Cobra F-MAX Superlite Irons
Players with slower swings speeds and a smooth tempo that are looking for help hitting their longer irons more consistent need not look any further! The Cobra F-MAX Superlite irons could be the be answers to your prayers. Cobra says the F-MAX Superlite are the lightest, fastest, and easiest irons to hit that they’ve ever made. The F-MAX Superlite irons are offered in both standard and hybrid-combo sets with either steel or graphite shafts.
We called my dad off the bench again for this review like we did with the fairway wood and hybrid. With his swing speed decreasing he was the perfect target for the F-Max Superlite irons. With his longer irons no longer getting the same distance as before, long and easy to hit irons are a perfect option for him.
The Looks
First and foremost, the Cobra F-MAX Superlite Irons fall into the Super Game Improvement/Game Improvement family (SGI/GI). From a looks perspective, the F-MAX Superlite irons check all of the boxes: meaty toplines, longer heel to toe, and significant offset. The progressive offset blends better as you get higher in the set, but is very apparent in the longer irons. There’s a lot of head behind the ball that screams, “don’t worry, I’m here to help you.” The F-MAX Superlite irons certainly give you a sense of security at address. All badging and branding is consistent with the past couple of years of Cobra. The 2018 color scheme is a slick black/red/silver palate that always looks sharp.
Should you go the hybrid-combo set route, I’ll steal this blurb straight from the hybrid review:
There are two notable features to the F-MAX Superlite hybrid 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?
Smooth and clean are the two best words to describe the Cobra F-MAX Superlite irons in terms of feel. You have to hit the ball real poor for these irons to feel bad. Don’t get me wrong, digging a trench still feels like a trench, but the optimized center of gravity (CG) and the undercut cavity make for an extremely forgiving face. If you make a remotely decent swing, it feels like the ball just absolutely jumps off the face. The smoother the tempo, the more it seems to jump.
The F-MAX Superlite irons are in fact very light. Big swing speeds with aggressive tempos need not apply. That said, the balance is perfect and a nice easy swing with the F-MAX Superlite feels so good. My dad was ready to immediately put these in the bag based on feel alone after hitting two clubs. After taking a few easy swings with the 6 iron and 9 iron, I understood why. I had no data to support my swings, but it felt like cheating.
How Does it Sound?
Clubs in the same family of the Cobra F-MAX Superlite irons often sound very metallic and annoyingly slappy. It’s one of those things that’s part of the sacrifice in making such a forgiving distance club for this market. I went into this review expecting something along similar lines, but the experience was exactly the opposite. The sound on a clean shot was a swift “click” with a “whoosh” through the turf. If you took more of a divot on your shot, you get more of a “pop” off the face and a clean “thump” through the turf. For a GI iron, I haven’t heard many better sounding clubs.
On-Course Performance
Much like the feel of the Cobra F-MAX Superlite irons, the performance might give you the illusion of cheating. Yes, obviously you can still hit plenty of bad shots and you need to swing the club halfway decent, but as long as you make an ok swing with a smooth tempo, the club does the rest of the work. Throughout the entire set, the ball gets in the air quickly and carries. If you have a good, repeatable swing, the draw bias built into the club will typically result in a nice, smooth baby draw with good elevation.
Throughout the entire set, Cobra optimized the CG to control the distance gaps and forgiveness of each club. The longer irons have shorter hosels that allow for a lower CG. This helps achieve greater distances and makes them easier to launch. The F-MAX Superlite progressively works its way to a longer hosel in the short irons. This raises the CG which results in a lower trajectory, but more control in the short irons.
Another key feature the F-MAX Superlite design utilizes is stronger lofts. Cobra explains why:
For golfers with moderate swing speeds, having proper lofted irons is critical to optimizing launch, spin and distance. Greater lofts maximize flight time and shot height, resulting in more distance, and improved stopping power into greens.
