Equipment
Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback irons and hybrids (in one-length, too)
Like its family members — the King F9 Speedback drivers and fairway woods — Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback irons and hybrids are designed to lower CG (center of gravity) and raise MOI (moment of inertia) to increase forgiveness and ball speed. The result, if everything works out, are new irons and hybrids that hit the ball higher, farther and straighter.
To accomplish this with the irons, Cobra designed the King F9 Speedback irons with a “Speedback sole,” which means a mass of steel has been added that wraps around the back of the iron to create a lower and deeper CG to increase ball speed and launch, and thus, carry distance.
Click here for more photos and discussion.
For more forgiveness, Cobra added weight to the toe and heel of the clubs; in the 4-7 irons, according to Cobra, 33 grams of Tungsten weights were added for greater stability. In all, Cobra reports a 10 percent boost in MOI in the long irons.
Additionally, the King F9 Speedback irons have a new Forged E9 “PWRSHELL” face — aka variable face thickness — to create lighter, thinner pockets in targeted areas to increase ball speeds on off-center hits, and effectively increase the “Sweet Zone,” according to Cobra. There is also an undercut sole with a 1.2mm “speed channel” to absorb energy for faster ball speeds, says Cobra. For dampened vibrations, a multi-material medallion (aluminum, TPU and Acrylic foam) sits in the cavity.
Again, like the drivers and fairway woods, the King F9 irons have CNC-milled faces that allow for improved loft control and tighter tolerances, allowing the faces to be constructed thinner and faster, according to Cobra. There are V-grooves in the long irons (4-7) and U-grooves in the short irons (8-PW) to optimize spin and trajectory; higher launch and lower spin in the long irons, lower launch and more spin in the short irons. The hosel lengths are also progressively designed in order to lower CG in the long irons, and raise CG in the short irons.
The King F9 Speedback irons are available in both variable length and one-length sets; Cobra reports that 40 percent of the F8 irons sold were one-length sets, and expects a similar split for this iteration.
For any iron purchase of 6 pieces or more, Cobra will send screw-in Arccos sensors, or Cobra Connect grips, to use on the rest of your clubs in the set (aside from the putter) to track your stats. The variable length sets (5-GW; $799 steel and $899 graphite) come stock with KBS Tour 90 and Lamkin Crossline Cobra Connect grips. Also available is a graphite combo set (5H, 6-PW, GW) for $999 with Fujikura Atmos 60-gram shafts.
One-length sets (5-PW, GW; $799 steel, $899 graphite) are progressively designed so the soles of the 4-6 irons are wider for a higher trajectory and have lighter shafts; the shafts of the 7-9 irons are mid-weight, while the short irons are heavy weight wedge shafts. The lie angles of the long irons have also been designed a bit more upright for slightly higher launches, and the wedge lies are a bit flatter for a lower trajectory.
Cobra’s new King F9 Speedback hybrids, like the King F9 Speedback fairway woods, have a new 15-gram Tungsten weight positioned low and rearward in the sole for a higher launch. The hybrids also have Baffler Rails for better turf interaction, are made with 455 Stainless Steel faces, are 10 percent larger than their F8 predecessors, and they have straighter leading edges for improved alignment, according to Cobra.
The King F9 Speedback hybrids are available in both variable length (17, 19 and 21 degrees) and one length (19, 21 and 24 degrees) options. Each come with Fujikura Atmos shafts and will sell for $219 apiece starting on January 18, 2019.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
jbro
Nov 8, 2018 at 11:57 am
I wonder when the Super GI irons are going to get a version without the ridiculous offset. Yea, they’ll improve with ballstriking confidence, but will get directional control. Anyone? Please make a set of Super GI Irons without so much horrific offset.
Curt
Oct 31, 2018 at 11:42 am
Nike slingshot modified a bit.
Thomas A
Oct 31, 2018 at 9:49 am
I had the EQL irons in 1995 or thereabouts. They were hand-me-downs from my dad. They were his first clubs until he was fit into a set of King Cobra Overside irons. I actually really liked the EQL irons. The heads looked like 845’s And it was very easy to learn with, although the 8,9,P were awkward. For that reason I’ve been watching the Cobra One Length progression just in case I get the itch to try again.
Tom
Oct 30, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Tommy Armour had this one length iron concept in 1986, they called it EQL, nothing new at all!!!FYI, it failed badly!
GH
Oct 31, 2018 at 2:12 am
The technology in these irons is much more advanced than the old EQLs.
Scott
Nov 1, 2018 at 11:04 am
It is amazing how many people (maybe the same person) keep bringing up this old tired argument of some 30 year old Tommy Armour club. Give it a rest.
Hey, single length haters! Technology has changed in the past 30 years. And no, I do not play single length but I am very intrigued on something that may make the game easier.
eddie
Oct 30, 2018 at 5:18 pm
I love the awesome look of those irons and would be proud to stack them in my WITB arsenal of weapons!