Equipment
GolfWRX Spotted: Cobra RAD drivers on USGA conforming list (In play at the Masters?)
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
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes
As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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www.uplabs.com
Jan 22, 2021 at 9:50 pm
Tremendous issues here. I am very happy to look your article.
Thanks so much and I’m taking a look forward to touch you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?
JP
Nov 11, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I’d give it a try if it doesn’t have turbulators! Haha
Please Ping, make the next driver without those hideous things!
Release rev 33s
Nov 10, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Sick. Cobra has made the same driver, three times in a row.
will
Nov 10, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Its lime green
Jordan
Nov 10, 2020 at 10:03 am
Can’t wait to see the amount of sheep thinking they need a 5.5* Driver.
Milo
Nov 10, 2020 at 1:45 pm
It honestly would be fun to just try and hit.
s
Nov 19, 2020 at 1:20 pm
pretty sure it’s for Bryson. he used 7.5 head set @ 5.5 for his us open win.