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
i love that driver in Peacoat!!! ??
It just looks so SO good!
This new Radspeed XB driver face is so cool, I’m sure all the models are the same, but you hit a drive and you can see the ball spot on the face without adding any spray etc. and it wipes right off.
Tomorrow I head to the course for the start of 3 rounds next 3 days. Love this Cobra driver.
That being said, threw my ventus blue it in from last year and bam, we are golden. Flight is where I want it and a nice easy fade. Very happy now. Not a whole lot different than my SZ from last year but will hope for a little extra forgiveness over the course of the year.
I had thought I had read that the rdx blue and ventus blue were similar but I am seeing some drastic differences. I know every swing is different but now I am wondering if its the shaft or the tour length that I wasn’t getting a long with.
Thanks! Probably a matter of misinformation on my end. I remember watching a review site put them head to head and thought they said they were similar but again, probably a mishear on my end.
Overall its roughly 3/4 to an 1 inch longer or so, I’d need to measure. I was super happy with the ventus last year so I am excited to use it with the XB. At least now I can finally go ahead and move on from my SZ as its been lurking at me from the golf closet.
I think you’re right about them being in the same launch category but the shaft characteristics are different. So they would technically be comparable.
In comparing them in the store the Xtreme wants to fall open at address to where the Rads were more neutral. Both nice to my eye.
Only logical answer, get both!?
If I didn’t drop $529 on an epic this week I would lol. With some prices I found online, could almost get both for the price of an epic . Wish I could find a 12* head as I really don’t need a shaft. Have an even flow green and GD Ys Nano Reloaded with Cobra tips
Having gamed the Xtreme last year, the XB is more similar in how it plays. Having said that though the XB head is a little more compact than the Xtreme when looking down on them if that matters
Great to hear coming from the B21 as well. I love that driver, but it is super high flying. I get a ton of carry and If I could have just a bit more piercing flight it would be awesome.
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I have a 9 degree B21 so I get a low flight with lots of roll.
But debate now is between the RS and XB.
Is the XB THAT good? Do you guys feel like your giving anything up over the regular radspeed?
I had a speedzone tour length in X flex hzrdus yellow and LOVED the ease of hitting it
It was dead straight but I feel that it lacked distance.
Now I am REALLY considering that XB from all these reviews on it. There seem to be alot less bad things said about the xb than the RS
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It’s going to be fun to dial this in. I’ll echo others in that it just oozes confidence to swing away.
Based on my testing you may be giving up yards to the RadSpeed but I wouldn’t trade those yards for what I saw tonight to keep me with a solid look at the green.
What shaft/loft did you end up with
Bought the XD and I have no regrets. It’s eliminated the left side of the course (I’m a lefty) on all shots except a very bad swing.
It’s as long as any other driver I’ve hit or very close in real-world testing. All this while playing it at 45.5" which is an inch longer than I’ve played in years. I’ve added a second tee option when I want even more confidence.
Which ones ?
To my eye the SZ X wants to fall open. I have a ruler that sets on the ground at a 60* lie angle and the Xtreme would always want to lay what looked like 4-5* open if you rested it on the ruler.
The XB and XD seem to sit dead square.
Rad XB black head 9°
6.5 RDX blue 1 inch short
4 wraps
Excited to test it out
10.5* with the HZRDUS Blue
With the XB it set fairly square to me. I will pay more attention to this as I do not grip on the ground so I square the face before address. I am not a good person to judge this probably.
I’ll be the perfect person to answer this when mine arrives. The Speedzone Xtreme seemed to me to sit way way open and just didn’t suit my eye at address which led to a loss of confidence. I have had this in hand once at a store without being able to swing it, but it seemed to sit perfectly square to me. I will report back once I get to hit it.
Agreed on the size, coming from the B21 I was a bit shocked at how big it looked (que up michael scott).
Took this photo of the club resting on flat ground without my hands manipulating it at all. I don’t know if this helps, but it definitely does not feel open to me. I am also having no problems turning it over at all.
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Yup, that will work for me
I see you’ve already bought it so doesnt really matter, but offering my 2 cents. Now I am not coming from the RS, but coming from last years SZ to the Xb now, I do not feel I am giving anything up distance wise, I actually feel a little longer to be honest with you. Not enough arccos data yet to support that but currently averaging more that last year with the SZ, same shaft as well in both.
That’s good to hear. I felt the SZ was a little shorter than other clubs but I had tour length (x flex smoke yellow)..
I chose the blue because it’s is supposed to be an updated version of the yellow and kept it a hair longer for the added distance (hoping).. I’m just nervous about the head size.
I REALLY liked the SZ. Probably should have kept it …but…..shiny and new…..
Reading the reviews and watching online it seems like the XB is pretty point and shoot which is nice. I’d easily give up 5-10 yards for that kind of confidence, just as long as it’s not 5-10 yards less than the SZ.
Hmm, I might have heard you mention it now that you bring it up. ?
That is so great to hear, I’m actually itching for mine to arrive and give it a walloping!
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That would prevent me from even trying it..it’s relieving to know that’s not the case.
Yup, am with you on that one! Every other club is just sulking in the bag at the moment knowing that they are now on borrowed time
I’m with you guys, just need some Cobra goodness to show up ?