Cobra F-MAX Superlite Hybrid
The Cobra F-MAX Superlite hybrid is their “lightest, easiest-to-hit hybrid in company history.” This is accomplished by perfectly balancing lightweight grips, lighter shafts, and a precision-engineered head. Cobra’s ultimate goal is to provide players with more moderate swing speeds an easier shot option that gets in the air and goes straight from longer distances.
Like the F-MAX Superlite fairway wood, I called on my dad for testing. With his swing speed decreasing after years of putting up with my sister and me, he was the perfect target for the F-MAX Superlite hybrid. With his longer irons no longer getting the same distance as before, a long and easy-to-hit hybrid is the perfect option.
The Looks
From a looks perspective the Cobra F-MAX Superlite hybrid is slightly on the “mini wood” side. By no means is the F-MAX Superlite giant, but it’s not a small-profile hybrid. At address, the footprint is a bit rounder and fuller. The face appears a tad shut due to the offset, but is more conducive to the player looking for forgiveness and straighter shots. The lower-lofted options look a bit shallower while the higher lofts make the face look a bit deeper. All in all, if you’re looking for a forgiving appearance behind the ball, the F-MAX Superlite hybrid is it.
There are two notable features to the F-MAX Superlite though. First is the distinct offset. This is not uncommon for hybrids designed for forgiveness and a wider range of players, especially in higher lofts. Second is the alignment feature on the crown. As you can see, it runs the full length of the crown. This alignment feature makes setting up to your target much easier and frames the ball nicely. It’s important to note that the picture above makes it very apparent, but the alignment feature is somewhat subtle. It flows nicely and is not distracting.
How Does it Feel?
“Superlite” isn’t just used for branding purposes. It is immediately apparent that the Cobra F-MAX Superlite hybrid is incredibly light. Once you adjust to this feeling, however, the F-MAX Superlite feels very smooth and clean. This lighter weight promotes a smoother swing and creates a nice tempo with a moderate swing speed. Not only does this create a nicer feel at this swing speed, but it also creates cleaner strikes, which equals more distance! I even took a few cuts with this hybrid and a nice easy swing made popping a good shot feel effortless. Just take a smooth, easy stroke and the club will do the rest.
The F-MAX Superlite has a 455 stainless face insert just like the woods. As a result, the face has the same level of forgiveness across the face. Most shots feel pretty pure. The only notably punishing shots are severe mishits where you deserve it anyway. Chances are that those swings couldn’t be helped by any golf club!
How Does it Sound?
As previously mentioned, I put the Cobra F-MAX Superlite in the “mini woods” territory. Along those lines, the F-MAX Superlite has a sound that fits better in that category. Well-struck shots have a clean metallic “ping” but it’s not invasive or overwhelming. There isn’t a ton inside the head to mute the sound, but I believe any personal preferences a player may have for a solid “crack” sound will be happily sacrificed for the performance in this club.
On-Course Performance
It’s important to note in this section what you’re looking to accomplish with your hybrid. Are you looking to fill a distance gap for longer shots? Or are you looking to replace a long iron with an easier to launch club? For our testing, we treated it more as a long iron replacement as it was easier to do a direct comparison.
The Cobra F-MAX Superlite hybrid we tested was a 25º 5 hybrid. We considered this a replacement for our tester’s 4 iron. Historically, our tester hit a 4 iron in the 160 yard range, but hitting that distance with any consistency or accuracy these days has been difficult. With the Cobra F-MAX Superlite, he was seeing incredibly easy launch and forgiveness. Another big win was about 15-17 yards more distance than his current “good” 4 iron shots. Most impressive was how softly these shots were landing. Where a 4 iron was getting significant roll out, the F-MAX Superlite hybrid was only rolling about 4-5 yards. Direct quote: “I would rather hit this club than my 4 iron any day of the week.”
Players looking to fill a hybrid slot in the bag, as opposed to “iron replacement,” will also benefit from the F-MAX Superlite. The F-MAX Superlite is easy to launch and the lower lofts will go. Just make sure you properly test (get fit!) to get the right yardage gaps.
Final Thoughts
The long and short of it is that my dad was able to restore valuable distance and gain quite a bit of control in his game using the Cobra F-MAX Superlite hybrid. I used the word “effortless” in the feel section, but it’s actually a pretty good way to summarize the F-MAX Superlite hybrid. My dad repeatedly pointed out to me that as he’s lost some of that swing speed, he’s finding himself struggling with his constant need for longer shots in a single round. Long approaches are more common and a constant struggle… and increasingly frustrating. With the F-MAX Superlite hybrid and fairway wood, he didn’t feel that to be the case. He said, “all I have to do is make an easy swing. I finally feel like I have a chance again on long approaches.”
Consider me sold, Cobra. I watched it happen with my own two eyes and a round of golf with my dad will now be more enjoyable for both of us!
Stock Cobra F-MAX Superlite Hybrid Specs
| Club | Loft | Length | Swing Weight | Stock Flex | RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 H | 19º | 40.5″ | C8 | S, R, L | RH/LH |
| 4 H | 22º | 39.75″ | C8 | S, R, L | RH/LH |
| 5 H | 25º | 39″ | C8 | S, R, L | RH/LH |
| 6 H | 28º | 38.5″ | C8 | S, R, L | RH/LH |
| 7 H | 31º | 38″ | C8 | S, R, L | RH/LH |
As I am a older golfer with a slower swing speed I really enjoy you getting your fathers opinion, a lot of club testing is done by guys with swing speed of 90+ mph and that really doesn’t help us older guys.
One piece of advice I’ll give is to not get bogged down in numbers from the reviewer so much, regardless of where you read. The numbers are there for reference of our experience that we describe. Given the nature of golf swings, the reviewer’s numbers will never be too applicable in comparison to your swing because everyone responses differently to the equipment.
I think for this review, using a different source for the review made a lot of sense, but just keep that in mind for other reviews you read around the internet.
What is the testers swing speed? I’m intrigued by them but have a hard time pulling the trigger due to the marketing towards moderate/slower swing speeds. I have a driver swing that ranges from 93-100 depending on what I’m doing.
7 mph is a pretty big range.
Only way you’re really going to know how well these work for you and your swing is by hitting them. I don’t have the exact data anymore, but I’d put the tester at low 90s for their driver swing speed, but speed isn’t the only deciding factor.
I purchased the cobra hybrid 3h19” r shaft (wish I had the Sr shaft) about 2 mo ago and flat love it. It’s everything u commended: light, gets the ball up with clean hits and unbelievable accuracy and I have seen the difference in my game. Typically a 25-28 handicap and have moved to 18-20, and I’m 76 yrs old and only get 135-150 yd off fairway while others are all over I’m down the middle. I recently scored a 90 so I’m very happy and working on my game so I expect further improvements. Why doesn’t cobra make a 3h14” or 16” because I would purchase and surely gain another 10-15 yds. Looking seriously at the 25” but would like Sr flex shafts in my current 19” and up coming 25”
I believe in this category, Cobra offers higher lifted fairway woods for that distance gap. Typically, a 2 hybrid is for a player that’s looking for a more piercing flight and bigger, but this category of club is designed for super easy launch (helping get the ball in the air with carry) and extreme forgiveness. This might be the reason they don’t go down to 2H, but I don’t know for sure.