About this Review: This review is my opinion review of the iron set, which I tested in June of 2022.

My take

The Cobra King Forged Tec X 2022 Iron Set is perfect for low-to-mid handicappers who dig the look and feel of a forged iron. Player-style distance with the forgiveness of game-improvement irons; they are high launching and workable.

About the clubs I own

• Model: Cobra King Forged Tec X Iron Set 2022
• Loft setting: Standard
• Shaft type: KBS Taper Lite
• Shaft flex: Stiff

About me

• Average score: 82
• Handicap: 8
• Experience: 30+ years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right
• Typical ball flight: I like to work it. Predominantly a high baby fade and sometimes a draw
• Golf ball used: Callaway HEX Tour
• Club swing speed: 110 mph

Test conditions

• When I bought the club: June 2022
• Days tested: 30 days
• Where I’ve used it: Hawaii Kai driving range. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
• Weather and wind conditions: I live in Honolulu, HI, where temperatures are in the mid 80s with sunshine and trade winds 15–20mph. Hawaii Kai Driving Range has a cross wind that blows right to left from the southeast. I practice here to work the ball with or into the wind (i.e. fade into or draw the ball with it). Royal Hawaiian Golf Club is target golf all day. Great course to test the distance and forgiveness of these irons.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I got back into golf after a 10-year hiatus with game-improvement irons (check out my previous review of the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons), and, well…my game improved consequently; it was time for an upgrade. I was confident in my swing and ball striking, so I was ready for the challenge of playing forged irons—though I wasn’t ready to play blades. I was looking for a club that possessed the perfect combination of forgiveness and distance gained. I came across this set while I was being fitted for the Callaway Apex 21.

Why I chose this club

The biggest reason I chose these clubs was due to the feel. A flush strike feels like butter. I originally went to my local golf store to be fitted for Callaways—either the Apex 21 or Apex DCB. I tried both and they were not forgiving enough and a little too heavy on the swing. Then the pro handed me the Tec X. After a few strikes, I was impressed with the feel and distance. The look of a forged iron was intimidating to me, so I was impressed by how well my swing responded to them.

What I love about it

• Distance: With my previous set I was hitting my 7 iron for 160 yards. Now I hit 175. Cobra has put an emphasis on the player in player-style irons. And it’s refreshing to find Cobra has snuck players’ distance into a game-improvement iron.
• Feel: This is a forged iron with a hollow-body design. I hit it flush and it feels like air.
• Sound: Swoosh when I flush it. Dull sound when I hit the ball off the toe of the clubface.
• Workability: This is my favorite part about these irons. With my previous game-improvement irons I could not really work the ball. Now I have added a draw to my game to accompany my baby fade; the results are more greens hit in regulation.
• Shaft Feel: The stock, KBS Taper Lite, is solid and feels lightweight when I swing it. Mid to high launching has me sticking greens.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Classy, traditional aesthetic. Looks great at the address.
• Grip Feel: Lamkin Crossline Grips come standard. They are good grips, but I prefer a wrap. So I added Taki-Mac perforated midsize wrap grips which grip better in the tropical heat.
• Launch Angle: To the moon. Cobra has added 60 grams of tungsten to the club head, enhancing that sky high launch.
• Spin: Since I hit the ball high, I tend to stick it on the green, but with Cobra Tec X I'm getting more back spin when I hit a fade.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: This is the only issue I’ve encountered, but I say this with a disclaimer: these are player-style irons. They are forged. Mid-to-low handicappers who are solid ball strikers will enjoy these irons. I’m an eight handicap, but I would not have felt comfortable using these clubs a year ago when I was a 16. Cobra recommends them for 5–15 handicappers. I do feel my mishits, which for me is generally a toe strike.

Best shot with this club

The signature 12th hole at Royal Hawaiian is a 178-yard, par-3 island green with a carry over a ravine and trouble all over. The only bailouts are the fringe and a short patch of rough to the right as well as behind the green. With the wind lightly behind me, I pulled out my 7 iron. This was traditionally a 6 iron shot for me, but I was confident I could carry the ravine and hit the green. I took an easy swing and flushed it—launching it with a nice fade and landing the ball 10-feet pin high to the right. Missed the birdie. Made the par. Tee shot felt like a million bucks. I can’t deny I enjoy the wow factor of telling the group it was a seven iron.

Value for the money vs. other options

The price point of these irons is comparable to those from all the established brands, including the TaylorMade P790’s. Ultimately, if a golfer is in the market for players’ forged irons, then that person knows their game well and will understand the benefits these irons will bring to their game.

Final verdict

An unreal players-style iron geared with game-improvement features. Perfect for mid-to-low handicappers and solid ball strikers looking to gain distance and bring workability to their game.