Cobra Baffler XL vs Cobra Fly-Z XL
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Baffler XL loft | Fly-Z XL loft | Baffler XL lie | Fly-Z XL lie | Baffler XL length | Fly-Z XL length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 21 | 22 | 60.5 | 59.5 | 39.25 | 39.5 |
| 5 | 24 | 25 | 61.5 | 60.5 | 38.5 | 38.75 |
| 6 | 27 | 28 | 62.5 | 61.5 | 37.75 | 38 |
| 7 | 30.5 | 31.5 | 63 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.5 |
| 8 | 34.5 | 35.5 | 63.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 37 |
| 9 | 39 | 40 | 64 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.5 |
| PW | 43.5 | 45 | 64.5 | 63.5 | 36 | 36.25 |
| GW | 48.5 | 50 | 65 | 64 | 35.75 | 36 |
| SW | 54 | 55 | 65 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.75 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Baffler XL
- Fly-Z XL
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Baffler XL is 30.5° and the Fly-Z XL is 31.5°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Baffler XL should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Fly-Z XL. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the Fly-Z XL averages 1.1° weaker, with the largest gap at the PW (43.5° vs 45°). The pitching wedges are 43.5° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 6.5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Fly-Z XL 7-iron sits 1° flatter (63° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the Fly-Z XL 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37.25" vs 37.5").
The Baffler XL is a super game improvement iron and the Fly-Z XL a game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Baffler XL is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Fly-Z XL trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
The Baffler XL is listed as cast deep-undercut cavity with oversized face and wide rail sole and the Fly-Z XL as cast dual-cavity with hollow lower section in the long and mid irons. The Fly-Z XL's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the Baffler XL, at some cost in feel.
The Fly-Z XL arrived 2 years after the Baffler XL, a typical one-generation refresh. Changes over that span are usually incremental: refined face thickness, revised weighting, updated looks and small loft tweaks rather than a new concept. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 30.5° to 31.5°.
Which should you choose?
The Fly-Z XL is the weaker-lofted set — up to 1.5° weaker than the Baffler XL. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Cobra Baffler XL specs and Cobra Fly-Z XL specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cobra Baffler XL stronger lofted than the Fly-Z XL?
Yes. The Cobra Baffler XL 7-iron is 30.5° against 31.5° for the Fly-Z XL, 1° stronger, which is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Cobra Baffler XL and Fly-Z XL?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (30.5° vs 31.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1.5° at the PW, and all 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Cobra Baffler XL or the Fly-Z XL?
The Cobra Baffler XL. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Fly-Z XL is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Cobra Baffler XL and Fly-Z XL have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cobra Baffler XL is 63° lie and 37.25 inches, the Fly-Z XL 62° and 37.5 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.