Cobra KING & KING MAX Irons Review: A new dimension of fast forgiveness?
Cobra has borrowed tech from the much-hyped 3DP range to create its longest, most easy-hitting irons yet. But is the 3D printed insert a game-changer or a gimmick?
- Very forgiving and straight
- Feel is powerful and hot
In case you didn't quite get the memo, Cobra is forecasting 2026 as the year 3D printing hits the golfing mainstream.
Having helped pioneer the use of the technology in the production of its LIMIT3D irons a few years back, Cobra doubled down on the tech last year with the launch of its first main-line 3DP Tour irons. It would then go on to add to this range last week with two new 3DP iron models, which boast an incredibly premium look, incredible feel and in the case of the 3DP X, game improvement-levels of forgiveness in a more compact shape.
The main drawback of the 3DP range is its eye-watering £1,900 price tag, however fear not – Cobra is ensuring no customer is left out of the 3D revolution thanks to the launch of its brand new KING game improvement irons, priced at a much more agreeable £899.
But are they any good? And perhaps more importantly, should you perhaps just be buying these instead of the 3DP X? We tested both the KING and super game improvement KING MAX irons to find out.
Check out our video review below and scroll on to read our detailed thoughts. Let us know what you think of the new Cobra KING irons in the comments below.
| Brand | Cobra |
| Release date | February 6, 2026 |
| RRP | £799 (4-PW) |
| Key Features |
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Looks and features
The KING irons represent an entirely revised approach to Cobra's game improvement line-up, which in recent years has seen them largely releasing irons branded to match their flagship driver range. The return of the KING name is a welcome one and differentiates this new range nicely from the more premium 3DP line without making it feel like a simple driver tie-in.
As such, the standard KING irons replace last year's DS-ADAPT as the standard game improvement model, while the KING MAX irons enter the line-up in lieu of the DS-ADAPT MAX as the brand's super game improvement option.
So what's new, and more importantly where does 3D printing come in? The answer lies in the black latticed insert that lies in the back of each, which is also 3D printed (from high-density plastic rather than metal, obviously) and works in much the same function as the lattice does on the 3DP range, redistributing mass in the back of the club to push its CG down (by 2mm to be exact) and make for more effortless launch. We think it looks great, with Cobra making the smart choice to keep it dressed in a simple black and chrome colour scheme to prevent things from getting too busy.
The KING irons draw on some of the tech that has made their previous game improvement models so successful, most notably the combo of SPEEDSHELL 360 and H.O.T. face technologies that helps the KING produce uber-hot speeds across the face.
The DS-ADAPT's internal weight, suspended inside a shock-absorbing polymer, also makes a return – however the new weight is a full 15g heavier to help generate even more speed while the polymer deadens vibrations to provide crisp, cushioned feel on all shots.
The other major step forward comes at the very bottom of the club, with Cobra introducing a new SKID SOLE design to aid turf interaction and improve forgiveness even further. This effectively comes in the form of a pre-worn leading edge, which provides added bounce and a flatter mid-sole area that pulls the club's natural resting point, and CG, lower to the ground.
Performance
As is the norm with game improvement irons, the two models are distinctly different in shape and build to cater for different types of player. The KING is slightly more compact (although still noticeably larger than the 3DPX), with a fairly conventional profile and a thicker top-edge to aid forgiveness. The KING MAX is even chunkier, with added offset and weaker lofts to optimise launch and ball flight for high handicappers and newer players.
As we've come to expect from Cobra's more affordable game improvement irons in the last few years, the KING irons present a well-balanced performance profile that stands up well to the game improvement offerings of other entry-level brands without being particularly spectacular.
Both generated good, solid distances and ball speeds comparable to that of the far more expensive 3DP X, however their stronger lofts and less refined faces led to a natural drop in distance compared to the more premium model.
Cobra's game improvement irons have long been renowned for their forgiveness, and the KING irons are no exception. Both are extremely fast and straight across the face, and will deliver game improvers plenty of love on mishits. As is the case with most game improvement irons, this comes at the expense of real accuracy and control, but these irons will serve you well if straight distance is what you really need as you progress into the game.
| Club | Carry distance (yds) | Total distance (yds) | Spin (rpm) | Side spin (rpm) |
| Cobra 3DPX | 145 | 154 | 5084 | -391 |
| Cobra King | 147 | 155 | 4564 | -213 |
| Cobra King Max | 145 | 152 | 4776 | -752 |
An area where the KING Irons perhaps lag a little behind their competitors, however, is in its feel. Those used to playing Cobra irons will be pleased to hear that these feel as hot and as powerful as ever on good shots, but a touch of hollowness does tend to creep in when struck particularly poorly (a common malady in the game improvement class).
Should you buy the Cobra KING irons?
If fast forgiveness is what you're after in a set of irons, you'll be pleased to know that Cobra have once again delivered for 2026 with the KING irons. They're uber-forgiving, very fast and very straight. Priced at £799 for a six-club set (or £899 for seven), they're also a great value proposition and well-priced compared to their main competitors from the likes of TaylorMade and Callaway.
The game improvement iron sector is one evolving extremely rapidly, with more brands introducing face materials and construction techniques that provide a much more forged-like, premium sensation at impact, we feel there are more complete irons out there if you really put a lot of stock in the way your clubs sound and feel at impact. Srixon's ZXi and ZXiR irons are a great example that cost a fair bit more, but just feel a lot more premium in look and feel.
All of this goes without addressing the million-dollar question: does the 3D-printed insert really make much of a difference? Cobra certainly says so, claiming that in testing the KING delivered a strokes gained improvement of 1.4 shots per round compared to the DS-ADAPT. Will this translate for the average player out on the course? We're not so sure, and given the DS-ADAPT is now readily available on sale for under £600, it might be worth testing the two against eachother to find out for yourself.
Even so, whether it's because of the 3D printed insert or not, Cobra's KING irons among the fastest and most forgiving irons money can buy, and a worthy contender in the conversation regarding this year's best game improvement irons.
Georgina was appointed GolfMagic Equipment Editor in November 2025.