Price
$143 per iron
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Why We Like It
- Most of the same technical features of the DS-Adapt irons are used here but with a longer blade length, thicker topline, more offset and a wider sole—all things that are highly useful to players in this category.
- Feedback from clubfitters that weaker-lofted irons benefit less skilled golfers resulted in lofts here that are about 2 degrees higher than other irons in this category.
- Concentrating weight low and back is key to achieving easier launch and more speed. That’s accomplished via a steel weighting system inside the head that gets weight in the proper position while allowing maximum flexing of the face.
- This iron takes a step forward in the feel department with a foam filler that improves the sensation at impact.
- The lighter-weight design and shallower face (compared to the DS-Adapt) inspire confidence at address and more speed in the swing.
- Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps.
- 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 43.5 degrees
what our testers said
handicap
- all
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- mid
- high
Alex
40, Handicap 11
6 years testing
You could tell when you hit the sweet spot on this. It made a different sound, more of a crack. Mis-hits were more of a car-crash sound and a bit less forgiving than one might need from super-game-improvement irons. My best hits with these were about as good as I can hit a ball.
Matt
52, Handicap 11
3 years testing
Visually, it looks like a traditional game-improvement iron. It gave me crisp, firm contact, while blasting through the turf. Some clubs in this category get stuck. This one is energetic through the turf. It produced consistent, straight shots on the higher side.
Wei
55, Handicap 13
9 years testing
I really like the darkish finish, a big plus. I didn't care for the thickness of the topline but after two swings, I didn't even notice it. The sound and the feel remind me of forged clubs from a different era. You don't get it on every swing so you're chasing to get that feel again. The distance and trajectory were above average,
Gary
37, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
These have a subtle, slightly gray and brushed finish, which is really good against the sun. I found they were efficient through impact with good energy. They are lightweight overall, but there's plenty of force at impact. They grab and fling the ball forward. I got a great window of trajectory through the set.
Ryan
46, Handicap 14
2 years testing
I got really good performance, the most balanced in the category. The best part was I felt like I could go after these and didn't have to slow down to help the ball in the air. The feel was really firm, but the results were good.
SEE ALL (11)
Alex
40, Handicap 11
6 years testing
You could tell when you hit the sweet spot on this. It made a different sound, more of a crack. Mis-hits were more of a car-crash sound and a bit less forgiving than one might need from super-game-improvement irons. My best hits with these were about as good as I can hit a ball.
Matt
52, Handicap 11
3 years testing
Visually, it looks like a traditional game-improvement iron. It gave me crisp, firm contact, while blasting through the turf. Some clubs in this category get stuck. This one is energetic through the turf. It produced consistent, straight shots on the higher side.
Wei
55, Handicap 13
9 years testing
I really like the darkish finish, a big plus. I didn't care for the thickness of the topline but after two swings, I didn't even notice it. The sound and the feel remind me of forged clubs from a different era. You don't get it on every swing so you're chasing to get that feel again. The distance and trajectory were above average,
Gary
37, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
These have a subtle, slightly gray and brushed finish, which is really good against the sun. I found they were efficient through impact with good energy. They are lightweight overall, but there's plenty of force at impact. They grab and fling the ball forward. I got a great window of trajectory through the set.
Ryan
46, Handicap 14
2 years testing
I got really good performance, the most balanced in the category. The best part was I felt like I could go after these and didn't have to slow down to help the ball in the air. The feel was really firm, but the results were good.
Shane
36, Handicap 15
5 years testing
I hit it all over the face and the ball still ejected like a rocket. These played like my everyday irons with the same piercing speed and flight—but with 10 times forgiveness. My mis-hits were extremely playable. I was hitting greens I shouldn't have hit.
Daniel
33, Handicap 12
5 years testing
It was so easy to get the ball in the air with a very manageable ball flight. And there never was a feeling of sacrificing distance. Maybe a smaller sweet spot, but even mis-hits ended up very playable. Really effortless going through the ground, it didn't get hung up on anything even with deeper divots. More game improvement than it might look.
Scott
37, Handicap 14
9 years testing
Satisfying click at impact and it was a missile coming off the face. There's definitely a draw-bias with no chance of missing right. The look? It has a beefy confidence-inspiring topline.
