Has Cobra Golf gotten your attention yet? Cobra RADSPEED Irons should.
You would be hard pressed to find a company that is pushing boundaries as hard as Cobra is, and not only that, but literally creating new ones with never before seen processes and design applications in golf.
Well, fresh off the heels of releasing a fully 3D printed putter, THP rundown can be read here, they are bringing that application and much more to their game improvement iron release this year. If you have been paying attention, then you know that the feedback from THP’ers as well as golfers everywhere on the last two entries from Cobra in the F9 and SpeedZone irons has been nothing short of superlative. So how to you follow that up? You get RAD.
Cobra RADSPEED Irons
Yes, RAD. No, they didn’t take radical and create some lame attempt at being fun or some such shenanigans. In 2021, the RAD in RADSPEED stands for Radial, as in radial weighting and Cobra’s deeper knowledge of weight placement and what it can do in terms of performance and forgiveness in the segment which golfers put it to the test the absolute most.
The SpeedZone irons were one of the fastest and most playable iron sets on the market last season, but Cobra believed they could do better, not just in performance via the weight placement, but also how the placement could allow them to improve the shape and profile. The shape has changed from the SZ’s, most notably Cobra is touting a rounded trailing edge with a better radius and blending which makes for a cleaner, faster, and more slim appearance which should make the RADSPEED more interesting to a wider range of golfers. The soles definitely look thinner based on what we have seen, but there are four other aspects which must be delved into as well.
First, the Carbon Fiber topline introduced in the SZ irons is returning. Yes, it was a departure compared to, well, every other iron on the market. With that, some struggled to acclimate to it visually, but the performance benefits were real with the weight savings it offered without sacrificing stability. This year, they have moved to a black carbon fiber which Cobra believes give the irons topline a thinner look overall. Thinner soles and thinner looking topline should definitely gain the irons more eye appeal.
The initial performance aspect with the RADSPEED irons is PWRSHELL. I have been on record for years stating that Cobra does not get the credit that they should for PWRSHELL. This is in my opinion the engine of Cobra irons, and it is a powerful one. The design consists of their E9 variable face thickness and L-cup forged face which now feature a deeper flange on their internal speed channel for more flex, which means more speed.
Radial Weighting is the biggest part of the story here, as it should be since it is the root of the RADSPEED name. As mentioned, Cobra did a ton of research into how and where the weight placement in the iron can make them more playable. What they found is by placing the weight in the extreme heel and toe, the furthest points from the center of gravity (CG), they could then optimize speed, forgiveness, and directional control. Thus, Cobra has added 3g of weight to the heel and 10g to the toe of each iron in the set. The heel weight is set internally, but in the toe, Cobra is using a screw. These two weights combined help put the CG precisely behind the hitting zone and add stability and forgiveness on misses. A very cool aspect to the toe weight is that it is adjustable from 4g to 16g for more precise fitting adjustments.
Finally, 3D Printing has come to a major golf manufacturers main club releases. While we learned all about the Cobra partnership with HP in the Supersport 35 putter release, this is taking it to a wider level. No, the whole club isn’t 3D printed, but the medallion in the cavity is. This is one of the first applications of a 3D printed polymer in golf, and through a complex lattice structure Cobra claims to have saved 3-6 grams which was redistributed while maintaining all of the fine tuning and stability of the old methods. While at a glance some my roll their eyes at 3-6 grams but rest assured, that is a ton when it comes to golf design and has a true impact on what Cobra was able to do with CG placement in the RADSPEED irons.
The RADSPEED irons come standard in an all chrome finish similar to that of the SpeedZone and F9 irons before them, but in a move that will perk up some ears a black PVD version which features a chrome sole to decrease wear will also be offered via custom orders for a $100.00 upcharge. The stock pairings will be KBS Tour 90 in steel and the UST Mamiya Recoil 460ESX in graphite, paired with the Lamkin Crossline Connect which of course is powered by Cobra Connect and Arccos.
Specs on the Cobra RADSPEED irons are below:
But wait! There’s more! YES, there is a One Length RADSPEED option coming as well, which you would absolutely expect and demand from the leader in One Length golf irons. The OL version features slightly wider soles and a lower CG in the long irons than the standard RADSPEED irons in order to optimize the launch/flight differentiation through the set. Additionally, lofts are a bit weaker in the 4, 5, and 6 irons. The stock shaft pairings here are KBS Tour 80/90/120 in steel and UST Mamiya Recoil 460/480 ESX in graphite, also with Lamkin Crossline Connect grips.
Specs for the Cobra RADSPEED One irons are below:
What are your thoughts on what Cobra is bringing to the table with its new RADPSEED irons? Do you plan on hitting them? Jump into the conversation below and let us know!
The Details
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Price: 5-GW (RH/LH; Steel – $899) or 4-PW (RH; $899), 5H, 6-GW (RH; $999)
Options: RADSPEED and RADSPEED One
You really thinking about trying OL? Lets say you got into the Morgan Cup, would you strongly consider it?
Highly considering it. I think it would be tons of fun with potential to help my game. If I got in to the MC I would 100% go one length.
Same, on both accounts. I think it would be fun, informative, and good for my game.
Would be such a perfect opportunity to give it a try.
