Cobra King and King X wedges: What you need to know
What you need to know: Cobra’s latest King line of wedges use a metal-injection molding (MIM) process. MIM produces tighter manufacturing tolerances, reducing the need for hand polishing that can lead to inconsistencies from club to club. The King wedges come in 17 options (48 to 60 degrees) with four grinds and three finishes. The King X has six option (48 to 60 degrees, no 54-degree) in one grind and one finish.
Price/Availability: King ($170 per wedge; $190 in raw finish). King X ($170 per wedge) Available March 6.
3 Cool Things
1. Precision personified. The wedges are produced from 8620 carbon-steel using a metal-injection molding (MIM) process for a more precise end product. Any remaining polishing needed after the MIM process are done by a robot, eliminating human error and ensuring the same finish time after time.
During the MIM process, each wedge is heat treated to nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to a tighter grain structure for a softer feel and enhanced precision. The grooves are then cut using a CNC milling process and feature a new face blast to help improve performance in wet conditions.
2. Getting flight right. A progressive center of gravity position (low on the 48- to 52-degree models, mid on 54 and 56 degrees and high on 58 and 60 degrees) provides optimal trajectory for shots typically struck with those clubs.
Further assisting flight are narrow, deep grooves in the lower-lofted wedges and wide, shallow grooves in the higher-lofted models to optimize spin and control.
“Achieving optimum spin and trajectory control on wedge shots is key to scoring,” said Chad DeHart, senior product line manager for Cobra. “MIM technology helps us produce wedges with tighter tolerances for exceptional consistency while [flight window technology] allows for optimal CG location throughout the full range of lofts. Together the two technologies, with the addition of the new grind options, provide golfers the ultimate versatility in our most advanced wedges to date.”
3. X is for extra forgiving. For those needing a little more game-improvement in their short game, the King X features a deep undercut, cavity-back design with a thermoplastic urethane insert to enhance feel at impact. Like the standard King model, the King X is manufactured using MIM for tight tolerances.
The undercut design allows 20 grams of weight to be redistributed to the perimeter of the clubhead, making the King X more stable on off-center hits. The X version has an oversize shape with teardrop grind. Lofts are 48, 50, 52, 56, 58 and 60 degrees.