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
Not sure. Doing a fitting.
What about the 3rd colorway?? Was that in the mix for you?
Would love to see this one in hand.
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Cool. I got confused there. Lol
Yup
All the shops here have them in.
if I can go and hit them with a fractured wrist you can fight the weather ?
Worth the upgrade?
Moolman…..where ya at?
Is this custom order or stock? Matte top with peacoat?
RAD Speed – Black and Turbo yellow (matte top), Peacoat/Red (matte top), Turbulence (Blue) and Turbo yellow (not sure if the crown is matte or gloss)
RAD XB – Black and Turbo yellow (Gloss top), Peacoat/Red (matte top), Turbulence (Blue) and Turbo yellow (not sure if the crown is matte or gloss)
RAD XD – Black and Turbo yellow (gloss top), Black and Pink (Gloss top)
To unlock the Turbulence and Turbo colorway you have to go on the Cobra site and toggle the option to RADSPEED Custom in the dropdown box.
Grey-ish silver matte
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This is what I went with. The crown did it for me.
I’m going to geek out if it’s gloss.
What shaft you going with?
It depends on the model. So far after seeing them In the stores the lime and black ones are matte in the Speed and Gloss in the XD and XB.
I’m not sure about the blue and lime. The renderings on the site look matte.
I only got to play a 9 hole today, it only had 2 par 4s, I did hit the driver well. I’m definitely hitting better but I think the club is just more forgiving because it’s the XB version with the really heavy weight. The F9 I had was the two weight version.
I’m playing 18 at a regular course tomorrow, so hoping for the best. I definitely recommend the Tour length, at 44.5 inches. 46 inches is just crazy and the heavy head feels good.
Went RDX Blue, but I’ve got the new Nippon Regio MB+ ready to get some work. Waiting sucks!
I tried the XD in 12* head as that was the only loft the shop had in it. For me it wanted to turn hard left but I tend to draw the ball anyway.
I’d need more time with it and find a shaft and loft setting that fit me better.
For some reason, I had it in my mind that you would go Motore. I will be very excited to read your thought on the Smoke Blue, as it is a shaft that I really like a great deal.
It’s a good shaft for me, I’m just more inclined to support PX and what DB and Keenan do, ya know?
Distance is the same, I’m getting more distance only because it fits me better. I feel the XB 9* especially launches higher than the F9, mainly because the weight is so heavy on the back. The XB is hard to shape a shot, kinda just goes straight and high. The comments I got from my playing partners that have seen me hit the F9 was that the ball just doesn’t curve much, way less slicing or hooks, if I put a bad shot on it, it goes push or pull, straight that way. I think you can buy a game… haha… so distance is the same, it’s a smidge more forgiving. I can’t imagine it being moree forgiving if you already has the Xtreme Speedzone from last year. I think I got more distance and forgiveness because I’m coming from the F9 and it didn’t have the XB/Xtreme head that year.
Do not get the regular length XB, 46 inches for a driver is ridiculous.
Don’t tell that to Adam hit one fairway this weekend Scott ?
And there are many more who’ve had no issues with it. It’s not one size fits all, you know that.
I know. Just had to throw some sauce his way as his experiment with the long Accuflex didn’t quite work out this weekend.
Even though I’m a short dude I love how a 46” driver looks and sets up. My worry is the errant swing that nearly sky marks the head. Also if I get lazy it’s the swing I’ll usually drop kick one per round which I never do at 45”.
Hahaha, yeah, the Autoflex is an….interesting thing. I’d be shocked if we see it next week.
I won’t lie, I sorta want to build a 48” this year. ?
Cobra adjusts the weight in the heads to hit marks based on shaft and length, IME
Heavier weights are in the head, so if you look at their launch chart, it shows that if you get the Tour Length, it goes higher. It’s been like that for a few years since they started doing the Tour Length model. I suppose the XB got lighter though since the previous Xtreme was 45.5, so reduce the weight 6 grams in the head and make it 46 with the same SW.
lame, black and yella takes the lead again.
Can you post a link or pic ? Couldn’t find it on there
FANTASTIC! This makes me happy.
Peacoat every day of the week. I love a matte finish, and the peacoat colours just tops it off.