More than a year after the first prototype appeared on the PGA Tour, the Cobra has finally joined the retail driver mini-war.
Cobra is launching the King Tec Mini Driver, becoming the latest OEM to offer a club in the ever-growing category that typically serves as the second-longest club after the driver in a player’s bag.
“This mini driver can suit all golfers in the fact that, for the best players in the world, they need a product that works on the weakest fairways or fairways where they have to put it in a position and not let their driver go through a fairway or be too far,” Jose Mirafor, VP, told GOLF. “For the average golfer, it’s a lot easier to hit the tee than the fairway wood because it’s so much bigger.”
The new King Tec Mini driver has been in production for over a year and has already been used extensively at the professional level, including in the bag of 2019 US Open winner Gary Woodland, and most recently with 11-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson.
Continue reading below for more on the Cobra King Tec Mini Driver, including my take on the release.
What’s really new with the Cobra King Tec Mini Driver — and why you should care
It’s worth the wait
The first Cobra mini driver prototypes appeared on Tour nearly a year ago, when Rickie Fowler, who began using a mini driver in 2024, was spotted with a Cobra prototype called “The Duce.” Cobra Tour representative Ben Schomin told GOLF that Fowler was initially the catalyst in pushing the mini driver into development.
“We got into one almost 10 years ago, but it wasn’t something that really had traction in the market,” he said. “We’re a little late to market with it, but at that point, we were trying to assess, do our players need it? Do consumers need it?
“Obviously, it got to the point where it’s like, OK, Rickie feels that’s an important component to the game when it comes to finding more fairways.”
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Jack Hirsh/GOLF
It wasn’t long before every member of the Cobra’s Tour staff had a prototype mini driver and it found a permanent place in Gary Woodland’s bag.
But why did it take so long for Cobra to take the club to retail? One reason was Fowler’s unique preference for the startline and blending it with creating a product that would be successful on Tour and at retail.
“Because this mini-driver had months of testing, there is no difference between what is sold at retail and what is played in tournaments,” Mirafor said. “I’d love it when we have six months of tour feedback (on everything). Because then the product comes out really good.”
A club that does it all
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Cobra
One of the reasons Cobra has pursued the small driver for so long is that they believe the category is truly a unique club that benefits both elite and amateur players.
The Mini serves a purpose of being a shorter-than-driver but more forgiving club than a 3-wood for pros who are often handcuffed by shorter holes and doglegs. But it’s unique because it’s also useful for the amateur who doesn’t hit it that far.
“I always ask people, who do you sell? Who do you match? Who do you think benefits from a mini driver? And the biggest answer to that is all players,” Mirafor said.
He noted that the CG of the 303cc mini driver is closer to the shaft than that of a standard 460cc driver, which makes it easier for a higher handicap golfer to hit the fairway. It’s also easier to control because of the 43.75-inch axle.
Versatile and adjustable
At 303cc, the King Tec-MD finds what is increasingly becoming the standard size for modern mini drivers.
“I think size has as much to do with playability,” Schomin said. “We still want to be able to get off the deck, so it can’t be too big. We want it to be a good, fast, forgiving club, so we don’t want to make it too small. We just felt the 300cc range was a really good place to live.”
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Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Cobra believes their King Tec-MD has a massive advantage over all other entries in the category with their FutureFit33 tube system.
With 33 different loft and lie combinations, Schomin called the fit possibilities “dynamic.” This is especially true given the FF33 axle’s ability to run two degrees flatter, which is unique among minis on the market.
The King Tec-MD also has adjustable front and rear weights, with the stock position having 12g rear and 2g rear weights. As with most minis with fore-aft adjustment, placing heavy weight up front turns the King Tec into a low-revving monster off the top, while moving more weight to the rear improves off-deck performance.
Cobra King Tec-MD
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Jack Hirsh/GOLF
What is: A mid-sized, 303cc mini driver option, Schomin said the size allows it to be played off the tee or fairway while not looking “awkward” on a shorter shaft. The King Tec-MD also has 66 possible loft, lie and CG combinations thanks to the front-back adjustable sole weights and FF33 hose. A Titan head features Cobra’s PWRSHELL face insert with HOT Face technology to increase ball speed and increase sweet spot size.
Who is it for: Both taller players looking for a secondary option off the tee or just any player looking for a more forgiving option than a 3-wood they can get a little more out of. The 303 cc size makes this good for both players who only use a mini off the tee and players who will be using it from anywhere.
