Cobra King F8+

£329 www.cobragolf.co.uk

◆ Lofts: 8-11°

◆ Shafts: Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60, Green 65, Project X Hzrdus Yellow 75 ◆ Adjustable hosel: Yes

◆ Loft change: 8-11°

TECH: A smaller tour profile head than the standard F8 with front and back sole weights to deliver lower spin rates for high swing speed players. Cobra says spin can be cut by 500rpm and ball speed increased by 1mph by positioning the 12g weight in the forward port. All the same CNC milled face, aero performance and carbon crown as the standard F8.

WE SAY: We’re not usually in the business of recommending tour-biased drivers, because generally they suit a very small group of players. But after an impressive performance in our pro’s hands, F8+ is well worth considering if you find yourself gravitating towards a lower-spinning tour-style driver. Switching from the standard F8 our pro added 1mph of ball speed, cut spin by 500rpm and gained a straight 10 yards of carry distance, which to us proves how much difference sole and internal weight set-ups can impact a driver’s performance. That’s not to say it’s for everyone, but for hard-hitting golfers who really need help controlling spin, this an extremely powerful option.

TOP GEAR VERDICT

It’s the driver Fowler’s using in 2018, which says a lot about who the F8+ is aimed at. If controlling spin is an issue for your game, it’s well worth a look as our data shows it can definitely help. It sounds absurd, but with a shot tracker in the grip, a CNC milled face as well as a choice of premium shafts, £329 looks like reasonable value!