Okay, full disclosure:  I’ve been a Cobra driver lover/follower/devotee since I’ve been playing golf.  They are one of the few companies that have ample lefty samples at every demo day that I’ve ever been to (yes, that means I am a lefty).  

Heck, they even have women’s and senior flex lefty clubs at even smaller events.  I used to think I would try a different brand when my game improved and I graduated to the men’s R flex in my clubs but I continue to stick with the Cobra brand.  Now that I revealed my “bias” I can move on… 

Recently on Tour and with a few select reps a new Cobra driver, the ZL or Zero Limit, has been spotted.  When the first picture showed up on the GolfWRX forums a member promptly replied, “My L4V just got scared”, but not everyone had nice things to say.  “Looks good from address but ugly as can be on the sole and I hope it performs well since the L5 was trash”, quipped another.  Generally speaking, a new driver with a new look always seems to have comments like, “Oh sure. The posts come out on this AFTER I have an 8.5* S9-1 Pro D with BB x-stiff on the way. It’s just not right man.”  I know how this member feels!

So but what do we really know so far?  “Looks almost identical to the L5V with a different paint scheme”, is what one member thought and another chimed in with, “that’s what I said but the rep assured me it was less composite and more titanium with a better feel and sound.”  Ah yes, that Cobra sound.  When you’re out on the driving range you can always hear the person that’s hitting the Cobra driver.  Each one seems to have that distinctive signature that is somewhere between a “whack” and a loud “ting”. 

Much of the early buzz for those who haven’t seen this driver in person are hopes that it is a better performer than the L5V.  One “insider” claims, “SERIOUSLY … This is a first of its kind from the COBRA crew. Throw out anything you used to think – sound – look – feel. The ball speed is BIG – set up is of a whole new philosophy – NO DIMPLES! – first time ever for COBRA …and a 3-way adjustable hosel – open/neutral/closed – It’s a whole new direction for them … and it ROCKS ! … EXTREMELY long – EASY to work – very tunable…it’s the whole 9 yards.  As I was told – which I now believe …."It will be your next driver". For you guys that don’t like the big COBRA sound …BOY – Are you in for a surprise.” 

So what will this new driver really be?  Some say the distinct sound will be gone.  Will it sound different?  Will it really be adjustable three ways?  What does it really replace?  No dimples now?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, read all of the buzz and speculation on the GolfWRX forums here: 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=290533&st=80