With many of their competitiveness pounding the drum about forgiveness, COBRA Golf is leaning into the element of golf that has the highest appeal – distance.
It says it right in the name of their metalwoods line.
The new models come under the DARKSPEED umbrella, a nod to their stealthy looks and advanced aerodynamics.
The company is calling the new drivers the “fastest clubs COBRA has ever produced.”
There is a trio of drivers – the LS, X, and MAX models with each having their own characteristics to better suit certain players while keying in on aerodynamic shaping to promote clubhead speed.
Here is what you need to know about each driver, with each one selling at $699 (CAD).
DARKSPEED LS
- Intended for fastest swinging golfers who need to keep spin levels down.
- Head shape features higher crown peak, higher rear skirt height, and more compact profile at address.
- Features three weight ports that house two 3g weights and one 12g weight; two in the front and a third back weight position. The 12g weight can be placed in the heel or toe to fine-tune fade bias, or in the back to add spin and forgiveness.
- Offered in an 8 degree model based on a prototype head developed for World Long Drive Champion Kyle Berkshire.
DARKSPEED X
- Should fit the widest range of golfers with balanced features.
- Medium rear skirt height and steamlined shape.
- Features a back weight and a second front weight position allowing players to optimize ball flight.
DARKSPEED MAX
- For players looking for the most forgiveness
- Lowest and deepest footprint to create highest resistance to twisting (MOI) among the three DARKSPEED Models.
- Features ports in the rear and heel of the sole. Players can position the 12g weight in the back for the highest MOI and forgiveness, or in the heel for the most draw bias.
“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.”
Across all three models you will find a face design designed with the help of machine learning to help increase ball speed, an internal suspended weight that is lower and more forward than the ones used in 2023 models, an a multi-material chassis with lightweight carbon crown and soleplates. That crown is now 30% thinner, with the mass redistributed to the internal weighting.
In addition to those features, all DARKSPEED models continue with the previously used COBRA MyFly 8 with SmartPad for easy loft and lie adjustability while providing a consistent face angle for all eight sleev settings.
The men’s DARKSPEED family of drivers comes in an all-black colorway with a satin frost crown and sole finish, and is available in the following specifications in Canada:
DARKSPEED LS Driver Specifications:
| Model | MyFly Loft Settings |
| 8 o Driver | 6.5 o, 7.0 o, 7.0 o D, 8.0 o, 8.0 o D, 9 o, 9o D, 9.5 o |
| 9o Driver | 7.5 o, 8.0 o, 8.0 o D, 9.0 o, 9.0o D, 10 o, 10 o D, 10.5 o |
| 10.5o Driver | 9.0 o, 9.5 o, 9.5 o D, 10.5 o, 10.5 o D, 11.5 o, 11.5 o D,12.0 o |
The DARKSPEED LS comes in RH/LH with a choice of three premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: UST® Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS® Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S), and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S). Lamkin® Crossline grips come standard.
DARKSPEED X Driver Specifications:
| Model | MyFly 8 Loft Settings |
| 9° Driver | 7.5, 8.0, 8.0D, 9.0, 9.0 D, 10, 10 D, 10.5 |
| 10.5° Driver | 9.0, 9.5, 9.5 D, 10.5, 10.5 D, 11.5, 11.5 D,12.0 |
| 12.0° Driver | 10.5, 11.0, 11.0 D, 12.0, 12.0 D, 13.0, 13.0 D, 13.5 |
The DARKSPEED X Driver comes in RH/LH with a choice of four premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS CB Red (A), UST Mamiya LIN- Q M40X Blue (R and S); MCA® KAI’LI Blue (R and S). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.
DARKSPEED MAX Driver Specifications:
| Model | MyFly 8 Loft Settings |
| 9.0° Driver | 7.5, 8.0, 8.0 D, 9.0, 9.0 D, 10, 10 D, 10.5 |
| 10.5° Driver | 9.0, 9.5, 9.5 D, 10.5, 10.5 D, 11.5 , 11.5 D,12.0 |
| 12.0° Driver | 10.5, 11.0, 11.0 D, 12.0, 12.0 D, 13.0, 13.0D, 13.5 |
The DARKSPEED MAX Driver comes in RH/LH with a choice of two premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes: Project X HZRDUS CB Red (A and R flex); UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red (R and S flex). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.
The DARKSPEED MAX Driver is also available in a women’s edition (also $699.99), featuring a gloss crown and sole with cool blue colour accents.
DARKSPEED MAX Women’s Driver Specifications:
| Model | MyFly® 8 Loft Settings |
| 10.5° Driver | 9.0, 9.5, 9.5 D, 10.5, 10.5 D, 11.5, 11.5 D, 12.0 |
| 12.0° Driver | 10.5, 11.0, 11.0 D, 12.0, 12.0 D, 13.0, 13.0 D, 13.5 |
The DARKSPEED MAX Women’s Driver comes in right and left hand with an aftermarket UST Helium Nanocore shaft in Ladies flex. Lamkin Crossline grip comes standard.
The MSRP for the DARKSPEED LS, X and MAX Drivers is $699.99.