Final Thoughts
Admittedly these clubs weren’t made for me, but I was extremely impressed with the Cobra F-MAX Superlite irons. We reviewed the previous F-MAX irons a long time ago and spoke highly of them, but honestly, I think the Superlite blows them out of the water. These clubs are just so forgiving and so damn easy to get a nice and long straight shot with. My dad was borderline floored and I asked him, “if you put these in your bag today, do you honestly feel you’d be a markedly better player?” His honest response was a resounding “yes” and a sense of enthusiasm that there may be some better golf years ahead of him yet. Hats off Cobra, you did a great job with these irons.
Stock Cobra F-MAX Superlite Irons Specs
| Club # | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | P | GW | SW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft º | 22º | 25º | 28º | 31.5º | 35.5º | 40º | 45º | 50º | 55º |
| Lie º | 62.5º | 62.5º | 62.5º | 62.5º | 63º | 63.5º | 64º | 64º | 64º |
| Length | 39.25″ | 38.5″ | 37.75″ | 37.25″ | 36.75″ | 36.25″ | 36″ | 35.75″ | 35.5″ |
Does the f-max superlite irons have stronger lofts or weaker lofts? I had heard they were actually going weaker, rather than stronger like other clubs.
I got conflicting messages from your article.
“Greater lofts maximize flight”, and
“Another key feature the F-MAX Superlite design utilizes is stronger lofts.”.
Maybe it means the same thing, but I wasn’t sure.
You can see the specs/loft at the bottom of the post. The iron’s product page states they use stronger lofts.
Hello guys… I have been intrigued by super light clubs … I don’t know much about specs but it does seem logical to me if the overall weight and swing weights are lower you should be able to hit it further…..
I also think at some point if lite becomes to lite the dispersion of shots maybe all over place…..
I am 65 years old, been very athletic all my life…
I played college basketball and played semipro football till I was 41… So I have beaten my body up pretty good…. I’ve been a single digit handicap all my life… But now it’s just becoming too obvious that I do not have the length anymore….
If super light clubs could realistically allow me to hit a driver 265 yards(now 235-240) a 7 iron 165.(now 150).. I would be ecstatic.. !!!
With this super light technology is that possible..?
I really appreciate you response…
In my opinion, the concept mostly depends on your tempo and how you respond to equipment. Lighter weights tend to be easier to get launching in the air, especially for players with slower swing speeds. In my personal experience, as long as you can keep your swing under control, you should be able to pick up speed and launch. I tend to really over swing light clubs, but I know plenty of others, especially seniors, who have had a lot of success with lighter weight gear.
I’m a fan now of the superlite 60 shaft in the Cobra F8 iron. I put a 7i in the bag set up +1/2 and from swing one consistently hit higher and longer carrying shots. It outperforms my TM Tour Rbladz 7i with KBS shaft. Smooth swing gets me in the 150-155 range and when I load it up to 165. I’ve been playing it strictly tee to green all summer and handle the par 5’s up to 500y nicely. Just don’t get too quick on the transition. I’m a 67 year old golfer with a repeatable swing able to make decent face contact. Watch out for the draw bias when you really jump on one.
What is the swingweight of the cobra fmax
Senior graphite irons. Are they stronger or
weaker lofts and what is The trajectory of
The ball flight.
I would say the lofts are a bit stronger and the trajectories are progressive through the set. The long irons have a lower CG making it easier to get the ball in the air for more carry. The slightly stronger loft helps prevent ballooning and/or distance loss from that flight as it’s designed to help slower swing speeds get the ball in the air. The mid irons have a mid CG for a more mid-level trajectory, and the short irons have a high CG to help prevent ballooning.
Unfortunately, I don’t know what the swingweight would be for that build.
Cobra website says “Greater lofts”. I was thinking greater loft meant more loft, but you are saying greater loft is actually less loft. I’m sure you are comparing the actual loft numbers and that doesn’t really mean anything to me without seeing a comparison sheet. Thanks for clearing that up for me!
That’s a given for comparison. They’re stronger lofts in respects to traditional lofts and club numbers. Compare them to their King Pro Forged CB/MB irons. You’ll see a big difference.
Not a wisecrack, but how old is your father, and what’s his handicap?
What clubs is he using now, and would he switch?
Mid 60s, don’t know handicap, and current iron is irrelevant but I think he’d consider a switch if he played more.
