UPDATE: Cobra Baffler XL Irons are difficult to find and currently out of stock. For other great forgiving irons, check out our full review of the best forgiving iron sets on the market today.
As I’m sure you know, picking out the best irons for our own individual game isn’t particularly straightforward. However, if you happen to be classed as a ‘game improver’, then your search may be over, read our Cobra Baffler XL Iron Review as this has a lot to offer.
Things to Consider Before Buying Golf Irons
To start with, deciding which golf irons to purchase can be a pretty overwhelming endeavor. There’s a lot to consider, and it’s a sizable investment that can have a huge impact on your game.
We’ve found that the best approach is to break down our assessment into a number of factors. Some factors will be more relevant to you, but as a general rule, it’s best to strike a balance.
Forgiveness
Arguably the most important factor of a golf iron’s design, forgiveness is the extent to which you can get away with playing a mishit. Some clubs are specifically designed to give you loft and length even when you don’t hit the ball plumb.
Distance and Accuracy
If you’re on the hunt for a consistent flow of pars and birdies, you’ll want irons that can confidently find their mark on the green. It’s worth noting that distance and accuracy often come at the sacrifice of forgiveness.
Grip
How the club feels in your hand is an extremely important factor to consider when buying irons. Any discomfort whilst holding an iron is almost certainly going to translate to bad shots. There are many different textures and sizes available, so it’s best to hold a few and get a feel for what’s best for you.
Appearance and Size
Just before striking the ball, as you look down on your club, you should be feeling a sense of belief or confidence. If you don’t like the look of your irons, it’s probably going to play on your mind and affect your swing. Choose a set of irons that will make you think happy thoughts whenever you bring them out (and make sure they’re the right size!)
Cobra Baffler XL Irons
Pros:
- Relatively inexpensive
- Excellent forgiveness
- Easy to get decent loft
- Helps you get out of the rough
- Looks and feels good
- Clean and crisp sound
Cons:
- Lack of firepower
- Lack of control
- Trajectory might be a bit too high for some
Promising great value for money, with an “easy distance and consistently higher ball flight”, the Cobra Baffler XL Irons are made primarily for the game-improver looking to shave some numbers off their scorecard.
The face is large and lofty, with a progressive offset designed to produce high trajectory and a pleasant draw-bias. Forgiveness is the true name of this club: every inch of the head has been carefully tailored to get you up and away as often as possible.
The specific features of this set do, however, come at the expense of firepower – the Cobras won’t go the furthest or the fastest, and they won’t give you maximum control. But that’s ok; for the game-improver, a more consistent flow of clean strikes is infinitely more valuable than a few extra yards and a touch of spin.
Appearance-wise, we think these clubs clean up pretty nicely. The aesthetic of the head complements the intelligence of the design, and the sharp color combination looked right at home in our golf bags.
This set of irons will particularly appeal to mid-to-high handicappers who are looking to make great strides in their game. However, lower handicapped players who are looking to achieve more loft may also find success with the Cobra Baffler XLs.
Features and Benefits
Baffler Rails
On the soles of these irons are two rails, engineered to stop the club twisting as it strikes through the grass. This is especially useful in the rough, as it greatly mitigates the risk of snagging and dragging your club on those awkward lies.
Combined with the extra-wide sole of the Baffler XL Irons, this feature certainly contributes to an effortless ball strike.
Large Face, Large Offset
All it takes is a quick glance at these irons to see how forgiving they will be. The face is about as big as they come, and it’s supported by a large offset that makes it almost impossible to hit a slice.
We’re also pleased to report that Cobra’s claims of a draw-bias seem to be true. We were able to produce some of those high, slightly left-arcing shots which are much desired but not easily attained in the iron world.
Low Centre of Gravity (CG)
The lion’s share of the weight of these clubs has been given to the bottom of the head, creating a simple and expected result: the ball goes high.
This is a real gift for anyone who struggles with loft. Even on the trickier lies, it was clear that the clubs were actively working to get us up and out.
Of course, the cleanest connections are, perhaps, at risk of creating a bit too much loft, but that’s a very small price to pay for such seamless elevation.
Shaft and Grip
Though there are variations available, the standard build of these irons features a True Temper shaft and a Lamkin R.E.L grip. As we’ve come to expect of True Tamper, the shaft encourages a very light and smooth swing which seems to blend perfectly with the weight of the head.
Lamkin R.E.Ls are some of the most comfortable grips in golf. Personal preference definitely plays a part, but it’s hard to go wrong with a Lamkin.
Overall, these irons feel superb, both to hold and to swing. To top it all off, there’s a very crisp sound on impact.
Alternatives
If these irons don’t quite sound like the right choice for you, then not to worry. Here are few alternatives worth checking out.
1. Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons
If you’re looking to achieve a bit more speed and distance, whilst still maintaining a strong forgiveness factor, then these superb Calloway clubs are worth a look in.
The main difference is the implementation of a special Exo-Cage, allowing weight to be positioned in a way that augments the power of the face.
Like the Baffler XLs, these irons also provide assistance in the loft department, though they aren’t quite as accessible as their Cobra counterparts.
2. TaylorMade AeroBurner Irons
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Aiming to take game-improvement a few yards further, these TaylorMade irons promise superior distance, forgiveness, and much more – all at a very affordable price.
They might not be quite as forgiving as the Cobras, but the all-round performance is undeniably excellent. They hit powerfully and consistently, maintaining good direction even on mishits. Like the Cobras, the CG encourages a lofty flight as well as a slight draw-bias.
We especially admire the way these irons look; it’s clear that a lot of thought went into just about every aspect of this set.
3. Ping GMAX Irons
A rock-solid set of irons that will have you consistently hitting higher, straighter, and longer. The head of these irons utilizes what’s been called the ‘COR-Eye Technology’ – in layman’s terms, it simply means that the ball flies off pretty fast, and this extends across the entire face.
These clubs have also been widely noted for their durability. Retaining their quality for years on end, they will loyally accompany you as you lower your handicap through numerous seasons.
Final Thoughts
As game-improvement clubs go, the Cobra Baffler XL Irons are an unquestionably smart choice. The value for money is remarkable; you would be hard-pressed to find another set of irons that can offer so much at this price.
Through some simple yet clever design decisions which have been skillfully executed, Cobra have opened up a world of cleaner, higher, and straighter shots for those who had previously been struggling.
Of course, we can’t guarantee that you’ll immediately start hitting perfect lofts and draws as soon as you pick these clubs up – that mostly comes down to technique. But these irons absolutely make it easier, and the abundance of forgiveness in the face is very likely to translate to less shots on the card.
They aren’t the most powerful, and they don’t offer a great deal of control, but for mid-to-high handicapped players, the level of consistency that these irons can offer should prove to be invaluable to the game-improvement cause.
If you’re looking to really polish up your iron game, check out the Cobra Baffler XL Irons here [Currently Out Of Stock].
Read more: The Most Forgiving Irons Today
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
