Written By: Tony Covey
Cobra’s compelling new KING lineup is about more than just metalwoods. As with nearly product lineup, Cobra’s Return of the King features a selection of new irons.
The most technology driven of the new offerings is the King Forged TEC. The TEC stands for Technology Enhanced Cavity.
Construction
The Forged TEC is a multi-material, multi-piece forging. It features a forged 10-25 steel body paired with a forged J15 SS face. The cavity is backed by a TPU and carbon fiber insert. Like last seasons FLY-Z Pro irons, the King Forged TEC has tungsten toe weights which shift the CG to the true center of the clubface.
Where Forged TEC Fits
Forged TEC is Cobra’s offering in the forged cavity back space, and more specifically what I submit is the growing forged cavity/distance-centric category.
If you’re looking for a handicap range, it’s mid to high single digits to mid teens, depending on launch characteristics and personal preferences.
The competitive set includes TaylorMade’s RSi2, Titliet’s AP2, Callaway’s Apex, and Mizuno’s JPX-850 Forged.
Hands-On
The Forged Tec is designed to be an easy to hit, and forgiving forged offering. Given that characterization it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the topline is thick and blade lengths are a bit longer than what some may prefer.
It’s far from bulky, but it’s far from streamlined either. It’s appropriate for where it’s positioned in the market.
I found the Forged TEC to be easy to hit and should appeal to those that may find it difficult to get some of the competing irons airborne.
The multi-material construction makes for a feel that’s a bit different than what I’d expect from a forged iron. It’s not buttery soft like Cobra’s CB/MB offering, nor is it overly clicky. Frankly, I struggle to define it…it’s just different.
Specifications
The specs are largely inline with the rest of the industry within this category.
Noteworthy is the KBS C-Taper Lite shaft as the stock offering. My personal feeling is that manufacturers often go too light and too high launch in this space, which eliminates a good bit of what is, on paper anyway, the target audience. The CT Lite should help to balance the launch characteristics of the head, and make for an overall more playable iron.
Of course, if the C-Taper Lite isn’t your speed, you can always order custom.
Retail price for the King Forged TEC is $1099.
Have Your Say
Cobra hasn’t been particularly strong in the iron category in recent years. Will the King Forged TEC make you rethink Cobra irons?
Dustin Thomas
7 years ago
Got a full bag fitting at clerk b Champion day and they put me in the the Cobra Akins forged etc irons. For me, they were hands down better than anything else. Michael at Club Champion told me that I would not b live the numbr of folks had come in and these irons were the b st they hit. He picked several heads for me including the Cobras which were the best of the group according to the Trackman numbers. He told me he didn’t want me to wonder about any others and had me pick out 4-5 other irons that I wanted to try. I hit them all, Titltlist, Taylormade, Ping, Srixon and even PXG. None stood up to the TEC irons for me. I would have never even thought about Cobras if he had not had me hit one. In fact he told me that he certainly did not see this coming with the TEC irons and the attack an numbers they are seeing. Just thought I would offer my experience with these clubs an I can’t wait to get my new set of them. I am 53 and around a 12 handicap.