With the release of COBRA KING wedges, it might feel like something is missing.
As part of a more cohesive approach to the wedge category, COBRA has dropped the SNAKEBITE name. Instead, everything is under the KING umbrella. The goal is to simplify, be more consistent with its branding and hopefully minimize confusion in the marketplace.
For any of that to matter, the wedges have to perform and performance starts with technology. With that in mind, COBRA has made improvements to the new KING lineup which it hopes will make it a serious retail competitor.
Fully MIM construction
Before the SNAKEBITE lineup, COBRA offered MIM wedges. What’s different this time is that COBRA uses 8620 instead of stainless steel. Ultimately, I’m not convinced golfers care about the underlying material but what might matter to some is that using 8620 allowed COBRA to expand its finish options.
A quick MIM refresher
If you’re not familiar with MIM (metal injection molding), unlike more common methods of producing golf clubs, it starts with metal powder – in this case 8620. The metal powder is mixed with a binder until pellets are formed.
The pellets are heated and injected into a mold. What comes out is a “green part” that’s 25 percent larger than the finished head. The green part is heated at high temperature which causes the binder to sweat out. The metal particles bind together. The finished heads are then plated, milled and, finally, robotically polished.
The advantage of the MIM process is that it yields a more precise product. Tolerances for weight, loft, lie and other key specs 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 forged models.
Flight Window technology
In truth, Flight Window technology isn’t 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 loft increases, the center of gravity moves higher in the clubhead.
The idea is that shots hit with gap wedges fly like your irons while shots hit with higher-lofted wedges produce progressively flatter trajectories with more spin.
To achieve the desired trajectories, COBRA redesigned its toplines to be 22 percent thicker. Perhaps of interest to somebody, unlike many of its competitors, COBRA raised its CG while maintaining constant hosel lengths across all lofts.
Progressive grooves
This isn’t new, but it’s worth mentioning: COBRA’s groove geometry varies based on loft. Again, this is common across the industry. The finer point is that lower-lofted wedges offer narrower grooves while higher-lofted wedges (56-60 degrees) get wider grooves.
The effect is that lower-lofted wedges fly more like irons where maximizing spin isn’t necessarily a priority while the wider grooves in higher-lofted wedges work to channel debris and create more spin on partial shots.
Redesigned Speed Notch
The notch has been a signature feature of COBRA wedges dating back to Phil Rogers and the original Trusty Rusty. There’s 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 the size of its Speed Notch. The new design is 67 percent larger than in SNAKEBITE and the peaks at the edges are smoother. To no small extent, the new design mirrors the custom work that COBRA Tour rep Ben Schomin has done for COBRA’s Tour staff.
COBRA says removing more material from the notch helps create additional speed through the turf and allows the leading edge to sit closer to the turf.
It’s also part of how COBRA was able to free up mass to place higher in the clubhead.
Expanded grind offerings
COBRA’s grind 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’s giving golfers more options than before.
DROP (D) Grind: COBRA’s D grind stands out for being the one KING wedge without a notch. It features a medium-width sole, high (12 degrees) bounce and minimal trailing-edge relief.
It’s a recipe that should work well in medium to soft conditions and for golfers with steeper attack angles.
COBRA’s D grind is available in 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees.
WIDELOW (W) Grind: As on the nose as a grind name gets, the W grind features a wide, low-bounce (eight degrees) sole. The W is ideal for soft bunkers and generally softer conditions. Despite the low bounce (four to seven degrees depending on loft), it should prove forgiving through the turf. It’s well-suited for golfers with neutral to steep attack angles.
The W grind is available in 56, 58 and 60 degrees.
VERSATILE (V) Grind: The V grind carries over from past COBRA wedge lineups and should prove to be a comfortable middle-of-the-road offering that will work for a lot of golfers.
It offers heel and toe relief which provides versatility for those who like to open the clubface. It should work well in medium to firm conditions and for golfers with neutral to shallow attack angles.
COBRA’s most popular grind, the V is available in every loft from 48 to 60 degrees.
TOUR (T) Grind: If you’ve read MyGolfSpy’s wedges stories, you know what a T grind is and COBRA hasn’t drifted for the formula.
For its take on T, COBRA worked with Rickie Fowler to create a grind that offers aggressive relief in heel, toe and trailing edge into the Speed Notch.
As with other T grinds, COBRA’s offers enhanced versatility at the expensive of forgiveness. With that in mind, it’s best suited for medium to firm conditions, tight lies and golfers with shallow and precise deliveries.
The COBRA KING T grind is available in 58 and 60 degrees.
Good news, bad news
The good news is that COBRA has significantly expanded its flagship wedge lineup. The bad news is that if you’re left-handed, you’re still limited to the V grind only.
The other details
COBRA KING Wedges are available in three finishes: Satin, Black QPQ, and Raw (which isn’t really a finish).
The stock shaft is a Dynamic Gold Spinner Tour Issue. The stock grip is a Lamkin Crossline.
Retail price is $169 for Satin and Black. Raw wedges will retail for $189.
Availability begins March 7.
KING X Wedges
As COBRA has done in the past, it will again complement its flagship lineup with a larger game-improvement option.
Like the main KING line, KING X wedges are full MIM’d. The cavity-back design features an undercut cavity that frees up 20 grams of mass that COBRA reallocated to the perimeter to enhance forgiveness.
The cavity is filled with a TPU insert to soften feel.
The KING X takes a one-size-fits-all approach in that there’s a single grind across all lofts. You get a wide sole with some heel, toe and mid-sole relief.
Unlike non-X wedges, there’s no notch.
Who are KING X Wedges for?
It’s probably not lost on you that typical wedges are basically higher-lofted players irons. While that’s fine for many, some game-improvement players prefer wedges that look and play more like their irons. That is to say that some golfers want bigger, more forgiving wedges.
The KING X fits that description without going so far as to look way oversized or goofy.
If you’re a frequent chunker of wedges, this is definitely one to consider.
Specs, availability, pricing
COBRA KING X wedges are available in 48 to 60 degrees. All lofts are available in left-handed although gap wedge options (48-42) are custom order only.
The stock steel shaft is a Dynamic Gold Vector 90. The graphite option is a KBS PGI 75. The stock grip is Lamkin Crossline.
Retail price is $169 steel and $179 graphite.
Availability begins March 7.
For more information, visit Cobragolf.com.
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