Along with introducing new bafflers and iron sets to complete its lineup of speed series clubs, Cobra Golf in 2007 also will ramp up an emphasis on custom-fitting to help golfers match the right clubs to their particular games. Called the “Fit to Speed” system, Cobra’s fitting process is fairly simple to understand and use. “Our research shows that most golfers have clubs in their bags that aren’t used very often due to a number of factors including. .. a lack of confidence in the particular club’s distance and/or forgiveness,” said Jeff Harmet, Cobra Golf president. “The objective of our new ‘Fit to Speed’ custom-fit system is to optimize the performance of every club in a player’s bag by fitting them with ball speed and then generating ‘Accurate Set Composition.’” Fit to Speed sessions can be conducted by certified professionals using a Cobra Speed Monitor. The company has placed monitors at more than 2,000 locations in the U.S. and an additional 900 internationally. The process doesn’t take long and general golfers can easily see how to match their data to the recommended model of club. The launch of the new fitting system comes in conjunction with the debut of three new sets of irons -- S9, FP and Carbon CB -- along with two new models of Bafflers, DWS and Pro. These clubs closely follow the introduction of a multimaterial HS9 line of drivers and fairway metals. All clubs began shipping this fall and will be available throughout 2007. For the most part, Cobra clubs are engineered for game improvement and targeted at players seeking varying degrees of forgiveness along with performance. The company also offers several models in each type of club for advanced players, including TOUR pros. On TOUR, Cobra’s staff of young pros include 2006 U.S. Open champ Geoff Ogilvy, J.B. Holmes, Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas, Kevin Na and Jeong Jang. Here’s a closer look at the latest King Cobra clubs from Cobra Golf. S9 IRONS The S9 stands for Sweet Nine, which represents the “9 Accuracte Points” on the face of the clubs. The irons are geared for players seeking the greatest amount of game improvement. King Cobra S9 irons feature a distinctly noticeable multimaterial technology. The clubs feature a wide sole, low profile and undercut cavity with a polymer topline, urethane sole insert and back cavity plate.
In testing among mid to higher handicap amateurs assembled by GolfWeb, a consensus of reviewers labeled the new S9 irons “very solid” and “very forgiving” with a “very satisfactory trajectory” and distances achieved. Cobra is packaging the clubs in varying sets for men, senior men and women. Overall, irons numbered 2-PW are available along with a 49-degree Gap wedge, 54-degree Sand wedge and 59-degree Lob wedge. Regular men’s sets are stocked 4-GW while the senior and women’s sets are stocked 5-SW. Suggested retail price per set is $720 with Nippon Pro steel shafts and $960 with Graphite Design shafts. FP IRONS Forgiveness and playability factors are what King Cobra FP irons stand for, an all-around performer that GolfWeb testers rated very highly and recommended as “must consider” for the widest range of amateur golfers. The new irons feature a stainless steel head, mid width sole, undercut cavity design, urethane sole insert and back cavity plate. They are geared to optimize a blend of performance and forgiveness. GolfWeb reviewers specifically praised the FP irons for solid impact with a high degree of forgiveness while also allowing workability for the more adept player. Like the S9 model, the FP irons are packaged as 4-GW for regular men and 5-SW for senior men and women. A matching 3 iron is available. The Gap wedge loft is 50 degrees in the FP version, while the Sand wedge is 55 degrees and the Lob wedge 60 degrees. Suggested retail price is $600 per set with Nippon NS Pro steel shafts and $720 with Aldila NV-HL graphite shafts. CARBON CB IRONS The tour-style King Cobra Carbon CB irons are offered as a more forgiving counterpart to Cobra’s Forged CB set. Carbon CB irons are packaged 3-PW, with matching 2 iron and 50-degree Gap wedge available. These clubs feature a classic profile, thin topline, minimal offset, back cavity plate and soft carbon steel heads. The set is targeted at advanced players seeking the greatest amount of feel, control and workability. The irons are stocked with True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts with stiff flex. Suggested retail price is $840 per set. BAFFLER DWS The new lineup of King Cobra utility clubs has come a long way since the company introduced the original Baffler in 1975. At the time, it represented the first utility metal in the modern marketplace. DWS in the newest utilities stands for Dual Weighting System, designed by Cobra to lower the center of gravity from previous Baffler models while increasing the MOI (stability factor) for greater forgiveness, power and performance. “We’re bringing the new Baffler DWS to the market now because our engineering team has developed a line that performs even better than the previous generation,” said Harmet. “[Meanwhile,] the Baffler Pro line will allow us to reach a new segment of accomplished golfers.” The DWS clubs have a larger face geared for power and forgiveness, while a sculpted sole facilitates solid contact from a variety of lies. There are numerous lofts available to suit regular men, seniors and women’s games. For instance, regular men’s lofts are 16, 18, 20, 23, 26 and 29 degrees. Numbered 1R, 2R, 3R, 4R, 5R and 6R, respectively, the numbers are meant to help golfers discern which iron each Baffler should replace. The system also is employed, with varying lofts, for senior men and women. Suggested retail price is $150 each with Nippon steel shaft or $175 each with Aldila graphite shaft. BAFFLER PRO
Features include a straight neck design to promote a neural setup, neutral weighting system to enhance workability, longer hosel to allow for lie adjustment and a swing weight tuning screw to accommodate custom shaft orders. Standard options include a Fujikura Speeder graphite shaft or True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft. The shafts are stiff flex with low torque for the more accomplished player. A number code for the clubs also keys into corresponding iron replacement. Suggested retail price is $185 each with steel shaft, $220 with graphite. |
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