Good MOrning from yje UK ,
Just come across your reiews and wanted to say thank you for your clarity in which you present your observations
and how much I enojoyed your presenation style.
My question is ; I too am a senior and have just had a fittingseesion and of the 4 makes tested the Cobra F max suprlite was a very clear winner —- the numbers were enough to convince and at a reasonable price against the latest models from Callaway , Taylor made and Ping –even in my senior years I am excited to get on the course again,
What about the question ! wheen I got home and pondered I decided I would go for ‘one length’ irons (my Fitter said the numbers showed I was more consistantwith a longer shaft),but the cobras website does not seem to offer that option in the Superlite –Can I just put a 50 lite 7 iron length shaft in my 8,9 PW and GW ,( above 7 are 2 hybrids) .
I couldn’t tell you. Feels like your best bet is to work with your fitter and order your set accordingly.
My daughter is a decent D3 college player with a driver swing speed right around 90. Plays AP1’s now but was fit incorrectly with 105g shafts. Very smooth tempo, doesn’t load a lot in transition. Think these may be a good option?
You’re not just solving for a shaft by putting her in a whole new set of clubs.
If she’s a college player, I’d suggest getting properly fit again. Maybe a different fitter. Might be a frustrating answer, but it’s the right one for that level of play.
Wish you had stated some distances hit with say the 7 club, to get a comparative idea, such as here:
https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/taylormade-m5-vs-m6-irons/2/
Help me understand the rationale? Our tester wasn’t comparing it in a thorough head-to-head to comparison. Additionally, his swing could respond to the equipment one way and provide a totally different comparison than if you were to do so. I don’t find one person’s distances to be overly relevant. With our wood reviews, we provide data points to give support to our site experience that we describe, but just because that’s what my swing is doing doesn’t mean someone else’s will.
In my experience, unless it’s an Iron Byron or other type of robot, someone’s distances comparisons would not be useful information to me without swinging the clubs myself.
In my view that makes it a bit more quantitative and relatable, otherwise it’s the same qualitative phrases used by the manufacturers like distance and forgiveness. Sorry, but phrases like “more distance” and “so forgiving” don’t mean much.
Sorry you feel that way. I guess we agree to disagree.
No golf gear review is ever going to correlate to a direct result for another golfer. Only true measure for any type of claim will be your personal testing. We stress that frequently.
I am nearing 60 years, started playing recently and score upwards of 100. I am struggling with consistency and dont have a great swing speed. I am looking at the super improvement category of clubs, especially Cobra F Max, Cleveland Launcher HB, TM M CGB an TM M6. I would appreciate your thoughts/suggestions.
Cobra.
I am a strong believer in shaft flex having as much influence as the club head. With that in mind, would the lightness of the superlite irons result in a regular flex shaft be more like a senior flex in other irons? What does Cobra say? What do you and your Dad think?
This is a conversation better fit for club fitting than an equipment review.
Weight and flex are generally independent and factor into an individuals specific swing. Think of weight impacting more speed and launch and flex impacting kick point, release, and direction. (That is a VERY simplified summation, club fitting has taken off due to there being no direct answer to your question.) That said, the combination of weight and flex affects the total package so you have to get both right because either one impacts the other one…so to speak.
So to answer your question, I don’t think the lighter weight makes the shaft play a lesser flex.
So these clubs come with the option of a lite flex. Is this necessary ? If I buy the f9 driver and fairway woods with lite shafts should I be consistent with the irons. Also in mid 60s playing off 18
I can’t possibly answer this. Depends on too many factors specific to your swig and how you hit the ball. You’d have to hit them and see.
Hi,3rd time I’m reading your review.for a beginner,35 years old with a 85 swing speed.would you recommend the f max superlight variable length or the previous f max model in the one lenght version?
Why the previous year’s one length versus this year’s variable length? Why not the same year for either one length or variable length?
Hi,with regard to your answer,I believe cobra does not make the f max super lights in one lenght.its only the original f max irons available in one lenght.unless I’m missing something?
I guess I never looked into that. Very well could be the case.
In my opinion, there’s something to be said for one length but that decision is more personal and what you think will best work for you.
