Titleist sell Cobra

[USER1999]

Seems a strange move to me. Cobra make money, so why hoik it on? Also, running two golf club manufacturers means you can save on R&D, and also on manufacturing costs.
Image wise there isn't a conflict, as Titleist is aimed at a consevative market, and Cobra at a more modern one.
I would have thought that having Cobra and Titleist under one roof was a good thing.

Shows what I know.

 

[Tiger]

Hey murph I hear where you're coming from but what we don't know is how much money puma offered for cobra or whether the economic downturn was having issues for acushnet. What you save on R&D you have to spend on marketing etc...

I'll be really interested to see what the next range of clubs titleist release are. Maybe the AP update was to allow them to space out future developments. CB/MB next year AP the year after and so on?

 

[CannyFifer]

I'm with Murph on this to be honest, why not have 2 brands under the one roof. succesfull in most business models. does anyone think they will buy Puma clubs if that ever happened, BUT, you would have said the same about Nike not long ago.

 

[thecraw]

I dont really understand where people are comming from who think Cobra will fall from grace.

Cobra were a big enough player before Acushnet bought them over, they have a history of being used by big players and made great wedges. There newer range of irons and woods, especially drivers are nice looking.

Puma are a major player in the sports market and have slowly and surely made inroads into the golf market. Top players like Ogilvy and Edfords etc have really raised their profile. Puma make fantastic looking golf gear and they have a nice range of shoes as well. I can only assume that Puma have done their homework and are confident of a successful partnership/profit/sales from the Cobra brand.

Puma are not some diddy company they are a multi-national and already have the links to the golf market in place. Unlike Nike who threw millions into research and advertising to gain a market foothold Puma have gone quietly into the golf market and succeeded in a much lesser scale than Nike. They have now invested into a proven brand name. Seems like good business sense to me. Time will tell I guess.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't know why but I don't think the Puma name sits well as a golf manufacturer (think Dunlop or Ram) and so I hope the Cobra brand is retained. It might also be that I'm getting into grumpy old man territory but their golf clothing doesn't do a lot to interest me either and I'd rather have FJ shoes (or design my own via myjoy)

 

[USER1999]

I can well understand Puma buying Cobra. Good move, and I am sure they will keep the name, or what have they bought. I just don't get why Acushnet have sold it.

 

[Golfman]

The statement says that sponsorship contracts will be transfered with the business. Will make it interesting where players use Cobra gear and Titleist balls and Footjoy shoes and gloves.

To be a complete golf brand Cobra/Puma will need to develop a putter/wedge range and think about buying a ball manufacturing company or getting someone to make a ball with their branding. The golf ball market is after all massive.

Very trendy clothing lines so maybe they will help make golf more trendy. Shame I'm a bit too old and the wrong shape for drainpipe trousers.

 

[USER1999]

Ping don't make balls, and they haven't done too badly?

 

[Golfman]

Fair point, well made.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

They use to. Horrible multicoloured things they were.

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

Puma were one of the first sports brands to be made so it is nice to see a sucessful company take over another one and hopefully we can see more good products come from them.

If anyone from puma is reading this, work on the irons horrible things. drivers and fairways are nice

 

[madandra]

What did Nike know about golf before they got Tiger?

I will be looking out for their new designs.

 

[Smiffy]

If anyone from puma is reading this, work on the irons horrible things. Drivers and fairways are nice

Mate of mine has just bought a Cobra ZL driver. He can't get on with it. I've had a couple of smacks with it and think it's bloody gorgeous. And the sound it makes when you hit it. Really solid..... I think he's angling for some sort of "deal"

 

[Boabski]

I can well understand Puma buying Cobra. Good move, and I am sure they will keep the name, or what have they bought. I just don't get why Acushnet have sold it.

Cobra will stay as cobra in my opinion the same as adidas have have the taylormade relationship

 

[need_my_wedge]

They use to. Horrible multicoloured things they were.

Was talking about them with my teaching pro the other week when he was having a go at Tim Clark for using the green Srixon ball. He said that they were designed as a putting aid, the colour mixes were set so that when you lined the ball up in a certain way, you would see different effect or colour as a result of the way you hit the putt.

 

[big_mean_bunny]

I have my two tone ping ball around somewhere. Its Orange and yellow. My old man got me it one day and I am fairly sure it must be about 17 years old by now!

can't believe some of the puma hate on here! I went to there shop in Meadowhall last night as this thread made me want some trousers only to find they don't have any of there golf stuff in there store period!. Madness, Personally I think there golf clothing looks great though.

 

[USER1999]

I like alot of the Puma stuff, but it is a bit over priced in my view, and not as well made or as technical (fabric wise) as Nike stuff.

 

[need_my_wedge]

The Puma logo on Fowler's orange garb the other week was way too big, needs to be a lot more subtle if I'm to think about buying.

 

[birdieman]

The Puma gear looks quite good but pricey I agree. I know Fowler is just a little guy (who can hit it miles) but those caps he wears look 10x too big for him - bit too 'street' for a lot of fuddy-duddy golfers I expect but if it helps keep young people interested in golf and the sport even a little bit 'cool' then that's maybe no bad thing.

 

[Hendy]

Think Puma have been looking at getting into the act for awhile now.. And i think Cobra is best brand for them..

I think we will be seeing some colourful head covers and some "out side of the box" thinking on the club design frontin the coming years.

Also I think Ian poulter will stay with the corba in a big money deal and also the possibility of his clothing line pairing up with puma.

Will be very interesting indeed, I think for all parties involved everyone will be happy.. titleist and footjoy have a firm standing in the market as market leaders, and will continue to be at the top of the game for many years to come.

Cobra you get the feeling where never going to meet the standard of titleist but with Puma now at the helm you never know how we will see them in 10 years times.. Alot of young golfers like the brand cobra..