Review: Cobra Golf F-Max Complete Golf Set for Slower Swing Speeds

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, November 20th, 2018
Categories: Golf • Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Cobra Golf

Editor’s Note: This is a thrill for me. I’ve managed to get my 81 year old dad to write his first real blog post, an in-depth review of the Cobra Golf F-Max Complete Set! The complete set includes irons, hybrids, woods, a driver, a sand wedge, a putter, and a full-feature cart bag. The F-Max series is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds ike seniors or lady golfers.

Pops was a sports writer and editor at the Salt Lake Tribune for years and I’m thrilled to to have gotten his hands on this great gear from Cobra. I’m pleased that the F-Max Complete Set has added some spark to his golf game, which has been a struggle in recent years.

Cobra Golf F-Max Complete Golf Set Review
By Mike Korologos
Salt Lake City

After admiring in awe the beauty of my first complete set of golf gear since I can’t remember when, I took a few practice swings with Cobra’s sparkling F-MAX 7-iron to get the feel for its weight and flex. My initial ball contact found it sailing about as straight and as long as any I’d hit a 7-iron in a long, long time.

“I didn’t feel a thing,” I marveled in joy to son, Tony, who was at the next hitting bay on the driving range at Salt Lake City’s Hidden Valley Country Club.

“That’s a good sign,” he offered.

After a few more similar results with the other irons and the bulbous driver, I knew that I was about regenerate my enthusiasm for the game after seeing it dwindle all season-long due to the obvious decline in distance I have been experiencing in recent seasons.

Cobra F-Max Superlight Driver

After admiring the almost straight-back tee “skid marks” on the soles of the woods, I realized even though I’m not a swing analyst, that these clubs’ lighter weight, flexible graphite shafts, and offset face were helping me make straight-away contact with the ball.

With all that techno-wizardry affording me a faster swing speed through the ball, guess what … the ball has a higher trajectory and lots more forward roll once on the ground, not the roll-limiting spin as was the case with fades and pushed shots.

Thus, more distance with the same swing. Hurray!

But before I let my enthusiasm sound like Cobra’s F-MAX clubs are the Fountain of Youth or the panacea for old golfers (OK, senior golfers), it becomes obvious rather quickly that they are not magic wands.

They will not help me hit the ball as far as the young-guns or like I did as a single-digit handicapper in days of yore.

I still have to put a decent swing to them.

That stark reminder came to mind in a nanosecond as I applied my anxious-to-hit-the-ball-hard swing. The result: A worm-burning, topped dribble a few yards down the fairway. Your miss-hits are still miss-hits, even with F-MAX woods that have extra heel weighting to facilitate more loft.

F-Max Combo Set

With each F-MAX club I swing, I keep reminding myself “even with these beauties, you still have to give it a long, smooth backswing, and stay down, through the ball. Then turn your belt buckle to the target on the follow through.”

In my case, I’m delighted with the accuracy these clubs bring me – more fairways, more greens. As for added distance, I was hoping for a lot more, but it is noticeably better than it has been of late, especially on with the 8, 9 and PW clubs.

I’ve found that in my address I look down at the club adjacent to the ball and that visual image conveys a sense of confidence in me: “These clubs are going to help me make good contact — so go for it.”

That thought process usually works! (Notice the word usually.)

The lightweight F-MAX bag (photo below) that handily houses the clubs in individual slots, is as attractive as its contents. Its numerous, easily-accessible pockets have large, silent, easy-flow zippers on the pockets, including one that is insulated to accommodate cool or warm drinks.

An over-sized slot on the front of the bag makes access and housing of the putter a no-effort task and its two large handles on the collar make for easy of handling on and off the cart or in and out of the auto trunk.

Cobra’s blade putter, for me, will take some adjusting as I’ve used a heavier mallet putter for years. The lighter-weight Cobra requires me to strike the ball firmer, a task I find causes me to pull putts.

My biggest frustration with the Cobra gear? The head covers.

Made of attractive black vinyl, they fit so tightly over the clubs that they are nearly impossible to pull off and put them back on. Putting them on, I discovered if I turn the sleeve sideways and slip it over the club head and then firmly pull down on the cover it will eventually slide into place.

