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How It Works: Cobra’s F9 Speedback irons feature complex bouquet of design elements

February 2, 2019

“Multi-piece cavity medallion” might sound as if it’d be tasty paired with a nice Sancerre, but it’s actually a key component in producing the beautiful feel of the new F9 Speedback irons from Cobra. As with a fine meal, the ingredients of modern irons must complement each other and those who swing them.

Though made with mid- and high-handicappers in mind, F9 Speedbacks are also lightning in the hands of the folks who play for big money on Sundays. It’s easy to see why: A flexible, thin face, a low CG location and perimeter weighting combine to produce beaucoup distance, high launch and more forgiveness than we sinners of the sod deserve.

Check out the components of the F9 Speedback’s design below — including that cavity medallion — to better understand what victory tastes like.

FORGED E9 PWRSHELL FACE

Variable thickness insert lighter than before; 1.8mm pockets expand sweetspot. Deep undercut sole, speed channel increase launch angle.

SPEEDBACK SOLE

Steel belt wraps around the back of the iron for a lower and deeper CG, yet the contact area of the sole remains relatively thin.

TUNGSTEN WEIGHTS

33g of tungsten in the heel and toe areas (4-7 irons) improves MOI and stability. A higher MOI provides added forgiveness on mishits, increases ball speed and distance.

An illustration showing off the technology within the Cobra F9 Speedback irons.
An illustration showing off the technology within the Cobra F9 Speedback irons.

PROGRESSIVE HOSEL LENGTHS

Shorter hosels in long irons = lower CG, higher launch. Progressively longer hosels in shorter irons = control, lower flight.

CO-MOLDED MEDALLION

A combination of aluminum, soft thermoplastic polyurethane, and acrylic foam provides enhanced and tuned vibration dampening for improved feel.

CNC MILLED FACE AND PROGRESSIVE GROOVES

V-grooves in the 4-7 irons reduce spin for distance, U-grooves in 8-PW produce more spin. Tightly spaced grooves on GW, SW create optimal shot-stopping spin.

COBRA CONNECT

A sensor in the grip can be used with the Arccos Caddie app to track stats, get advice on club selection and targets, and a number of other useful tools.