Is Cobra Golf a Good Brand?

In golf, there are a number of names that have a tendency to stand out from the crowd. While TaylorMade and Callaway have certainly been two that stand out, there is another brand out there that may very well be worth checking out.

That brand is Cobra, and they have certainly been making waves for some time.

But are they actually a good brand? How do they even compare with some of the stalwarts of the industry?

Well, let’s check it out.

Their History

As a company, Cobra was founded back in 1973 by the Australian golfer Thomas L. Crowe. That actually means they are some 6 years older than TaylorMade, and Callaway which didn’t appear until 1982.

So, they are older, but they are perhaps not as well established as the other brands. Immediately, that makes you think that something has gone wrong, or they were simply overtaken.

If they have had longer to perfect their products, then why are they not viewed by many as being at the same sort of level as TaylorMade and Callaway?

The Pros

Cobra golf does have a number of top names using their equipment. Players such as Bryson Dechambeau, Rickie Fowler, and Greg Norman are just three, and for the womens game, then Lexi Thompson is the name that stands out.

You need to remember that these players are all about winning. They all feel that Cobra equipment is going to be able to help deliver those titles, so even though they are paid to use them, they wouldn’t if they didn’t believe in their products.

But talking about their products, what’s involved and how do they compare?

The Clubs

In general, the areas where Cobra really do excel, and where it could be argued that they can compete with TaylorMade and Callaway, is within the drivers, woods, and hybrids.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, Bryson is the longest driver in the game right now, and he wouldn’t be able to quite hit those distances if he was using other clubs.

However, we will go into the different clubs in a bit more detail later on.

Who are They For?

There’s some argument that the likes of TaylorMade focus more on the experienced golfer with a lower handicap rather than being all-encompassing. However, while that is not entirely true, the one thing we do know is that Cobra is indeed all-inclusive.

They have produced clubs for all levels of player. From beginners trying to get a handle on the game, to experienced, seniors, ladies, they have covered each and every base.

Of course, this does mean they have produced a large number of clubs over the years, and it does take some work on your part to find those that are perfect for your game.

Their Drivers

Going back to their actual clubs, then we can start off with their driver. 

The main focus, but not the only one, with their driver is distance. They tend to go big on this aspect, and that does mean there’s a substantial focus on speed and launch angle.

You will often find that Cobra drivers sacrifice other aspects of technology to then have those faster speeds. They look at reducing the weight of the crown, and while there’s still balance to the driver, they do look at how they can shave off any weight at any point.

What you will tend to see with the likes of Callaway and TaylorMade is that they focus on accuracy and being more pinpoint. Cobra Speedzone drivers still want those things, but they seek to add a few yards on top.

Overall, the drivers with Cobra are better than other options if you struggle with slow swing speed. They seek to correct this as best as possible, and they will also get that yardage up as best as they can.

The Woods and Hybrids

Moving to the woods, then we see the same picture as we do with the driver where speed and distance reigns supreme. Once again Speedzone woods are the better option, and they do provide reasonable stability.

However, TaylorMade and Callaway have a tendency to offer you a bit more control over your shot, and that could prove to be important to some players. They dial back the speed aspect to focus on these areas, so that is something you should really think about.

The Irons

The irons is where things start to get interesting. While the likes of TaylorMade and Callaway are known for their irons, this is where Cobra starts to fall behind a bit.

The problem here is their desire for speed. Compared to the other two, Cobra does let slip when it comes to helping with accuracy and their irons can be guilty of producing too much spin.

There’s an overall feeling that the other brands go for accuracy and control with the irons, and that is where you will tend to see a difference in your game with your iron shots. 

The main thing to think about with your irons is how they impact your existing game. If you are struggling with control, then you don’t want to make this worse, and that’s more likely with Cobra irons, in general.

Wedges

Cobra wedges have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, but they still fall short compared to the other brands. Wedges, and those short irons are the mainstay of both TaylorMade and Callaway, and Cobra is not quite up to that standard.

Considering the price of their wedges will be relatively similar to the other brands, you find yourself looking at the control and accuracy aspect, as well as how forgiving they are.

When you do this, you tend to find that Cobra wedges are not too bad, but they do struggle behidn the other brands.

That’s not to say that it’s a bad club. That is far from the truth, but it’s just slightly different in the control and accuracy aspect, which is kind of key with your short game.

Their Sets

The final thing to look at are the overall sets you can buy. This option comes down more to the individual clubs in the set compared to the actual complete set.

What you tend to find across the board is a mix of clubs in a set, and that applies no matter the brand. Some are winners, and some are not as good. 

But in comparison, Cobra sets are the equivalent of what you will get from Callaway and TaylorMade. The only thing is you need to pay attention to the small details of what is included to know if you are getting a good deal.

However, we would state that Cobra sets will always tend to lean more toward the concept of speed and power over control and accuracy.

Overall Scores

But overall, let’s look at some comparison scores for these brands in general to help you see where each one stands.

This is a tough thing to do as so many clubs can help you out in various ways. But we have tried to get the key areas where people tend to go to when it comes to thinking about changing aspects of the clubs in their bag.

Variety: 

Cobra - 95

TaylorMade - 94

Callaway - 96

Drivers:

Cobra - 96

TaylorMade - 94

Callaway - 94

Woods & Hybrids:

Cobra - 94

TaylorMade - 94

Callaway - 93

Irons:

Cobra - 89

TaylorMade - 93

Callaway - 94

Speed:

Cobra - 96

TaylorMade - 92

Callaway - 93

Accuracy:

Cobra - 88

TaylorMade - 96

Callaway - 95

As you can see, different brands have their own strengths and weaknesses. You need to weigh up where you have your problems to then know which option is going to counteract it.

Our Conclusion

It’s always tough trying to draw conclusions such as these when comparing such stellar names in the market. There is little doubt that Cobra does indeed produce quality clubs. However, while they may excel at the driver and woods, they have let things slide a bit when it comes to the irons.

Overall, Cobra does produce a number of excellent clubs. Their price does vary, as does clubs with both TaylorMade and Callaway, so while that’s not a key thing to think about, it’s worth comparing like for like.

It’s difficult to go ahead and compare so many different clubs across the various brands. However, we have identified key areas that could very well make a difference when it comes to you being able to make your decision. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to what feels good for you and your game. You certainly are not going to be buying something that is second best, so perhaps keep that in mind when it comes to making your decision.

At the end of the day, these clubs could very well improve your game. However, you need to understand your own game to then know if they are right for you, and that is not something that is linked to a brand but rather your own understanding of the game of golf.