Golf Equipment Review: Cobra Amp Cell Irons

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
Categories: Golf ClubsGolf EquipmentGolf GearReviews

Dozens of times I’ve started reviews like this one.  This is another case of “being a top golf blogger does not suck.”  Today’s “tough” job is to post a review of the new Cobra Golf Amp Cell Irons.  Yes, hurt me.

Cobra Amp Cell Irons - click for more

Cobra Amp Cell Irons – click for more

Overview

Cobra’s Amp Cell Irons are cast irons with a cavity back and a bit of muscle in the lower back of the head.  The specs on their website don’t mention it, but there’s a small offset through the set, which will help most amateur golfers avoid the slice or unwanted fade.

Colors

In Cobra style, the clubs are available in four colors.  The back of the club head as well as the grip are accented in blue, Rickie Fowler orange, red (this review), or silver.

In the bag: Cobra Amp Cell Irons in Red (for the Utah Utes!) – click to see larger version

Technology

Amp Cell Irons are made more like a driver than an iron.  The faces of the irons are made like metal wood faces, welded on.  This process by Cobra is called E9 Face Technology.  The result is a high COR (coefficient of resistance), lighter weight and more forgiveness.  In english, longer, straighter, easier to swing.

Amp Cell Irons milled face – click to enlarge

The face of the club has some very fine milling for control and spin.  Click the photo to the right to view the larger version and you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.

Three crucial areas of the sole employ Cobra’s “V-Skid” sole design.  This sculpted sole configuration “improves turf interaction” for all swing types.  Who doesn’t need improved turf interaction?

The weighting of this iron is distributed via “cells” to the perimeter of the head.  Perimeter weighting makes the club easier to hit, promotes high launch for more distance, and puts the CG (center of gravity) right where it needs to be behind the sweet spot.

Target Player

These clubs are likely targeted toward a low-mid to high-mid handicap player.  That being said, I played them well as a 2 handicap and so did my buddy who is a 13.

Specifications

Like most modern irons, the Amp Cell’s are strong in their lofts.  In many cases the lofts are 3-4 degrees stronger than irons of 10 years ago.

Model Loft Length Lie Swing Weight
(Graphite)
Swing Weight
(Steel)
Stock
Flex
RH/LH
3 Iron 18.5° 40.00″ 59° D1 D3 S, R, L RH
4 Iron 21.0° 39.25″ 60° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
5 Iron 24.0° 38.50″ 61° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
6 Iron 27.0° 37.75″ 62° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
7 Iron 31.0° 37.25″ 62.5° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
8 Iron 35.0° 36.75″ 63° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
9 Iron 39.0° 36.25″ 63.5° D1 D3 S, R, L RH/LH
PW 44.0° 36.00″ 64° D2 D4 S, R, L RH/LH
GW 49.0° 35.75″ 64.5° D2 D4 S, R, L RH/LH
SW 54.0° 35.50″ 64.5° D3 D5 S, R, L RH/LH
LW 59.0° 35.50″ 64.5° D3 D5 S, R, L RH

On The Course

The first adjustment I had to make with the Amp Cells was because they’re so light.  I found it easy to swing faster, no doubt.  The problem though, is that can change the timing of my swing.  So I had to be sure to concentrate on a good swing tempo and bringing the club back nice and smooth.

Amp Cells looking nice and shiny in the bag! I like shiny. Click to zoom

The Amp Cells deliver on forgiveness.  Shots which were not quite on the sweet spot didn’t lose much distance, just as Cobra advertises.

Distance when hitting the sweet spot was, shall we say, deep.  On the par-5 13th during the first round I tested these babies I hit a 6-iron from the right rough.  I took an aggressive line over a hazard and landed the green some 195 yards away.   The result was an eagle putt.  No I didn’t make the putt for eagle, but the 2″ tap-in birdie was easy on the confidence.

One of my playing partners demoed the irons as well.  He’s a senior player who won the club championship last year.  He doesn’t hit it far but he’s deadly accurate.  His accuracy with the Amp Cells was spot on, as was his distance control.  The light weight of the clubs matched his slower swing well, despite the shafts bing stiff in flex.

