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INSIDER Q&A
u u u
What do you like best about working
for Cobra? It seems like innovation is al-
ways at the forefront of what we're doing
and you work with some incredibly smart
and forward-thinking people. I'm very for-
tunate to have worked with such a great
R&D and innovation team that likes to
think outside the box.
u u u
How important is the input of Tour
players such as Rickie Fowler, Bryson
DeChambeau and Lexi Thompson when
you're designing new clubs and how
does that impact the average golfer?
We've worked a lot with Rickie on trying to
develop the perfect rail system on our fair-
ways. That leads to great rail systems for
fairways that work for consumers. Rickie is
really giving with his time as far as testing
equipment and giving us feedback. With
irons, you always learn from the great
players about how they like to shape
shots and the feel of certain clubs –
we have worked with Bryson and
Lexi to get their input in these
areas, too. We always look to them
to understand what the best players
in the world want to feel, hear and see
in their golf clubs. All of that information
translates to the consumer.
u u u
What do you see as the next big inno-
vation in golf equipment? We're in the
middle of two right now. Our CNC preci-
sion milled facing on the new F8 and F8+
drivers is one, and I think you'll see a lot of
that in the future. We're always working to
combine forgiveness with length, which
don't always go hand-in-hand. We can
strive to achieve that by being creative
about the materials we use and how we use
them. The other is our first-ever fully con-
nected smart set – called Cobra Connect –
allows you to track your yardages and
learn about the shots you're hitting. I love
all the information available, and it's going
to help people make smarter, data-driven
decisions on the golf course, ultimately
helping them become better golfers.
u u u
Where do you stand on the issue of
rolling back the golf ball and other re-
strictions on golf clubs? You hear people
saying that golf is too easy now because of
the equipment we have today, but I haven't
seen the average handicap in the USGA
system fall below 14, and I haven't heard
about 59s being shot day after day by
everyday golfers. Our company is always
looking at game enjoyment, and people
love making birdies. Technologies are mak-
ing golfers more consistent, but I don't see
average golfers beating up golf courses. I
understand what they want to do, but I
don't necessarily agree with it.
A CLOSER
LOOK…
What's your handicap, and where
do you play most? I'm at a 2.5
index right now. I'm a member at La
Costa and have a great Saturday
group there that are all single-digit
handicaps. I love getting my butt
kicked there every weekend.
u u u
Where do you most enjoy play-
ing? I love going up to Bandon
Dunes. My best golf experience was
playing Turnberry in the morning
and Royal Troon in the afternoon –
I'll never forget it.
u u u
What would be your dream golf
trip? I'd really like to go to Ireland.
I've played a lot of golf in Europe,
but have never played there. And,
of course, there's that special place
called Augusta National.
u u u
Who would be in your dream four-
some? That's a hard one because
some of the people I'd love to play
with are no longer living. I would
like to have played with Ben Hogan
and Arnold Palmer. Among people
who are still with us, I'd love to have
a round with Tiger Woods. I haven't
played with Rickie Fowler despite
having spent a lot of time with him,
so I'm hoping that happens soon.
SHORT SHOTS
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