Last year when Cobra introduced the KING F9 SpeedBack irons, first impressions were very polarizing. As more golfers had a chance to try these distance and forgiveness monsters, they became one of the most searched for irons on the THP Forum over the course of this year. Today, there is a new introduction and it builds upon that success with some interesting technology. The KING SPEEDZONE Irons are coming in both Variable and One Length options.
As if the shaping didn’t make the irons stand out, Cobra is bringing what we believe is the first ever carbon fiber topline to irons. More on that below as we take a deep dive into the technology that makes KING SPEEDZONE irons unique.
Two Carbon Fiber stripes are in place on the topline creating what Cobra calls a new I-Beam type of construction. This construction design allows for weight savings and more structural soundness as the material used is 40% lighter than steel. In all, 3+ grams of weight was saved, which was then repositioned low in the 4-7 irons. This will help with launch more than anything, and help make the long irons perform better for the majority of golfers.
Stability and Power were not sacrificed here, and if anything, have become more of a focal point. PWRSHELL Technology is back and refined, which the company says continues to offer increased speed and launch even with the stronger lofted irons. The new forged PWRSHELL face in the SPEEDZONE iron has an updated E9 structure which lowers the center of gravity with a deeper undercut speed channel. If you have not caught on yet, speed is a big part of this story.
“When designing irons, there is a delicate balance of delivering playability, feel and distance, and the SPEEDZONE Irons in both traditional and ONE length make-ups provide all three attributes in spades,” said Tom Olsavsky, VP of R&D for COBRA PUMA Golf. “Our innovative SPEEDZONE technology has allowed us to maximize distance without giving up any feel or forgiveness.”
As mentioned above, SPEEDZONE comes in Variable Length and ONE Length setups. Cobra has put together a myriad of different set makeups to create something for everybody in the market for new clubs. On the variable length side, irons are available stock in 5H, 6-GW Combo Set (graphite – $899), 5-GW (steel – $799) or 4-PW ($799) set makeups. Each option comes standard with a KBS Tour 90 shaft in stiff or regular flex and a Lamkin Crossline Connect Black grip. The graphite option is the UST Mamiya Recoil ESX 460, and it is available in stiff, regular and senior flexes.
Switching to the ONE Length options, irons are also available stock in a 5H, 6-GW Combo Set (steel – $899), and 5-GW (steel – $799) set makeup. The ONE Length offering comes standard with a KBS Tour 80 (4-6i), KBS Tour 90 (7-9i) and KBS Wedge (PW, SW) shaft in stiff or regular flex and a Lamkin Crossline Connect Blue grip. The graphite stock offering is a UST Recoil ESX 460 (4-9i) and a UST Recoil ESX 480 (PW, SW) in stiff, regular and senior flex.
COBRA CONNECT is back and continues to be one of the best value adds in all of golf. Powered by Arccos, each club has a sensor embedded right into the grip, which automatically records distance and accuracy of every shot taken.
The Details
In Stores: January 17th, 2020
Cost: See Above (based on package)
Shafts: See Above
Awesome write-up Josh.
These are fantastic. I gamed the F9 line last year and they were definitely some distance monsters. The Carbon Fiber is interesting to me, especially in regards to Launch.
Updating the PWRShell face is HUGE, it was sooo good. For them to improve it is crazy, lowering the CG and making it faster is fantastic. Looking forward to hitting these.
I’m curious about the marketing photo at the bottom that says distance for variable length and control and accuracy for the OL.
I also like the different shafts in the OL offerings.
Was wondering how jacked the lofts are on these? They definitely look like a high handicap iron. I like the concept and I think the one lengths would be fun to play.
I’ve played a F9 4-iron setup as a driving iron for this past season and it has been incredible. I have seen 3-wood distance off the tee with it and it is incredibly forgiving. I cannot wait to try the SpeedZone irons.. Next year will get expensive!!
Interesting offering. That sole design seems intriguing but the cavity is awfully busy from and aesthetic standpoint. It’s tough to judge without an in-hand look but, personally, I hope that the package is more on the compact side. Not sure how I’d feel about these if they were too large. The carbon fiber top is interesting but I wonder if it would be distracting? I’m no tech guru but three grams doesn’t seem like much weight being redistributed. Isn’t that the same weigh as all the screws in the new Lynx irons. IIRC, more than one poster deemed that little amount of weight was almost negligible, no?
Hideous
The change from the Atmos shafts to the Recoils as the stock graphite option is a big deal in my opinion. I think people are going to enjoy the performance of the Recoil shafts in these clubs. I’m not sure there is a better GI iron out there right now.