8 minute read
Tested By Golf Monthly
from ip4h w46u e5u6
by coolkdei2
Tested by real golfers
Edited by Joel Tadman
Advertisement
Cobra King Speedzone Drivers £349
GM Verdict
The King F9 was a big success story for Cobra, so we were keen to discover how its replacement, the King Speedzone (SZ), stacked up. We had an exhaustive testing session indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad and a quick glance at the numbers suggested the performance was virtually identical between the old and new drivers. Delve a little deeper into the data, though, and there were some more interesting fi ndings to be had. In the exact same shaft and loft with the weights in the low-spin positions, we actually swung the King SZ driver more than 1mph slower than the King F9. The strikes were much more centred with the King F9, yet the launch monitor told us the King SZ was actually more effi cient at translating club speed into ball speed.
It is impossible to tell why we swung the King SZ slower, but if it was down to us, not the aerodynamics of the head, then there’s a case to be made that over a longer period of time, golfers should be able to get marginally more performance out of the new King SZ model. Alternatively, the lack of Aero Trips is slowing the head down slightly. For us, the sound has taken a step back with the new model. It is now louder, higher pitched and overpowering, which is surprising given the addition of carbon fi bre. We much preferred the duller, muted sound and feel of the King F9. In the same setting, the King SZ Xtreme driver didn’t quite deliver the distance of the King SZ, owing to the extra 400rpm of spin, but it did fl ight the ball much higher – ideal for golfers with slower swing speeds. In summary, those who bought the King F9 have no real need to upgrade, but golfers who put off buying it will be pleased with what the King SZ off ers. It’s a driver that competes with the very best but comes without the top-end price tag.
Looks The King SZ is a better-looking driver. It’s cleaner, arguably easier to align with the infi nity face and has a slick new alignment logo and graphics around the edges.
TESTED BY GOLF MONTHLY
Up Against
Mizuno ST200G £399
Twin 7g weights on longer external tracks provide more eff ective weight movement to adjust launch and spin.
Ball fl ight In a like-for-like setting, the King SZ produces a similar fl ight and distance to King F9. The Xtreme model fl ights the ball higher, with more spin to help slower swingers. Ping G410 Plus £450
A 16g tungsten weight can be relocated to add 10 yards of draw or fade bias while maintaining forgiveness.
Key Technology
Power comes from the new CNC Infinity Milled face, which optimises thickness and bulge and roll for a more consistent flight and distance. A new streamlined Titanium T-Bar Speed Chassis allows for a 360 Carbon Wrap crown that saves 25g of weight repositioned low and back. The King SZ has adjustable 2g and 14g sole weights, while the new King SZ Xtreme provides added forgiveness via an additional 17g weight. Callaway Mavrik £469
A new Cyclone Aero head shape reduces aerodynamic drag by 61 per cent versus Epic Flash for added club speed and distance.
REVIEWS
Callaway Mavrik Drivers £469
GM Verdict
Rogue’s replacement has the updated Flash Face designed by a super computer, so it promises a great deal and delivers to a degree. We tested the standard and Sub Zero models indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor. The Mavrik driver feels incredibly solid –like almost no energy is lost between the collision of club and ball –with a powerful thud sound we really enjoyed. We were expecting the Cyclone shape of the standard model to give us more clubhead speed compared with the Sub Zero, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, we swung the Mavrik Sub Zero driver nearly 2mph faster, perhaps due to the smaller size. The Sub Zero, in its more forgiving weight setting with the heavier 14g weight at the rear, performed the best for us. While it didn’t quite give us the ball speed of the standard model, the lower spin helped us achieve carries four yards longer on average. The standard model is unquestionably more forgiving and easier to hit straighter. It is faster and more efficient off the face, and will benefit slower swing speeds or golfers who need more spin to maximise distance –it gave us around 300rpm more on average. I don’t think Mavrik represents a big leap forward from Rogue, nor does it noticeably outperform Epic Flash, but these drivers certainly made finding fairways a little easier without having to sacrifice distance.
