Cobra 3DP Tour vs Titleist T150

[vanderputts]

For the uninitiated, this is hardcore club junkie territory. 

 

Recently, I came to the realization that I have a serious LOFT problem, a golf club obsession, and am just not good enough for the blade-type clubs I've been trying my best to put in play. After looking at my game and stats, what has been hurting me most is missing greens and losing strokes due to my iron play.

 

To cure this, I've sold my Miura's and am actively looking for a replacement. Although I just picked up a set of Titleist T150s, I've been tempted after hitting the Cobra 3DPs during a demo day and couldn't help myself. At this point I've probably hit just about every club from every manufacturer over the past few weeks in fitting bays and have narrowed it down to these two sets for the season.
 

Time to do a full test between my gamer T150s and these shiny new 3DPs.

 

Titleist T-150

Shaft: Project X 6.0 LZ (Stock)

SW: D0-D2

 

Cobra 3DP Tour

Shaft: KBS $ Taper 120 (Stock)

SW: D2-D4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

1st tweak - bending the Cobras.

 

Spin and height are usually something I don't have to worry about. The Cobras were about 500-1k lower spin than the T150s.

 

Bent them weak and slightly more upright while hitting with lie angle stickers to dial them in. Quick and easy - went to my local fitter and we had it all dialed in about 30 minutes.

 

Final results:

-Better Spin/Launch/Window/Height

-More consistent gapping 

-More consistent strikes

 

 

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

Step 2: Fair comparison

 

I hit the T150s & 3DPs side by side all week. T150s with stock PX 6.0 LZ and 3DPs with stock KBS $ Taper 120s. 

 

The initial #s led to the bending for a number of good reasons i.e. I was hitting the Cobras longer but with way less spin. Now that the heads are on the same plane, we're now going to reset on the shafts to get somewhere closer to parity.

 

I may be one of the few but I've never been a fit for KBS shafts; for some reason I just don't hit them well. The $ Taper 120s feel heavier than expected and I need to swing beyond what I'm comfortable with to make them work. Based on total weight, the Cobras are heavier throughout the set over the T150s even though both are 120g shafts. When I focus a little more, don't get me wrong they're great but this setup is well above my course speed and hard to reproduce consistently. I was able to make it work, hitting a few 100x balls each day, but have realized that comparing these two is just not going to work unless we take out some variables, starting with the shafts.

 

Over the past year or two, I've tried just about every shaft in steel and graphite you can across my sets. I don't encourage this as its a large time and money investment and your results overall may vary. However, when it comes to irons the Project X 6.0 LZ just works for my swing and consistently produces the right feel and results. MMT 105TX is a close second in graphite. Go figure. 

 

I'll be measuring the Cobra 3DP heads and rebuilding them with black PX 6.0 LZs over the next few days so that both sets are genuinely playing exactly the same- and obsessing over every measurement so we'll see whats what.

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts

[ALIF]

I have the black(out) PX LZ in my irons. They fit me well plus they look good. Looking forward to seeing your results.

[vanderputts]

2 hours ago, ALIF said:

I have the black(out) PX LZ in my irons. They fit me well plus they look good. Looking forward to seeing your results.

I was really surprised by them. When I got fitted for my T150s with the Titleist rep, I was expecting it to take a while to find the right shaft. Somehow the stock ones worked the best off the rack. I love the all matte black too.

 

Going to take some measurements and break down the 3DP heads today. PX shafts should be here in a day or two

[Witt80]

Redacted

 

Edited May 8 by Witt80
Redacted

[vanderputts]

6 hours ago, Witt80 said:

Have you posted the shot data of the two clubs anywhere ?

 

 

Here's the initial #s:

 

Testing/Measurements:

1. All club measurements are from my digital swing weight scale.
2. All distance measurements are from my Garmin R50 sim setup.
3. All ball data is with a TaylorMade TP5X

 

The LAB:

 

ROUND 1: STOCK Numbers - Off the rack, as built from the factory Loft/Lie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts
Added/Updated numbers

[vanderputts]

ROUND 2: After bending the Cobra 3DPs (1* Loft / 0.5-1* Lie)

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts
Made some updates to #s

[vanderputts]

Quick Thoughts/Notes:

• I was swinging really good for all of these numbers so they're higher than I would expect and would play. Beyond warm.
• The Cobras stock are insanely low spin. I can manipulate height decently but my stock shots were just nowhere near what I wanted. 
• The lie/loft adjustments made a bigger difference than I would have expected. 
• The KBS shafts still are not a great fit for me compared to the Project X. The clubs just feel heavy making me focus a lot more on tempo versus the T150s which I can just setup and go.
• I still swing the Titleist/PX combo more fluidly which is probably why I'm seeing higher swing speeds more often.
• The face of the Cobras is great and with the new loft/lie I was puring strikes way more often and getting better results from it.
• The 3DPs and T150s feel very similar, at least to me, with an edge to the Cobras. When you pure one its similar to that forged blade feeling.
• Will rebuild the Cobras with PX shafts in the next few days when they arrive.

