a huge fan of the 2023 Cobra King Tours. In fact, those are probably the only irons out right now that I would rather play than my current Mizuno JPX 923 Forged irons.
2. Cobra Limit3D Irons (and soon to be released Cobra 3DP Tour irons)
The Cobra Limit3D irons represent a significant leap in 3D printing technology applied to golf irons. These irons feature intricate lattice structures within the clubhead, which optimize weight distribution and enhance forgiveness. The design also allows for precise customization, offering golfers a blend of performance and playability tailored to their swing. I am hoping to get a chance to try hitting the Cobra 3DP Tour irons soon. Based on every review I’ve read of the Limit3d irons, they seem to be as forgiving as super game improvement irons, but in the shape of a players iron, with the feel of a forged iron. In other words, it seems to be the best of all worlds. Based on the reviews, it seems likely that this process may well become the future for all top tier golf clubs. The cost is currently the biggest negative, but with time, I expect to see the costs and prices to come down.
3. PXG 0317 ST Irons
PXG used 3D printing to make the prototypes for these irons, however, they are not manufactured with 3D printing like the Cobra 3DP tour irons. Using 3D printing technology in the prototypes, though, did influence the design and performance of the PXG 0317 ST irons.
4. Callaway’s Additive Manufacturing Approach
Callaway Golf has also used 3D printing for prototypes and limited-edition releases. They do not have any fully 3D printed irons, but they have used 3D printing to help refine the designs of their clubs. Callaway had a 12 month partnership in 2018 with a 3D printing technology company called Titomic Limited. Later that year, Callaway worked with GE Additive’s Addworks team to further explore 3D printing technology.
The Projected Future of 3D-Printed Golf Clubs
The future of 3D-printed golf clubs seems very promising, at least based on the initial reviews I’m seeing. Hopefully there will be improvements in cost and customization as the technology is more widely used. Given the rapidity of AI technology, I anticipate that 3D printing will mesh nicely with increasing use of AI for the design and manufacturing of golf equipment.
Which Golfers Are Using 3D-Printed Clubs?
Bryson DeChambeau has reportedly been a proponent of 3D printing use for golf equipment. He worked with Cobra Golf on the design of the King Supersport-35 putter, Here’s a video of Bryson DeChambeau talking about the King Supersport-35 putter:
Additionally, Ricky Fowler and now Max Homa have used the Cobra Limit3d 3D printed irons. Max Homa is reportedly carrying the Limit3d 4 iron in his bag.
Conclusion
3D-printed golf clubs could lead to some major changes in the design and manufacturing of golf equipment. Not only does Cobra Limit3d iron seem to represent a major improvement in golf equipment, the future could include significant personal customization in addition to more forgiving clubs. I’m exciting to give 3D printed irons a try. Please comment below if you’ve had a chance to hit any 3D printed clubs and share your feedback.
Discover more from Ten to Scratch
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.