Hi Bill, I am looking for maximum forgiveness but have a pretty high swing speed. It seems like the super game improvement irons claim to be designed for slower swing speeds. Would something like these work for me? I don’t want to sacrifice forgiveness. What is the downside of these clubs for higher swings speeds?
You could probably make them work with an appropriate shaft for your swing. The only thing you might experience with a higher swing speed is a little higher flight than you’re looking for, but the only way to find out if that’s true is by hitting one.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the great review. I’m 57 years old, 7-iron swing speed is 76mph, distance is about 150, 18 handicap. My current set is Taylor Made RSI-1 with regular flex graphite. I love these sticks, but this year I found them feeling very heavy towards the end of the round as I start getting tired. I just demoed the Cobra FMax with Superlite graphite regular flex and lite flex shafts at the range and on the launch monitor, compared them against each other and against my current set. Much to my surprise, the Lite flex 50g Cobra’s were the clear winner outside at the range and inside on the launch monitor. Distance was about the same on all sets tested, but the Lite flex was so much easier to swing and as a result the accuracy and grouping was much better since my swing was smoother and more consistent. I didn’t think my swing speed warranted senior flex shafts just yet, but these 50g lite shafts feel like the same flex as the 55g regular only lighter, and I seemed to hit them jus fine. They were so comfortable to swing I know they will help me with my late round tired arms syndrome. I bought them 2 degrees upright and 1/2 inch long after being fitted, they arrive in 2 weeks. After my thorough comparison I’m fairly certain I made the right choice, I hope so because I really loved my Taylor’s!
Thanks for the review, how do i go about determining if I need GI irons or SGI irons, recently hit several 7 irons at a super store and my average swing speed was ~74. i’m 58, currently playing nickent GH Plus and hit my 7 iron about 135yrds, i tested GI irons G410 T300 and maverick and was hitting them ~155 off the mat. i realize these clubs are 5-6 degrees stonger, there is just so much information out there i need a little direction, i am 25 handicap, i can slice, hook, top, and hit em fat with the best of them, pls help
Jim,
I think that’s a pretty good question. At the risk of humble bragging a little bit, it’s tough for me to answer based on experience because I don’t play in that area of equipment, BUT I would say there are a few ways you can think of it outside of getting a formal fitting from someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
First, let’s assume we’re choosing between what you believe to the absolute best GI option and the absolute best SGI option for you.
I’d start by simply answering which club feels more comfortable and consistent to you, which one gives you the most confidence when you’re hitting the ball, and which looks best to your eye.
Next, it’s important to remember that any given specific day of testing…it’s only one day. I think you need to have some familiarity with how you consistently play and what your needs are. If that makes any sense. So maybe off the mat on a monitor, you’re piping the GI iron and nipping them off the mat, but on the grass at your local track, they’ll be a disaster and you’re digging trenches. Point is, I’d do my best to look at the data, but also consider what you’re actually trying to address. Maybe one takes a particular miss away that haunts your normal game?
Back to the original point, if it’s really a coin flip between the two, go with whichever you feel you’re consistently comfortable with over the ball.
Hope that helps.
Bill
Are these clubs cavity back or blade
Definitely cavity back.
Good writing and good review. You are to be commended for responding to commenters. Do not feel obligated to respond to mine. I am a senior golfer whose swing speed is low. But, I can tell you that despite the swing speed, I hit the ball way, way higher with the Cobra SGI clubs than other brands. This is extremely important for confidence, esp. when playing over traps on approaches. I cannot explain why, but it sure makes me feel good to get a ball launching so high, which increases distance for me. Thx.
I am 75. Just had my three year old set of F-8s stolen out my Chevy Volt. I always used to remember to lock it. Insurance is paying off, Yay! I loved my clubs, but they were feeling heavy. I’m beginning to get arthritis in the hands (related?). These look like the ticket. I’d like to start carrying again. What does a set weigh compared to my old clubs?
I don’t know exactly but they should come in considerably lighter, especially if you can find a set with graphite shafts. Of course, that will all depend on components and such, but head to head, these will certainly come in lighter.