DARKSPEED Fairways and Hybrids
Complementing the line of DARKSPEED drivers is a full lineup of fairway metals ($499.99 for LS, $399.99 for X and MAX). Utilizing similar PWR-BRIDGE weighting, PWRSHELL with H.O.T. FACE, and carbon fiber crown technologies as the DARKSPEED drivers, the new fairway metals are also available in three models to fit the full spectrum of players. All three DARKSPEED fairway metals feature MyFly8 Adjustable Loft Technology. Details of the three new models:
- DARKSPEED LS Fairway – Designed for players with faster swing speeds, the new LS features a space-grade Titanium body and Titanium PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE insert. Titanium was utilized by COBRA engineers to save more discretionary weight and reposition it lower and forward in the head. This combination of PWR-BRIDGE technology and 68g of tungsten weighting moves the CG lower and forward for maximum ball speed and distance. A lightweight carbon crown also functions to save weight in the upper portion of the clubhead, yielding a CG location that is 3.2mm lower to the ground than in the previous model. Like the LS driver, the DARKSPEED LS fairway metal features an adjustable weighting system with two 15g weights in the front and a single 3g weight in the back for trajectory and spin tuning. The DARKSPEED LS fairway is offered with the UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White 70g shaft in S and X flex, and a Lamkin Crossline grip. Loft offerings include a brand new stronger lofted 3W+ model with a nominal loft of 13° (adjustable between 11.5° and 14.5°), a standard 3W with a nominal loft of 14.5° (adjustable between 13.0°and 16.0°), and a 5W with a nominal loft of 17.5° (adjustable between 16.0° and 19.0°).
- DARKSPEED X Fairway – The DARKSPEED X model is designed for players looking for a balance of easy launch, forgiveness, and distance. An 8g fixed weight is positioned in the rear of the sole for added forgiveness and high launch, while PWR-BRIDGE and PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE Technology provide faster ball speed through a low, forward CG location. A lightweight carbon crown further contributes to the low CG by removing weight from the upper portion of the clubhead. The DARKSPEED X fairway is offered with a choice of UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue shaft in R, S, and X flexes and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red shaft in A flex. Loft offerings include 15° (3W), adjustable from 13.5° to 16.5°, 18° (5W) adjustable from 16.5° to 19.5°, and 21° (7W) adjustable from 19.5° to 22.5°.
- DARKSPEED MAX Fairway – The most forgiving fairway metal in the lineup is designed for players that desire a high, draw-biased ball flight. Like the MAX driver, the fairway metal features an adjustable weight system with 12g and 3g weights positioned in the back and the heel of the sole to fine tune forgiveness and flight. PWR-BRIDGE weighting and PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE Technology deliver the fastest ball speed possible using low and forward weighting and an optimized variable thickness face design, while a carbon crown helps lower the CG location for higher launch. Shaft choices include UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red in A, R, and S flex. Loft offerings include 15.5° (3W) adjustable from 14° to 17°, 18.5° (5W) adjustable from 17° to 20°, and 21.5° (7W) adjustable from 20° to 23°.
The DARKSPEED MAX is also available in a women’s model in 18.5° (3W), adjustable between 17.0 to 20.0, 21.5° (5W), adjustable between 20.0 to 23.0, and 24.5° (7W), adjustable between 23.0° to 26.0°. The women’s model comes in a special gloss black finish with cool blue colour accents and is equipped with a UST Helium Nanocore shaft in Ladies flex.
DARKSPEED hybrids ($329.99 each) fill out COBRA’s collection of new metalwood offerings and feature PWR-BRIDGE weighting and PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE Technology, for added speed, launch and forgiveness. The DARKSPEED ONE Length Hybrid is designed in a shorter length (37.25”) to complement the ONE Length irons in a combo set but is also popular with many conventional iron players for its ease of use, high launch, and forgiveness.
| PRODUCT | CLUB | LOFT | LIE ANGLE | LENGTH | SHAFT/FLEX/SWING WEIGHT | RH/LH |
| DARKSPEED Hybrid | 2H | 17.0° | 57.50° | 41.50″ | KBS PGI 85 (S): D1 | RH |
| 3H | 19.0° | 58.00° | 40.75″ | KBS PGI 85 (S): D1, PGI 75 (R): D0 | RH/LH | |
| 4H | 21.0° | 58.50° | 40.00″ | KBS PGI 85 (S): D1, PGI 75 (R): D0, PGI 65 (A): C9 | RH/LH | |
| 5H | 24.0° | 59.00° | 39.25″ | KBS PGI 85 (S): D1, PGI 75 (R): D0, PGI 65 (A): C9 | RH/LH | |
| 6H | 28.0° | 59.50° | 38.50″ | KBS PGI 75 (R): D0, PGI 65 (A): C9 | RH | |
| DARKSPEED ONE Length Hybrid | 3H | 19.0° | 63.00° | 37.25″ | KBS PGI 85 (S: C9.5), 75 (R: C9) | RH |
| 4H | 21.0° | 62.50° | 37.25″ | KBS PGI 85 (S: C9.5), 75 (R: C9) | RH/*LH | |
| *5H | 24.0° | 62.00° | 37.25″ | *Custom only | *RH | |
| DARKSPEED Women’s Hybrid | 4H | 21.0° | 58.50° | 39.00″ | KBS PGI 55 (Ladies flex): C3.5 | RH/*LH |
| 5H | 24.0° | 59.00° | 38.25″ | KBS PGI 55 (Ladies flex): C3.5 | RH/*LH | |
| 6H | 28.0° | 59.50° | 37.50″ | KBS PGI 55 (Ladies flex): C3.5 | RH/*LH | |
| 7H | 31.0° | 60.00° | 36.75″ | KBS PGI 55 (Ladies flex): C3.5 | RH |
All COBRA DARKSPEED products will begin pre-sale on January 11th and will be available at retail and online on January 19th, 2024. For more information, visit cobragolf.ca.