Conclusion

Cobra Golf’s Amp Cell Irons deliver as advertised.  They’re long, straight, easy to hit, light and very sharp looking.   With four available colors, stylish golfers can buy 2-3 sets to match their apparel color scheme for the day’s round.  🙂

Related Links

Hooked On Golf Blog Cobra Golf image gallery

Hooked On Golf Blog Cobra Amp Cell Driver review


Tragic Michigan High School Golf Team Van Crash Kills At Least Three

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, April 29th, 2013
Categories: Miscellaneous

Very sad to read of some breaking news regarding a van crash involving a Michigan high school boys golf team.  Current news is that the coach and one player from the Grayling High School golf team are dead, as well as a woman in the other vehicle involved in the crash, also a van.  Four other members of the golf team are in critical condition.

Thoughts and prayers to those involved and my hopes that those still hanging on make it through.

Links

ABC News

M (Michigan) Live

Twitter

Discussion on Twitter regarding this situation can be marked with the hashtag #prayersforgrayling.


Golf Book Review: Golf Quotes – Great Quotes About a Great Game

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, April 29th, 2013
Categories: Golf BooksReviews

This is a nice coffee-table or office book I like to pick up once in a while and thumb through a few pages.  Golf Quotes- Great Quotes About a Great Game by Joe Vanek, is of course a book containing most (if not all) of golf’s greatest quotes.  This is a very nice hard cover which also has some fantastic golf photos which accompany each quote.

Golf Quotes - click to buy

Golf Quotes – click to buy

Here are a couple of my favorites:

“Golf tips are like aspirin.  One may do you good, but if you swallow the whole bottle, you will be lucky to survive.” ~Harvey Penick

Or how about this one from my buddy…

“Golf is the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off.” ~Chi Chi Rodriguez


First Look: GoBe Golf Prodigy-Black/Red Golf Shoes

Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Categories: Golf ApparelGolf Gear

There’s a new golf shoe maker on the radar: GoBe Golf.  GoBe released its inaugural line of golf shoes in September of 2012.  I got my first glimpse of some of their shoes at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando this past January.

GoBe Golf Prodigy-Black/Red Golf Shoes - click for more images

GoBe Golf Prodigy-Black/Red Golf Shoes – click for more images

Now in the review queue here at Hooked On Golf Blog world headquarters are the Prodigy-Black/Red model in the GoBe line.  These are a golf/street hybrid, the big rage these days.  This pair is has a cool shiny look which I dig.  I’ll not only be testing these shiny treads on the course, but in the office too.

Stay tuned for my GoBe Golf Prodigy-Black/Red review, as soon as I’ve logged enough rounds with ’em.

Related

GoBe Image Gallery


Fantasy Golf – RBC Heritage Winner

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, April 26th, 2013
Categories: Fantasy GolfMiscellaneous

Fantasy Golf 2013RBC Heritage Winner: fdringo

2013 Fantasy Golf is brought to you by Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space.

SPONSOR UPDATE

The following four sponsors have been confirmed for 2013!

  • Nike Golf – Nike Covert Driver
  • FootJoy – Shoes/Apparel
  • Bridgestone Golf – Bridgestone Golf Balls
  • Tornado Tee – Very cool golf tees (weekly)

I’m still hammering out prizes and arrangements for coupon codes to claim the weekly prizes.  Stay tuned!

It is never too late to join HOG Space fantasy golf FREE.  Follow the easy instructions below:

1. Go to www.buzzfantasyleagues.com
2. Create an account if you don’t have one
3. Click on “Join an Existing League”
4. Enter League ID 233, and Season ID 335
5. Create your team, enter league password “HOG”

Nike Covert Driver

Nike Covert Driver Grand Prize

Sponsors Wanted

If you wish to sponsor 2013 Fantasy Golf, let me know.  Sponsorship would mean providing prizes in exchange for weekly air time, banners and links to your web site via the fantasy golf updates.

Discussion

HOG Space fantasy golf is a dual effort between Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space.  Official fantasy golf forum discussion thread is in The Golf Space Forum here.


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