The mini driver class continues to develop and COBRA’s KING TEC-MD arrives with a well-known tech package deal and one of the adjustable setups we’ve seen.
What time is it? It’s mini driver time!
What began as a distinct segment PGA Tour-driven experiment has slowly labored its method into the baggage of higher amateurs—and, more and more, into the broader client dialog. With the disclosing of the KING TEC-MD, COBRA Golf is formally coming into the mini driver house.
And, sure, they’re little late to the sport.
That mentioned, the class itself remains to be in its relative infancy. Adoption is rising, curiosity is rising, and extra choices usually profit the patron so I assume what I’m saying is, higher late than by no means.
COBRA’s tackle the mini driver (KING TEC-MD) doesn’t reinvent the idea however it does lean closely on adjustability, becoming and flexibility in ways in which ought to resonate with golfers of various capability ranges.
Professionals vs. Common Joes
Mini drivers aren’t catching on as a result of common golfers all of the sudden determined they needed smaller heads. The momentum began on Tour.
Over the previous 12 months, an rising variety of Tour gamers have experimented with mini drivers as managed tee-shot alternate options, significantly on programs the place the usual dispersion patterns produced by a full-sized driver generally is a legal responsibility. The smaller footprint, shorter shaft and added workability make the mini driver a compelling possibility when accuracy issues greater than uncooked distance.
However what works for Tour gamers doesn’t at all times translate cleanly to amateurs.
COBRA appears effectively conscious of that. Whereas Tour validation helps legitimize the class, the KING TEC-MD is clearly positioned as a membership for golfers who need extra management off the tee with out fully giving up distance. It’s aimed squarely at gamers who wrestle to maintain a 460cc driver in play however nonetheless need one thing quicker and extra forgiving than a 3-wood.
In that sense, I suppose the KING TEC-MD is predictably much like different mini driver choices.
A small-ish mini
At 303cc, the KING TEC-MD is 23cc bigger than the Titleist GT280, an almost imperceptible 2cc smaller than TaylorMade’s and PXG’s choices, however nonetheless significantly smaller than Callaway’s outsized mini driver.
Just like the others, the KING TEC-MINI sits comfortably between driver and fairway wooden territory. Pair that with a 43.75-inch shaft (nearer to fairway-wood size than fashionable driver spec) and also you get a membership that’s simpler to manage than a full-size driver.
That’s the form of efficiency attribute that interprets to almost each golfer.
The inventory loft is 13.5 levels, which reinforces the purpose. No one is anticipating max distance off the tee with a mini. The thought is to tighten dispersion whereas preserving sufficient distance to place you in good place off the tee. For golfers who routinely membership right down to a 3-wood (which knowledge suggests is not any extra correct off the tee than a driver), the enchantment of a real-world accuracy profit ought to be apparent.
Not a lot new, and that’s simply wonderful
The KING TEC-MD borrows acquainted parts from the model’s metalwood lineup and packages them in a mini-driver format.
The KING TEC-MD’s titanium physique is paired with a light-weight carbon crown that enables mass to be redistributed decrease within the head. The result’s a extra playable launch window with some forgiveness regardless of the smaller head dimension.
Ball pace comes courtesy of a PWRSHELL face insert with H.O.T. Face Know-how. By increasing the high-CT space across the middle of the face, COBRA is aiming to guard ball pace on off-center strikes.
Once more, not new, however nonetheless completely related.
CG (and by extension, trajectory) tuning is dealt with by way of two interchangeable sole weights: a 12-gram heavy weight and a two-gram gentle weight. Putting the heavier weight ahead lowers spin and promotes a extra penetrating flight whereas positioning it within the rear will increase MOI and forgiveness. In a class the place small CG shifts can have a significant affect on efficiency, that adjustability issues.
As with different COBRA metalwoods, you additionally get FutureFit33 hosel adjustability.
COBRA’s FutureFit33 hosel presents 33 unbiased loft and lie combos, permitting golfers to regulate loft and lie by as much as +/- two levels in each course. For a mini driver, the place launch, spin and directional bias must be dialed in exactly, FF33’s becoming flexibility is a professional differentiator.
A aspect be aware about FF33: Usually, COBRA finds that higher gamers have a tendency to suit into one of many extra central settings (smaller trajectory modifications) whereas common golfers (and maybe under common golfers as effectively) usually profit from the extra excessive settings.
A late, however logical, market entry
It’s truthful to marvel why COBRA waited this lengthy. Different producers have already examined the waters and validated client curiosity. From the surface, the delay feels curious—particularly for a model that’s traditionally been on the forefront of innovation.
Nonetheless, timing isn’t all the pieces.
Mini drivers aren’t a passing fad however they’re additionally not totally mainstream. The class is rising intentionally, largely amongst golfers who perceive the issue they’re making an attempt to resolve. In that context, COBRA’s entry feels much less like enjoying catch-up and extra like arriving with a totally fashioned, extremely adjustable possibility.
Between the movable weight system and the FutureFit33 hosel, there are many causes to a minimum of give this one a glance.
Backside line
COBRA could also be late to the mini driver dialog however the KING TEC-MD makes a reputable case for itself. It’s Tour-inspired with out being Tour-only, adjustable with out being gimmicky, and versatile sufficient to earn a spot in luggage the place a fairway wooden (and, in some instances, a full-sized driver) isn’t the suitable software.
For golfers who perceive the worth of management off the tee and wish becoming flexibility in a compact package deal, COBRA’s first mini driver arrives late—however totally fashioned.
Specs, pricing and availability
The COBRA KING TEC-MD encompasses a 303cc head and comes normal in 13.5 levels of loft, paired with a 43.75-inch shaft. Inventory shaft choices embrace the Mitsubishi Kai’li, with customized builds out there utilizing any 3-wood–size shaft via COBRA’s customized program.
Retail pricing is $479.
The KING TEC-MD will probably be out there for pre-sale starting Jan. 12 with in-store and full retail availability beginning Jan. 16.
For extra info, go to COBRAGolf.com.
The publish COBRA’s KING TEC Mini Driver Is Lastly Right here. Is It Price The Wait? appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
