Cobra F7 Junior Model for 8 Year Old? (ETA: I've also learned his current driver is hot garbage)

[SE Gamer]

Son has been playing for a couple years now. Has a US Kids set that he's just on the borderline of being too big for. Second round of Drive, Chip and Putt is coming up next month. So thinking about getting him a new driver. Found a decent deal on a Cobra F7 junior model. Curious what folks experience with this is. It's the 12.5* (stock) with a Jr 41 shaft. Only potential issue is that's too long for him. But, like other junior clubs, I presume I can trim it down a few inches (for reference, I talked to Ping and they trim their junior shaft up to 5.5"). 

I've also been looking at the following alternatives...
 

• US Kids JS5 (new and used)
• Ping Prodi G (1st Gen, used)
• PIng G812 (new old stock)

 

He's got a smooth tempo. Currently just swinging a Tour Edge driver that I got for cheap (the US kids one from the set is too short). Carry around 100 yards (give or take). But would benefit from a little added forgiveness. Going to hold off on an entirely new set until next year; as he's right on the borderline and moving up to the next size in US Kids irons would make them a little too long. 

Any insight or advice would be appreciated!

Edited July 15 by SE Gamer

[MB19]

1 hour ago, SE Gamer said:

Son has been playing for a couple years now. Has a US Kids set that he's just on the borderline of being too big for. Second round of Drive, Chip and Putt is coming up next month. So thinking about getting him a new driver. Found a decent deal on a Cobra F7 junior model. Curious what folks experience with this is. It's the 12.5* (stock) with a Jr 41 shaft. Only potential issue is that's too long for him. But, like other junior clubs, I presume I can trim it down a few inches (for reference, I talked to Ping and they trim their junior shaft up to 5.5"). 

I've also been looking at the following alternatives...
 

• US Kids JS5 (new and used)
• Ping Prodi G (1st Gen, used)
• PIng G812 (new old stock)

 

He's got a smooth tempo. Currently just swinging a Tour Edge driver that I got for cheap (the US kids one from the set is too short). Carry around 100 yards (give or take). But would benefit from a little added forgiveness. Going to hold off on an entirely new set until next year; as he's right on the borderline and moving up to the next size in US Kids irons would make them a little too long. 

Any insight or advice would be appreciated!

IMO the best solution, once you've decided you don't want to stick with USKG or Flynn drivers, is a TItleist 12* TS1/TSi1/TSR1 with an Air Speeder R3 shaft.  This is about a 170g head/40g shaft combo that is forgiving and launches well.  The Prodi G is set at 15*, but is forgiving I guess.  Neither of my kids really took to it, though there are some who love it.

 

The Cobra junior models are about as heavy of heads (around 195g if I recall) as the adult models and the shaft is like 47g I think.  The USKG drivers are just OK, and certainly not worth it new.

[SE Gamer]

11 minutes ago, MB19 said:

IMO the best solution, once you've decided you don't want to stick with USKG or Flynn drivers, is a TItleist 12* TS1/TSi1/TSR1 with an Air Speeder R3 shaft.  This is about a 170g head/40g shaft combo that is forgiving and launches well.  The Prodi G is set at 15*, but is forgiving I guess.  Neither of my kids really took to it, though there are some who love it.

 

The Cobra junior models are about as heavy of heads (around 195g if I recall) as the adult models and the shaft is like 47g I think.  The USKG drivers are just OK, and certainly not worth it new.

Good info. I actually had stumbled across the TS1 as an option. Didn't know a ton about it (I play TM drivers). But it sounded like it was one of the lighter heads out there. Actually found a good deal on a 12.5* one with a 40g shaft. But it's a regular flex and standard length. Don't think I'd want to try cutting it down that much. But wouldn't hurt to try, and then could just buy a junior shaft if it doesn't work out.

ETA: Haven't necessarily decided to move on from US Kids. But like you say, their most premium driver is priced absolutely crazy. Did look at Flynn, but no experience with them. Seemed comparable to US Kids. But the value add of being adjustable/swappable. 
 

Can the Air Speeder be cut down to a playing length of around 35" without any significant effects?

Edited July 15 by SE Gamer
More info

[SE Gamer]

Small, semi-related update. Was curious how heavy his current driver is. As it's around 2" shorter than our target playing length for his new one; yet he will often say his feels heavy. Mind you, this Tour Edge Junior driver was marketed as being for 3-5 year olds. Which was laughable when we bought it. He finally grew into it around 6-7 years old. Yet even at 8, it's still perfectly playable in terms of length.

