CHRIS HALEK
HANDICAP: 18

WHAT OUR TESTER SAID: I had a couple of mis-hits and didn’t register a twinge let alone a vibration and the ball still flew with a good ball flight.

MODEL & SHAFT PLAYED: King Cobra S9 irons (4-iron to gap wedge) fitted with regular Nippon NS Pro steel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I really liked the mix of steel and black insert on the topline of the club. This had the effect, visually, of narrowing the topline and presenting a club that is more streamlined than it actually is.

VERDICT: The set, as a whole, was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really liked the 4-, 5- and 6-irons. I hit these clubs really well in terms of accuracy and distance. I actually don’t carry a 4-iron in my set, having replaced it with a hybrid club. The King Cobra S9 4-iron almost has the appearance of a hybrid iron at address with the wide sole creating a deep cavity. I loved this iron and when it struck it sweetly it flew nearly as long as I would hit my 3-metal.

Likewise the 7-, 8- and 9-irons were also very easy to hit, as you might expect from an oversized club like these. The leading edge of the short irons, the pitching and gap wedge, appeared more rounded than with the rest of the clubs and, I think, this made the toe sit up more off the ground and I found hitting shots with these irons a bit more difficult.

The feeling of the S9 irons, across the board, was soft yet solid. I had a couple of mis-hits and didn’t register a twinge let alone a vibration and the ball still flew with a good ball flight.

Cosmetically, the oval-shape created between the grooves in the middle of the clubface shows you where the sweetspot is and this made it just a bit easier to set your club behind the ball at address. It is a nice touch. Overall, the S9 irons felt good and delivered exactly what they were designed to do – make it easier to hit the ball accurately and with good distance.

Facts & Figures

SUITABILITY: Designed for players who want maximum accuracy, distance and feel.
SHAFTS: Nippon N.S. Pro steel, Premium Graphite Design YS graphite.
GRIPS: Cobra/Golf Pride Tour Velvet 50D.
LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes.
HOW MUCH?: $149 each (steel shaft), $169 (graphite).
COBRA SAYS: “The only way to build a better game is with multi-material constructed irons. Introducing new for 2008, the King Cobra S9 irons.

“Our engineers have made the award-winning S9 irons even better. The expanded three-piece polymer topline and urethane sole insert optimise discretionary weighting for a lower centre of gravity (CG) and higher moment of inertia (MOI), offering higher launch, greater distance and more accuracy.

“Lightweight polymer in the topline has allowed engineers to reposition 13 grams of weight lower in the heel and toe for an extreme low and back CG – and enhanced feel.

“The urethane insert and back cavity plate also enhance the feel of the S9 irons, while helping redistribute more weight to the heel and toe for higher MOI.

“Combine all this with the club’s low profile and wide sole with a chamfer relief design – and you gain improved versatility and more forgiveness.”

For more information please purchase a copy of the February issue of Golf Australia or contact Callaway Golf on 1800 660 535 or visit www.cobragolf.com.au

Home