Equipment
Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback irons and hybrids (in one-length, too)
Like its family members — the King F9 Speedback drivers and fairway woods — Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback irons and hybrids are designed to lower CG (center of gravity) and raise MOI (moment of inertia) to increase forgiveness and ball speed. The result, if everything works out, are new irons and hybrids that hit the ball higher, farther and straighter.
To accomplish this with the irons, Cobra designed the King F9 Speedback irons with a “Speedback sole,” which means a mass of steel has been added that wraps around the back of the iron to create a lower and deeper CG to increase ball speed and launch, and thus, carry distance.
Click here for more photos and discussion.
For more forgiveness, Cobra added weight to the toe and heel of the clubs; in the 4-7 irons, according to Cobra, 33 grams of Tungsten weights were added for greater stability. In all, Cobra reports a 10 percent boost in MOI in the long irons.
Additionally, the King F9 Speedback irons have a new Forged E9 “PWRSHELL” face — aka variable face thickness — to create lighter, thinner pockets in targeted areas to increase ball speeds on off-center hits, and effectively increase the “Sweet Zone,” according to Cobra. There is also an undercut sole with a 1.2mm “speed channel” to absorb energy for faster ball speeds, says Cobra. For dampened vibrations, a multi-material medallion (aluminum, TPU and Acrylic foam) sits in the cavity.
Again, like the drivers and fairway woods, the King F9 irons have CNC-milled faces that allow for improved loft control and tighter tolerances, allowing the faces to be constructed thinner and faster, according to Cobra. There are V-grooves in the long irons (4-7) and U-grooves in the short irons (8-PW) to optimize spin and trajectory; higher launch and lower spin in the long irons, lower launch and more spin in the short irons. The hosel lengths are also progressively designed in order to lower CG in the long irons, and raise CG in the short irons.
The King F9 Speedback irons are available in both variable length and one-length sets; Cobra reports that 40 percent of the F8 irons sold were one-length sets, and expects a similar split for this iteration.
For any iron purchase of 6 pieces or more, Cobra will send screw-in Arccos sensors, or Cobra Connect grips, to use on the rest of your clubs in the set (aside from the putter) to track your stats. The variable length sets (5-GW; $799 steel and $899 graphite) come stock with KBS Tour 90 and Lamkin Crossline Cobra Connect grips. Also available is a graphite combo set (5H, 6-PW, GW) for $999 with Fujikura Atmos 60-gram shafts.
One-length sets (5-PW, GW; $799 steel, $899 graphite) are progressively designed so the soles of the 4-6 irons are wider for a higher trajectory and have lighter shafts; the shafts of the 7-9 irons are mid-weight, while the short irons are heavy weight wedge shafts. The lie angles of the long irons have also been designed a bit more upright for slightly higher launches, and the wedge lies are a bit flatter for a lower trajectory.
Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback hybrids, like the King F9 Speedback fairway woods, have a new 15-gram Tungsten weight positioned low and rearward in the sole for a higher launch. The hybrids also have Baffler Rails for better turf interaction, are made with 455 Stainless Steel faces, are 10 percent larger than their F8 predecessors, and they have straighter leading edges for improved alignment, according to Cobra.
The King F9 Speedback hybrids are available in both variable length (17, 19 and 21 degrees) and one length (19, 21 and 24 degrees) options. Each come with Fujikura Atmos shafts and will sell for $219 apiece starting on January 18, 2019.
Click here for more photos and discussion.
- LIKE236
- LEGIT13
- WOW8
- LOL3
- IDHT2
- FLOP2
- OB5
- SHANK18
Whats in the Bag
Xander Schauffele WITB 2024 (May)
- Xander Schauffele what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees @10.1)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-20 (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-K @61)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Check out more in-hand photos of Xander Schauffele’s clubs in the forums.
More Xander Schauffele WITBs
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2023 (August)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (July)
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Scottish Open
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Travelers Championship
- Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele’s winning WITBs: 2022 Zurich Classic
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (January)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 (October)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 (September)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 (May)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 Masters
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020 (October)
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2020 Olympics
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2018 WGC-HSBC Champions
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2018
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2017 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2017
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Cam Smith WITB 2024 (May)
- Cam Smith what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: Ping Max G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 7 X
7-wood: Titleist TS2 (21 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Elements Proto 8F5
Irons: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (2, 3), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X Custom Series
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-08M, 60-04T)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130X (46, 52, 56, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Cam Smith’s gear here.
- LIKE8
- LEGIT3
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Patrick Reed WITB 2024 (May)
- Patrick Reed what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G400 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125 MSI 70 Tour X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125MSI 80 Tour X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist 716 TMB (2), Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (56-08M @55), SM10 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot RX Pt Customs No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
More photos of Patrick Reed’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
-
19th Hole3 days ago
Brandel Chamblee says this is the primary reason why Rory McIlroy hasn’t won a major in 10 years
-
Whats in the Bag4 days ago
Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Equipment1 week ago
Details on Justin Thomas’ driver switch at the Wells Fargo Championship
-
News1 day ago
Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
jbro
Nov 8, 2018 at 11:57 am
I wonder when the Super GI irons are going to get a version without the ridiculous offset. Yea, they’ll improve with ballstriking confidence, but will get directional control. Anyone? Please make a set of Super GI Irons without so much horrific offset.
Curt
Oct 31, 2018 at 11:42 am
Nike slingshot modified a bit.
Thomas A
Oct 31, 2018 at 9:49 am
I had the EQL irons in 1995 or thereabouts. They were hand-me-downs from my dad. They were his first clubs until he was fit into a set of King Cobra Overside irons. I actually really liked the EQL irons. The heads looked like 845’s And it was very easy to learn with, although the 8,9,P were awkward. For that reason I’ve been watching the Cobra One Length progression just in case I get the itch to try again.
Tom
Oct 30, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Tommy Armour had this one length iron concept in 1986, they called it EQL, nothing new at all!!!FYI, it failed badly!
GH
Oct 31, 2018 at 2:12 am
The technology in these irons is much more advanced than the old EQLs.
Scott
Nov 1, 2018 at 11:04 am
It is amazing how many people (maybe the same person) keep bringing up this old tired argument of some 30 year old Tommy Armour club. Give it a rest.
Hey, single length haters! Technology has changed in the past 30 years. And no, I do not play single length but I am very intrigued on something that may make the game easier.
eddie
Oct 30, 2018 at 5:18 pm
I love the awesome look of those irons and would be proud to stack them in my WITB arsenal of weapons!