Two release cycles ago, Cobra came out with a head unlike others we have seen. Their technology advanced to the point where they could eliminate large amounts of headweight by wrapping carbon around the traditional ‘edges’ and provided extreme weight saving opportunities alongside a milled face that promoted consistency. They took it a step further in their next release by sending that milled face through the hard edges of the crown and sole to promote better aerodynamics (and let’s be honest, less chance of skymarking), with a brilliantly designed metal exoskeleton that further promoted weight efficiencies. It is simply hard to fathom how you can build off that kind of design. Enter the Cobra RADSPEED Drivers.
A name that absolutely begs to be explained because it is somewhat out of left field after “F9 Speedback” and “Speedzone” by comparison. Where does it originate? A concept we as basic consumers are probably unfamiliar; “Radius of Gyration.”
If you ask Cobra what that means (I thought about Googling but decided to commit to their smart people definition), “The distance away from an object’s geometric center that an engineer or designer can position mass or a technology. The further away from the center it is, the better the performance gain.” In short, locating weight away from the CG offers different benefits. The more forward, the higher the ball speed. Going lower promotes the lowest spin. It seems like that critical give and take between forgiveness (MOI), spin, and speed.
Now that we have mentally unlocked what radius of gyration is, and can only assume based on “RAD” that it is a big part of this release, where does it come into play? For Cobra, it came down to their engineers finding the perfect blend using extreme weighting to maximize the critical elements of performance for all types of players, continuing their trend of low back weighting but also taking into consideration extra weight low and forward to gain on that ball speed metric. And, for the benefit of our golf swings, have three heads to deliver performance where we need it.
First, RADSPEED- the primary source for ball speed and low spin workability. This head is designed for the better player hunting for maximum performance with extra weight forward by comparison. Taking full advantage of their TBar Speed Chassis, they were able to save enough weight to get apply 16g of locked weight in the front of the head, with 8g locked into the back. Weight ports of 12g in the front and 2g in the back (that can be changed out) produce in total, 28g forward and 10g in the very back of the head. It will be available in 9.0 and 10.5 degree heads.
For RADSPEED XB (or ‘xtreme back”), the design lends itself more to forgiveness while maintaining solid speed. In this head, the near-to-face weighting is dropped to 8g and a whopping 14g of secured weighting in the back, with a 6g movable weight. This is definitely looking like the next generation of the Xtreme lineup for those who enjoyed the forgiveness and support of the last offering. It will be available in 9.0, 10.5, and 12.0 degree heads.
Finally, RADSPEED XD (or ‘xtreme draw”) – built on the same basic platform as the XB but have moved 10g of radial weight to the heel side halfway between the hosel and the back of the head to promote a draw bias. There are still 8g of weight locked into the front and 8g in the back, with a 6g movable weight. It will be available in 10.5 and 12.0 degree heads.
It is an awful lot to take in, but the basic reality is, Cobra has taken radial weight placement with their new driver head, and allocated weight to places that promote benefits for all levels of golfers. They were able to do this because of new carbon wrap technology that saved six grams of weight from the crown, and continue to promote consistent performance with their infinity face, which is a 25 minute milling process that results in a level or precision that greatly exceeds hand polishing. Continuing from previous models, the dual roll tech (where the face operates slightly different when hit high vs low), and their tri bulge face (basically autocorrect for golf balls) are still very much present. Slight improvements to the face milling came from solid tour feedback and additional research, which include the decision to introduce a horizontal milling pattern in the central location for moisture management, and a new laser etching of the central circle and infinity logo to further support that moisture control.
It would not be a Cobra driver release, however, without discussing color. To continue with their last couple models, they have added a fresh version of the yellow using what they call “turbo yellow” as an option, offering a matte black in the RADSPEED head, and gloss black in the XB and XD offerings. While this type of discussion will be a totally personal perspective, I believe the yellow they selected was a great transition from former offerings. A little livelier, more ‘current’ so to speak.
