Long term reviews on Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver, still using it?

[theothertwo]

Thinking about getting a new driver and deciding between the F9, M6, G410 or TS3. Based on price and reviews, Cobra F9 seems like a logical choice.

 

Are you still gaming your F9? Any long term reviews regarding durability and performance will be appreciated. Thanks.

[BraxtonFullerton]

About to swap my M4 for a F9; I'd love to know how well the milled face holds up, long term, as well.

[Tree Levino]

I had the F9 9 degree. It's a good driver with really good ball speed. Two issues for me (1) the 9* head is intentionally fade bias. A touring pro I know how it and it was block city for him just like it was for me and (2) it spun a LOT. I dropped nearly 1000rpm spin going to an 8.5 TS3 and picked up around 20 yards in the air. It has a really cool feel off the face that I admittedly miss. I would not go back to it now that I've been gaming the TS3 though.

[MtlJeff]

What's "long term "? The club came out last year , you aren't going to learn much about durability

No driver on the market cant withstand a years worth of use from an amateur.

 

[Man_O_War]

it's awesome. there is nothing this driver doesn't do well. Long, straight..low spin with the weight in front and superb feel.

it sold well for a reason

[jvincent]

I picked up an F9 when it launched.

For the first time in many, many years I played a single driver for the entire season. I have the 9* turned all the way down. I play a pull-fade off the tee and it's been great for me. This included trips to Ireland and Cabot, so I played it in a lot of wind. The only time I ever have issues with too much spin is when I miss it low on the heel, which is what you would expect. Anywhere else on the face is fine.

The milled face shows no signs of wear at all.

 

[MtlJeff]

Is the F9 face much different than the F8+? They look the same

I played the F8 + all year last year and it looks brand new

Faces seem durable to me

Have only had the F9 for a few months

[eddiebigeddie]

Like another poster I tender to switch drivers a few times each year just tinkering...but this is the first year ever I only played 1...the F9. It’s held up very well for me and been a game changer. I have the 10.5 lofted down to 9.5 and love it. I will more than likely be swapping to the new Cobra next season only because of the new face and looks on top (the face was my only real complaint), I didn’t like the channel all the way around the face as sometimes I would cut a ball when hitting low or high on the face.

cobra continues to knock it out of the park with their drivers.

[3woodvt]

Solid driver. If you hit it high on the face paint chipping is its only negative. The new release w infinity face resolves that one complaint.

[grant2145]

I really liked the F9 and it performed well but not as good as the LTD Pro I put back in the bag. The F9 gave me a couple extra MPH of ball speed but I couldn't keep the spin down with it and didn't improve my dispersion much.

[Man_O_War]

i have both (obviously :)) . I tried the ST190G and 190 and sold them because they weren't as good as the LTD pro. The F9 is a very consistent driver with the heavy weight forward and a little higher loft..but nothing feels as good as the LTD pro. i feel like a player with the low tec..relatively

[aramirez24]

Following this thread. Looking at the new speed zone, but the differences from F9 to SZ look minimal from initial reviews. F9 prices just keep getting better and better.

[pat_kato]

Traded mine in for the Taylormade M6. Although I did like the F9, I don't regret making the move. I hit the M6 straighter and about 10-15 yards further.

[ian-500]

Bought one in March and sold it by May. Great sound and feel but struggled with dispersion, and this was at a length of 44". The TM OO is different gravy....

[dougcbus]

I hit the F9 at golf galaxy, went on amazon bought new f8 ($180) had it reshafted an alpha platinum shaft, ($50) very happy. Alpha platinum very close to UST helium shaft in F9 but $200 cheaper Total cost 230. Of course my previous driver was a TM SLDR which my friends WHY do you have that piece of crap. I have FIT CHIP build or reshaft all of my clubs. 12 HDCP

[ProjectX]

Not a winner for me. Initially tried the 10.5* knocked down to 9.5* of loft and it spun way too much. So I jumped to the 9* and knocked that down to 8* with the weight forward and it's still about 700 rpms higher than my old Rogue Sub Zero with the same shaft and I play a shaft that's about as low spin as they come(see sig). Dispersion is good, but I find it to be short and draw biased even with loft knocked down. The way the clubs looks and sits at address and the way it feels when struck well are all 10/10 for me. The performance just doesn't match the look and feel. They'll both be up on the BST as soon as I find a replacement. I think this club got way more hype than it deserved.

