Equipment
Latest patent filings: Cobra, Ping pursuing slots
A new year, a new batch of patent filings: It’s time to take a look at what the major OEMs are working on.
Last time, we saw TaylorMade experimenting with multi-layer driver face, Callaway toying with some very interesting adjustable irons, and Ping working on highly adjustable irons.
In this edition, we’ll take a look at some of the avenues TaylorMade, Titleist, Nike, Cobra, and Ping are exploring.
TaylorMade: Pursuing aerodynamic heads
In a filing for a patent “high volume aerodynamic golf club head” TaylorMade’s designers seem to be turning their eyes toward (you guessed it) aerodynamics in driver head design.
As the filing states:
“In the past the aerodynamics of golf club heads were studied and it was found that the aerodynamics of the club head had only minimal impact on the performance of the golf club.
Golf club designers pay little attention to the aerodynamics of these large golf clubs; often instead focusing solely on increasing the club head’s resistance to twisting during off-center shots.”
TaylorMade also filed a patent for the design below.
The company lays out the thinking behind the triangular design in an interesting couple of paragraphs:
“Often, golf club manufacturers are faced with the choice of increasing one performance characteristic at the expense of another. For example, the shape and size of some conventional golf club heads approach the maximum envelope dimensions in an attempt to increase the moments of inertia of the heads. Such designs, however, most likely require a decrease in the face size, or ball striking surface area, in order to comply with the USGA regulations. As another example, some conventional golf club heads have an increased face size in an attempt to optimize the ball striking surface of the golf club head. Such golf club head designs, however, typically have decreased moments of inertia.
Golf club designers and manufacturers have struggled to design golf club heads having increased moments of inertia while maintaining other desirable golf club head characteristics and abiding by the USGA regulations.”
Titleist: A progressive CG iron set
Fairhaven, Mass.-based Titleist is working on a set of progressive irons, per a recent filing. The irons feature “a progressive center of gravity allocation” in order improve launch angles.
Nike: A new golf ball
Nike is working on some new pellets. It’s always difficult to determine exactly what a company is shooting for in a golf ball patent filing, because of, well, language like this:
“A thermoplastic multi-layer golf ball has a core center having a diameter from about 21 mm to about 29 mm and including a first thermoplastic material having a first flexural modulus of less than about 15,000 psi, a core layer disposed radially outward from the core center with a thickness of at least about 4 mm and a second thermoplastic material having a second flexural modulus of up to about 15,000 psi that is greater than the first flexural modulus, and a cover disposed radially outward from the core layer. The cover comprises a third thermoplastic material having a third flexural modulus. The first thermoplastic material and the second thermoplastic material each includes an ionomer resin, and these ionomer resins may be the same as or different from each other.”
Anyway, here’s the ball:
See the full filing here.Cobra: Channeled woods
In a filing that includes actual photos, Cobra is putting forth woods with a recessed channel.
However, as Cobra points out, there is a potential problem with “channeled” clubs. The company lays out the perceived problem and their solution in the section clipped below.
“During a high speed drive, the ramped portion of the sole may distribute and neutralize torsional stresses, dampening unwanted and unpredictable twisting that can be introduced or amplified by prior art channel structures.
“One insight of the invention is that adding an elastically deformable channel to a driver head can destabilize the structure, allowing the club head to twist, shear, or compress non-uniformly and transfer momentum non-uniformly to the strike face during the down stroke of a high-speed drive or at impact.
“Thus a club head that includes a channel area with a groove that is buttressed by a shallow ramp will resist non-uniform deformation and non-uniform momentum transfer to the face with the result that shots will fly straight, and the club head will provide the full and intended benefit of a channel in the sole—a high coefficient of restitution and a large sweet spot in a club head that hits true. The channel area or groove preferably runs in a heel-to-toe direction substantially parallel to the face and close (e.g., within a few centimeters) to the face.”
Ping: Slitted (or slotted) woods
Ping looks to be getting into the slot/channel game with the design pictured below. And as the filing says “slit” or “slot” about 300 times, the technology seems to be the core of the next generation of the Phoenix-based manufacturers designs.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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John Seiter
Jan 10, 2015 at 1:43 pm
Did anyone recognize Adams was the first with “slots’?? That’s why Adidas was interested in acquiring Adams. I have Adams clubs that are about 8 yrs old with “Velocity Slots”. Look it up!!
