Cobra DS-ADAPT vs Cobra KING MAX
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | DS-ADAPT loft | KING MAX loft | DS-ADAPT lie | KING MAX lie | DS-ADAPT length | KING MAX length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 19 | 21 | 62 | 62.5 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 5 | 21 | 23.5 | 62.5 | 63 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 6 | 24 | 26.5 | 63 | 63.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 7 | 27 | 29.5 | 63.5 | 64 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 8 | 31.5 | 34 | 64 | 64.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 9 | 36.5 | 39 | 64.5 | 65 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| PW | 42 | 44.5 | 65 | 65 | 36 | 36 |
| GW | 48 | 50 | 65 | 65 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| SW | 54 | 56 | 65 | 65 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- DS-ADAPT
- KING MAX
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the DS-ADAPT is 27° and the KING MAX is 29.5°, a 2.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the DS-ADAPT should carry roughly 8 to 10 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the KING MAX. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the KING MAX averages 2.3° weaker, with the largest gap at the 5-iron (21° vs 23.5°). The pitching wedges are 42° and 44.5°; the stronger one leaves a 8° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the DS-ADAPT 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (63.5° vs 64°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The DS-ADAPT is a game improvement iron and the KING MAX a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The KING MAX is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The DS-ADAPT 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 DS-ADAPT is listed as hollow-body distance iron with a wrap-around forged face insert and foam-filled cavity and the KING MAX as cast distance iron with a 360 SPEEDSHELL face and a 3D-printed internal medallion. The DS-ADAPT'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 KING MAX, at some cost in feel.
The KING MAX came out 1 year after the DS-ADAPT, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The KING MAX is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2.5° weaker than the DS-ADAPT. 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 DS-ADAPT specs and Cobra KING MAX specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cobra DS-ADAPT stronger lofted than the KING MAX?
Yes. The Cobra DS-ADAPT 7-iron is 27° against 29.5° for the KING MAX, 2.5° stronger, which is worth roughly 8 to 10 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Cobra DS-ADAPT and KING MAX?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2.5° (27° vs 29.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2.5° at the 5-iron, and all 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Cobra DS-ADAPT or the KING MAX?
The KING MAX. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Cobra DS-ADAPT is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Cobra DS-ADAPT and KING MAX have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cobra DS-ADAPT is 63.5° lie and 37.25 inches, the KING MAX 64° and 37.25 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.