A precision milled forged face.
That’s a significant step forward in driver design, says Jose Miraflor, Cobra Golf’s Director of Product Marketing at the launch of the company’s new King F8 driver in Florida last week.
“Everyone is looking for distance,” Miraflor says. “And you’re getting the ‘f’ word, though not the one you use on the course.”
Previously most drivers were milled by hand, a process that could lead to inconsistency, but Cobra wants to change that in both the F8, F8+ and F8 for women. By machine milling the forged face, Cobra promises more consistency across the face of the driver, an element that should lead to more distance on off-centre strikes.
In testing with golfers of various handicaps, Cobra says testing showed average gains of between eight and 12 yards.
What the pros are saying
Rickie Fowler, who was on hand at the launch alongside Bryson DeChambeau, praised the driver, which he’s just started testing.
“I like the look of it,” Fowler said. “And I like having a driver with a solid hit to it. People next to you will hear that crack like you’re hitting it with a wooden bat.”
DeChambeau, golf’s mad scientist noted for playing single length irons, praised the process of milling the face, which he felt would add consistency.
“CNC milling the head is a first of its kind,” he said. “The face looks pretty sweet, and I think it’ll be better even when you hit it off the toe or the heel.”
What you’ll notice
The circular milled area is very distinctive, and makes it easy to see mishits.
The King F8 Driver
Featuring an oversized address profile that increases MOI, this driver provides more distance, forgiveness and speed on off-center hits. An adjustable weight system offers two center of gravity settings: one in the back for a higher ball flight and one in the heel to provide additional draw bias.
The King F8+
Designed with a more traditional clubhead shape and a lower loft range, the F8+ driver utilizes the same key technologies as the F8 driver, but features lower trajectories. The F8+ is equipped with two CG settings, one in the front, for a lower ball flight, and one in the back for a higher ball flight with slightly more spin.
Ladies F8 Driver
This driver utilizes all the innovative technologies present in the men’s F8 drivers, with a carbon fiber crown and MyFly8 with Smart Pad, created for lower swing speeds to maximize launch and distance. An oversized profile at address will increase MOI providing ladies with much needed distance, forgiveness and speed on off-center hits. The driver will be available in Black/Lexi Blue and Silver/Raspberry.
Cobra Connect
Cobra is pushing the boundaries of innovation, offering the first ever smart set in golf. Both the King F8 and F8+ drivers, along with the other clubs in Cobra’s F8 family, now come equipped with COBRA CONNECT™, an arrangement with tech company Arccos that allows you to connect the club to your phone and track distance. Sensors are embedded in all Cobra F8 drivers allowing you to determine just how far the big dog flies.
