Equipment
2024 Cobra Darkspeed drivers, woods, hybrids – GolfWRX Launch Report
What you need to know: Cobra’s bid to build a successor to the Aerojet has taken a dark turn. Which is to say, the blacked-out Darkspeed family of drivers (Darkspeed LS, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed Max) and woods are here. They feature, in addition to the (almost) all-back aesthetic, reworked shaping and re-engineered PWR-Bridge and weighting system, PWRSHELL, and H.O.T. Face Technologies.
2024 Cobra Darkspeed drivers: What’s new, key technology
Aero shaping, tailored weight configuration: These elements work in combination for the specific needs of each player type across the three drivers. Reduced drag for faster speed while configuring the driver head for the launch and spin needs of Max, LS, and X players is the goal here.
The weight system in each model is precisely configured as well. For the Darkspeed LS, three weight ports with two three-gram weights and one 12-gram weight. Two ports are situated in the front of the club and one in the rear for players to dial in draw/fade or preference spin versus forgiveness. In the Darkspeed X, players can adjust flight (spin) by adjusting front and rear weights. For Darkspeed Max, weight ports are positioned on the heel side of the club and the rear of the club for draw bias.
PWR-Bridge: Designed with help from artificial intelligence, PWR-Bridge positions a suspended weight low and forward in the club for faster ball speed.
PWRSHELL: The PWRSHELL face insert is 13 percent larger and it works in conjunction with Cobra’s AI-designed H.O.T. Face Technology for better ball speed across the face.
Lightweight carbon crown, sole plates plus multi-material chassis: A 30-percent lighter carbon fiber crown is 30-percent thinner, which allowed engineers to distribute more weight low and forward within PWR-Bridge. The crown and sole are supported by a titanium frame for stability.
Cobra Darkspeed drivers: Additional model details
Darkspeed LS: With the most compact profile in the lineup (albeit with a higher crown peak), Darkspeed LS is designed for high-clubhead-speed players seeking lower spin with shot shape control. The LS also comes in a Kyle Berkshire-inspired 8-degree model with a smaller shape and greater aerodynamics.
Darkspeed X: Designed for the widest portion of the fitting bell curve, Darkspeed X balances speed and forgiveness. Larger profile, less adjustability than the LS.
Darkspeed Max: Cobra’s draw-biased model is built for the player who needs forgiveness. Depending on the weight configuration, either greater forgiveness or more draw bias can be targeted.
What Cobra says
“The aerodynamic package in the new Darkspeed family of drivers is our most advanced to date,” said Mike Yagley, Vice President of Innovation, Cobra Golf. “We continue to push aerodynamic shaping, mass properties and resilience to drive technology and innovation, providing golfers the most advanced and high-performance clubs possible.”
Pricing, specs, availability
Lofts:
- LS: 8, 9, 19.5
- X: 9, 10.5, 12
- Max: 9, 10.5, 12
- Women’s: 10.5, 12
Stock shafts:
- LS: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White; Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4, and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue
- X: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White; Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4, UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue; MCA Kai’lI Blue
- Max: Project X HZRDUS CB Red, UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red
- Women’s: UST Helium Nanocore
Grip: Lamkin Crossline
Price: $549
On sale/at retail: 1/11, 1/19
Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods, hybrids
Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood: This titanium-bodied club is built for high-swing-speed players seeking low spin. Weight is low and forward in the head thanks to PWR-Bridge technology, 68 grams of tungsten, and a lightweight carbon crown. Two 15-gram weights are positioned in the front of the club and a three-gram weight sits in the rear for ball flight adjustments.
Cobra Darkspeed X fairway wood: Like the X driver model, this club targets players seeking a forgiving, easy-to-hit fairway wood. Featuring similar technology to the LS model, the Darkspeed X has a single eight-gram weight in the rear of the club for ease of launch and higher MOI.
Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway wood: The draw-biased Max model is the most forgiving in the lineup. Here the weights are 12 and three grams and are situated in the rear and heel of the club to achieve the desired launch and ball flight.
Cobra Darkspeed hybrids: Leveraging PWR-Bridge and PWRShell H.O.T. Face, Cobra touts the added speed, launch, and forgiveness relative to the previous generation. Additionally, the company continues its tradition of offering a One Length version for use in conjunction with players of single-length irons.
Pricing, specs, availability
Lofts:
- Darkspeed LS: 13, 14.5, 17.5 degrees
- Darkspeed X: 15, 18, 21 degrees
- Darkspeed Max: 15.5, 18.5, 21.5 degrees
Stock shafts:
- Darkspeed LS: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White
- Darkspeed X: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue
- Darkspeed Max: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red
Grips: Lamkin Crossline
Price: $429 (LS), $329 (Max), $279 (Hybrids)
Pre-sale/at retail: 1/11, 1/19
Hybrid specs, below.
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Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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Equipment
What’s the perfect mini-driver/shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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