Cobra 3DP X Irons Review: A new, expensive standard in game-improvement irons

While it's a common cliche that newcomers to golf can't wait to drop a fortune on a new, shiny set of clubs, the fact remains that most tend to gravitate towards the more affordable end of the spectrum more often than not. In turn, most clubs aimed at game improvers are priced accordingly, taking the sting out of the initial outlay and making it more economical to upgrade once you get better.

Some brands, however, have come to buck this trend in recent years as the gap between game-improvement clubs and more forgiving players distance irons has narrowed. Titleist's T350s, for instance, cost the same as a set of tour-level T100s. 

Now, however, Cobra have upped the ante further with the 3DPx: a set of irons that deliver feel comparable to forged clubs, super game-improvement levels of forgiveness, in one of the best-looking packages we've ever seen. The drawback? They cost a smidge under £1900 for a set.

What then, considering Cobra's history of undercutting the other four major OEMs, is the reason for the massive price tag? More importantly, are they worth it? We took the new clubs out on the course to get an answer, and get familiar with why Cobra is going all-in on 3D printing as the future of club manufacturing.

Check out our video review below and scroll on to read our detailed thoughts. Let us know what you think of the new Cobra 3DP X irons in the comments below.

Features and looks

Cobra undoubtedly sees embracing bold tech as its way to stand out from the four other major manufacturers in the industry, even if it means occasionally straying from its longtime ethos of undercutting the competition on price. Proof of this came early with the launch of the 3DP Tour irons, the brand's first mass-market 3D-printed iron which have since been adopted by Max Homa and Rickie Fowler.

Cobra went further towards establishing itself as the chief innovator in 3D-printed clubs last month, unveiling two new 3D-printed iron models to join the Tour. Both are made using the same 3D-printed process, which fuses thousands of layers of powdered 316 stainless steel with lasers in lieu of traditional forging or casting methods.

While this may seem like a bit of a gimmick at first glance, 3D printing does offer some benefits over traditional methods. Building clubs layer upon layer allows Cobra not just to achieve a greater level of consistency with its clubs, but experiment with more radical shapes and internal lattice structures to unlock new levels of feel and forgiveness.

The result is a family of three distinct iron models that, theoretically at least, pack far more forgiveness and distance into a more compact profile. In the case of the 3DP X, this means you get an iron in the shape and size of a players distance iron that plays like a game-improvement club.

The 3DP X is most eye-catching new entry to the line-up, and one that had us a little more perplexed when it was first revealed. Shaped in a more compact profile, Cobra says the 3DP X's internal structure and added tungsten weighting in the toe and hosel have allowed its engineers to push the CG further back and increase the MOI of the club even more.

The result is forgiveness and performance Cobra says akin to that of the DS-ADAPT Max (read: a super game improvement iron) in a smaller profile that'll appeal to a range of golfers between 10 and 20 handicaps.

All three irons share a similar visual profile, defined by super clean edges and a smart lattice pattern that runs along the midline of the club alluding to the tech that lies beneath. The thicker topline at address makes clear that these are still game improvement irons, but their more compact shape will suit the eye wonderfully for players who don't want to see a ton of club behind the ball.

This allows not just for a super premium look across the bag and better integration with the similar-looking King wedges, but makes for a more consistent aesthetic package if the irons are worked into a combo set – a trend many brands seem to be favouring of late. You don't need us to tell you that they look absolutely stunning. But does the performance match the visuals – or the price tag?

Performance

As an overall performance package, Cobra's 3DP line is perhaps the best set of irons to ever emerge from the brand. The 3DPX is no exception, delivering the buttery soft feel of its siblings in the line-up, the 3DP Tour and 3DP MB, while offering perhaps more forgiveness than any iron of its size we've ever tested.

The feel produced by the 3DP's 316 stainless steel is incredible, and up there with the very best forged irons from the likes of Mizuno, PING and Titleist. They also produced fantastic dispersion numbers, delivering a blend of forgiveness, speed off the face and accuracy comparable to the truly premium irons on the market.

Testing against Cobra's other new game improvement models, the King and King Max, the 3DP X was a noticeable step up in terms of performance and forgiveness, producing more spin, the same distance as the stronger lofted King line, and much tighter dispersion numbers despite the more compact shaping. The difference in feel, meanwhile, was massive, with the 3DP X producing far better feedback on off-centre strikes where other game-improvement irons tend to feel a little hollow and clacky.

What's most impressive about the 3DP X, however, is the way it delivers forgiveness without sacrificing control. While game improvement clubs are typically easy to hit, that doesn't necessarily equate to accuracy or precision when attacking the flags. The 3DP X irons bridge this gap beautifully, providing just that little bit more workability in the manner of a players' distance iron while providing the forgiveness and peace of mind to really attack every shot knowitn it has your back.

Should you buy the Cobra 3DPx irons?

GolfMagic may receive a small advertising or affiliate commission if you buy via our links. Pricing may vary.
 

Cobra 3DP X Ironsfrom £1,890.00 at Scottsdale Golf

From the perspective of pure performance, Cobra's 3DP X irons are among the very best irons you can buy, and perhaps the best game-improvement irons on the market right now. We love how Cobra have created a package that truly caters to the needs of developing players who want a truly premium profile and shape in their clubs, dialling up the forgiveness while delivering the feel of a more premium iron that game improvers traditionally wouldn't be able to play.

What's impossible to get around, however, is the price. At £1890 for a 5-PW set, the 3DPx is not only £1000 more expensive than the King irons released alongside it, but £500 more than an equivalent forged set from a premium brand like Titleist or Mizuno. 

The Cobras may well perform better in the hands of many game improvers, but can we really justify such a massive leap in price? We're not so sure, and given many game-improvers tend to gravitate towards more budget-friendly clubs, it's hard to tell just how many 10-20 handicappers will be willing to fork out for them.

If money is no object and you want a set of irons to take you through the teen handicaps with incredible feel and oodles of style, these should be among the first irons you test.