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
The 10.5 goes to the moon it seems haha but you hit it well. Not sure RDX blue is the right shaft though
More testing required for sure but I agree, that’s where I was last year with Xtreme but played the head at 8. I don’t think I’d have to do that this year and I’m already used to that head shape
Agreed did not seem to be a good fit for me at least at my current very slow swing speed.
every time on a GC2 it’s like 14-15* launch which I like but extremely low spin. Like today they were 1300-1500. I thought it was maybe some phony monitor numbers but picked up an Epic Max and TSi1 with similar setups and the epic was 2100-2300 spin and the TSi1 was 2600-2700 spin. Anyone else noticing such low spinitt the RAD drivers ?
every time on a GC2 it’s like 14-15* launch which I like but extremely low spin. Like today they were 1300-1500. I thought it was maybe some phony monitor numbers but picked up an Epic Max and TSi1 with similar setups and the epic was 2100-2300 spin and the TSi1 was 2600-2700 spin. Anyone else noticing such low spin ??
every time on a GC2 it’s like 14-15* launch which I like but extremely low spin. Like today they were 1300-1500. I thought it was maybe some phony monitor numbers but picked up an Epic Max and TSi1 with similar setups and the epic was 2100-2300 spin and the TSi1 was 2600-2700 spin. Anyone else noticing such low spin ??
Did not seem that way to me today at all. Seemed very mid-spin. Any chance of finding somewhere outside to hit it?
Yeah. Now that it’s warming up here. The outdoor place around here, I was able to hit the regular RAD a couple weeks ago and it was a bit erratic for me. Want to try out the XB and XD there. Also with my gamer shafts (both at 45”). These 46” shafts with cobra drivers this year are nuts.
nice I think you’d be able to tell pretty quickly based on ball flight If something was really that low spin. I mean that’s big time knuckle ball territory. And yes I was choking down basically a full inch on the shaft. Play all mine at 45.
I agree it feels very long and I have been choking down an inch or so myself as I have been playing 45" for quite a few years now
It’s a bummer too cause to accommodate the longer length it seems cobra has lightened the heads a bit. Last years drivers were around 198-200g without tip. This year all the ones I’ve seen come in around 196-197g. Not a lot but for those of us that like shorter builds it’s nice not to have to add weight or buy another heavier weight.
If you order it from Cobra short though I believe they will adjust the weight accordingly.
Cobra builds it to the length you order it at. 1-2 grams is virtually nothing, considering we have a couple of brands that are off by that much in standard haha.
The 1/4 inch is mostly due to Cobra Connect.
They offer the Tour Length version of both clubs at 44.5" and a heavier back weight. I am definitely going that route for my Morgan Cup bag.
Make sure to hit both. Reason I say that now is because the heads are so forgiving across the board, it has allowed companies (almost every brand has) to go a tiny bit longer without any ill effect.
Except your comfort level. The 46" feels almost like the 48" I was swinging in the tech studio haha
True. I remember when 45" happened it was similar.
The good news is going shorter is almost never an issue if one decides that.
How much added speed/distance do you actually get from making a club .5"/1" longer?
Depends on the player.
But it can be quite a bit, it can also be none at all.
With that said, the heads are so forgiving now, the old adage of I can’t center something therefore lose distance might be a thing of the past for a lot of golfers.
one of my best driving years was with a 46" shaft. Then my last few driver fittings have all gone shorter than standard. For me, I don’t feel like shorter loses much at all and certainly feel my contact is better. I did struggle with length on the Cleveland Turbo driver and that was only 45.5".
There is a reason tour players played shorter shafts no question. I tried doing tour length last year and it was too awkward for me, maybe I didn’t give it enough time though. There is just a comfort level at a certain length I guess.
What do you think about the idea that tour players have gone increasingly longer the last 3-5 years? What was once a good inch or more shorter is now 45" or longer at that level for the majority.
Thats why I said played not play I didn’t think it was as prevalent as a thing these days. I think with all the launch monitors and testing they have realized they can add some more distance and speed. It would take a few different shafts to do it but I wonder if it you went longer in increments if it wouldn’t be as noticeable
Possibly. I have a friend at a shaft company that has employed my two driver setup and has 47" and 45" and is having great success. Im going 46" and 43.5" this year I believe.
I can’t wait to see how this works out. I’m not the longest off the tee and going shorter has helped dispersion but as I get my swing refined a longer setup is something i plan to try to see if i can pick up distance and still have decent control
Not sure how much difference I will see with my Cobra Speedzone versus this one, but thought I would upgrade anyway. I have four different shafts that fit so this will be fun to see which one dials in the best.
My guess is I will stick with the Tensei AV that I keep using with my SZ since I keep coming back to it. I will state that the Motore X F3 is not bad, but I haven’t put it through the enough paces yet.
I’m testing the Tense from last year and the MotoreX F3 from this year, I can’t tell a difference at all in flight or distance. When I use my low launching shaft which is a Matix black, it’s definitely lower. I’m not using a launch monitor, only eyeing it while playing.
Me too. I went Tour Length last year, and it just didn’t feel right for me for some reason, even though it wasn’t that much shorter I could definitely feel it. Will be back to standard this year for sure.
44.5 seems to be the magic number for me as well. Even if I have a long driver shaft while testing I tend to move my hands down further so that tells me something about where the "comfort" length needs to be.
From what I can tell by observing others on the golf course chase balls after hitting with the driver most are playing drivers much to long for them. Often it is an ego thing. I want ’em in the fairway!
I’m not sure anyone should be playing that 9* regular head with weight forward haha
Regular 9* head, weight back is a fun beast. I had some of my longest drives this winter demoing that setup.
Were the numbers good though or were you getting golf galaxy simulator roll? In the real world I saw quite a few low launching knuckleballs.
Maybe borderline on having enough spin and launch. Just a little touchy, but overall one of the better combos I tried within RadSpeed. I think if I overdrew one in the real world it may not have worked out. I recall averages of 10.5-11.5 launch, ~2000-2100 spin, and about 265-270 carry.
I might need to tinker with loft, I would like to see a another degree or two and spin closer to 2300. Maybe going 10* would be the sweet spot. Or RadSpeed 10.5 lofted down to 9.5. I tried XB @ 10.5 and was seeing enough more spin (~2700-2800) that I dropped back and was doing most of my comparisons with 9* heads setup standard for initial fitting explorations.
Again, all of this with weight back. No reason I would need to go weight forward.
Definitely seemed a bit touchy and not forgiving on heel side misses haha. In the regular head I wonder if the 10.5 is the way to go . I found better success with the XB to my eye though even though launch looked high just as it did last year. Definitely need some numbers and more testing is required for sure.
In my area at least they are started to schedule some for later in April with Cobra. Seems like its coming around
9°
X stiff HZRDUS blue
+4 wrap
I’ll say that this HZRDUS is the one of whippiest feeling x I’ve come across.. have to wait a month or two to get out with it tho so we’ll see how it goes
Need to go and get some numbers now.
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Wow, check out the graphics on that bad bay!
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Really liked what I saw and heard. Tried out the normal version as well but the XD was the clear winner for me.
That xb have you 1500 spin?
Didn’t get any swings today with the Xb unfortunately. Just xd and standard versions
Ah I read that wrong. Probably just had a panic attack seeing that spin rate and it didn’t register in my brain haha….
Has anyone noticed that the face milling on centre is less pronounced than speedzone and f9 ?? I don’t have it to compare but it seems less pronounced.