Bottom Line

A big shout-out is due Cobra Golf for providing an entire club system for those of us in our golden years who love the game but whose swing skills are more tarnished brass than golden.

HOG World Tour Arrives at Mexico’s TPC Danzante Bay Golf Course

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, November 15th, 2018
Categories: Golf Course Architecture • Golf Courses • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Loreto Mexico • Mexico • Mexico Golf • Rees Jones • TPC Danzante Bay

After a full day of traveling from the frozen tundra of Salt Lake, I’ve arrived in the warmth of Mexico at a great resort called Villa del Palmar (pictures soon). I just managed to squeeze in 9-holes at TPC Danzante Bay, the Rees Jones course here with the famous 17th hole. The 17th is shown below. Even after the sun has gone down it still looks awesome.

I’ll be exploring the resort and playing several rounds over the next 3-4 days at TPC Danzante, and of course reporting and posting many more photos. Stay tuned.

Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to a beach party! Woot!

Lifestyle Alert – Boxer Briefs from Warriors and Scholars

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, November 12th, 2018
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Apparel • Warriors and Scholars

I can’t make birdies if my panties are all in a bunch. You can quote me on that. Seriously. I’ll do just about anything (other than practice or take lessons) to improve my scores. To that end I’ve been “testing” some new boxer briefs from a company called Warriors and Scholars. Let’s check them out.

I would have posted a picture of myself in these boxer briefs, but I’m too busy right now to field calls and emails from modeling agencies or inquisitive ladies. 🙂

Above are the “Daniel” model boxer briefs from Warriors and Scholars. They’re made from 93% polyester and 7% spandex. No cotton, which is good. Not a cotton fan for just about any apparel item, especially items so “intimate,” if you will.

The poly/spandex blend makes the undies not only super soft and comfortable, but moisture wicking as well. And let’s face it, I have enough to sweat over when I have a 3-footer for birdie to keep myself from losing a $2 bet.

The materials stretch and move as needed.

Lastly the “spacious pouch” provides room for comfort, but proper support to make sure everything is in the right place. Nothing worse that trying to smash a drive on a tight hole when things aren’t in the “right place.”

Sizes/Colors

Sizes run from small to double-extra large and the patters are very fun and unique. There are 24 different patterns to choose from.

Subscriptions

Warriors and Scholars offers subscriptions. You can get one to three pairs delivered to your door per month. One pair per month runs $12/month. I should do the 3-pairs package which runs $30/month. In a few months I could replace all my old boxers. There’s a pair of my old boxers at the Smithsonian right now being carbon dated to determine their age.

Tour Edge Exotics CBX Hybrid Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, November 11th, 2018
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: hybrid • Tour Edge

Since 2016 I’ve been gaming the Tour Edge Exotics CB Pro U Limited Edition 19 degree hybrid. It is a hell of a hybrid and I’ve been quite satisfied with the performance. I was skeptical when Tour Edge confidently told me I would like the new Exotics CBX Hybrid more, but I was certainly game to give it a shot at a starting position in my bag. For the foreseeable future, the CBX is now the starter. Let’s take a look.

Tour Edge Exotics CBX Hybrid Overview

The CBX Hybrid employs some very cool technology which helps reduce unwanted spin, increase distance, and allow the player to control or “work” the ball. Working the ball is when a player can control the shape of the shot in various ways, mostly controlling a draw or fade.

The face of the CBX is made of extremely thin titanium which helps reduce the club’s weight and increase power and accuracy.

The sole of the club is a carbon composite which helps distribute the weight of the head to the most optimal places. This weight distribution also helps with control, accuracy and getting the ball launched nice and high.

There is a “speed ramp” on the sole of the club which helps with the club’s “turf interaction.” This helps guide the club straight through the turf, reducing twisting of the head. It also helps keep the maximum club speed in the area where the club is interacting with the turf.

The face of the club employs “variable thickness” technology, which makes the club more forgiving on shots which are not quite on-center. From my casual observation the leading edge on the face has a bit more of a sharp cut to it that my old CB Pro.