So, how much does it weigh? Drumroll please.....

 

That's right. This 32.5" junior driver weighs 321 grams!!!

 

So I just had to compare it some of my woods. First up is a Sim Max HL 3-wood. Tipping the scales at 322 grams. A measly 1 gram more than the junior driver. In spite of the 3-wood being nearly a foot longer.

 

 

With the 3-wood being so close, I had to chuck my driver on the scale. A Sim Max (USA edition). Which came in at a cool 332 grams. Only 11 grams more than my 8 year old's "junior" driver. And if I took the rear weight off, I bet they'd be darn near identical in overall weight. 

 

This is absolutely wild to me. I didn't ever think that I was getting him some premium club when going with the Tour Edge driver. But it's laughable that this one marketed for 3-5 year olds weighs nearly the same as my driver. Guess my kiddo is as yolked up as he thinks he is. Like I'm genuinely impressed how well he can actually hit the thing knowing what I do now.

Bottom line, I'm going to be immediately purchasing something that has a more reasonable weight. TS1 is at the top of the list. Which I'm thinking will come in a solid 50+ grams lighter than that garbage tour edge. 

[MahalNeneng]

Pretty sure our transition from us.kids to normal heads was a prodi g makeup of some sort. 

[Adornus]

First post, something I can comment on because my son is close in age.  My son is 7 (8 this coming September) and roughly 4'6" .  We just moved him from a Flynn VT Max (which was about 34.5" playing length - which was too short) to a Callaway Paradym with a Flynn shaft (playing at 37") a couple of weeks ago.  I took the head weights out of the Paradym and I got to the following weights.

 

Paradym w/o weights playing at 37" - 278g

Flynn VT playing at 34.5" - 272g

 

It's been a pretty smooth transition.  He has seen roughly the same, if not a little more, in carry numbers but with a lower trajectory, less back spin, and far more roll.

 

 

 

 

[SE Gamer]

41 minutes ago, Adornus said:

First post, something I can comment on because my son is close in age.  My son is 7 (8 this coming September) and roughly 4'6" .  We just moved him from a Flynn VT Max (which was about 34.5" playing length - which was too short) to a Callaway Paradym with a Flynn shaft (playing at 37") a couple of weeks ago.  I took the head weights out of the Paradym and I got to the following weights.

 

Paradym w/o weights playing at 37" - 278g

Flynn VT playing at 34.5" - 272g

 

It's been a pretty smooth transition.  He has seen roughly the same, if not a little more, in carry numbers but with a lower trajectory, less back spin, and far more roll.

 

Good info as well. Thanks!

Really thinking the way to go is a 12* OEM model with a lightweight shaft. Will be nice in that it can also grow with him via simply swapping shafts out.

[MB19]

13 hours ago, SE Gamer said:

Small, semi-related update. Was curious how heavy his current driver is. As it's around 2" shorter than our target playing length for his new one; yet he will often say his feels heavy. Mind you, this Tour Edge Junior driver was marketed as being for 3-5 year olds. Which was laughable when we bought it. He finally grew into it around 6-7 years old. Yet even at 8, it's still perfectly playable in terms of length.

So, how much does it weigh? Drumroll please.....

 

That's right. This 32.5" junior driver weighs 321 grams!!!

 

So I just had to compare it some of my woods. First up is a Sim Max HL 3-wood. Tipping the scales at 322 grams. A measly 1 gram more than the junior driver. In spite of the 3-wood being nearly a foot longer.

 

 

With the 3-wood being so close, I had to chuck my driver on the scale. A Sim Max (USA edition). Which came in at a cool 332 grams. Only 11 grams more than my 8 year old's "junior" driver. And if I took the rear weight off, I bet they'd be darn near identical in overall weight. 

 

This is absolutely wild to me. I didn't ever think that I was getting him some premium club when going with the Tour Edge driver. But it's laughable that this one marketed for 3-5 year olds weighs nearly the same as my driver. Guess my kiddo is as yolked up as he thinks he is. Like I'm genuinely impressed how well he can actually hit the thing knowing what I do now.

Bottom line, I'm going to be immediately purchasing something that has a more reasonable weight. TS1 is at the top of the list. Which I'm thinking will come in a solid 50+ grams lighter than that garbage tour edge. 

