The mini driver category has been quietly gaining momentum over the past couple of years, evolving from a niche curiosity into a genuine solution for golfers who struggle to control the big stick.
I first spotted a prototype of what would become the Cobra King Tec-MD mini driver over twelve months ago out on the PGA Tour, so it is fair to say this release has been a long time in the making.
Now, it joins a select group of specialized clubs, including the Callaway Elyte Mini, TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini, PXG Secret Weapon, and the Titleist GT280, and I was eager to see if Cobra’s take on this versatile category could stand out in such a competitive field.
The King Tec-MD arrives with a clear mission: to offer accuracy and maximum versatility. It features a compact 303cc clubhead with a standard loft of 13.5° and a shorter, (almost) fairway wood-length 43.75" shaft. This combination is designed to be easier to swing and more accurate than a conventional 460cc driver, making it a perfect option for tight par-4s or aggressive approaches into par-5s.
In the playing position, the King Tec-MD is immediately one of my favorite-looking of the mini drivers currently available. It sits beautifully square in behind the ball with minimal fuss, avoiding the busy graphics that can sometimes plague modern clubhead design.
The glossy carbon crown gives it a premium aesthetic, and the overall shaping inspires confidence with well-balanced proportions.
The impact feel is very lively. It doesn't feel dead or overly muted; instead, there is a crisp, powerful sensation that lets you know the ball has left the face with speed. Crucially (for me at least), off-center, this mini driver excelled, not only in terms of retaining ball speeds, but also retaining that solid feel, which is a massive plus for a club with a smaller face area.
Based on the data I collected from my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor in the Golf Monthly Performance Lab, the King Tec-MD was confirmed as a high-quality product.
One of the challenges I have found with mini drivers in general is that their design characteristics often favor either performance off the tee or performance off the fairway. The Cobra offering, however, strikes a tremendous balance.
During my testing, I found that the spin levels on the lower side from the tee (2624 rpm) due to the inevitably higher strike location. This resulted in a nice, powerful ball flight that chased down the fairway well and offered far more stability into a headwind than I would normally see with my 3-wood.
When hitting off the deck, the spin pleasingly picked up (3149 rpm) without getting excessive, providing the necessary lift and control to maximise carry while offering a stable ball flight.
Again, this is due to the vertical strike location moving lower on the face, but what was most interesting from this was the similarity in data: my ball speed was 162 mph from the tee and 163 mph off the floor, and I only experienced an 8-yard difference in carry between tee shots and ground shots. Often, lower face strikes are punished with a significant drop off in ball speed, but not so here.
The technology driving this performance includes a titanium ‘PWRSHELL’ face insert with 'H.O.T. Face Technology', which has been designed to deliver more robust distance on off-center strikes, and to my mind, based on the data I saw, it's working.
The two moveable sole weights (12g and 3g) allowed me to fine-tune the spin and forgiveness, while the FutureFit33 adjustable hosel offers a class-leading level of loft and lie customization to dial in the perfect launch conditions.
Overall, the Cobra King Tec-MD is a very impressive release that successfully bridges that sometimes awkward gap between a driver and a 3-wood.
It offers a level of versatility and consistency that is rare in this category, backed by a lively feel and stunning looks. For the golfer who struggles with the driver or wants a reliable alternative for finding fairways, this club is a serious contender.
The new mini driver will be retailing at $479, and will come as standard with a Mitsubishi Kai’li shaft, although it can be fitted with any 3-wood shaft through Cobra’s custom options.
