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What’s the new tech? How many new models are there? And how much do they cost? Nicola Slater brings you the low down on the Cobra Darkspeed range
The Aerojet range was a great hit for Cobra in 2023, so how have they improved for 2024?
Cobra Darkspeed Drivers
For 2024, Cobra is introducing three drivers as part of their new Darkspeed Metalwoods range. The Darkspeed family uses advanced aerodynamic shaping, meaning that every driver’s head has a different weight configuration designed to suit individual players’ requirements.
The Darkspeed range is Cobra’s first product to use AI technology. The Ai-designed H.O.T Face Technology has been used to create a face that has both optimised smash factor and ball speed data. From this, the reformed Pwrshell face insert is now 13% larger than the one found in the previous generation Aerojet drivers.
Not only has the face been upgraded, but so has the overall structure of the driver’s head. A multi-material chassis features a lightweight carbon crown, which is 30% thinner than the Aerojet driver. This lighter top is combined with sole plates and a reinforced titanium frame, which creates a more stable club head.
The new Darkspeed family also uses Cobra’s McFly 8 with SmartPad technology, allowing players adjustability that is both quick and easy. With the McFly 8 system, the driver’s loft can be altered a degree up or down, without losing a square face at address.
Cobra Darkspeed X Driver
The Darkspeed X driver is the model that is most likely to suit a wide variety of players. The design is the medium of the three head shapes in terms of crown curvature and rear skirt height. The streamlined design is aimed at golfers who want exceptional ball speed without forfeiting forgiveness.
The back of the head shows Cobra’s adjustable weighting system, which has two weight ports. A 12g weight is positioned at the back, and a 3g weight at the front. These can be adjusted per golfer to help optimise ball flight.
Shafts: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S) | Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S) | UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S) | MCA® KAI’LI Blue (R and S)
The Max model is the most forgiving driver in the Darkspeed range, with the highest MOI of the three models. In terms of shape, the Max has the lowest skirt height and the softest crown curvature.
The back of the driver features a 12g weight that can be positioned at the heel of the club for the most draw bias or at the rear for a more neutral option.
The Darkspeed Max Driver is also available in a women’s model with a UST Helium Nanocore shaft in Ladies flex and a Lampkin Crossline grip. Cobra also offers the Max Driver in a Junior model, featuring a 12° head. This comes with three different shaft lengths 39″, 41″ and 43″.
Cobra Darkspeed LS Driver
Cobra’s Darkspeed LS driver has the most prominent crown curvature of the three models and the highest rear skirt. This driver is aimed at those golfers who create a lot of swing speed and so require a lower spinning driver.
Unlike the other models, the LS offers three weight ports on the back of the head that can hold two 3g and a 12g weight. There are two ports based at the front and one at the back. With so many weight distribution options this head can be altered to draw bias, or in the back for greater forgiveness.
The Darkspeed Metalwoods story continues with Cobra, offering three models of fairway woods, catering to every player. The McFly8 adjustable hostle can be found on all of the fairway woods giving a range of 1.5° range either way.
Cobra Darkspeed X Fairway Wood
Cobra’s Darkspeed X fairway wood is the model aimed at players who want forgiveness and an easy launch without sacrificing distance. Positioned on the rear sole is an 8g weight designed to promote a mid, neutral ball flight.
The face has been designed using Ai technology, aimed at generating a faster ball using a lower and more forward CG. This is also possible thanks to the lighter carbon crown design.
Shafts: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue shaft in R, S, and X flexes
Grip: Lampkin Crossline
Lofts: 15°, 16.5°, 18° & 21°
Cobra Darkspeed Max Fairway Wood
The Darkspeed Max offers a high, draw-biased flight option for players who need a little extra forgiveness out on the course. At the back, a 12g and 3g weight can be positioned to create a desired launch and flight.
Shafts: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red in A, R, and S flex
Grip: Lampkin Crossline
Lofts: 15.5°, 18.5° & 21.5°
The Darkspeed Max Fairway Wood is also available in a women’s model with three loft options 18.5°, 21.5° and 24.5°. The shaft is a UST Helium Nanocore shaft in Ladies flex.
Cobra Darkspeed LS Fairway Wood
The Darkspeed LS has been designed to suit those players whose swing speed is slightly faster. Cobra’s Darkspeed LS fairway wood is constructed from space-grade titanium to help with internal weighting. The weight disruption set-up has been altered, with the help of Ai technology. The Pwr-Bridge weighting was created which lowered the CG by 3.2mm on the previous Aerojet model and suspended a 68g tungsten weight lower and more forward in the face, helping to maximise ball speed.
