Cobra King F8 Driver Review
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Cobra have introduced their latest driver, the Cobra King F8, which is the first driver to get a milled face – just like a premium putter
Cobra’s F8 Driver is the first of it’s kind to have a CNC Milled face, just like a premium putter, which is a new concept to driver technology. Virtually all premium modern drivers make claims about aerodynamic performance, ball speed retention, forgiveness, spin optimisation and adjustability. But none have previously suggested that a CNC milled face could be the key to hitting shots further and straighter.
That is until the launch of Cobra’s King F8 Driver. Cobra say the faces of virtually all premium titanium drivers are hand- ground, which makes it difficult to control the thickness between each head (tolerance).
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The idea explains why some drivers of the same model feel hotter than others. Cobra’s research suggests that by precisely CNC milling the F8’s face they’re able to produce the thinnest, hottest and most precise driver face on the planet.
Cobra reckon the tech’s so good in their F8 Driver that ball speed gains for off – centre hits can be well over 1.5mph. What’s more, because the CNC milling is so accurate, it’s possible to add more or less curvature on areas of the face to increase launch, lower spin and increase gear effect, which should help you hit the ball higher, further and more accurately.
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The King F8 machined driver face is paired with revolutionary 360o Aero TechnologyTM and is equipped with COBRA CONNECT™ Powered by Arccos, to deliver COBRA’s fastest, most precise and smartest drivers to date.
“At COBRA Golf our engineers continue to push the envelope when it comes to innovation and delivering the best in game-changing golf equipment for golfers of all levels,” said Tom Olsavsky, VP of Research & Development at COBRA Golf.
“With the addition of the first CNC Milled titanium driver face for unrivalled precision, weight savings and performance gains, combined with advanced analytics from COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos, we believe the F8 and F8+ drivers are truly a step into the future of the game.”
Watch our review of the Cobra King F8 Driver Below
Cobra King F8 Driver: You need to know
The F8s the first driver to have a 100% CNC milled face. Cobra say it allows the face to be 3% thinner and 10% lighter and improves consistency between every head produced. 360deg aero trips improve aerodynamics throughout the whole swing, two sole weights dial in a neutral or draw bias shot shape. A 5-layer carbon crown helps lower and deepen the centre of gravity for excellent forgiveness. Every F8 comes with an Arccos shot tracking sensor in the grip, allowing you to record and analyse where you hit every drive on the golf course.
Cobra King F8 Driver: We say
Cobra drivers have been amongst the most hi-tech big dogs we’ve tested since Puma took control of the company a number of years ago. But for us the reason Cobra haven’t quite smashed their way into being major players in the driver market is the brands insistence on wacky orange, blue and white paint jobs over the years. Puma say for 2018 they’ve grown up and are sticking to a single grey offering, and we reckon it’s a huge step forward. Cobra haven’t shouted nearly as loud as TaylorMade about their new 100% milled face tech but its every bit as complicated to create as Twist Face.
There’s actually 3 different radi vertically on the face, which helps optimise launch and spin for low and high face strikes. The F8 performed best for Simon with its 12g sole weight in the Draw position, posting a carry distance just 2 yards down on his longest of the test. A massive plus for us is the selection of premium shaft weights and profiles, from a light, responsive Mitsubishi Tensei 50g all the way up to a heavy Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75.
Cobra King F8 Driver: Verdict
The F8 is a fantastic driver. It looks the business, it’s powerful and forgiving, sounds great and it’s the only driver on the market that will record where you hit every drive (to help you improve), thanks to an Arccos sensor in the grip. If you’re considering a Draw driver, the F8 should be on your shortlist, sole weight and hosel adjustability means there’s 12 yards of draw bias on offer which is every bit as good as the competition.
See our Best 2018 Driver Test here
Battle of the 2018 driver faces
Cobra King F8 Driver Review: Features
➤100% CNC Milled Face: Cobra say it’s the first time a CNC milled face has been used in a driver, and thanks to the tech the F8’s face it is the thinnest, hottest and most precise they’ve ever created. The tech is so complex there’s three different angles of curve from toe to heel, as well as more/less curve higher/ lower on the face.
➤ 360° Aero Tips: Cobra have optimised aerodynamic performance from all angles. It means there’s aerodynamic trips on the crown and sole, and Cobra have specifically shaped the toe area to reduce drag. Better aerodynamics mean you get extra speed for free, with absolutely no trade-o s.
➤ Shot Bias Weighting: Positioning the 12g weight in the heel creates a draw-biased driver, helping square the face at impact and straighten out a slice. Switching the weight to the back port gets you a more neutral set-up, which generates slightly more spin and plenty of forgiveness.
➤ Ultra Light Carbon Carbon-Fibre Crown: Carbon Fire is the material of the moment when it comes to drivers and fairways. Cobra say the F8’s crown is ultra- lightweight, and it is only five layers thick. It frees up inefficient weight which can be put to better use, improving forgiveness and stability in the driver.
➤ Shot Tracking Tech (Arccos): Cobra are sure shot-tracking tech represents the game’s future, so they’re including Arccos sensors with every F8 club from driver to irons in 2018. A sensor in the grip talks to your phone app and records where you hit every drive. Cobra and Arccos say golfers who use it improve by three to five shots (on average) – this might just be the tipping point to convince players to give it a go.
➤ Simple Adjustability: While the Cobra King F7 had three sole weights, the F8 driver has just two, a 12gram and a 2gram weight, which can be changed around. When the 12gram weight is at the back you’re going to get a different ball flight and a bit of a higher spin, and with the 2gram at the back it’s going to become a slightly more draw-biased driver. There’s also an adjustable loft and a smart pad on the bottom ensures the club head will still sit pretty square when adjusted
THERE’S A Cobra King F8+ driver: The model Rickie Fowler will be using in 2018. The head’s a little more compact and there’s front and back sole weights (12g and 2g) to lower/raise launch and/or spin. Switching the weights will see a 500rpm reduction in spin.
Ladies F8 Driver (RRP £329)
The Ladies Cobra King F8 driver utilises all the innovative technologies present in the men’s F8 drivers including: CNC Milled Face, 360o Aero technology, COBRA CONNECT, two adjustable CG positions in the back and heel, Carbon Fiber Crown and MyFly8 with Smart Pad.
Loft range, created for ladies swing speed to maximise launch and distance: 11°, 11.5°, 11.5°D, 12.5°, 12.5° D, 13.5°, 13.5° D and 14°).
An oversized profile at address will increase MOI providing ladies with much needed distance, forgiveness and speed on off-center hits. The driver, which is available in Black/Lexi Blue and Silver/Raspberry, comes equipped with a COBRA Aldila NV 2KXV 50 shaft (RH/LH) and a grey or black Lamkin REL 360 CONNECT grip.
