Jackson Reid
Cobra Golf is a sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California, that designs, manufactures, and markets golf clubs and accessories. Cobra was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, the winner of the 1961 Australian amateur golf championship. Cobra was acquired by Puma in 2010, and is currently a subsidiary of the company. Cobra has been responsible for several innovations in the golf equipment industry, including the introduction of one of the first utility clubs, the Baffler, in 1980. Cobra has also been known for its focus on recreational golfers and game-improvement equipment, as well as its aggressive marketing strategies and endorsements from leading players. While Cobra Golf has had success in the industry, it is not owned by Taylormade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current owner of Cobra Golf | Puma |
| Previous owner of Cobra Golf | Acushnet Company |
| Year Cobra Golf was acquired by Puma | 2010 |
| Founder of Cobra Golf | Thomas L. Crow/Thomas Crow |
| Cobra Golf founded year | 1973 |
| Cobra Golf's first product | The Baffler |
| Cobra Golf's first forged irons designer | Greg Norman |
| Cobra Golf's first forged irons designer's stake in the company | $2 million |
| Year Cobra Golf's first forged irons designer acquired the company's Australian distributorship | 1997 |
| Year Cobra Golf's first forged irons designer's stake in the company increased to | $40 million |
| Cobra Golf's first product relaunch year | 2020 |
| Cobra Golf's current player endorsers | Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, Kyle Berkshire |
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What You'll Learn
Cobra Golf was founded in 1973 by Thomas Crow
Cobra Golf, a sports equipment manufacturing company, was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, an amateur golf champion from Australia. Crow was inspired by the idea that golfers in the United States often bought clubs on a whim, hoping to improve their game. Based in Carlsbad, California, Cobra Golf was dedicated to the average golfer, particularly ladies and seniors.
In 1975, two years after its founding, Cobra Golf introduced the Baffler, one of the first utility clubs. The Baffler was a state-of-the-art club with a unique railed sole design that allowed it to be hit from a wide range of lies. This technology was a significant innovation in golf, and it is still used in the company's modern clubs.
Cobra Golf quickly gained popularity, and by 1980, it was selling about $4.5 million worth of clubs annually. The company continued to grow and innovate, introducing the Dista golf balls in 1999 to maximise distance for players with multiple swing speeds. In 1994, Cobra's King Cobra oversized irons became the best-selling irons in golf, solidifying the company's reputation in the industry.
Over the years, Cobra Golf has been acquired by several companies. In 1996, it was acquired by American Brands Inc. (later known as Fortune Brands) and became part of the Acushnet Company. In 2010, Cobra was sold again, this time to Puma AG, and the new company was named COBRA-PUMA GOLF. Despite the changes in ownership, Thomas Crow remained involved with the company, even after his death in 2020, with Bob Philion, President of Puma North America and Cobra Puma Golf, recognising his lasting impact on the brand and the sport.
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Cobra was acquired by Puma in 2010
Cobra Golf, a sports equipment manufacturing company, was acquired by Puma in 2010. The company, which is based in Carlsbad, California, was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, the winner of the 1961 Australian amateur golf championship. Cobra Golf was inspired by the notion that golfers in the United States often bought clubs on a whim, hoping that they would improve their game.
Cobra produced one of the first utility clubs, the Baffler, which was introduced in 1980, long before such clubs became popular. The company was dedicated to the average golfer, especially ladies and seniors, and was the first US club manufacturer to sell stock graphite-shafted woods and irons, which are known for being lighter clubs.
In 1994, King Cobra oversized irons became the best-selling irons in golf, making Cobra synonymous with oversized irons. In 1996, Cobra Golf was acquired by American Brands Inc. (later renamed Fortune Brands) and was managed under the Acushnet Company umbrella.
In 2010, Cobra was acquired by Puma SE. The acquisition included the Cobra brand as well as related inventory, intellectual property, and endorsement contracts. The combination of Cobra and Puma Golf provides a competitive full range offering and allows Puma to provide golf equipment alongside footwear, apparel, and accessories.
Since the acquisition, Cobra has continued to grow as a lifestyle brand in golf and on tour, with players such as Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, and Bryson DeChambeau.