Key Technology
Each Flash Face SS20 is designed specifically for the standard, Sub Zero and Max models by a super computer and made from an exotic FS2S titanium that is remarkably strong and light. New internal titanium ribs improve sound and feel. Jailbreak and a T2C Triaxial Carbon crown continue to feature to raise ball speeds and forgiveness. The Mavrik driver features a new Cyclone Aero shape, which is shallower from front to back with a flatter crown. It is said to reduce drag by up to 61 per cent compared with Epic Flash for added clubhead speed.
90 Mavrik’s accuracy impressed us
Looks The orange colour pops certainly catch your eye. At address it looks modern with the carbon fibre weave pattern visible. There aren’t too many elements to distract you.
TaylorMade SIM Max Iron £899
GM Verdict
The SIM Max is the smaller of the company’s two new game-improvement irons for 2020. With the outgoing M5 there was some unwanted crossover with the P790 and there is now some distance, literally, between them, with the SIM Max noticeably larger and faster than the M5. In fact, it is much closer to the outgoing M6. They share the same 7-iron loft of 28.5° and our testing showed they hit the ball a very similar distance. We achieved an average carry of 182 yards with SIM Max and 181 yards with M6 from similar club and ball speeds, although the SIM Max does have a stock shaft that is a quarter of an inch shorter. The SIM Max does spin around 300rpm less than M6 and we’d have liked to have seen that paired with a higher launch, but SIM Max actually launched a fraction lower.
The sleek new SIM Max iron in action Looks The SIM Max sits between the outgoing M5 and M6 in terms of size. There’s a generous sole width and hitting area with noticeable offset and a thick topline, inspiring confidence over the ball.
On the face of it, there isn’t much between SIM Max and M6, but where SIM Max moves things on a level is sound and forgiveness. Where the M6 offered a loud, explosive and firm sound off the face, the SIM Max provides the same power in a more subtle way, feeling closer to the P790 than a game-improvement club. We also found it very easy to control direction with the SIM Max. It doesn’t represent a giant leap forward over M5 or M6, but it certainly makes the game an awful lot easier for golfers who don’t find the middle of the face as much as they would like.
Key Technology
A Speed Bridge strategically supports the topline to unlock explosive distance and forgiveness with improved sound and feel. An Echo Damping system is designed with energy channelling geometry to eliminate harsh vibrations at impact for better feel. Updated Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) increases the sweetspot size and minimises sidespin on mishits.
REVIEWS
FootJoy Tour X
Shoe
£179.99
The upper is made from a soft, breathable and waterproof ChromoSkin leather by Pittards
GM Verdict
The Tour S was an impressive shoe, but golfers were reluctant to pay more than £200 to experience the stability it offered. Tour X not only deals with that pricing issue, but also adds extra comfort and more modern looks. It is arguably FootJoy’s most complete cleated performance golf shoe, offering the lateral stability golfers need to
The Tour X deserves five stars
create a solid base and a strong connection with the ground. It allowed us to swing with power and control and no fear of unwanted movement or slipping, regardless of the conditions. Yet underfoot, it has the same soft, bouncy feel as Fury, which you certainly notice when walking between shots. The tongue is also softer, thicker and fits much better on the top of your foot, helped by the elasticated strap which adds flexibility. FootJoy has really nailed the look, too, striking that perfect balance between having lots of technology on show –notably the PowerStrap that provides great midfoot support –and colour pops to catch your eye without overdoing it. The clean, white toe section is pleasing to look down on and the see-through Launch Pods are certainly less noticeable. With super-soft comfort and exceptional performance, Tour X genuinely offers everything you need from a golf shoe. It will be the pair of shoes you call upon for the club championships and it won’t let you down when it matters most. Styling Tour X looks more premium and cutting edge than Tour S. The colour choices are somewhat limited, but the neutral main colours help to match multiple outfits.
Key Technology
Even more stability than Tour S comes from the TPU PowerPlate outsole, which houses nine Launch Pods positioned wider with cleats at the edges for perimeter balance. Additional support comes from the PowerStrap across the midfoot. This is assisted by reinforced lacing eyelets, allowing you to pull the laces tighter for a more snug and secure fit. An Ortholite Impressions FitBed features two layers to provide energy return and gradually mould to the shape of your foot over time.
