Review: Cobra Darkspeed irons

Cobra Darkspeed irons review

Game improvement irons are big business for equipment brands and the Cobra Darkspeed range is a solid option if you want help with distance and forgiveness.

The First Look

The first thing you’re likely to notice with these irons is their colour. A stunning grey finish makes these irons stand out and I’m certainly a fan of them.

In the bag, these look like game improvement clubs in the sense that they’re fairly large, but when you get them behind the ball, they’re actually very nice to look at.

There’s clearly plenty technology in these clubs, but it doesn’t make them offensive to look at for better players. Looks wise, these are a winner.

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The Cobra Darkspeed irons are designed for unparalleled distance. (Credit: Cobra)

The Cobra Darkspeed irons feature a hollow body construction for enhanced feel. (Credit: Cobra)

Cobra Darkspeed irons come with a one-length option. (Credit: Cobra)

The Tech

The new Darkspeed irons feature optimised performance through the set, a progressive TECFLO construction that transitions from a full hollow design with PWR-BRIDGE and PWRSHELL in the 4-7 irons, to a full hollow body with no face insert in the 8-PW, to a half hollow design in the GW-SW.

The PWR-BRIDGE weight in the new Darkspeed irons is suspended on a small singular post, allowing it to be almost completely free floating within. This 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 and 21% larger PWRSHELL H.O.T. Face insert that deliver faster ball speeds. The L-Cup face is designed using A.I for a faster and more efficient clubface with the H.O.T Face insert delivering a variable face thickness, delivering more forgiveness.

“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. This truly is one of the best feeling irons we have ever created.”, said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President, Club R&D, Cobra Golf.

The bunkered Verdict

You can watch our review of the Cobra Darkspeed range in the player below, or on the bunkered YouTube channel!

As game improvement irons go for 2024, these will be some of the most popular. The looks are striking, which is a big factor in a pretty crowded market.

Also, the option of a one-length set is going to appeal to plenty of players. Cobra are really keen to get these in player’s hands, and numbers certainly show they work.

Although these are game improvement clubs, they actually feature weaker lofts than previous Cobra iron models, to give you more stopping power on the greens. Personally I’m a fan of that, as a lot of game improvement clubs are no good for players who want to stop the ball on the green.

Behind the ball, they inspire confidence, but I’ve definitely had larger irons in my hands. All the technology that’s packed in these doesn’t make them difficult to look at.

Particularly on mishits, these are easy to get up in the air. Strikes that are low on the face are still launching with decent trajectory, which is what it’s all about.

If you’re a high handicapper looking for clubs that will go miles but still have stopping power, these are a great option.

The Details

RRP: £849 (set of seven, steel shafts); £949 (set of seven, graphite shafts)
On sale: January 19

The Cobra Darkspeed range

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