There was a similar thread here to this one about four years ago, and even though I know better than to place feelings into large corporations, I couldn't help but feel betrayed that OEM companies would brand a driver as "junior" while making it as heavy as an adult version.

[jda]

I put the girls into older Titleist D1 type of heads with senior/womens shafts when they under 10/12 years old.  913d1, or so, back then.  Cobra had some good ones too.

 

It won't matter much if you get the weight right and pick a club/shaft that can elevate the ball.  Diamana Red was prefect back then, and cheap.  Don't sweat brand or newness too much.

 

You can take the weights out of the head.  You don't have to worry about structural integrity with a kids's swing speed.

[SE Gamer]

1 hour ago, jda said:

I put the girls into older Titleist D1 type of heads with senior/womens shafts when they under 10/12 years old.  913d1, or so, back then.  Cobra had some good ones too.

 

It won't matter much if you get the weight right and pick a club/shaft that can elevate the ball.  Diamana Red was prefect back then, and cheap.  Don't sweat brand or newness too much.

 

You can take the weights out of the head.  You don't have to worry about structural integrity with a kids's swing speed.

Appreciate the insight. Managed to snag a TS1 (12.5*) with a Air Speeder 35g R3 shaft for a little over $100. Thinking it'll be darn near close to 250g once I trim the shaft. 

[SE Gamer]

1 hour ago, MB19 said:

There was a similar thread here to this one about four years ago, and even though I know better than to place feelings into large corporations, I couldn't help but feel betrayed that OEM companies would brand a driver as "junior" while making it as heavy as an adult version.

It was just crazy to see how it compared to my own driver. I made sure to post on Amazon as well with pics to hopefully help other dads and moms avoid it. 

And thanks for the suggestion on the TS1. Found one in decent shape with that R3 Air Speeder shaft. Should be here in a couple days. Will trim it down and let him enjoy a true junior weight club.

[MB19]

1 hour ago, SE Gamer said:

Appreciate the insight. Managed to snag a TS1 (12.5*) with a Air Speeder 35g R3 shaft for a little over $100. Thinking it'll be darn near close to 250g once I trim the shaft. 

That's a great price, congrats.

 

 

[MB19]

1 hour ago, SE Gamer said:

It was just crazy to see how it compared to my own driver. I made sure to post on Amazon as well with pics to hopefully help other dads and moms avoid it. 

And thanks for the suggestion on the TS1. Found one in decent shape with that R3 Air Speeder shaft. Should be here in a couple days. Will trim it down and let him enjoy a true junior weight club.

I liked the TS1 for my kids so much that I held onto it for when my 4 yo is big enough to swing it in another four years or so.  In the meantime, I loaned it out to my son's good friend (but with an LA Golf Silver 40L shaft) who is a very small 12 yo.

Edited July 15 by MB19

[SE Gamer]

8 hours ago, MB19 said:

I liked the TS1 for my kids so much that I held onto it for when my 4 yo is big enough to swing it in another four years or so.  In the meantime, I loaned it out to my son's good friend (but with an LA Golf Silver 40L shaft) who is a very small 12 yo.

That's really encouraging. I feel like he'll end up getting a lot of good years out of this club. 

It is interesting being armed with this knew knowledge re: his current driver. He tagged along this afternoon in my weekly league. Afterwards we went out and jumped around the course playing random holes. In spite of saying he shouldn't swing the current driver any more, he still would grab it out of habit. Best one he hit was around 100 carry. Finally got him hitting his 3 wood instead off the tee. Which is much better weight wise (US Kids). Yet is one series too small for him. Yet he was flying it a good 15-20 yards further than that "junior" driver. So excited to get the TS1 in his hands. 

Appreciate the insights and advice!

[MB19]

11 hours ago, SE Gamer said:

That's really encouraging. I feel like he'll end up getting a lot of good years out of this club. 

It is interesting being armed with this knew knowledge re: his current driver. He tagged along this afternoon in my weekly league. Afterwards we went out and jumped around the course playing random holes. In spite of saying he shouldn't swing the current driver any more, he still would grab it out of habit. Best one he hit was around 100 carry. Finally got him hitting his 3 wood instead off the tee. Which is much better weight wise (US Kids). Yet is one series too small for him. Yet he was flying it a good 15-20 yards further than that "junior" driver. So excited to get the TS1 in his hands. 

Appreciate the insights and advice!

I'm glad to help you not repeat some of my gear mistakes.