On The Course

I’ve now had the CBX in play for three months. I don’t do five minutes and three range balls type of reviews. I truly believe playing the club for many many rounds, in as many different situations and conditions possible is the best way to review a club. Plus it can take awhile to really dial in the feel and swing as most of us know when it comes to testing out new clubs.

The CBX shines in how easy it is to hit. I thought my CB Pro was easy, but the CBX is even easier to hit. The ball flies nice and high, and most of the time for me the shot is very straight or has an occasional slight draw. Slight. The one knock on my CB Pro, which could have been more of a shaft or swing issue, was that I would occasionally pull it badly.

The leading edge I mentioned earlier, along with the speed ramp really helps when hitting this club out of the rough. It cuts right through and produces quality contact even when there is a lot of grass around the ball.

I use the CBX on short par-4 holes when driver is too much club. I also love hitting the CBX on my 2nd shot of par-5’s, or as the tee shot on very long par-3’s between 200-240 yards. My greens in regulation on long par-3’s like that has greatly improved.

Memorable Shots

A few weeks ago at Streamsong Resort I had a memorable par-3 like I just mentioned. It was the 17th hole of the Blue course. It was 200+ yards uphill, with a 1-2 club wind into. I hit a super solid tee shot with the CBX which started on the right half of the green and drew lightly to toward the back pin. Because of the elevation change I couldn’t see where it finished but I had a feeling it would be good. I stroked in that 5-footer for a very satisfying birdie. That was a two I would have a lot of trouble making with a long iron.

Another nice memorable shot was on one of my home courses, River Oaks. The opening hole is a 500 yard par-5 with water down the whole right side and wasteland down the left where balls are never found. After a decent drive of about 280 I had about 225 to a back pin. The CBX felt very solid and once again headed to the right half of the green with a slight draw. Due to the lighting I couldn’t see it finish and assumed the ball on the front fringe was mine. Nope. That was someone else’s. My ball had run up to about three feet, right below the pin. Straight uphill 3-footers for eagle are fun. BOOM! I find that eagles really help with one’s score.

Specs (courtesy of Tour Edge)

MODEL	LOFT	LIE	GRAPHITE LENGTH	FACE ANGLE	FLEX
16 HYBRID	16°	57.0°	41.00″	SQUARE	R,S,X
17 HYBRID	17°	57.25°	40.75″	SQUARE	R,S,X
18 HYBRID	18°	57.5°	40.50″	SQUARE	R,S,X
19 HYBRID	19°	57.75°	40.25″	SQUARE	R,S,X
20 HYBRID	20°	58°	40.00″	SQUARE	R,S,X
22 HYBRID	22°	58.25°	39.75″	SQUARE	R,S,X
Available in right hand. Standard grip is Lamkin Z5 grip.

Final Thoughts

I feel like my great relationship with the CBX has just begun. I’m absolutely positive the CBX will continue to be a crucial part of my club arsenal, at least until Tour Edge assures me their next hybrid is even better!

If you are in the market for a hybrid, I strongly suggest checking out the CBX, or any Tour Edge hybrid. They’re fantastic.

First Look: Callaway Apparel Men’s Dual Action 1/4 Zip Pullover Sweater

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, November 5th, 2018
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear
Tags: Callaway

I just spent the whole chilly day here in northern Utah sporting the new Callaway Apparel Men’s Dual Action 1/4 Zip Pullover Sweater which just came in for review here at Hooked on Golf Blog. I never took it off, even at the office. Very comfortable and stylish.

Here are a few key features courtesy of Callaway Apparel:

100% Polyester
Insulated thermal fabric creates a barrier between you and cold weather
Weather-repellent fabric creates a barrier of lightweight protection to resist wind and water
UV Block UPF 50 protects you against the sun’s ultraviolet rays
Callaway Tour Logo on chest
Callaway Chevron Logo on center back
Fleece Fabrication Machine Washable Imported
Available in BIG & TALL

I have more testing to do, especially in the fall golf weather here. Stay tuned for the full HOG review soon.

Older posts

Newer posts

« Previous 1 … 47 48 49 50 51 … 1,165 Next »