COBRA’s new KING wedges offer four grind options, a more precise construction process, flighted technology and softer feel to give you some outstanding options for new wedges.
The company utilized metal injection molding (MIM) construction in the new wedges to bring softer feel and more precision. COBRA found that utilizing the MIM construction rather than casting, it gave them 50 percent tighter tolerances to make the wedges perform at a more consistent level.
“Casting is inherently not the most accurate process in terms of making the golf club. It requires a lot of polishing and your tolerances generally have to be a little bit more acceptable as a wider range,” Senior Product Line Manager at COBRA, Chad DeHart, said. “Especially when it comes to wedges, we’re talking lie angles and high lofted golf clubs and we know the importance of wedge fitting. If your lie angle is off a couple degrees, you see a lot of starting lines change quite a bit.
“So, in terms of just the accuracy of building a wedge, MIMing, we’re seeing an improvement of 50 percent over typical casting.”
DeHart says that if you were to put 10 wedge heads down and looked at all the different grinds and specs, the MIM heads are going to be a lot more accurate than your typical casted wedge.
In addition to the construction process, COBRA has included a 67 percent larger speed notch in the sole. That larger notch offers help with turf interaction for enhanced spin and control and ensures a smooth glide through the turf while maintaining speed.
COBRA also utilized progressive center of gravity throughout the line that they’re calling flight window technology. The engineers strategically placed the center of gravity throughout the loft range to produce penetrating shots with maximum spin.
“The top line, we’ve thickened, which is just going to raise the center of gravity height a little bit. What it’s doing is dynamically trying to flight that golf ball in a lower flighting window that still gets you high spin, but just penetrates better,” DeHart said. “Generally, high lofted wedges, they tend to sometimes balloon and go up and we lose some distances just based on delivery and launch angle. We’re just doing everything we can to help golfers to keep a more consistent launch performance.”
The wedges will come in four different grind options that offer a different level of versatility and functionality to fit a variety of golfers.
The Drop, or D, grind does not have the traditional COBRA scallop, or notch, in the back. However, it is a traditional high bounce wedge.
“Tear drop, classic type of grind, definitely higher on the bounce spectrum,” DeHart said. “For that golfer that’s maybe a little more steep or a little bit over the top that just needs help getting that blade out of the ground quicker and faster. It’s a great option for them to try out for this type of grind.
The Widelow, or W, grind is the widest sole in the lineup, but also has one of the lower bounces in the lineup. DeHart describes it as a utility knife.
“Because of its wide sole, as we open up that blade, the effect bounce actually goes up really high. I guess your measurement in bounce in a square, driver’s seat position, is low, but if you get in softer conditions where you need some relief,” DeHart said. “That wide sole is going to benefit you by giving you that additional bounce. You’re probably going to see something closer to 16 degrees of bounce as you open up that blade, and that’s just based on the sole width and bringing that bottom point back in the sole.”
DeHart says the versatile grind, or V grind, is the workhorse of the lineup in terms of how many consumers it will fit.
“It’s a versatile grind. We do a lot of this grind on Tour,” DeHart said. “We do a nice blend of relief heel and toe. It’s exactly what it is, to be versatile around the greens, play out of a lot of different conditions.”
The company is also excited about the Tour, or T, grind that has been used on Tour with PGA players, including Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland and Justin Suh, among others.
“The better player has been looking to COBRA the last five to eight years with our player forging irons. We didn’t really have a wedge or grind in the lineup that fit that caliber of player,” DeHart said. “That’s got control of their bottom point, wants the ultimate versatility in terms of opening up the blade, whether that’s through the grass or sand. So, we’re happy that working with Tour players, we came up with this grind and we’re now excited to get it in the hands of golfers all around.”
Generally, Tour players are looking for something with low bounce and heel and toe forgiveness. The T grind has a good blend for that relief along with a softened leading edge. Despite it having low bounce, the softened leading edge gives a little more relief and helps with turf interaction.
The leading edge won’t dig, so players can get aggressive on tight lies with the T grind.
With those four grinds combined with the new design and construction process, COBRA believes the KING wedges are versatile, accurate and will give golfers the performance they’re looking for.
