Review: Cobra RF Proto Irons
Published on 07/27/2023 · 3 min readCurated Golf Experts share their experience with using the Cobra RF Proto Irons. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.By Curated Experts
Anthony Pragano, Chris Casey, Ari T and Michael V
6 photos
The Curated Take
4.5/5
The Rickie Fowler Proto irons by Cobra are premium, workable golf clubs designed for elite players. With zero offset and a thin top line, these irons provide superior control and feel but lack forgiveness on mishits. Their traditional lofts facilitate higher spin and launch, while the copper finish adds aesthetic appeal. However, these irons are not meant for maximum distance. Suited for accomplished ball strikers, they require precise center strikes to unlock their performance. Despite being on the pricier side, they offer value for skilled players desiring top-tier muscle back blades and collectors alike.
Ideal for
- Designed for solid ball strikers
- Zero offset
- Lots of workability
- Clean look
Not ideal for
- Almost no forgiveness
- Not advised for anyone who is not a top-level ball striker
- Higher ball flight than most lower handicap golfers would prefer
- Thinnest top line on the market
- Copper finish wears fast
Workability
The Rickie Fowler Proto irons are made for elite players and ball strikes. The traditional lofts allow for increased spin and launch, the thin sole provides for better cut-through of...Read more
Forgiveness
These are true to what one thinks of a blade. These irons are "butter knives" with the tiny top line they sport. They offer a great feel and workability. However,...Read more
Feel
I haven't found an iron that feels as good as the Rickie Fowler Proto irons. That being said, golfers have to hit it in the middle. I cannot stress that...Read more
Sound
When struck out of the middle of the clubface, these irons have the sound one would expect: a beautiful crisp, compressed "woosh". It’s what perfection from a player’s muscle back...Read more
Launch
These irons have the traditional lofts of today's player irons, so the ball will easily spin and launch on the higher side. Players who miss the sweet spot will have...Read more
Distance
These irons are for players looking for a muscle back blade with workability and feel. They do not sport a lower loft or any offset for distance and direction purposes,...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Cobra RF Proto Irons
Chris Casey These irons are great for the more advanced player looking for something small, clean, workable, and great feeling. They have very minimal offset and a very small blade length, so they frame the ball perfectly. The forgiveness is pretty high for an iron of this size. They are tiny, but it still carries if one hits it a little off-center.
Anthony Pragano These are beautiful irons; the copper finish is a thing of beauty. The top line is the size of a butter knife, and the sole is razor-thin. These irons are for players who can hit the center of the clubface 9 out of 10 swings. But if someone is above a 2/3 handicap, they will pay the price on every mishit shot they make with them.
Ari T If someone is looking for a set with zero offset and a very slim head, this is by far the best set of irons made in a long time. As someone who does not like offset, these are the best-looking clubs I have seen. They are not forgiving or easy to hit. These cannot be beaten for a top-level ball striker that misses left and wants a zero-offset pure blade. Avoid like the plague if one is not a solid ball striker.
Michael V Cobra's RF (Ricky Fowler) Prototype irons are a great option for lower-handicap golfers that are exceptional ball strikers. Offering the thinnest-looking club at address, the best golfers will love the look and feel. The ball flight is quite high in KBS shafts, which is not ideal for most lower-handicap golfers, but the club can be reshafted. Revised by Ricky himself 33 times, the irons feature a milled grind sole and have an immaculate feel.
Review Ratings
Workability
5/5
Anthony Pragano gave 5 of 5 stars. The Rickie Fowler Proto irons are made for elite players and ball strikes. The traditional lofts allow for increased spin and launch, the thin sole provides for better cut-through of turf, and the zero offset enables players to move the clubface how they please.
Forgiveness
3/5
Anthony Pragano gave 3 of 5 stars. These are true to what one thinks of a blade. These irons are "butter knives" with the tiny top line they sport. They offer a great feel and workability. However, if a player mishits the tiny sweet spot, they will be heavily penalized with a loss of distance and direction. They are not for the faint of heart.
Feel
5/5
Anthony Pragano gave 5 of 5 stars. I haven't found an iron that feels as good as the Rickie Fowler Proto irons. That being said, golfers have to hit it in the middle. I cannot stress that enough. Mishits on this club feel hard, but nothing compares to those center strikes.
Sound
5/5
Anthony Pragano gave 5 of 5 stars. When struck out of the middle of the clubface, these irons have the sound one would expect: a beautiful crisp, compressed "woosh". It’s what perfection from a player’s muscle back should be. Mishits will produce a good sound but more along the lines of the thud variety.
Launch
5/5
Anthony Pragano gave 5 of 5 stars. These irons have the traditional lofts of today's player irons, so the ball will easily spin and launch on the higher side. Players who miss the sweet spot will have a harder time getting spin and launch to work in their favor, so one must be a very good ball striker.
Distance
4/5
Anthony Pragano gave 4 of 5 stars. These irons are for players looking for a muscle back blade with workability and feel. They do not sport a lower loft or any offset for distance and direction purposes, making it harder on this category. For the right player, they can be longer, but that is not their intended purpose.
FAQs
Why did you choose this product?
Anthony Pragano The Proto irons are in my personal collection. These irons are beautiful—from the tiny top line to the bottom sole—the CNC-milled face looks gorgeous in the copper finish. The RF logo on the clubs makes them look even better.
Anthony Pragano
Golf ExpertChris Casey
Golf ExpertAri T
Golf ExpertMichael V
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