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
1) The look of the third colorway is fantastic at address. So so so very good. Happy I went this way.
2) Sound is much improved, still not my absolute favorite, but it’s a good blend.
3) Kept it at 9.0 and 16g forward yesterday with the wind and there were nice flat bullets, likely going to either mess with the loft or the weights today, who knows which. It’s a low spinner for me though, which excites me a ton as I’ve struggled there with the last two releases.
4) Not crazy fade biased for me in the 9.0 head which is another relief. Played pretty darn neutral to me.
5) The counterbalanced RDX blue seems an excellent stock pairing, but, today I’m going to plug the Nippon back in and finally get to hit that combo on the course.
There was no adjustment or break-in period when hitting this. I hit roughly 15 drives with this and id say 13 would be fairway balls. 8 of them rolling out over 300 which is a good strike for me
All of that sounds more promising than the SZ did for you.
Have you gotten numbers with this or only on course? I’m leaning regular head but was thinking 10.5* if I went that way though I haven’t hit a 10.5* head in years. 9* if I go XB again.
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Isn’t it though. I loved the feel of that shaft. The head is fantastic too. I literally considered ordering a RADSPEED and then either selling it or getting an XB to compare with for The Morgan Cup. That’s how excited I am to try this driver. That would be the most club ho thing ever though LOL!
I got some numbers that will be in the Nippon MB+ review, but those were done indoors.
I honestly went 9.0 so I could eventually loft up and make it play even more neutral if I needed to, I think I’ll start lofted up today and then maybe flip the weight.
What don’t you like about the infinity face?
Not that I don’t like it. It’s just visually a big difference than what I am used to seeing. Like it’s so new to me that my eyes just keep focusing in on it.
It is initially I’d agree, it is different to look at but from the top its not that distracting. This newer version I think it looks even better than it did previously.
Yeah, I am sure with a little bit of time it would be a non issue. I never spent much time with last year’s outside of checking it out on the rack. Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is the Radspeed a little more compact than the Speedzone?
Yeah. But that is just going off memory. I just remember being surprised at how compact it looked this weekend.
I see more Drivers in your future!
LOL ive put the brakes on! other than replacing wedges, my bag is set……. until March
Or until you get into a THP event!
Enabler…
Just here to help
This is exactly why I hated looking down at the taylormades. All black option this year but a HUGE upcharge..
I’m also really torn between the RDX blue and F1 shafts. I had a yellow and really liked it but I felt like I lost a bit of distance with it. May have been to stiff at x flex, or that it was 44.5 long.
I can see that being very similar. I honestly think the crown of the TM drivers look really good. But, I have been conditioned to it for a while.
I’m going there after work to hit some of the XB. Maybe some Ping MAX’s to compare. Maybe some Epic MAX LS too.
Mine came out to 196g with the screw
You think that would “be the most club ho thing ever?” Ha ha, my friend, you would barely be joining the club. ?
Definitely lower spin than last year. Really going to need to see some spin numbers to decide which head I prefer but the regular shape appeals to my eyes.
You murdered this driver in the text studio
Lower spin than last year..!. That’s intense.
It’s a fun head for sure! I don’t have @Canadan ball speeds but anything near or over 160 works for me haha
Are you liking the dispersion, too?
Hard to focus on that since I haven’t swung since the THP showcase. What I did notice was a lower more penetrating ball flight. I plan to get dialed in though and see what happens. Dispersion was so good with the Xtreme last year that is going to be a main focus, can’t chase just ball speed
I am predicting you will see both great ball speed and pleasing dispersion. This is your year for great golf!
You have absolutely NOTHING to be talking down about after what I watched you do with this product in your hand.
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Especially given everything I have seen looks like the XB is not lacking in the ball speed department.
This is my dilemma. I’m sitting here ready to press order with the rad in my cart, but the xb keeps getting good reviews…
It definitely is not and more testing is needed.
The Xtreme last season for me launched very high, so much that I had to get into a low/low shaft to help and play it at 8*. I still thought it spun too much at times for that kind of launch I was getting but dispersion was fantastic. If I can get the XB dialed in it possibly could be a winner.
Turbulence 9°, RDX blue in X flex.
A couple custom options in there as well.
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XB? Have you hit both yet? Interested in this comparison for sure. ?
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For you and 95% of golfers
Very very nice! ?
I like how the face goes over on the crown. No sky marks on that beauty.