Additionally (and from my perspective the greatest thing ever), they have brought in their ever popular peacoat blue color for the RADSPEED and RADSPEED XB heads. A perfect combination of blue, white, and red accents compliment the overall presentation and present two outstanding cosmetic choices for consumers looking for variety in the RADSPEED and RADSPEED XB heads. Anyone who is familiar with Puma knows that Peacoat is a popular color throughout their apparel, and it makes perfect sense to bring that subtle yet solid presentation onto a driver. For the first time, I am not totally for one color and indifferent on the other. This is about two great choices, and it would not surprise me to see people feel the same way (although the right answer is of course, blue).
Each setup comes with a couple popular shaft options, Cobra connect in the grip, and tour length will return with the RADSPEED head. On the junior head, Cobra is still honoring the free shaft upgrade which is a great feature. MAP for all three heads is $449.
I for one am incredibly excited to give RADSPEED a try. F9 came in with a bang, redefining what could be done with carbon fiber, and showcasing that there are numerous ways to achieve consistent performance off the face of the head. They doubled down on Aerodynamics for Speedzone, and are now going another direction to make sure that we as golfers make only the concessions we need to promote the performance we seek.
The Details
Available: January 29, 2021
Price: $449
Website: www.cobragolf.com
True, I was more curious what options would be available, shafts, etc
i would think similar to what Speedzone has.
My wallet is relieved
Not exactly, but lots of action next week and I’m sure feedback from @Jman @Canadan @jdtox
Not even remotely.
True. Even worse. At least ping didn’t commit to a date. Cobra came and went bye bye.
Hope to have lots of feedback for everyone next week!
You have to swing it like Bryson.
HAVE to.
At least this release will have drivers that sound good. ?
I heard something about a delay in the release which is now obvious. COVID is still causing fusses in supply chain I guess!
I’ve used them a bunch of times, excellent service, great prices and they are great on updating with tracking and delivery. What am I missing?
Those prices get them into hot water, and lose them accounts. I like a deal as much as the next guy, but it’s fascinating they haven’t lost more accounts.
Oh yeah I remember they had an issue with PING, they don’t discount them at all now. Im sure they have so much volume the manufacturers are ok with it. When it comes to new released stuff non PING, I can’t seem to beat there prices anywhere unless you got a hookup.
My shop said pre-orders were pushed back from the 15th to the 22nd. Hope that is accurate
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Man that is such a good looking driver. I need to hit that bad boy to see if performance matches looks.
I can tell you from the couple swings I took there are quite the spin differences in hitting high and low on the face. But the ball flight stayed relatively straight with obvious different distances
Have you had enough time with them to see if they are as fade biased as last years lineup?
No I haven’t yet. Swing isn’t in best form either as yesterday was my first swings in over a month
Such a gorgeous head!!!
How about some details? ?
I think you might see some soon ?
@jdtox BOMBSView attachment 8989052View attachment 8989053
Those numbers are awesome!!!
Yes, they are. I’m going to try the Radspeed Drivers at some point to compare them with the Xtreme that I’m currently gaming.
Great numbers. He was definitely launching and spinning his Speedzone a little high last year, but still hitting it extremely well. Definitely left a bit of yardage on the table. These are about perfect.
Yeah @jdtox your swing is just trash right now
Great numbers!
And how about that peacoat finish!!!!! ???
What shaft was in that hammer?
dang, he was hitting the speedzone pretty solid too.
Bomb then chip. No need for an iron swing.
Which model are y’all hitting?
I love to hear that because to me, the SpeedZone was a step back from the F9 in terms of sound/feel.
Cap @jdtox already getting tweaks started for Morgan Cup ?
I thought this as well Craig. I cannot wait to try the RADSPEED!
That’s so interesting as far as how you all have been impressed by its performance. And the numbers that @jdtox produced don’t lie. I can’t wait to hit this driver.
says the guy who hit one 303……..