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Like the LS driver, there is an adjustable weights system at the back where you can find two 15g weights positioned towards the front and a further 3g weight at the back.
For 2024, Cobra is offering a new stronger lofted option sitting at 13°.
Shafts: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White 70g shaft in S and X flex
Grip: Lampkin Crossline
Lofts: 13°, 14.5° & 17.5°
Hybrids
Cobra is returning for another year offering a new range of hybrids in both a one-length option and standard lengths. Like the rest of the Darkspeed Metalwoods family, the hybrids have also been created using Ai technology.
The new Pwrshell Hot Face technology featured fifteen individual hot spots, aimed at increasing both the launch and speed. This isn’t the only thing Ai has helped with as Cobra’s Pwr-Bridge has been positioned lower and more forward to help lower spin.
Cobra Darkspeed Hybrid
Cobra’s Darkspeed hybrid packs in all of the technology we’ve seen the driver and fairway woods but in a smaller package. A singular 12g weight can be found on the back middle of the head, which can be adjusted if needed, depending on the player’s needs.
Shafts: KBS PGI 85G (S) D1 | 75G (R) D0 | (LGT), 65G (A) C9
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360 50G
Right-handed Lofts: 17°, 19°, 21°, 24° & 28°
Left-handed Lofts: 19°, 21°, 24°
The Darkspeed Hybrid is also available in a women’s model with four loft options 21°, 24°, 28° and 30°. The shaft is a lighter KBS PGI 55G (ladies flex) with a C3.5 swing weight.
Cobra Darkspeed One Length Hybrid
Cobra’s one-length hybrid design has returned for 2024. Coming in three different loft options, each club is made to the same 37.25″ length.
The one-length option is shorter than any of the standard-length hybrid options and so is popular amongst those conventional iron players as it helps promote a higher launch. Unlike longer irons, this Darkspeed hybrid is designed to be easy to use and provide more forgiveness.
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STOCK OPTIONS:
Shafts: KBS PGI 85G (S) C9.5 | 75G (R) C9
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360 50G
Right-handed Lofts: 19°, 21° & 24°
Left-handed Lofts: 19°& 21°
Irons
The Darkspeed irons from Cobra are a game improvement set, meaning that they’re usually aimed at those mid to high-handicap golfers who need a little extra forgiveness from an iron. However, this doesn’t mean a lower handicapper couldn’t benefit from the speed, distance, and feel these clubs aim to provide.
Cobra Darkspeed Irons
Cobra’s engineers have worked closely with Ai technology to help create the best feeling game improvement irons to date. To start with, there’s a new hollow body design with a thinner structure. The 1.6mm thinner face allows for 25% more face flection than seen in previous generation irons. This, paired with a 21% larger Pwrshell Hot Face insert, creates a larger sweetspot and, therefore, more forgiveness.
The hollow body is filled with feel-enhancing foam that supports the Pwr-Bridge structure, which not only provides a soft feel but an enhanced sound.
Shafts: Steel: KBS Tour Lite 105G (S, R) | Graphite: KBS PGI 85 (80g) S, PGI 75 (70g) R, PGI 65 (60g) Lite
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360 48G (GR) 50G (ST)
Lofts: 4 – 19°, 5 – 22°, 6 – 25°, 7 – 28°, 8 – 32°, 9 – 37°, P – 42°, A – 46°, G – 50° & S – 54°
Right-handed: 4-PW (S), 5-GW (R), 5-GW (S)
Left-handed: 5-GW (R)
Cobra Darkspeed One Length Irons
As per the name, the only thing that alters with the Darkspeed One Length irons, is the length.
Each iron in the set is made up to 37.25″ which is the length of a 7 iron in the variable length set. The one-length concept is nothing new for Cobra and its purpose is to allow players to repeat the same swing every time. The shorter design in longer irons makes it easier for players to get a higher launch.
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STOCK OPTIONS:
Shafts: Steel: KBS Tour Lite 105G (R&S) | Graphite: KBS PGI 85G (S), 75G (R), 65G (Lite)
RRP: £429 (driver) £349 (LS Fairway Wood) £279 (Max and X fairway woods) £229 (hybrids) £849 (7-piece iron set – steel) £949 (7-piece iron set – graphite)
