The mini driver category continues to grow and COBRA’s KING TEC-MD comes with a popular technology package and one of the most adjustable setups we’ve seen.
what time is it It’s time for mini driver!
What began as a niche experiment run by the PGA Tour has slowly made its way into the purses of top amateurs—and, increasingly, into the broader consumer conversation. With the unveiling of the KING TEC-MD, COBRA Golf is officially entering the mini driver space.
And, yes, they are a little late to the game.
That said, the category itself is still in its relative infancy. Adoption is increasing, curiosity is increasing, and more options generally benefit the consumer, so I guess what I’m saying is, better late than never.
COBRA’s take on the mini driver (KING TEC-MD) doesn’t reinvent the concept, but leans heavily on adjustability, fit and versatility in ways that should resonate with golfers of varying skill levels.
Pros vs. Average Joes
Mini drivers aren’t catching on because mainstream players suddenly decided they wanted smaller heads. The momentum started at the Tour.
Over the past year, a growing number of Tour players have experimented with mini drivers as controlled alternatives, especially on courses where the standard dispersion patterns produced by a full-size driver can be a liability. The smaller footprint, shorter axle and increased maneuverability make the mini driver a compelling option when accuracy is more important than raw distance.
But what works for Tour players doesn’t always translate clearly to amateurs.
COBRA seems to know this well. While tournament certification helps legitimize the category, the KING TEC-MD is clearly positioned as a club for golfers who want more control off the tee without completely giving up distance. It’s aimed squarely at players who struggle to keep a 460cc driver in the game but still want something faster and more forgiving than a 3-wood.
In that sense, I suppose the KING TEC-MD is predictably similar to other mini driver offerings.
A small mini
At 303cc, the KING TEC-MD is 23cc larger than the Titleist GT280, an almost imperceptible 2cc smaller than TaylorMade and PXG’s offerings, but still significantly smaller than Callaway’s oversized mini driver.
Like the others, the KING TEC-MINI sits comfortably between the driver’s log territory and the freeway. Combine that with a 43.75-inch shaft (closer to straight wood length than modern driver specifications) and you get a club that’s easier to control than a full-size driver.
This is the type of performance attribute that translates to almost any golfer.
The stock loft is 13.5 degrees, which reinforces the point. Nobody expects maximum distance off the tee with a mini. The idea is to tighten the dispersion while maintaining enough distance to put you in good position from the tip. For golfers who routinely pile into a 3-wood (which data suggests is no more accurate off the tip than a driver), the appeal of the real-world accuracy benefit should be obvious.
Not very new, and that’s very good
KING TEC-MD borrows familiar elements from the brand’s metalwood lineup and packs them into a mini-driver format.
The titanium body of the KING TEC-MD is paired with a lightweight carbon crown that allows mass to be redistributed lower in the head. The result is a more playable launch window with some forgiveness despite the smaller head size.
Ball speed comes thanks to a PWRSHELL face insert with HOT Face technology. By expanding the high-CT area around the center of the face, COBRA aims to protect ball speed on off-center shots.
Again, not new, but still totally relevant.
CG tuning (and by extension, trajectory) is handled via two interchangeable sole weights: a heavy 12 gram weight and a light two gram weight. Placing the heavier weight forward reduces spin and promotes a more penetrating flight while positioning it in the rear increases MOI and forgiveness. In a category where small CG shifts can have a significant impact on performance, this adaptability matters.
As with other COBRA metal woods, you also get FutureFit33 hose adjustment.
COBRA’s FutureFit33 zone offers 33 independent loft and lie combinations, allowing players to adjust loft and lie up to +/- two degrees in any direction. For a mini driver, where launch, spin and steering bias must be dialed in precisely, the FF33’s flexibility of fit is a legitimate differentiator.
A side note about FF33: In general, COBRA finds that the best players tend to fit in one of the more central settings (smaller trajectory changes) while average players (and maybe even below average players) often benefit from the more extreme settings.
A late, but logical, entry into the market
It’s fair to wonder why COBRA waited so long. Other manufacturers have already tested the waters and proven consumer interest. From the outside, the delay seems curious – especially for a brand that has historically been at the forefront of innovation.
However, timing is not everything.
Mini drivers aren’t a fad, but they’re also not completely mainstream. The category is growing intentionally, primarily among golfers who understand the problem they are trying to solve. In this context, the introduction of COBRA feels less like playing catch-up and more like arriving with a fully formed and highly adjustable option.
Between the removable weight system and the FutureFit33 hose, there are plenty of reasons to at least check this one out.
end
COBRA may be late to the mini driver conversation, but the KING TEC-MD makes a credible case for itself. It’s Tour-inspired without being Tour-only, adjustable without being gimmicky, and versatile enough to earn a spot in bags where a fairway wood (and, in some cases, a full-size driver) isn’t the right tool.
For golfers who understand the value of out-of-the-box control and want convenient flexibility in a compact package, COBRA’s first mini-driver arrives late—but fully formed.
Specifications, price and availability
The COBRA KING TEC-MD features a 303cc head and comes standard at 13.5 degrees of loft, paired with a 43.75-inch axle. Stock shaft offerings include the Mitsubishi Kai’li, with custom builds available using any 3-wood length shaft through COBRA’s custom program.
Retail price is $479.
The KING TEC-MD will be available for pre-sale starting January 12th with in-store and full retail availability starting January 16th.
For more information, visit COBRAGolf.com.
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