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Cobra was previously owned by Acushnet Company
Cobra Golf, a sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California, was previously owned by the Acushnet Company. Cobra Golf was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, the winner of the 1961 Australian amateur golf championship. Cobra produced one of the first utility clubs, the Baffler, which was introduced in 1980, long before the use of such clubs became popular. Cobra was dedicated to the average golfer, especially ladies and seniors, and was the first US club manufacturer to sell stock graphite-shafted woods and irons, which are known for being lighter clubs.
In 1994, King Cobra oversized irons became the best-selling irons in golf, making Cobra synonymous with oversized irons. The company was acquired in 1996 by American Brands Inc. (later known as Fortune Brands) and was grouped together under the Acushnet Company umbrella. Cobra struggled as part of the Acushnet Company, partially due to an uptick in Titleist's golf club business.
In 2010, Cobra was sold to Puma SE (also known as Puma AG). The sale included the Cobra brand, related inventory, intellectual property, and endorsement contracts. The sale of Cobra gave Acushnet the opportunity to devote all its resources to the global growth of its industry-leading Titleist and FootJoy brands. Cobra has since grown as a lifestyle brand in golf and on tour, with players such as Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, and Bryson DeChambeau.
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Greg Norman was a part-owner of Cobra
Cobra Golf is a sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California, that produces a wide range of golf clubs and accessories. The company was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, the winner of the 1961 Australian amateur golf championship. Cobra was dedicated to the average golfer, especially women and seniors, and was the first US club manufacturer to sell stock graphite-shafted woods and irons, which are known for being lighter clubs.
In 1990, Greg Norman, an Australian professional golfer, acquired a 12% stake in Cobra Golf for $2 million. Norman helped design Cobra's first forged irons, the Norman Signature CB and MB Forged Irons, and used them to win the 1993 Open Championship. The following year, Cobra released the KING COBRA oversized irons, which quickly became the top-selling iron in golf.
During the 1990s, Cobra's sales increased significantly, from $30 million to $300 million in 1996. In 1996, Cobra was acquired by American Brands Inc. (later known as Fortune Brands) and was grouped under the Acushnet Company umbrella. In 2010, Cobra was sold to Puma SE, and it is currently a subsidiary of Puma.
Today, Cobra Golf continues to be a prominent manufacturer of golf equipment, with its products available at major golf stores, online retailers, and big-box stores. Cobra has also expanded its brand through partnerships with events like the Honda Classic and venues like Flying Tee.
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Cobra is a major golf equipment manufacturer
Cobra Golf is a major golf equipment manufacturer, producing a wide range of golf clubs, including drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges, and utility irons. Cobra was founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, winner of the 1961 Australian amateur golf championship. Cobra produced one of the first utility clubs, the "Baffler", introduced in 1980, long before the use of such clubs became popular. Cobra was dedicated to the average golfer, especially ladies and seniors, making it the first US club manufacturer to sell stock graphite-shafted woods and irons, which are known for being lighter clubs.
In 1994, King Cobra oversized irons became the best-selling irons in golf, making Cobra synonymous with oversized irons. The company was acquired in 1996 by American Brands Inc. (later known as Fortune Brands) and was grouped together under the Acushnet Company umbrella. In 2010, Cobra was acquired by Puma SE (or Puma AG) and has since grown as a lifestyle brand in golf and on tour, with players such as Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Cobra has continued to innovate, using industry-leading technology and data-driven insights to determine the optimal combination of club head, shaft, adjustable weights, lie, and loft options for each golfer's swing. Cobra has also sponsored major golf events and partnered with venues to provide official equipment and apparel.
While Cobra is a well-known golf equipment manufacturer, some consider it a tier below brands like Callaway or Taylormade in terms of brand recognition and market presence. However, Cobra's top-end golf clubs are comparable to those of the bigger brands in terms of technology and performance, and Cobra has a strong reputation for producing high-quality, innovative golf equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
Cobra Golf is currently owned by Puma.
No, Taylormade never owned Cobra Golf.
Cobra Golf was acquired by Puma in 2010.
Cobra Golf is a sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California, that focuses on golf equipment, producing a wide range of golf clubs.
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