Cobra AMP hybrid: 10 point test report

Golf Monthly Senior Staff Writer Paul O'Hagan reviews the Cobra Golf AMP hybrid

Components

1.) Stock shaft

The Aldila RIP shaft made for Cobra is available in a variety of flexes, weights and kick points to help you find the type of flight you need.

2.) Grip

The stock orange offering is more of a talking point than any other grip on the market. Opinion will be divided but performance wise the Lambkin R.E.L. 3GEN offers a soft feel and plenty of grip.

Technology

3.) Face Design

The face is deeper than previous Cobra Hybrids and is made from high-strength steel, allowing it to be made thinner to help increase ball speed.

4.) Head Design

The walls of the head have been made thinner to save wights. This allows 15g to be moved deep and back in the head to help maximise distance.

Aesthetics

5.) Address view

The silver head really helps the black face face stand out to aid alignment, but doesn't reduce glare like a matt white finish does. Adjustability means you can make the face sit how you like it.

6.) Shelf Appeal

There has been a lot of talk about the AMP range thanks to the unmistakeable orange-and-silver look. Some will hate it to start with, but don't let it put you off giving the product a try.

Performance

7.) Flight

This hybrid produces a higher than average flight but without adding too much spin. The results are added distance through the air, something that most players will appreciate. The 17 degree model on test flew higher than a 20 degree 3-iron with added overall distance.

8.) Forgiveness

The slightly smaller head will appeal to more confident ball strikers compared with the Baffler T-Rail. It still offers enough forgiveness to attract mid-handicappers but is more like a long iron than a fairway wood.

9.) Feel

Like the AMP driver and fairway woods, this produces a high-pitched noise combined with a powerful feel. Strikes from the middle feel almost iron-like.

10.) Distance control

One of the benefits of a high flight with less roll is that you know more precisely how far the ball is travelling. When trying both a 17 degree and a 19 degree there were clear differences in flight distance. There would be no issue in putting two of these in the bag.

PGA pro verdict on Cobra AMP hybrid:

I tried this after testing some long irons and it emphasised how much easier it is to hit a hybrid. The flight was very consistent and it was a nice touch to have adjustability on a hybrid club. I could shape the ball, which is unusual for a hybrid club. The sole design meant that it impressed from all types of lie.

Test team rating:

Performance - 4/5 Visual appeal - 3/5 innovation - 4/5 Value - 4/5 Overall - 4/5

AMP Hybrid Review:

Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.