When Cobra introduced the single length iron concept last year with the King F7 irons I reviewed the King Forged One Length irons and the re-introduction of this approach to golf really appealed to me.
The King Forged ONE Length irons remain in the line, but the King F7 ONE has been replaced by the King F8 ONE Length which features several key changes as the single length theory evolves.
The blue grip and red and blue graphics on the back of the head distinguish it from the variable length model, but the concept of the three head styles is the same.
As I covered in the Cobra King F8 irons review, the 4 to 7 irons use a hollow head with a faster PWRShell face to increase ball speeds and a lower CG to launch it higher with less spin and gain about 6 yards carry.
The shorter 8-PW heads are cavity backs that have the same carbon medallion in the rear as the longer irons to improve the sound.
The Gap, Sand and Lob wedge revert to a more blade style head with a small cavity filled with that carbon again and feature a sole that has heel, toe and trailing edge relief for more versatility.
However it is not so much about the heads as the set up of the shafts with the King F8 One Length set and one of the key findings they have had over the first year of this approach is that the long irons went a little low and the short irons a little high.
Therefore to counteract this, the F8 One long irons have a wider sole to lower the CG and increase the launch and also a more upright lie.
Whilst the shaft length is still the same as before at 37.5 inches the lies vary through the set, with the 4 and 5 iron at 1° more upright than the standard 7-iron set up. At the other end of the scale, the PW is 0.5° flatter and the loftier version 1° flatter to change the flight.
The longer irons were certainly easier to hit, but you will still need a mid to high swing speed to get the most of it. However to help here, Cobra has also introduced a King F8 ONE Length hybrid which you have to try so read the review here.
This will give you the extra launch if you need it and has a range of lofts to replace the 4 and 5 ONE irons.
The blue golf pride grips are the same thicker diameter as before and now come with a built-in Arccos sensor for free, plus additional ones for the rest of your set.
Pair these with the free Cobra Connect app on your smartphone and you will be able to track your performance and learn from your mistakes.
Distance gapping is the thing I was asked about the most in the last year when I said I had tried the One Length irons and with the King F8 ONE set, I was getting a more consistent gap between the irons in the set than I was with the standard model.
Whilst the head design might be changing, the shaft length and weight was not, so that was probably the difference and it also gave the ONE Length set a better flow as you went through it than the variable length F8.
As with anything new, it can take a few goes to get it perfect and Cobra has listened and improved the playability of the King F8 ONE Length and I hope this works for them as I am a fan of this approach.
It is simple and easy to understand for those new to the game and like I said last time, it will be a slow burner so hopefully it will take light this time.
Of the two King F8 iron sets I would go for the ONE Length as I think it felt a little better and with both of them being the same price, it is going to make that decision easier for you to make.