Need help choosing a Cobra F9 3 wood--updated

DLiver · May 10, 2020

I have decided to get an older version of the Cobra F9 3W, and I need help deciding which model, shaft and flex to get. I am a decent ball striker, but getting up there in years--to the point where I could use a 3w that is easy to hit off the deck. I currently have an Exotics 3w that is a monster off the tee, but very hard for me to hit from the fairway.

My first decision is which head to buy--the regular version or the tour. I really don't like the "bullseye" pattern on the face of the regular version, so I guess I want to know if the tour version is user friendly.

From what I can tell, the tour version only comes in stiff shafts--either the HZRDOUS Yellow or the Atmos Blue 7. My driver SS is 95-100, so I'm wondering if either of these would fit me, and wondering if either of these play stiff, soft or play to their rated stiffness (imperfect metric, I know).

Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

jvincent · May 10, 2020

If you really want easy off the deck get the 4-5 Tour and on the 3-4. At 13.5* (nominal) for the 3-4 you need to hit it perfectly every time to get the most out of it.

DLiver · May 10, 2020

^^^Thanks for the heads up--I hadn't noticed the difference in lofts between the regular and tour versions. I went ahead and ordered the regular version with a Atmos Blue 7 stiff. We'll see how it works out.

chisag · May 10, 2020

... That combo is very easy to play from the fairway. I played it all last season and went from a suspect fairway wood game to it becoming an actual strength. The rails are game changers.

Z1ggy16 · May 10, 2020

Easy off the deck = Ping

Generally speaking the Tour heads are "shorter" from back to front, and therefore a little deeper top to bottom (face height). It's also smaller than the regular version so it's theoretically less forgiving, but for a 2hc, that shouldn't be a huge issue.

dmeeksDC · May 11, 2020

I play the same club and shaft and at your speed you can easily handle the Atmos Blue 7S. The Tour Spec version is somewhat stiffer but you probably could handle that too.

I play my F9 at the standard 14.5 loft and it is very easy off the deck. Thought I might need to loft up but hasn’t been the case. Elevates as easy as a 5 wood. I don’t even notice the rails but I believe that’s the point. I bet you’ll enjoy it.

Golf64 · May 11, 2020

I agree with the above comments. Go reg. version, COG is farther back to help with forgiveness and higher launch. Atmos Blue is a good option, mid/mid. Also, try a 5W. Might surprise you!? Loft is your friend! 5W will be easier to hit off the deck and you might not see that much diff. in performance you are looking for in a 3w?!

DLiver · May 11, 2020

Great comments all. I am trying to find a 3w that is both long off the tee (I use it off the tee a lot) and easy to hit off the ground. This isn't the first time I've tried this experiment--I got a 4w a while back and it was easier off the deck, but not long enough off the tee. We'll see how this works, but I'm not holding my breath lol.

DLiver · May 23, 2020

I have now played the F9 (yellow) and am impressed. It doesn't feel quite as solid as my Exotic CBX (which feel like a sledgehammer when you hit the ball), but the F9 gets out there slightly further. It hits the ball a little higher, farther, and is definitely better off the deck. I haven't played with any of the adjustments yet, but so far I am impressed with the performance in the standard position.

FYI, I have the Atmos 7 S shaft.

Thanks for the input guys--it was definitely helpful.

Drewhill44 · May 23, 2020

I play the 3-4 F9 tour version at 14.5(+1 setting) and it’s been easier to get the ball up from the fairway and gives me the trajectory I’m looking for versus the standard 13.5. Best looking and performing 3 wood I’ve played.

dmeeksDC · May 23, 2020

Congrats. It’s very reliable. I was having driver troubles last Saturday and the F9 rode to the rescue off the tee on a few holes. Right down the middle and easy. I would be interested to put a Tour Spec shaft in it or some other spin cutter. Feel like I could easily squeeze another 10-15 yards out of this head. I get more than enough spin.