When Cobra introduced a new set of Bafflers earlier this year, I was more than intrigued. After all, Baffler is Cobra’s most iconic line through the years, even more than the King Cobra irons that former World No. 1 Greg Norman made so popular in the 1990s.
So, what happens when a single-digit handicapper puts a set of super game improvement irons and hybrids in the bag for a half-dozen rounds? It was an eye-opening test that inspired at least one surprising, and permanent, change to my bag.
The Baffler's history is deep, going back to 1975 when Cobra founder Tom Crow, inspired by the design of a catamaran, created a new utility club that featured two rails under the sole to help it glide more easily through tough lies. The idea was to create a club that made golf easier for the average golfer.
The concept made its way into fairways and irons (the first set of Baffler irons came out in 2000), and the Cobra Baffler was the best-selling hybrid in the game by 2005.
In 2012, Cobra introduced its first Baffler combo set. I never had the chance to demo those clubs, but I can say their looks, with the red scoring lines on the face and red numeral markings and badges on the back, didn’t appeal to me.
I was also a better player with more swing speed back then, so it would have never been on my radar..