Slat
Jan 10, 2015 at 4:04 am
Can Ping get that patent? I’m guessing that as long as it is slightly different to the ones already out there? Crazy
talljohn777
Jan 9, 2015 at 2:18 pm
If the first company that patented the slot did so, then how are any other companies using this same concept? And why would the patent office allow any other patents for the same concept?
Cash
Jan 12, 2015 at 3:53 am
MONEY
KP
Jan 9, 2015 at 1:50 pm
It looks like the turbulators are not on the slotted club diagrams. Although not being an IP atty the patent may only be showing the item being applied for and when actually produced may incorporate the turbulators.
labillyboy
Jan 9, 2015 at 1:50 pm
I play with someone who uses a TM slotted fairway… the slot picks up dirt on every practice swing, causing an annoying swing routine which involves cleaning the slot between the practice swing and the real one…
Maybe they can invent a slot that cleans itself?
My non-slotted TEE still works a lot better, BTW.
Regis
Jan 9, 2015 at 2:50 pm
That criticism of the original Rocketblade slots has long since been corrected by subsequent models. Try keeping current. Maybe its why Titleist and now Ping and Cobra are moving into slots. Sorry Titleist calls it the “Active Recoil Channel”.
JEFF
Jan 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Its all a scam to sell. Nothing is going to be easier to hit than it is right now.
Nigel
Jan 9, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Funny how there are factual, statistical gains in distance etc from all reviews on YouTube by professionals that use launch monitors. Also strange how the slot ‘gimmick’ is being used by all of the companies, even the honest and old school Titleist and Ping. Get with the new generation of golf grandad.
Pingbling23
Jan 11, 2015 at 8:05 pm
People said this 20 years ago too. Everything might not stick, but when every company is striving for something better, I think it will lead to better things.
Dpavs
Jan 8, 2015 at 2:21 pm
The industry knows we are nothing but a bunch of Ho’s, so it’s no surprise they are turning into a bunch of slots. 🙂
Kenner
Jan 9, 2015 at 2:47 am
Brilliant comment. 10/10
Rich
Jan 9, 2015 at 8:14 am
+1 LOL!
Bill
Jan 9, 2015 at 10:43 am
Well done@!
g patock
Jan 9, 2015 at 10:52 am
One thing for sure, the choices of quality products have never been greater… which is good for us.
The only downside is that pricing is getting a bit ridiculous.
Jim
Jan 9, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Well done Dpavs
Teaj
Jan 8, 2015 at 1:14 pm
hit the aeroburner last night… Brutal club. Feels really light, so much so that it feels like there is no mass behind the ball when hitting it which for me lead to shorter drives.
Ping Taking on the Slot or Slit im fine with that after seeing what it did for the Titleist this year.
Chuck
Jan 8, 2015 at 11:41 am
Here’s the thing that I like about slotted woods, based solely on my personal experience and preferences…
You can tee the ball lower, hit it lower on the face, and still get a high-quality strike.
When I tee the ball lower, I feel like I have more control of the spin and I have less margin for error. I well remember the days of the TaylorMade R510 TP, and a thousand other similar designs, when you had to hit the ball well up into the top half of the clubface.
The TaylorMade fairway woods beginning with the Rocketballs series of a few years ago really took off with players for a reason. Those fairway woods were hitting lower on the face.
That’s just my thinking. Now a real expert can weigh in.
I am REALLY looking forward to a new slotted Ping driver design.
TR1PTIK
Jan 8, 2015 at 12:41 pm
I certainly can’t argue with the performance of slots. I just don’t like them from a visual standpoint. Especially the way TM has done it with AeroBurner.
Regis
Jan 9, 2015 at 2:52 pm
You do know the bottom of the club points to the ground? Just kidding
TR1PTIK
Jan 8, 2015 at 10:35 am
Not sure how I feel about so many slotted clubs entering the market, but I do like the 915 line from Titleist and the Nike Vapor and VR lines so as long as it’s done “tastefully” I guess it will be alright. But, if club manufacturers start churning out clubs that mimic the TM AeroBurner then you will have to pry my 905r from my cold dead hands!