New equipment lines begin to come out around this time and with each release, THPers are immediately looking for a catch. Something different to grab their attention, and with the new F8 lineup from Cobra they might have found it. The F8 line from Cobra Golf features F8 and F8+ Drivers, Fairways, Hybrids and Irons (Variable and ONE Length), and the entire lineup is equipped with COBRA CONNECT.
The Drivers
The new lineup brings Cobra’s first fully machined driver face. The CNC milling pattern is multi-directional and is designed to offer a level of precision not found elsewhere. What does this mean for golfers? In theory, it means a thinner face and lighter weight overall for faster ball speeds, along with an improved bulge-and-roll curve.
In both models, Cobra has what they call 360 Aero Technology which uses an innovative system of trips, strategically positioned around the perimeter of the face to reduce drag through the downswing, thus increasing speed of the club. An ultralight, 5-ply Carbon Fiber crown saves weight to reposition it low and deep (back) for higher MOI and increased forgiveness. The body is made up of 8-1-1 Titanium and the forged face spares further weight, while the brands E9 Face Technology creates more hot spots farther away from the center. What does that do for you? It should give you more distance and straighter shots as you miss laterally towards the heel or toe side of the clubhead.
There are two models here to consider, the F8 and the F8+, and both feature the COBRA CONNECT powered by Arccos. If you missed this from their previous lineup, here is a quick look at it with Mike Yagley on THP TV. Keep in mind, he is speaking of the previous drivers, which had this in the grip, but not throughout the entire bag.
The KING F8 driver has two adjustable weight settings for a center of gravity change. This will impact ball flight higher and lower as well as the spin profile a golfer will find. You will still find the loft adjustment system, this time called MyFly8 with Smart Pad, which will allow players to adjust to 8 different loft settings, as well as bring in some draw bias to help square the clubhead.
The F8 features 3 choices in shafts with the MRC Tensei CK Blue, the Aldila NV 2KXV Blue, or the Aldila NV 2KXV Green, with more options available through custom fitting.
The KING F8+ model is a more traditional shape and offers a lower loft range starting at 8 degrees. You will find the same advanced technology features found in the F8, but can expect a lower ball flight overall with the driver.
The F8+ comes equipped with three premium aftermarket shaft offerings: The Aldila NV 2KXV Blue, Aldila NV 2KXV Green or the Project X HZRDUS Yellow.
Both of the models are available in black or grey.
In Stores: 1/12/18
Cost: $399
The Irons
The new KING F8 irons feature the COBRA CONNECT system powered by Arccos, a first of its kind in the iron category.
“Our 2018 iron offering is truly ground-breaking, as it provides not only innovative technologies to achieve better performance across the board, but also the wherewithal to actually quantify just how much better, thanks to COBRA CONNECT,” said Tom Olsavsky, Head of R&D for COBRA Golf. “Our F8 line offers an innovative solution for both the players who trust their games to variable length irons and also for the growing contingent of golfers who have realized the benefits of our ONE length set up.”
There are two models headlining the 2018 lineup, the KING F8 and the KING F8 ONE Length Irons. Both pack a lot of technology into them, so let’s run through each piece and how it might impact the golfer. Both sets feature the new E9 PWRSHELL Face Technology which is 20% thinner. More importantly, the Sweet Zone construction is designed to promote faster ball speeds laterally across the face for both distance and forgiveness. Carbon Feel Technology inserts are positioned throughout, and they are designed to offer a softer feel, while still maintaining an explosive crack at impact.
The Progressive set (standard lengths), features a full hollow body design in the long irons and mid irons, which will move the center of gravity deeper and reduce spin, offering more distance overall. Once you get to the scoring irons (8-PW), a cavity back design delivers more precision and a slight uptick in spin for better holding on your approach shots. An interesting element discussed with R&D yesterday was the progressive hosel lengths throughout the set. Shorter in the longer irons, which will lower the CG for higher launch and more forgiveness, and taller in the scoring irons, which will position the weight higher and more forward in the clubhead for a different trajectory and accuracy into the greens.
Standard steel shaft in this set is the True Temper XP 90 and the 7 piece set will come in at $799.
Standard graphite shaft in this set is the Aldila Rogue Pro 65 and the 7 piece set will come in at $999.
Building upon their very popular ONE length set of irons, the company used TECFLO construction in the F8 ONE, which allowed more weight movement around the head. Looking back at the F7 ONE Length, the one area we felt as though it could have been improved was trajectory in a few of the irons. Happy to report that was improved, and dramatically so. Like the standard set above, the use of progressive hosel lengths play a large role here. This is paired with wider sole widths in the 4-6 irons to lower the CG in the long irons for higher-flying trajectories, and raise the CG in the scoring irons and wedges to promote lower, more controlled trajectories.
“Overall, I’d say the F7 ONE Length was a great surprise for us this year, surpassing all sales forecasts we had at the outset, and Bryson DeChambeau’s impressive win at the John Deere Classic this summer certainly helped generate even more interest,” said Olsavsky. “Now, as more players take note of the benefits provided by a ONE length set, we are excited to deliver the F8 line-up, with cutting-edge iron technologies that work in unison with the one length philosophy to make them even easier to hit and more consistent than before. And even better, with COBRA CONNECT, golfers don’t have to just take our word for it. They can clearly see just how much they’ve improved based on real data points. The numbers don’t lie.”
