With the release of COBRA KING wedges, it may seem like something is missing.
As part of a more cohesive approach to the wedge category, COBRA has removed it THE CASHMI SNAKE the name. Instead, everything is under the umbrella of KING. The aim is to simplify, be more consistent with its brand and hopefully minimize confusion in the market.
For anything to matter, wedges must perform, and performance starts with technology. With that in mind, COBRA has made improvements to the new KING line that it hopes will make it a serious retail contender.
Fully MIM construction
Before SNAKEBITE formationCOBRA provided the MIM wedge. What’s different this time is that COBRA uses 8620 instead of stainless steel. Ultimately, I’m not convinced golfers care about the base material, but what may matter to some is that using 8620 allowed COBRA to expand its finishing options.
A quick MIM refresher
If you’re not familiar with MIM (metal injection molding), unlike most common golf club manufacturing methods, it starts with metal powder – in this case 8620. The metal powder is mixed with a binder until pellets are formed.
Pellets are heated and injected into a mold. What comes out is a “green part” that is 25 percent larger than the finished head. The green part is heated to a high temperature, which causes the connector to sweat. Metal particles bond together. The finished heads are then painted, milled and, finally, robotically polished.
The advantage of the MIM process is that it gives a more accurate product. Tolerances for weight, loft, lie and other key specifications are 50 percent tighter than with casting.
The MIM process also creates a smoother grain structure than casting and a feel that COBRA says rivals have forged models.
Flight window technology
In truth, Flight Window technology is not so much an innovation as COBRA catching up with the industry at large. It’s just a slightly more exciting way of saying that KING wedges feature progressive centers of gravity which simply means that as the loft increases, the center of gravity moves higher in the clubhead.
The idea is that shots hit with hollow wedges fly like your irons, while shots hit with higher pitch wedges produce flatter progressive trajectories with more spin.
To achieve the desired trajectories, COBRA redesigned its upper lines to be 22 percent thicker. Perhaps of interest to someone, unlike many of its competitors, COBRA raised its CG while maintaining constant hose length in all lofts.
Progressive grooves
This is not new, but it is worth noting: the geometry of the COBRA groove varies based on the loft. Again, this is common across the industry. The finer point is that lower pitch wedges provide narrower grooves while higher pitch wedges (56-60 degrees) get wider grooves.
The effect is that lower pitch wedges fly more like irons where maximizing spin isn’t necessarily a priority while the wider grooves on higher pitch wedges work to channel debris and create more spin on shots. partial.
Speed ​​redesigned
The cut has been a distinctive feature of COBRA wedges dating back to Phil Rogers and the original Trusty Rusty. There has been some discussion over the years about getting rid of it, but the company believes it offers a performance benefit.
As part of the KING Wedge package, COBRA has significantly increased its size Speed ​​level. The new design is 67 percent larger than that SNAKE SNAKE and the peaks at the edges are smoother. Not least, the new design reflects the custom work that COBRA Tour representative Ben Schomin has done for the COBRA Tour staff.
COBRA says removing more material from the opening helps create additional speed through the terrain and allows the leading edge to sit closer to the ground.
It’s also part of how COBRA was able to free up mass to place higher at the top of the club.
Expanded Grinding Offers
COBRA’s competitive offerings have been more limited than most and while it still has a way to go to catch up with the market leaders, with KING wedges, it is giving players more options than before.
FALL (D) Brawl: COBRA’s D wedge is notable for being the only KING wedge without a notch. It features a mid-width heel, high bounce (12 degrees) and minimal rear end relief.
It’s a recipe that should work well in medium to soft conditions and for players with steeper attack angles.
The COBRA D-braid is available in 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees.
WIDE (W) Grind: As in the nose as the grind gets its name from, the W grind features a wide heel, with a low bounce (eight degrees). W is ideal for soft bunkers and generally softer conditions. Despite the low bounce (four to seven degrees depending on the loft), it should be forgiving through the terrain. It is suitable for players with neutral to steep attack angles.
The W blade is available in 56, 58 and 60 degrees.
ALL ASH (V) Grind: The V grind carries over from past COBRA lineups and should prove to be a comfortable middle-of-the-road offering that will work for many golfers.
Offers heel and toe relief, which provides versatility for those who want to open the club face. It should work well in medium to hard conditions and for players with neutral to shallow attack angles.
COBRA’s most popular grind, the V is available in any loft from 48 to 60 degrees.
TOUR (T) Brawl: If you’ve read the MyGolfSpy wedge stories, you know what a T grind is, and COBRA hasn’t skimmed the formula.
For its take on the T, COBRA worked with Rickie Fowler to create a grind that provides aggressive relief in the heel, toe and trailing edge of the Speed ​​Notch.
As with other T-grinds, COBRA’s offer enhanced versatility at the cost of forgiveness. With that in mind, it’s best suited for medium to firm conditions, tight lies and golfers with shallow, accurate deliveries.
The COBRA KING T blade is available in 58 and 60 degrees.
Good news, bad news
The good news is that COBRA has significantly expanded its line of flagship wedges. The bad news is that if you’re left-handed, you’re still limited to V-grind.
Other details
Cobra KING Wedges are offered in three finishes: Satin, Black QPQ, and Raw (which isn’t really a finish).
The stock spinner is a Dynamic Gold Spinner Tournament Issue. The stock hood is a Lamkin Crossline.
Retail price is $169 for Satin and Black. Raw wedges will retail for $189.
Availability starts March 7th.
KING X Wedges
As COBRA has done in the past, it will once again supplement its core line with a larger game upgrade option.
Like the main KING line, the KING X wedges are fully MIM’d. The hollow-back design features a cut-out cavity that frees up 20 grams of mass that COBRA repositioned to the perimeter to increase forgiveness.
The cavity is filled with a TPU insert to soften the feel.
KING X takes a one-size-fits-all approach in that it has a single grind on all lofts. You get a wide heel with a heel, toe and midfoot pad.
Unlike non-X wedges, there are no levels.
Who are KING X Wedges for?
It’s probably not lost on you that typical wedges are essentially higher end players’ irons. While this is fine for many, some game-improvement players prefer wedges that look and play more like their irons. This means that some golfers want larger, more forgiving wedges.
KING X fits that description without going so far as to seem too big or silly.
If you’re a frequent pile of wedges, this is definitely one to consider.
Specifications, availability, price
COBRA KING X wedges are available in 48 to 60 degrees. All lofts are available left-handed, although the gap wedge options (48-42) are custom only.
The stock steel shaft is a Vector Dynamic Gold 90. The graphite option is a KBS PGI 75. The stock grip is Lamkin Crossline.
Retail price is $169 steel and $179 graphite.
Availability starts March 7th.
For more information, visit Cobragolf.com.
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