Cobra's latest family of metal woods, the King F9 Speedback Drivers and Fairways, feature optimised aerodynamics and a low centre-of-gravity to deliver groundbreaking distance and speed.
Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver
Cobra say that Speedback technology, the successful combination of a highly aerodynamic clubhead shape with low CG, is a game-changing advancement in the way a driver is engineered.
Tom Olsavsky, Vice President of R&D at Cobra golf explains:
This year, Cobra engineers have taken aerodynamic performance to the next level. We believe we’ve found the ultimate formula for speed as true aerodynamic innovation and low CG has never been combined this successfully. Our Speedback Technology blends a more efficient aerodynamic shape with a lower, deeper CG, and our thinnest, hottest CNC Milled Face design to deliver unparalleled speed, distance and precision in our F9 Metalwoods.
The deep low CG is achieved with an engineered weight structure on the sole and the increased speed from the aerodynamic head ensures an efficient transfer of energy to the ball via the CNC Precision Milled Face.
This technology, first featured in the Cobra King F8 driver, ensures the thinnest and hottest face, with Cobra engineers achieving more precise face thickness and tighter tolerances compared to the manual hand polishing method used on traditional drivers. As a result there is an improvement in bulge-and-roll curvatures and a face that is 3% thinner and 10% lighter. In addition, Cobra's E9 Speed Tuned Technology optimises the bottom roll curvatures on the face of each driver to tune launch and spin for different swing speeds and attack angles.
The striking Speedback shape was achieved by raising the perimeter skirt, aft and crown, and rounding the leading edges to reduce drag and improve speed and stability, resulting in Cobra calling the King F9 a truly "Aeroficient" driver.
The ultralight carbon wrap crown design wraps around the lightweight 8-1-1 Titanium body and face, delivering a 12% larger carbon fibre area, which saves 10g of weight compared to a titanium crown driver. Cobra's 360 Aero Technology utilises lightweight polymer crown trips and titanium sole trips positioned relative to the direction of airflow around the clubhead, further helping to reduce drag. Strategically placed PWR Ridges are designed to enhance aerodynamics and add rigidity to the carbon crown structure creating more energy return and more power to the ball to maximise speed and distance.
The King F9 Speedback driver features an adjustable weight system (with interchangeable 14g and 2g weights) that can be used to move the CG forward and the now familiar MyFly8 Smart Pad gives golfers the choice of 8 loft settings to fine tune trajectory and launch.
Cobra King F9 Speedback Fairway
The King F9 Speedback is the first fairway to feature a CNC Precision Milled Face, which in testing Cobra say delivers up to 2.5mph increased ball speed, compared to traditional hand polished fairway faces.
Speedback Technology in the fairway utilises a low, back fixed 15g tungsten weight and re-engineered Baffler rails to move the CG low and deep , and improve turf interaction, to deliver more club and ball speed at impact and to promote high, towering ball flights with maximum forgiveness.
Progressive Bafflef Rail Heights are designed shallower in the lower lofted fairways and steeper in the higher lofted fairways to account for varying attack angles.
The 360 Aero polymer crown and titanium sole trips positioned relative to the direction of airflow around the clubhead, further help to reduce drag and increase club speed whilst the ultralight carbon fibre crown saves discretionary weight high in the head to move the CG lower for increased forgiveness.
The King F9 Speedback fairways also feature MyFly8 with Smartrail technology to give golfers the options of 8 loft settings. A Tour version of the fairway is also available bringing all he Speedback advantages in a more compact shape. This model features a forward CG position leading to a more penetrating ball flight with reduced spin for more control or workability.
Both the King F9 Speedback drivers and fairways feature Cobra Connect powered by Arccos, that helps players of all skill levels make smarter, data-driven decisions. Electronically embedded sensors in the grip automatically record the distance and accuracy of every shot so golfers can track their improvements round-to-round.