I’m very likely to use my ticket on the Morgan Cup. If I decide RadSpeed is best for my game I don’t see why I wouldn’t try to go OL as well. Black OL 4-GW sounds like a great setup.
That sounds awesome. Great idea and will be a perfect setup. That would be exciting to follow. I will live vicariously through you @hedley_lamarr08 ?
With the extra distance will you be removing a club at the top end and adding a wedge or just controlling that distance with your swing?
I’ve only got one club, so no adjustments to be made
As far as if I were to go OL in these, I’d go weaker lofts.
Very seriously considering going OL for my next iron set. These look cool
I’ll admit, my ONLY slight hiccup is a personal one and it’s me not being used to looking down at really any offset. I’m most curious about how I would adjust long term.
I’m the same way with offset. It’s a mental thing but I have to think to aim the face whenever I perceive too much offset. With little offset like my Z965/765s, I’m not conscious of having to aim the face. One more thing, or even just one thing going through my brain can be a very bad thing.
I’m happy to see that you’re likely to use your ticket for the MC. I was selected last year but circumstances dictated that I could not attend. Still, I went through the club selection process and received a set of Cobra clubs. Your plan as far as selection looks solid. Hit all the Cobra offerings that you can. I’ll be interested in following along with your selection process as far as OL consideration is involved.
thanks! I’m as excited as I can be. I’ve been working hard on my game through the winter months to try and make the most of it. I’ll consider OL but it’s going to be so hard to walk away without King Tours. I’m still waiting on details and a few other event details. I told work last week that if I didn’t get the time off I wanted I would turn in my notice and go to work at the other hospital just down the road when I return ?
While I love the black finish, this would really trigger my OCD and I probably would have to get new irons much quicker then normal.
To be fair this is my 8i which is representative of the other irons in my set after a full season (about 45 rounds). The pic I posted earlier is of my 7i which I happen to use the 7i at the range the most. it was holding up fine until a session at a range that had real sandy soil. That did is in. I wasn’t careful to wipe each ball and the face before I hit.
View attachment 8988323
That’s a significant difference.
Sandy conditions is the death of black PVD irons. It even scuffed the DBM which is significantly more durable.
I kept saying the OL version actually felt better off the face than the regular version so @Jman reshafted a 7i for me yesterday. Hope to take a few swings today and see but not certain these are for me
Is it the feel or the numbers you’re seeing that you don’t care for? Also, which shaft did you get put in the 7i?
Numbers are great and it’s not that I don’t care for them it’s more that they not my typical iron shape and as much as I’m trying to not think about it sometimes it’s hard not to if that makes sense. I think they feel and sound great on well struck shots much like most irons haha.
He took out the stock KBS Tour 90 and put in a DG 105
I love the feel of the Speedzone on well struck shots, but others, even if it feels like a hit a good one, but just missed, leave something to be desired. I imagine this is similar. And honestly, I have no issue hitting a larger shaped iron off the tee, but when I have to hit from the fairway, I just don’t feel as confident, if that makes sense.
Love the crazy talk. I think you’ll have to hit them. At least you have a baseline and experience to begin the fitting process. The Speedzones are very good irons. I can only imagine that the Radspeeds would be the same.
I understand that entirely.
When I first started in golf, last summer, of the clubs that were gifted to me I could tell the putter was never going to work. (Not that I didn’t try.) I fell in lust with the SeeMore Si3 @KEV got. But $250, and I didn’t even know if I’d like golf, yet. So I saved a buck or two and went with a straight center shaft Si5. Eventually I came to the conclusion that had been a mistake for me. I rolled it ok, but I could never fall in love with that straight center shaft.
So, yeah: I get it. What you’re looking at when you’re looking down at club and ball does make a difference. You’ve got to like what you see. That’s why I rejected the Callaway Mavrik Max irons. Fondled one at my LGS. Took one look at that top line and thought "Nope."
KING RADSPEED ONE Length Irons Custom
http://www.cobragolf.com
ponder engaged.
hmm, $-tapers not in stock.
So, that leaves me on the fence between the Recoil 460 ESX (stock graphite shafts) or Recoil 760 ES Smacwrap… any suggestions?
Not sure I can help between those two, but I know a lot of THPers liked the 760 Recoil. I play the OL in Recoil 95s and like them a lot.
thats what people say.
I have played both shafts, have hit both shafts this week and to me there is no comparison in the feel dept. I may never play steel again ?
Tour 90
PX IO
Recoil 110
Nippon ns pro (or modus)
Or maybe the $taper lite. (Reg $taper out of stock)
?
The USTM online shaft finder recommended the 780 Smacwrap shafts so that’s what I went with.
Got a decent amount for my Rogues on trade, too.
Cobragolf.com Online Orders
Phone: (800) 917-3300, option 2
Email: customerservice@cobragolf.com
edit: I ordered my set from the cobra site directly (I’m left-handed) I will say I did not have the option for the Black PVD finish.
Edit: building them now, +15 for graphite, and an additional 42 for aerotech. Still only 186/ club…
Its a glitch on the site. If you go to the next drop down box and click shaft it shows what the cost is per iron.
The Recoil 460, 780 and Catalyst are no upcharge options. Recoil 95 is $15 upcharge and any of the Steelfibers or MMT are $42
Now that the RAD’s are on Cobra’s site I see nothing about the black option on there.