Equipment

GolfWRX Spotted: Cobra RAD drivers on USGA conforming list (In play at the Masters?)

Published

3 years ago

Nov 10, 2020

After months of rumors and a few leaked images, we now have official confirmation, thanks to the USGA and R&A conforming driver lists, that the new 2021 Cobra RAD drivers exist. The line also includes a new extension to the Cobra line with an XD version—which looks to stand for eXtra Draw, and a model specifically for Bryson, but we’ll get to the full rundown in a minute.

We have reached out to Cobra and have no official comment yet, but based on the images and our knowledge of previous models, we can draw some conclusions based on the visual elements of the four total models.

Cobra RAD (Version 2)

The RAD looks to continue the trend of Cobra utilizing a front and back weight system after a few early iterations with previous models had a sliding track—F6+ anyone? This system offers a lot of center of gravity movement and also allows the simple adjustment of weights without shifting the CG too far from side to side. If it’s not broken—don’t fix it!

RAD appears to refer to Radial Speed, and the weighting system along the bottom close to the face, we don’t know what this means for total performance but if Cobra’s driver progression is working along the lines of previous models and industry trends then it means more stability and speed around the whole head.

Cobra RAD XB

The RAD XB falls in line with the SpeedZone Xtreme by having only one adjustable weight towards the rear of the clubhead. This inevitably pushes the CG away from the face to create a higher MOI and extra stability—the trick for engineers is creating stability without increasing spin.

Just like the standard RAD, the XB features the radial weighting towards the face to most likely increase ball speeds, and if I had to guess what XB stands for its eXtra Balance which could also mean Cobra is looking to sell some longer length drivers.

Cobra RAD XD

The XD is the easiest model to identify, based on the visuals of the head which includes a 10g weight port towards the heel.

Heel weighting is designed to help reduce slice misses, and for OEMs placing the weight and marking it not only tells the visual story but helps golfers who are in the market for a driver quickly identify the best possible choice.

Cobra RAD (Version 1)

This is the outlier of the group, and it could be a “tour only” version or a secondary prototype, and the reason for that is the additional lofted included with the submission to the USGA—5.5 degrees, or what we could also call the “Bryson Loft.”

It’s very difficult to derive from the image since it is so close to “version 2,” but version 1 appears to be slightly smaller from front to back, which opposite to the XB means a more forward CG and a driver that will spin less—something that is desperately needed when you are generating over 195 mph ball speed on a regular basis. It could be a camera trick that is causing the driver to look smaller, and it’s not often Cobra has produced a smaller headed driver for workability.

At GolfWRX we’ll be keeping our ears to the ground, but for all the hot talk surrounding the newly spotted Cobra RAD drivers check out the discussion in the GolfWRX forums: New Cobra RAD drivers on the USGA conforming list.

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

10 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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