Most amateur players likely would benefit from a game-improvement iron that delivers more distance and more forgiveness on mis-hit shots. That’s the type of iron Cobra set out to make with the new Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length.
The new irons feature an all-new hollow body construction filled with feel enhancing foam, as well as re-engineered PWR-BRIDGE™ and PWRSHELL technologies to create COBRA’s longest, best feeling game improvement iron to date.
Taking cues from metalwood designs, a new hollow body construction creates a thinner and more responsive clubhead structure that unlocks up to 25% more face flection for faster ball speeds and longer distance. To achieve enhanced sound and feel, the hollow body of the new Darkspeed irons is injected with foam microspheres, which expand to fill the internal cavity.
Once injected the foam supports the PWR-BRIDGE weight while also providing vibration-dampening properties for a soft feel and pleasing sound. For optimised performance through the set, the Darkspeed irons feature a progressive TECFLO construction that transitions from a full hollow design with PWR-BRIDGE and PWRSHELL in the 4-7 irons, to full hollow body with no face insert in the 8-PW, to a half hollow design in the GW-SW.
“When we think about distance irons, Cobra has always been a leader in the category. We have upped the ante with Darkspeed for out of this world speed, with even better feel,” said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President, Club R&D, COBRA Golf. “This truly is one of the best feeling irons we have ever created.”
The innovative PWR-BRIDGE weight in the new Darkspeed irons is suspended on a small singular post, allowing it to be almost completely free floating within the hollow clubhead. This performance enhancing design positions the CG low for optimal launch while creating an improved face and sole that helps increase ball speed and launch.
In addition, the DARKSPEED irons feature a thinner (1.6mm) and 21% larger PWRSHELL H.O.T. Face (Highly Optimised Topology) insert that takes ball speed to the next level. An L-Cup construction also boasts a new and improved H.O.T. Face pattern, designed using A.I., for a faster and more efficient clubface. H.O.T. Face was designed to produce the optimal variable thickness pattern for a larger sweet spot and improved speed on both centre and off-centre hits.
The new Darkspeed Irons are available in both Variable and ONE Length options, allowing players to choose between a traditional setup or a ONE Length configuration. The Darkspeed Variable Length irons are available in a 4-PW set composition (RH Steel Stiff and Reg ) or 5-GW (RH/LH; Steel Stiff ), as well as a graphite set composing of 5-GW (RH/LH; Graphite Reg and Lite). Each steel option comes standard with premium aftermarket KBS Tour Lite 105g shafts (reg & stiff) and Lamkin Crossline grips. The stock graphite offering is an aftermarket KBS® PGI (85 – Stiff flex; 75 – Regular flex; 65 – Lite flex, 55 in Ladies flex).
COBRA Darkspeed ONE Length irons offer the same distance enhancing technologies as the variable length irons as well as added consistency and accuracy due to the ONE Length setup. Each iron is built to 7-iron length (37.25”) to encourage a repeatable setup and swing.
To ensure that the long irons perform optimally at a shorter length, the ONE Length Darkspeed irons feature wider soles and slightly weaker lofts in the 4-6 irons to promote higher trajectory shots. The Darkspeed ONE Length irons are available in custom only across steel and graphite, (RH Reg – 5-GW, graphite Stiff, Lite and LH. RH Stiff & Reg ). Each steel option comes standard with premium aftermarket KBS Tour Lite 105g shafts (reg & stiff) and Lamkin Crossline grips. The stock graphite offering is an aftermarket KBS PGI (85 – Stiff flex; 75 – Regular flex; 65 – Lite flex).
The Darkspeed family of products will be available at retail on January 19th, 2024. For more information, visit www.cobragolf.com/en-uk
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