[Warrick]

Loved looks, feel, sound, could not get performance from it. I tried all settings, several shafts, different lengths, multiple weight combinations, nothing worked that well. Now, the F9 Tour fairways are another story, amazing

 

Just my experience

[Nixhex524]

I am seriously considering the F9 also... Ready to move on from my G400 LST at this point... TS3 also a very viable option but the cost is what has me drawn to the F9...

[kiwihacker]

I bought into the F9 hype and bought the 10.5 model with the Blue Atmos stiff shaft. Have to say I'm loving it and having a period of my best driving in years. Wondered if it was just me swinging the club better so I put my old F6 back in the bag to see how that went. Didn't like it at all. The F9 was straight back in the bag where it will be staying for a long time.

 

This thread illustrates that it really is a personal preference thing from golfer to golfer as there are nearly as many negative responses as positive but the F9 is a winner for me.

[rxk9fan]

I just picked one up yesterday and hit it for an hour on the monitor today. Sound, feel, distance, and performance remind me most of the Mizuno 190ST. My swing speed today averaged 103 and I have it shafted with the smoke 6.0. My initial thoughts are dispersion is a bit better than with the M5, and distance was down a little from the M5. I will get it on the course this weekend and see if it finds the short grass more or less than the M5. I obviously am not long with my speed, but 5 yards in distance with my best swing of the day means much less to me than hitting an extra fairway or two in a round. That will be the measuring stick for me. I wanted it to be the longest driver I had ever hit but it isn't. I also want it to find a large percentage of fairways and I was encouraged in that area.

 

[ProjectX]

Your findings are accurate. Dispersion good, distance short is probably the best way to describe this club.

[3woodvt]

For another few weeks until my new SZ arrives...The F9 took a pounding this year!

[doctormizuno]

F9 for me, is the best driver I’ve had in a long while. I don’t care about 5 or 10 yds one way or the other

if I can continue to hit double digit fairways each round. I have a yellow 10.5* turned down to 9.5*.

Launch angle is fine, no problem with spin. My friend has a F8+. When compared, he’s slightly longer

with the F9. Like most clubs, they all act differently for each golfer.

[rwilliams9]

Gaming the F9 9 degree w hazardous smoke stiff 60g and so far I love it.

Big fan of the look, feel off face, accuracy and distance. For me, the feel and forgiveness of the F9 milled face is super.

I moved from Rogue which I liked too and maybe on occasion the Rogue was a tad longer, but I wasn't as nearly as accurate (or confident) as I am now with the F9 off the tee.

I am sure I will hit the SZ here soon, but not sure I will buy it as most reviews and folks I have spoken with say there is no real difference between the SZ and F9 performance wise.

[Nixhex524]

Did you game the ST190 for a bit? That driver is really on my radar right now as well... I get faster ball speed with the F9, but longer overall drives with the St190 and both are very forgiving. I'm not sure I like how easy the face/top line of the F9 gets beat up and the Mizzy looks as close to perfect as it can get to my eye. Played the 190G for a bit, probably the longest driver I have ever hit but feel want great and it could be hard to control at times... looking at the regular ST190 or the F9 for now...

[Man_O_War]

the SZ seems a tad more accurate though..

[aramirez24]

Need to get in and swing them both. Been going to golf galaxy every other day to see if the SZ is in. The white/matte black finish on the SZ is so good looking.

[Mob]

I kept my F9 in the bag all season, and that is pretty rare for me. I will get a Cobra SZ driver, but I am not trading the F9 in for it, as the SZ will have to prove that it is better than the F9. My misses with the F9 were far better overall, than any other driver I have played in the past. My whole game and handicap improved as a result. Having my bad drives be 5-10 yards off the fairway instead of 10-20 yards has a big impact on my second shot results. My only other potential change is that I will be getting the Ventus Black shaft with the SZ, and seeing if that shaft outperforms the Tensei Pro Orange. It will be nice to start the season in March with my bag fairly set, rather than testing all the way into June, like I usually do.

[rxk9fan]

Yes Sir.

After playing the Cobra for two rounds I can say I much prefer the Mizuno.

My new F9 will be finding a new home soon. It looks great behind the ball but I don’t like that it seems your target is not half way between the heel and toe. Instead it seems to be heal side where the Cobra insignia is on the crown?

[Nixhex524]

Makes sense... something does look a tad off about it, maybe thats it. I am probably going back to a ST190, but non G this time... That driver just flat out performs. Thanks for the input!