 

Funny you say that about the 3W.  A forum member challenged me years back when my son was about 9 to have my son hit three shots with his driver, and then hit three shots with his 17* fw.  He told me that the FW would be just as long as my son's driver that was set to 12*.  Turned out he was right.  At that age, they don't have enough power to really show a huge gain with a driver, but of course the driver has potential to be much more consistent off the tee with the bigger sweet spot/enhanced launch capability.

 

When I called him to tell him he was right, he said--"Did you think I was full of *#Y&?"

 

Good times.

 

But yeah, that TS1 should be great for your son.  No need to create bad habits with clubs that are too heavy at that age, or make them work any harder than they need to in order to generate much needed speed.

[jda]

When y'all kids are out of college and you are through with the whole process, it will be the next generation's turn to think that they are the first to go through any of this and that you are stupid.  🙂  It is the circle of life.

 

Not much matters when too young, but you have to make them use the driver, even if the 3 or 4 wood is longer.  Otherwise, the driver will never become longer... and it needs to be if the kids wants to play higher level golf past high school.  If not, then let them do whatever they want.

 

The good thing about Titleist stuff is that the tips have been the same for more than 15 years.  You should be able to find really good, older shafts for really cheap as you progress.  The Diamana White, Blue and Red x5ct that came in the mid 2010s clubs were legit and quite nice for nearly anybody... and cheap.

[SE Gamer]

3 hours ago, MB19 said:

I'm glad to help you not repeat some of my gear mistakes.

 

Funny you say that about the 3W.  A forum member challenged me years back when my son was about 9 to have my son hit three shots with his driver, and then hit three shots with his 17* fw.  He told me that the FW would be just as long as my son's driver that was set to 12*.  Turned out he was right.  At that age, they don't have enough power to really show a huge gain with a driver, but of course the driver has potential to be much more consistent off the tee with the bigger sweet spot/enhanced launch capability.

 

When I called him to tell him he was right, he said--"Did you think I was full of *#Y&?"

 

Good times.

 

But yeah, that TS1 should be great for your son.  No need to create bad habits with clubs that are too heavy at that age, or make them work any harder than they need to in order to generate much needed speed.

Definitely appreciate that you've saved me from making some other potentially poor choices. 

And that's my primary thought with the driver. Not that it will be significantly longer. But that his misses will be more consistent. Honestly, he hits the ball really well. He's just impatient and doesn't take just a few seconds to make sure his aim is right. Just get up and hit it lol. 

At the very least, it'll be more fun for him since he'll no longer be swinging thor's hammer.

[SE Gamer]

TS1 just showed up. Even before trimming the shaft, it's 55 grams lighter than his "junior" driver. Unreal. Really appreciate the advice from folks. He's so excited to try it out!

[SE Gamer]

Got it cut down late this evening. For his height and wrist-to-floor, Ping's fitter would have put him in a 35" driver. US Kids would have been 34. And Flynn would have been 35". He's a bit upright with his swing, and we've been working to get a bit flatter with driver. He also for some reason really wanted it to be 36" (3 feet). So that's what we shot for. Ended up a bit over that target. Figuring he can choke down, and I can always remove more if needed. In spite of trimming a healthy amount, the weight didn't change much (just a hair over 260 grams). Think it's because the Tour Velvet junior grip weighs a bit more than the one that came with it. Which is fine, as it balances the club a bit better.

In spite of it being nearly midnight, he convinced mom to let him go out in the yard and hit some. Man what a difference. I had a hard time getting him back in the house. Tomorrow will have him hit some on my LM to get some data. In his age group, putting and chipping is what wins Drive, Chip and Putt. He qualified in the first round only scoring 3 points in the driving portion lol. But with this driver that's actually fit to him, he'll be in great shape to at the very least keep up with the best of kids who are competing. 

[SE Gamer]

Maybe the last update, but went over to the course down the road this evening. Nice range and practice facility. Started to rain just as we got there. But that wasn't stopping him. What a night and day difference. He actually carried a couple drives 150+. Way longer than his sledgehammer Tour Edge. Swings it so much better. But the forgiveness is definitely the most notable thing. Even the drives he hit fairly poorly were in play and decent distance. He was soaking wet by the end of the range session and loved every minute of it. 

And what he doesn't know yet is that I snagged a full set of US Kids Tour Series clubs for $175 on ebay. Driver, 3w, 4h, 5-pw, Gap and SW. Probably will let him start with a half the set. Just think the full set will be a bit overwhelming coming from a relatively small set.