FIELDREPORT Onthe Y
ears ago, before the ruling bodies got a hold of the COR – or trampoline effect – of drivers’ clubfaces, and about the time
when manufacturers had begun to produce larger clubheads as a result of the advent of lighter metals, I had what I believed to be the ‘daddy’ of all drivers – the Cobra SS370. Coupled with an Aldila stiff shaſt the thing went miles – and I mean miles, it was freakishly long and straight! Unfortunately, for me and many other golfers,
the powers that be then decided that head, specifically ‘face’ technology, had gone too far and made a COR reading of above a certain point illegal. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this decision, especially what has happened to head technology and interchangeable loſts and shaſts since, it signalled the end of my relationship with Cobra golf clubs – until now. Enter the Cobra Fly-Z+. I have kept in touch
with Cobra’s offerings over the years and have tried many, but have never been particularly happy with either the look, feel or sound, feeling they had lost something. The Fly-Z+ has changed all that, to the point it is now in my bag! I first tried it on a GC2 simulator and it immediately gave me an increase of 18 yards over my current driver. Everything was better- launch angle, spin rate and ball speed. Of course I was intrigued to find out if this was transferred onto the course.
Range This month Richard Punyer reviews Cobra’s Fly-Z + Firstly, a little ‘tech’ on the club- it looks
gorgeous. Head size is slightly under the maximum at 455, with a deep face which slopes aesthetically away to the back of the club with the obvious thought to the importance of aerodynamics prevalent in the modern generation of drivers. It comes in a variety of brighter colours, but being a traditionalist I went for black. The Cobra logo is a good line up marker on the
top of the face, and thanks to Cobra’s ‘Myfly’ system, you can choose loſts from 8.5 degrees to 11.5 with a draw option at 9, 10 and 11. Coupled with this is their biggest development to date – the ‘Flipzone Weighting’ technology. A weight which slides from just behind the face to the back of the club gives two distinctly different ball flights and spin numbers. Set forward, it gives a harder feel off the face, with 400rpm less spin, and a more penetrating ball flight. This also results in more run. Set back, it gives back the 400rpm spin and also gives a soſter feel with a much higher flight and less run on landing. A ‘speed channel’ runs around the perimeter of the face to aid ball speed and add forgiveness on off-centre hits. The stock shaſt available is very good, being the Matrix VLCT ST, available in X, S and R, the X being 70g and the S and R coming in 65g. As I mentioned previously, the increase in
distance was for me very noticeable, the ball really seeming to explode off the face with incredible speed. It’s been noticed by my playing partners too, who also say that it sounds lovely coming off the face, something Cobra has not been known for in recent years. I loved tinkering with the Myfly coupled with the Flipzone weight, and the club really can be dialled in to any ground and weather conditions. If run is not required, flip it back and
-GARY FIRKINS, LANDMARK MEDIA
alter the loſt to your desired optimum height to maximise carry on soſter, tighter courses where wind is not an issue. When the wind blows, flip it forward, reduce
the loſt, benefit from less spin and more roll and that more penetrating flight – for links courses this is perfect. And the best thing, you’ll find yourself equally comfortable and confident with it either way.
Verdict A great club and testament to Cobra’s hard
work and well worth considering if you’re looking to recommend drivers to members who want to take advantage of the latest technology.
If you would like your product innovation reviewed, please contact Alex Fordham at
afordham@datateam.co.uk 36 SGBGOLF
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