Edited April 26 by vanderputts

[Red4282]

3 hours ago, vanderputts said:

 

Here's the initial #s:

 

Testing/Measurements:

1. All club measurements are from my digital swing weight scale.
2. All distance measurements are from my Garmin R50 sim setup.
3. All ball data is with a TaylorMade TP5X

 

The LAB:

 

ROUND 1: STOCK Numbers - Off the rack, as built from the factory Loft/Lie

 

 

 

 

 

Just have to compliment the pretty sick setup you have going there..

[MountainMan]

First off love the lab there. Awesome setup. 
 

I had $ taper is some previous Cobra irons and had to pull them in favor of PX. Just didn’t get along with those. 
 

3DP do spin a little less for me. I made the change from Chrome Tour to the X model and feel like I am in a good spot spin wise now. I had considered bending but held off.
 

With as high as the long irons go and how they land I haven’t had trouble stopping them on the course. Hopefully the shaft change gets you in the right spot. 

[vanderputts]

Quick family shot before I break down the 3DPs:

 

*T200 4-iron. Have T-150 but the T200 is just really, really good and is what I'll be using.

 

Edited April 26 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

2 hours ago, Red4282 said:

Just have to compliment the pretty sick setup you have going there..

 

Thanks! Was a huge project that became way more involved than planned, took 14 months to build in my unfinished 1-car garage. Would highly recommend, will never do that again.

[vanderputts]

2 hours ago, MountainMan said:

First off love the lab there. Awesome setup. 
 

I had $ taper is some previous Cobra irons and had to pull them in favor of PX. Just didn’t get along with those. 
 

3DP do spin a little less for me. I made the change from Chrome Tour to the X model and feel like I am in a good spot spin wise now. I had considered bending but held off.
 

With as high as the long irons go and how they land I haven’t had trouble stopping them on the course. Hopefully the shaft change gets you in the right spot. 

 

Thanks!

 

Ya I've just never been a good fit for KBS, from irons to wedges. I can make it work but thats not what I'm going for here at all.

 

Will be doing ball testing this year for sure. I played a Chrome Tour X a few weeks ago and really liked it. Also tried the Srixon XV which was really good. I need to take some spin off my driver and keep/add on my irons.

[Morry]

I found the t150's too low spin overall...having a set of the 3DP build up with Dart 90-F4 shafts....almost 2* weak and flat

we will see...

 

 

[SwingBlade]

I've kept my MP-33's w/Sensicore S300's and CB 57's with KBS Tours as fun classics to play occasionally.  But, I sold my ZX5/ZX7 set with Modus 120's when I acquired the LIMIT3D's w/ $Tapers.  The unique forgiveness and launch consistency of the LIMIT3D's in the real world tests of fairway, 1st cut, rough, and slopes was the unquestioned decision point for me.  

[vanderputts]

3DP Gap Wedge ordered from Cobra.

 

Might be the most expensive friggin gap wedge in history, $400.

 

Need to make up some yards at the bottom of the bag and the PW is so good.

Edited April 27 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

20 hours ago, Morry said:

I found the t150's too low spin overall...having a set of the 3DP build up with Dart 90-F4 shafts....almost 2* weak and flat

we will see...

 

 

Looks like we might have another convert. 

 

15 hours ago, SwingBlade said:

I've kept my MP-33's w/Sensicore S300's and CB 57's with KBS Tours as fun classics to play occasionally.  But, I sold my ZX5/ZX7 set with Modus 120's when I acquired the LIMIT3D's w/ $Tapers.  The unique forgiveness and launch consistency of the LIMIT3D's in the real world tests of fairway, 1st cut, rough, and slopes was the unquestioned decision point for me.  

That same feeling is what led me down this path. I don’t really have any reason to switch off my T150s but couldn’t shake how great the 3DPs felt. We’ll see what happens, should have them rebuilt over the next few days

[vanderputts]

Construction begins.

 

 

[vanderputts]

Factory construction and Head weights:

 

• Cobra used a standard epoxy, clubs came apart very easily with a little heat.
• Tip weights were used on all clubs except 9iron
• Hosels are beautifully shaped, might be the best I've ever seen.

 

Cobra 3DP Factory Head weights:

4i - 245.6g

5i - 251g

6i - 259.9g

7i - 265g

8i - 274.7g

9i - 283.5g

PW - 285.7g

 

For Comparison, Miura KM-700 (Forged Blades)

4i - 251g (+5.4g)

5i - 258g (+7g)

6i - 265g (+5.1g)

7i - 272g (+7g)

8i - 280g (+5.3g)

9i - 288g (+4.5g)

PW - 298g (+12.3g)

 

Sharing the above is its actually pretty close to the amount of tip weights Cobra used from the factory:

 

4i - 5g

5i - 6.4g

6i - 5.6g

7i - 5.5g

8i - 4.5g

9i - 0/None

PW - 6.4g

 

Cobra 3DP Factory Heads + Tip Weight (Following 7g per head weight difference + 1/2" increments at standard length). 

