Distance is great for drivers, but it doesn't do much good for irons without accuracy. Cobra Golf's new S2 irons promise extra distance while still preserving the same flight characteristics as the club it replaces, the S9.

Part of the the distance increase comes from longer shafts and stronger irons. But much of it is due to its multi-material design. Cobra's engineers placed lightweight inserts high in the head and redistributed the weight low in the heel and toe, which lowers the center of gravity and raises the moment of inertia.

The result is a hotter face, especially on off-center impact. In addition, the unique sole, in which the trailing edge is stepped away from the ground, helps the club glide through the ground instead of digging.

For all its technology, though, the most appealing aspect of the S2 may be its cosmetics. For an extreme game-improvement iron, the head is fairly compact, the offset is minimal and the feel is buttery.

“I’m easily a club longer with these irons,” says a 12. “These may be game-improvement clubs, but they make me look and feel like a player.”

4–GW, ($600 steel, $700 graphite), cobragolf.com

TESTING GROUNDS: Cobra S2 (6-iron, graphite S flex)
BALL SPEED: 117 MPH
LAUNCH ANGLE: 17 degrees
BACKSPIN: 4315 RPM
CARRY DISTANCE: 181 yards