Ping G410 vs Cobra F9 Irons Review & Specs

Ping G410 vs Cobra F9 Irons Review & Specs

Low to mid handicappers face a difficult challenge: how do you improve your game even further than you already have? You’ve probably put in a lot of work just to break 30 but there is still more to be done.

Perhaps the first place you should look is your irons. A good set of game improvement irons designed for low to mid handicappers could be just what the doctor ordered.

So in today’s review we will be comparing two popular game improvement irons designed mainly with mid handicappers in mind.

 

A Brief Intro

The Cobra F9 irons arrived on the scene in January of 2019. They were released as a successor to the Cobra F8 irons that promised forgiveness and length. The F9’s continue that tradition and improved upon it by adding a wider sole.

The Ping G410 irons were released very shortly after the Cobra F9’s in February of 2019. They took the place of the popular G400 clubs. They sport a shorter blade and less pronounced offset than the G400’s.

 

Cobra F9 Key Features

First off, the F9’s feature a band of steel that run the length of the soles. This band is what Cobra is calling their Speedback design.

It essentially lowers the CG of the clubs and gives them more stability on your swing. In irons 4 through 7, Cobra has also added 33 grams of Tungsten in the toes and heels.

 

Ping G410 Key Features

The Ping G410 irons were developed with a free-floating face. This architecture allows to face to flex more and at more points.

The hollow face design allows more weight to be placed in the hosel and the toe to generate higher MOI. There is also an aluminum/elastomer rear badge to dampen vibrations.

 

Loft Comparison

	Ping G410 loft	Cobra F9 loft
4 iron	20.5°	19.5°
5 iron	23.5°	22.5°
6 iron	26.5°	25.5°
7 iron	30°	29.5°
8 iron	34.5°	34°
9 iron	39.5°	39°

 

Cobra F9 Club Options

• Fujikura ATMOS 6 shaft (graphite)
• KBS Tour 90 shaft (steel)
• Stiff, regular and light flexes

 

Ping G410 Club Options

• PING Alta CB Red shaft
• PING AWT 2.0 shaft
• True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft
• True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 shaft
• True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 shaft
• KBS Tour shaft
• Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 105 shaft
• Project X LZ shaft
• True Temper Elevate 95 shaft
• Soft regular, regular, stiff and extra stiff flexes

 

Length & Lie Comparison

	Ping G410 length/lie	Cobra F9 length/lie
4 iron	38 7/8”/60.5	39.25”/62
5 iron	38 ¼”/61	38.50”/62.5
6 iron	37 5/8”/61.5	37.75”/63
7 iron	37”/62	37.25”/63.5
8 iron	36 ½”/62.8	36.75”/64
9 iron	36”/63.5	36.25”/64.5

 

Who Is Each Set For?

The Cobra F9 irons were certainly more forgiving than the Ping G410’s. They have a larger profile and in general, made it easier to get under the ball with less turf interaction. The low CG and perimeter weighting certainly help with swing mechanics as well. Overall, they would be better for mid handicappers.

The G410’s on the other hand sport a more compact blade with virtually no offset. So if you’re struggling with squaring up to the ball at impact then these irons aren’t for you. These irons would definitely be better for players for whom accuracy isn’t a big problem.

 

Distance and Forgiveness

The difference in distance between these iron sets is almost non-existent.

The Ping’s were giving us an average of 2 to 3 yards more carry distance but only when the ball was hit perfectly.

In terms of forgiveness, the Cobra F9’s were the clear favorite.

 

Composition Comparison

Both irons are available with graphite and steel shafts.

The Cobra F9’s feature tungsten perimeter weighting and an aluminum/thermoplastic polyurethane rear badge. The G410’s feature an aluminum/elastomer rear badge.

 

Performance Comparison

The shorter irons of the Cobra F9 set really shined near the green. The milled grooves allowed for more feel and spin control.

The G410’s did play slightly longer but they lacked the greenside feel that the Cobra’s had.

The Ping G410’s did have stronger lofts, though. As you might expect, we were able to launch the ball higher with the G410’s.

 

Price Comparison

The price for a complete set of the Cobra F9 irons can vary between $550 and $800. A new set of the Ping G410’s will generally run you about $800.

 

Ping G410 Pros & Cons

 

Pros:

• Carry distance is slightly longer
• You get more shaft options
• Stronger lofts
• Better apex height
• They have a player’s look at point of address
• Reasonably forgiving

 

Cons:

• They are generally more expensive
• The hosel weighting take some getting used to
• You don’t get as much greenside spin control as the Cobra F9’s
• Overall feel is lacking

 

Overall Score 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Cobra F9 Pros & Cons

 

Pros:

• You can get them for a good price at certain retailers
• Precision milling gives them a forged feel
• Good greenside spin control
• They are more forgiving
• They would be better for mid handicappers than the G410’s
• Very smooth turf interaction

Cons:

• Slightly weaker lofts
• Fewer shaft options
• Not much improvement over the F8 irons
• The vibration dampening isn’t as good as the G410’s

Overall Score 92/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Final Assessment

It’s really hard to ignore the amount of feel you get on approach shots with the shorter irons of the Cobra F9’s. They offer a forged iron feel in a set that is more affordable than a true forged set. Plus, they played almost as long as the Ping G410’s.

While we think the G410’s would look better to more advanced players, overall we think the Cobra F9’s performed better. They have more to offer for more kinds of players while the G410’s really rely on the advanced play of better golfers.

Plus if you can score the F9’s for around $600 you would be getting a great deal so check them out soon.