Back in late 2015, Cobra Golf launched the new KING Forged TEC irons, combining the distance and forgiveness most golfers’ crave in a sleek package. Today they are unveiling the KING Forged TEC Black irons in both variable and ONE length sets. The previous set was very well received, but early feedback on the new version show off a bit more than a cosmetic change.
Like all 2018 Cobra KING equipment introductions, the KING Forged TEC Black will feature COBRA CONNECT. The system, powered by Arccos, provides a level of analytics that can help gain insight into your own game. The set if fully integrated together and connects with your smartphone to provide all of the statistics you would ever want, along with GPS distances to over 40,000 courses.
“Better players are going to love the combination of soft feel, tour-level precision and maximum playability that the KING Forged TEC Black irons provide,” said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President of R&D for COBRA Golf. “With some incredible new innovations, these irons will allow golfers to get dialed-in for more greens-in-regulation and better scoring, while maintaining their sleek look round-after-round.”
The Irons
There are some similarities in looks to the previous iteration, but don’t let that fool you. Both the KING Forged TEC Black and KING Forged TEC Black ONE Length irons feature an all-new Forged 4140 Stainless Steel face that is thinner by design, to offer increased ball speed across the entire face. The cavity, which Cobra calls Technology Enhanced Cavity (TEC) shows off a carbon fiber insert that adds to a soft feel and muted sound at impact.
The darker finish is called DBM, or Dimonized Black Metal, and it is being called the most durable black finish ever made available. We got a chance to speak to Jose Miraflor about DBM on their new KING Black wedges here.
The new KING Forged TEC Black irons have Tungsten weights that are placed on the heel and toe of the club head. The goal here is to lower and center CG (center of gravity) to add a level of precision, while offering improved forgiveness.
The ONE length version of this set is new this year and like the KING F8 ONE Length offering, Cobra has manipulated the design of each iron to match the weight and length of a 7 iron. Progressive Tungsten sole weight in the mid and long irons, as well as adjustments made to lie angles are all just parts of the transformation to be able to offer this in the ONE length configuration.
The new irons come standard with a true after market AMT Tour White shaft from True Temper, which has been finished in black to complete the overall package. Progressive weighting in the shafts will help promote higher launch in the long irons with more speed and they get heavier as you move to the scoring irons where precision is a must. The graphite option is also available with the UST Mamiya Recoil 760 ES SmacWrap, which has been getting rave reviews from THP Forum members.
The Details
Cost: $1,099 for 5-GW
In Stores: April 6, 2018
Dexterity: RH or LH
Grips: Lamkin ACE Crossline with Cobra Connect
The Utility
In the image above, you can see the Utility iron, along with the wedges (discussed in the video) and the irons. Available in both traditional or ONE Length varities, the KING Utility Black Iron features a full hollow body construction with what Cobra calls a PWRSHELL Face that uses a forged 455 high-strength steel insert that is designed to get consistent ball speed and launch across the entire face. A multi-material construction that is hollow body by design utilizes a tungsten toe weight and unsupported face that brings the center of gravity down for more launch and distance.
The KING Utility Black Iron is availble in 3u, which has a loft range of 18-21 or 4u, which ranges from 21-24 and comes equipped with a UST Mamiya Recoil 780 ES SmacWrap shaft. Steel is available through custom ordering if preferred. The ONE Length version is also available in 5u, with a loft range of 24-27.
The Details
Cost: $219
In Stores: April 6, 2018
Dexterity: RH
Grips: Lamkin ACE Crossline with Cobra Connect
Looking for a chance to pick these up at a discount price? THP has a Budget Golf coupon on the right side of this page and you will find the new lineup on the store when they become available in April.
Let us know your thoughts on the new lineup in the comments below, or join us for the conversation on the THP Forum here.
The look of these clubs is ‘money’. If the tech is as good as they say, they have a winner!!
The DBM finish is very intriguing. As someone who loves the black finish on clubs, I’m a big fan of the idea that the clubs will stay black for much longer than most do. This line looks like another impressive addition to the Cobra lineup.
Beautiful irons and the added new tech is bonus.
GREAT write-up!
I want these! The DBM finish is money! The thinner face for ball speeds is what I want- the AMT white with black finish is #murderedout
The utility iron in 21-24 would be money
Cannot wait to try these!
These with the Smac wrap shafts look fantastic.
Man what a great looking club. The fact that the black doesn’t wear like most black finishes is huge and a big selling point. I can’t wait to see these in person someday.
My goodness do these clubs look stunning. I like that Cobra is offering the Forged Tec in both standard and one length configurations. And that they are carrying the utility iron in black as well. Looking forward to seeing them in person and giving them a try.
Love the look of these. The tech sounds great, and if they are forgiving, they just might be the answer I’m looking for.
These look so darn good and sound as though Cobra has engineered them to perfrom as well, if not better, than they look. I’m sure they will be in plenty of bags, hopefully including mine, at the Morgan Cup!
Black irons that stay black? Amazing, really looking forward to seeing these irons, hopefully at the Morgan Cup!!
These clubs look so good. The finish that is done in a way to maintain itself over time is awesome. If I didn’t have my irons in my bag, these would be at the top of the list.
Wow, it’s nice to see Cobra has added the KING Utility to the One Length lineup for 2018. With the One Length F8 hybrids and One Length KING Utility players are going to have a lot of options to get the ball flight they are looking for in the longer clubs while still staying with the One Length concept.
Oh my yes…murdered out is a look I prefer and the Utility Iron options would be killer at the bottom end of the bag. Then to match the same at the top…glorious!
Not only a great looking finish that’s durable but all the tec too!
I love the look of these irons! Didn’t realize at first that the utility irons have adjustable hosels! I’m curious to compare them with hybrids & see which works better for me. Great job, Cobra!
Between the looks and the tech that are backed into these babies they definitely should fall on everyone’s short list of iron/wedges to try in 2018. WOW!
So the key to DBM is to start with carbon steel, whatever the proprietary elements the finish product is stunning. Will be excited to see these in store in early March to give them a go.
I’m so pumped for these!
These look absolutely awesome. I can see myself getting the wedges and would love to try and get the irons. This is the set to have for 2018!
These clubs look awesome. I’m going for a fitting this week and they will have to convince me not to choose these as my clubs for the Morgan Cup. These wedges are definitely going in my bag.
simply stunning. the original TECs are really great looking irons too, but these are on another level. cobra’s 2018 lineup is murdered out and i love it!
I am ordering these this week. I hit them at a demo day and hit them well. I thought was it me or the club? So the demo day had moved to another course in my town the following day. So I went again and hit them with the same setup. I had the same results. I was hitting 20 yards farther than my present clubs. It felt effortless with good feel. Also the black finish is awesome looking in person. I work part time at the club where I did the final demo. So I am getting a smoking deal. I am getting the one length iron set with the F8 driver for $1199. I can’t wait until there are here.
I have a set of these that I love. SF i95cw regular flex.
They look great, feel wonderful. I wish Cobra had continued this line, or at least done the newer FT’s in DBM.
The DBM finish has held up pretty well through 3+ years of desert golf, sandy ranges and lots of practice.
As a side, the GW is on of The best set wedges I’ve ever had.