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.

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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.

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