Alejandra
26, Handicap 5
4 years testing
Very subtle look. The matte finish is quiet, visually speaking. They were soft at impact, even when you hit the ball hard but you did get a bang. They are easy to get in the air but not forgiving. Mis-hits were clearly mis-hits.
John
55, Handicap 11
1 year testing
This was a fun club to hit. The head got through the turf easily and the ball jumped, even if I caught it fat. Easy to find the sweet spot, which probably means it has a large one. Distance was consistent with the whole set.
Jin
30, Handicap 13
1 year testing
It pops off the face well and with high spin, so it gets up in the air high. I don't get the distance I want but these get the ball on line and all within five or 10 yards of my target. The sound is slightly higher in pitch, and if you like a smaller face, this one has that.
Wei
55, Handicap 13
9 years testing
I really like the darkish finish, a big plus. I didn't care for the thickness of the topline but after two swings, I didn't even notice it. The sound and the feel remind me of forged clubs from a different era. You don't get it on every swing so you're chasing to get that feel again. The distance and trajectory were above average,
Gary
37, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
These have a subtle, slightly gray and brushed finish, which is really good against the sun. I found they were efficient through impact with good energy. They are lightweight overall, but there's plenty of force at impact. They grab and fling the ball forward. I got a great window of trajectory through the set.
Ryan
46, Handicap 14
2 years testing
I got really good performance, the most balanced in the category. The best part was I felt like I could go after these and didn't have to slow down to help the ball in the air. The feel was really firm, but the results were good.
Shane
36, Handicap 15
5 years testing
I hit it all over the face and the ball still ejected like a rocket. These played like my everyday irons with the same piercing speed and flight—but with 10 times forgiveness. My mis-hits were extremely playable. I was hitting greens I shouldn't have hit.
Daniel
33, Handicap 12
5 years testing
It was so easy to get the ball in the air with a very manageable ball flight. And there never was a feeling of sacrificing distance. Maybe a smaller sweet spot, but even mis-hits ended up very playable. Really effortless going through the ground, it didn't get hung up on anything even with deeper divots. More game improvement than it might look.
Scott
37, Handicap 14
9 years testing
Satisfying click at impact and it was a missile coming off the face. There's definitely a draw-bias with no chance of missing right. The look? It has a beefy confidence-inspiring topline.
Jin
30, Handicap 13
1 year testing
It pops off the face well and with high spin, so it gets up in the air high. I don't get the distance I want but these get the ball on line and all within five or 10 yards of my target. The sound is slightly higher in pitch, and if you like a smaller face, this one has that.
Alex
40, Handicap 11
6 years testing
You could tell when you hit the sweet spot on this. It made a different sound, more of a crack. Mis-hits were more of a car-crash sound and a bit less forgiving than one might need from super-game-improvement irons. My best hits with these were about as good as I can hit a ball.
Matt
52, Handicap 11
3 years testing
Visually, it looks like a traditional game-improvement iron. It gave me crisp, firm contact, while blasting through the turf. Some clubs in this category get stuck. This one is energetic through the turf. It produced consistent, straight shots on the higher side.
John
55, Handicap 11
1 year testing
This was a fun club to hit. The head got through the turf easily and the ball jumped, even if I caught it fat. Easy to find the sweet spot, which probably means it has a large one. Distance was consistent with the whole set.
Alejandra
26, Handicap 5
4 years testing
Very subtle look. The matte finish is quiet, visually speaking. They were soft at impact, even when you hit the ball hard but you did get a bang. They are easy to get in the air but not forgiving. Mis-hits were clearly mis-hits.
NO REVIEWS
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Range Results
We tracked 27,000 shots through player testing and then had them analyzed by our team of scientists. These graphics reflect the relative performance our players saw for each club in the category.
Surviving The Hot List: Celebrity Intern
From the Manufacturer
Cobra DS-Adapt Max
The DS-ADAPT MAX iron features the same technology as the standard model but with a slightly larger profile, thicker topline, wider sole, longer blade, and added offset to provide maximum forgiveness. The lightweight configuration of the MAX iron paired with 2-degree weaker lofts will ensure effortless launch without sacrificing speed and distance.
justinkosman.com
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