“Golfers have been forced to choose between distance or forgiveness in their game improvement irons.
“If you wanted more distance, than you sacrificed forgiveness, and vice versa.
“With the new Speedback irons golfers can have their cake and eat it too. Never has a game improvement iron set had the perfect blend of distance and forgiveness, until now.”
So what is the technology?
There’s a lower and deeper CG that maximises ball speed, launch and carry distance.
More mass has been added low and wide (out to the heel and toe) compared to a traditional iron.
Up to a combined 33g of tungsten has been added to the heel and toe in the 4-7 iron.
A variable thickness face is 3 grams lighter than previous models and features pockets in the upper heel and toe that expand the sweet spot.
There’s also a forged insert within a deep undercut sole design and an all new 1.2 mm internal speed channel that absorbs and returns more energy to the ball for faster ball speeds and increased launch angle.
A three-piece multi-material medallion behind the face improves sound and feel by damping vibrations at impact.
These irons also feature CNC milled face and grooves for more accurate lofts and tighter tolerances on face roughness and groove shaping.
The long irons, mid irons and wedges are each designed with different groove shapes to deliver specific performance characteristics.
Shorter hosel lengths in the long irons position the CG lower to promote higher launch, while progressively taller hosel lengths in the short irons and wedges raise the CG progressively to promote a lower, more controlled ball flight.
The F9 Speedback irons are available in variable or One Length and feature the Arccos Cobra Connect system built in to the grips.
And breathe…
That’s the lowdown on the technology – find out how the F9 irons perform on the next page…
Cobra F9 irons review: The results
I had a good chance to hit these irons at the brand’s launch event but have not had the chance to do any in-depth testing yet.
Luckily, I did have my SkyTrak launch monitor with me at the event to get an idea of where these irons stacked up compared to some of the other new models I have tested over the past couple of months.
To me, these irons do have a ‘game-improvement’ feel to them by the fact there is a fair bit of visual technology.
As I said previously, Cobra are trying to cover a fairly large section of the market here.
Personally, I’d have to be in love with the performance of these irons to put them in the bag.
The sound of these irons is quite loud which I think is intentional to make you feel like they have gone a long way.
But the feel is still crisp and solid. They are are good fun to hit.
And they are incredibly long. They could be up there with the longest irons I have tested to date.
The ball speed was fantastic, the ball flight was strong and penetrating.
We look forward to bringing you some more detailed numbers and comparisons in the coming months.
Cobra F9 irons review: NCG verdict
Although the looks of these irons are aren’t quite what I’d go for personally – the performance seems to be right on the money.
You can’t argue with the technology that has been ploughed into these clubs and it does seem to have resulted in a very long and forgiving product.
The game-improvement irons market is absolutely huge as this is where all the big brands have their best-selling products.
So the F9 irons will be competing with the Ping G400 and G700, TaylorMade M4 and M3, Callaway Rogue and Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal to name just a few.
It’s an incredibly competitive section of the market as handicap golfers look for a product to offer them distance and forgiveness.
I’m pretty certain that the Cobra F9 irons will be neck and neck, if not better, than any other iron in this category.
And the price is a bit cheaper.
And you have the option of variable or One Length.
And you have built-in game-tracking technology in the grips.
So there is undeniably a fantastic package being offered by Cobra here.
The challenge for them is to get those who are loyal to Ping, TaylorMade, Callaway and Mizuno to try their products.
If more people tried Cobra clubs out, I’m certain loads more people would buy them.
Cobra F9 irons details
SRP: £699 Steel/£799 Graphite
In-store: January 2019
More information can be found on the Cobra website.