Standard steel shaft in the ONE Length set is a new True Temper ONE Flighted shaft and the cost is $799.
Standard graphite shaft is the Aldila ONE Rogue 65 and the cost is $899.
Complementing the irons, COBRA is introducing the first ONE LENGTH Hybrid. The KING F8 ONE LENGTH Hybrid features revised weighting and CG, an upright lie angle, and increased head weight to match the ONE Length irons.
Hybrids and Fairway Woods
The Baffler Dual Rail System continues on the new KING F8 fairway woods. The new lineup features a tighter spaced design of the rails, with the center of gravity falling between the two “ski like” rails. What this results in is a higher amount of retained speed of the clubhead when you make impact with the grass, regardless of conditions. They feature different heights based on the club loft which will continue to provide better turf interaction regardless of swing type. Therefore, regardless of swing type (steep or shallow angle of attack), the club will work as designed.
The above mentioned 360 Aero Technology trips, are positioned around the perimeter of the face and are designed to work the same way here as they did on the drivers we spoke about earlier. Keeping up with the speed conversation, for the first time Cobra has gone with the ultralight 5-ply Carbon Fiber crown in their fairway woods. Speaking with Mike Yagley earlier this year about weight, you can see in the video below he explained why there was a movement towards composite materials.
While this is about driver crowns, the same school of thought exists
Standard shaft in the KING F8 fairway wood is the Aldila NV 2KXV Blue.
Cost: $249
Moving towards the KING F8+ fairway woods, you will see all of the same technology packed into the club, but in a more compact size that is desired by some golfers. Additionally, the F8+ features a CG placement that is front positioned leading to a lower ball flight and a reduction of spin.
MyFly8 Technology is available on both models allowing multiple lofts available in each club to dial in distance gaps for individual needs.
3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 are available in the KING F8 and 3-4 and 5-6 are available in the F8+.
Like the F8 fairways, the taller and tighter-spaced rails on the F8 and F8 ONE hybrids provide more leading edge bounce, to help the club stay lower to the ground for more consistent launch from a variety of lies. The clubs feature the same Aero trips mentioned earlier, and are designed for more speed. A sleeker clubhead design overall features a shorter and skinnier hosel for an extremely low center of gravity. Combine that with a fixed weight positioned low and back and the club provides a high ball flight with relatively low spin.
Previously mentioned as being the first of its kind, F8 ONE LENGTH hybrid falls right in line with the ONE Length iron set for the ultimate in consistency.
Standard shaft in both models is the Aldila Rogue Pro or Rogue Pro ONE, and both models will be in stores 1/12/18.
Cost: $199
Here is a photo gallery to scroll through providing tons of pictures from Cobra Golf on the different products discussed above. As always, there are THP Forum threads on each piece of equipment mentioned here as of right now. In hand pictures will be in there over the next few days as well as feedback from THPers that have already had a chance to test the products Jump on over to the THP Forum here.
Very cool the COBRA CONNECT is added to the iron sets. One length hybrid to blend into the iron set will be interesting to hear more about.
It’s good to see Cobra continuing the ONE length irons. The whole lineup looks great and the addition of the connect sensors is a nice touch.
Wow, some phenomenal looking gear coming out from Cobra – well done by them….very much so.
The milled face on the driver has me intrigued for sure – also the first one length hybrid could be a game changer. Excited for Cobra Connect throughout the entire bag. I really dig the color scheme, interesting that they’ve taken orange out of it.
Awesome review. I have the F7 Single Length. I hate that companies put out new clubs so fast, but I understand. I love them, but will have to see how these look and feel.
Nice write up Josh! All this information and no clubs to play with until January. Line up looks very interesting. Looking forward to giving these a try.
I’m not sure if the milled face on the driver will do anything or not, but I do know the driver shape and color scheme is worth putting in the bag. I’m just over 2 years on my current driver so it’s about time to start looking at what’s out there.
Solid initial preview of the new line from cobra. That driver and the Milled face is really intriguing. Adding Cobra Connect to the irons is also pretty cool for those golfers that want the data on every shot.
Informative Review! Looks like Cobra has some real tech in their 2018 line. Look forward to “In-Hands” thoughts.
Man interest is on overdrive with the clubs. I love the rail system in my hybrid so getting new fairways with it would be awesome. Also the cobra connect in irons is top notch!
Really interested in the one length hybrid will have to try one those out
That is a great review.
The clubs have an impressive array of technological advances.
Great comprehensive review of the entire Cobra lineup!
I think this is the only company that has me excited about an entire set of clubs!
Very good looking line-up from Cobra. Thank you for the information!
The Price is Right! At least compared to other OEM’s for the same types of clubs. Interesting direction they are going and they seem to be trying to pave their way into doing some new things that could change the industry. Great write up and summary JB!
Great writeup, especially with so much product coming at once. What’s next, one length fairway woods and (dare I say) drivers?
Cobra is on fire. The wood/hybrid offerings are particularly impressive. I’m interested in seeing how the milled face performs and if it provides any help in keeping shots from going too far offline.
Love that Cobra is putting the Connect system in their irons. Lots of tech in each line and I am wanting to give the F8 and + a whirl soon.
Glad to see Cobra continue with the OL line. That has been such a game changer for me.
Really love the concept of the one length iron. Just concerned how that will affect distance and distance gaps between clubs.