4i - 245.6g+ 5g = 250.5g

5i - 251g + 6.4g = 257.4g

6i - 259.9g + 5.6g = 265.5g

7i - 265g + 5.5g = 272g

8i - 274.7g + 4.5g = 279.2g

9i - 283.5g + 2g =  285.5g (assuming 2g of tungsten powder use)

PW - 285.7g + 6.4g = 292.1g)

 

 

Cobra 3DP Swing Weights (post-bend) with Tip Weights vs Without:

4i -    D3.1 / 415.7g   vs   D0.8 / 410.9g

5i -    D3.1 / 424.6g  vs   D0.3 / 418.9g

6i -    D3.0 / 429.3g  vs  D0.4 / 424.4g

7i -    D3.2 / 438.8g  vs  D0.5 / 433.8g

8i -    D3.2 / 443.8g  vs  D1.5 / 439.9g

9i -    D1.9 / 451.9g   vs  D1.8 / 451.9g

PW - D3.8 / 458.7g   vs  D0.7 / 453g

 

 

Edited April 29 by vanderputts

[ShakeyT]

Weird that the 9i didn't have any tip weight & the 9i swing weight was so far off the rest. It's almost like they just missed it.

[vanderputts]

3 hours ago, ShakeyT said:

Weird that the 9i didn't have any tip weight & the 9i swing weight was so far off the rest. It's almost like they just missed it.

 

It looks like they used tungsten powder in the epoxy mix on the 9i to get it close but was still 1.5SW off.

 

My assumption is that they set of heads + tip weights to spec (7g difference between clubs) and then just assembled them.

 

Not a big deal and happens all the time. They're built really well but I have the tools and am a certified addict

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

Heads and shafts are all prepped and  ready to go.

 

Fresh order of randos and other shorty's from BB&F. 

 

Need to do some final measurements for swing and total weight before assembly as I may need to modify a few tip weights. 

 

 

 

 

[Gundee]

Figured I'd chime in here as I am a recent convert from T150 to the 3DP. 

I came back 4 different times before I purchased but couldn't get them out of my head. So far have really enjoyed the 3DPs but still adjusting. I ended up getting the irons bent to basically match the T150 lofts and gapping seems to be working out. If anything I will possibly add back the 1 degree to the 4iron just to lower spin a touch and add a little more distance possibly. 

Long irons overall have been tremendous, very easy to hit. Still getting use to them overall but pretty easy adjustments. 

Can't say I'm not still interested to see what Titleist brings to market later on this year as their irons will be updated but so far very impressed. 

[vanderputts]

28 minutes ago, Gundee said:

Figured I'd chime in here as I am a recent convert from T150 to the 3DP. 

I came back 4 different times before I purchased but couldn't get them out of my head. So far have really enjoyed the 3DPs but still adjusting. I ended up getting the irons bent to basically match the T150 lofts and gapping seems to be working out. If anything I will possibly add back the 1 degree to the 4iron just to lower spin a touch and add a little more distance possibly. 

Long irons overall have been tremendous, very easy to hit. Still getting use to them overall but pretty easy adjustments. 

Can't say I'm not still interested to see what Titleist brings to market later on this year as their irons will be updated but so far very impressed. 

 

Sounds like we shop at the same time, at the same places, to solve the same problems lol. 

 

Thats pretty much my same starting point right now. I really like my T150s, Ive pkayed well with them. No reason really to change other than the 3DPs are just that good and Im an absolute club junkie.

 

Will be excited to get the set back together tonight

[vanderputts]

Cobras are done.

 

Was a bit more work than I had anticipated to get the SW & overall weights right but came out great.

 

Instead of using any tip weights, I measured and balanced with tungsten powder in the epoxy mix to get the 7g progression I wanted.

 

New Swing & total weights with Project X 6.0 LZ

 

                          Before                               After

           Factory KBS $ Taper 120     Project X 6.0 LZ

4i -                D2.8 / 416                           D1 / 412

5i -                D2.6 / 425                           D2 / 420

6i -                D3.0 / 429                           D2 / 428

7i -                D3.1 / 439                            D2 / 435

8i -                D3.1 / 444                            D2.3 / 443

9i -                D2.4 / 452                           D2.3 / 451

PW -             D3.7 / 459                           D2.5 / 456

 

Edited April 30 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

Initial impressions are that this was a good move in the right direction.
 

#s so far are good, will keep testing and taking them out to the course tomorrow. 

Edited May 2 by vanderputts

[vanderputts]

I've been hitting a lot more lately than usual. Heading to the course tomorrow.

 

Here are the numbers:

 

Edited May 2 by vanderputts

[Witt80]

Redacted

Edited May 8 by Witt80
Redacted

[vanderputts]

11 hours ago, Witt80 said:

Does the R50 measure some values differently than Quad and Trackman ?

 

Not sure but when I tested it against a Trackman side-by-side the #s were very accurate.