Driver Test: Cobra King F8+ v F7+

Would the new Cobra King F8+ driver trump its predecessor?

Driver Test: Cobra King F8+ v F7+

Driver Test: Cobra King F8+ v F7+ - We found out if the new Cobra King F8+ driver could trump its predecessor by testing them both on our GC2 launch monitor

Driver Test: Cobra King F8+ v F7+

It is no secret that on the day of testing and producing my review of the Cobra King F7+ driver, I was not especially blown away. Maybe I was tired (I had already tested a lot of other clubs prior), not swinging well or the hot weather had got to me. Whatever it was, I just couldn’t get decent numbers from it.

So I tried it again recently alongside the King F8+ and the results couldn’t have been different. The F7+ driver was surprisingly impressive and pushed the F8+ all the way, although the old did just fall short of the new model in the majority of, but not all, areas of comparison.

Looks I much prefer the look of the F7+ at address. It’s modern without being busy or in your face like the F8+ and comes in some colours that catch your eye on the shelf, while the solitary nardo grey of the King F8+ is dull and the numerous polymer trips on the front of the crown are distracting. 1-0 to the old…

f7-and-f8-drivers-address

Feel/Sound The F8+ notches its first win here. It offers a duller hit with a more muted sound and an authoratative thud at impact, while the F7+ produces a louder, less preferable clang at impact. The F8+ generally feels more solid and powerful and the numbers back up those feelings of a more stable clubhead across the face.

Performance You’ll see that despite the F7+ producing some very good numbers on the Foresight Sports GC2 launch monitor, the F8+ just pipped it. There was a big jump in ball speed from 155mph to 159mph although this only translated into two extra yards of carry distance.

F7 v F8 driver data web

Why? Because the King F7+ launched the ball higher with lower spin – a recipe for distance – narrowing the gap between the two models. The King F8+’s ball flight seemed marginally more playable and suited our eye out on the course, albeit a touch high. It certainly seemed to help return the ball back to the fairway on off-centre hits more than the F7+. The premium shaft offerings, including the Project X Hzrdous Yellow 75, could certainly have contributed to adding control to my shots.

Verdict While the King F8+ might seemingly only offer marginal improvements in carry distance over its predecessor, that wouldn’t where the performances differences end. The King F8+ is generally easier to hit and take them out on the course, it becomes clear that your misses are managed much more efficiently – finishing in the semi rough rather than the trees on many occasions. The ball flight is still a touch high - Cobra has always made high-launching drivers - but it's still playable and is aided by the low spin.

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x