Cobra Bio Cell + Fairway Wood
Ten fairway woods from 2014 on review, but which is the best?
Brand: Cobra
Fairway Wood: Bio Cell+
RRP: £189
Available lofts: 3-4 (13-, 13.5-, 13.5-D, 14.5-, 14.5-D, 15.5-, 15.5-D, 16-degree); 5-7 (17-, 17.5-, 17.5-D, 18.5-, 18.5-D, 19.5-, 19.5-D, 20-degree)
Loft tested: 14.5-degree
Shaft: Matrix Red Tie 6Q3 Grip: Cobra Lamkin REL 3GEN 360
What Cobra says: Tour inspired compact head design with MyFly8 SmartPad technology featuring eight tour-loft/trajectory settings delivers fine-tuned distance with workability and control. Forged thin, shallow high strength steel face inserts (driver like construction) enables more face flex for faster ball speeds, longer distance, and higher trajectory.
Looks: Smaller looking clubhead at address suited all testers. The shallow face received a big thumbs up. It's got a really nice profile about it. Sets up quite open at address and testers liked that, noticing the bold, clean scorelines at address. A little bit of glare out in the sun, like the Callaway heads, but good alignment with the white Cobra logo on the black head we tested (also available in red, blue, orange and grey). One of the best lookers in the test. 4.25 (out of 5)
Feel: Three testers felt the Matrix Red Tie shaft felt nice through the swing, aiding a decent mid-high ball flight, but one tester thought it was just a little too heavy. Quite a 'tinny' sound, which didn't appeal to everyone. Three testers agreed there was good feel at impact and plenty of feedback on off-centre hits, particularly for a Tour-level calibre fairway wood. 8.25 (out of 10)
Performance: Very easy to hit and certainly towards the top end for distance with every tester averaging 220 yards of carry. A real ease of workability. Reasonably forgiving but there's a little more forgiveness out of the standard Bio Cell if that's something you're more interested in. Better players can do much more with this one though. Nice, low spin rates across the board. 9 (out of 10)
Verdict: One of the more versatile clubs in the test. Easy to get airborne without even really putting a swing on it. Packed full of power, too. Not the most forgiving option but if that's what you're after, take a look at the slightly larger looking Bio Cell model. All testers gave a thumbs up for looks and performance. Plenty of adjustability to get excited about too with MyFly8 Smart Pad technology. Good value for money at £189. Better players, get involved. 21.5 (out of 25)
