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
ST-X
Yeah, there’s 2g in it, it made a little difference. Still firm, and a bit on the hard side imo, but also still eons better than SZ.
It’s a little more dense and muted now, a touch, I just wanted a little more. But, it’s ok!
Yes, I did just get that SZ a few weeks ago but this pea coat RadSpeed is just gorgeous for $400.
But, I also think fairways are fun.
I dabbled with that shaft a bit this summer and pretty sure that’s what @echico gamed
Yup I game the HZRDUS RDX blue. It is a good feeling shaft, TWSS, but was the first counterbalanced shaft that I used. I am getting a Ventus blue shipped to me to try out but I had no issues with the RDX blue.
Can’t say I felt any different to my Mavrik Max in terms of impact and feel other than it being louder due to it being indoors. Though they both sit much nicer and squarer at address. The Mavrik Max sits so open its off-putting and I have to re-grip it so its square again. Which annoys me tbh.
The XD felt a little better out of the two tbh, and I need that little bit of help and draw weighting so that would be the version I’d probably go for if I sold my MM.
I have that exact shaft in my Radspeed XB 9*. I was fit into it at CC and it’s a game changer for me. Doesn’t hurt that it’s stock too.
lots of folks looking for drivers on the BST! They’re great drivers for sure!
that should be a club not leaving your bag, you hit it so well!
I don’t even have desire to try anything. I felt that way about my B21 before I got this and I have been in love with this driver from the get go. I feel like on average I hit it in a little lower window than the B21 because I always get some roll out and I never did with that driver. It was just a carry monster.
@hedley_lamarr08 made a couple observations in my swing that really explained some inconsistencie
I feel like this driver has really got me over my driver y**s that I have well document on here.
The XB is just an absolute weapon with more forgiveness than I have seen in a driver.
played 9 today and hit some absolute bombs with the XB. Love the Peacoat with the infinity face. Other drivers don’t look right now after playing this driver for a while lol
I went from a Mav Max to XD with F3 shaft, and the XD has been a better club for me. I didn’t particularly like the Mav, I tried a Helium and RCH shaft, as well as moving the weights around, and never got comfortable with it. Prior to the Mav i gamed a Rogue. Love the XD. Haven’t started tinkering with it yet, haven’t needed to.
Awesome! Play well!
20 MPH winds today, went out and fired a 74. This one turned town just let me hit wind beaters all damn day.
you and this driver just work!
which head finish?
It’s…good. Hahaha
Matte black crown with red/blue accents on the bottom.
Yeah that orange and black is gorgeous.
It’s so good. I love my gloss metallic grey, but that one….
Buy it, swap the heads over and sell the other.
J.D.
I don’t buy all that much. I just talk about what I do buy
I also don’t get a free full bag annually for the last. 70 years.
Not to the level of what you get with the XB.
I need to try the purple out. People have been loving it in these heads
Let me know if you get a chance and your thoughts. I loved the purple in it and now am using the new for 2022 model. Both seem really perfect for this head.
Have you spent much time with the F3? How would describe the differences? (Or the RDX Blue, for that matter)
F3 in flex? I did prior to changing to the current one. One of the few driver shafts I swing in that flex and the Purple original LINQ 6F3 was really stable for me.
Sorry, meant the Fujikura Motore F3; it’s what I was fit into in stiff flex; various curious about the Purple with all the good things I’ve heard but haven’t tracked one down near me to test
Right because even with the weight flipped back, there is still more fixed pushed forward IIRC.
I took a few cuts with it recently actually. Have one here with a Titleist tip on it. Both are going to be mid by design, and it was a decent feeling shaft. Call it vanity, but I definitely preferred the look of the LINQ.
Thanks, if the LINQ has a lot of the Motore F3 feel with a more stability, especially towards the tip, I think I could be onto something.
And yes, I’ve shopped more than I’d care to admit to figure out what grip would pair best with the colors of the LINQ.
Haha. The LINQ just feels like a shaft that is married to the RADSPEED. Something that is hard to explain, but when I use them together, its as if it is an extension of my arm haha.
LINQ is superior to the F3
I don’t doubt that, just trying to tease out the why and how well it will work for me. Sometimes my analytical side comes out
Because I said so.
That only works when @jdtox says it
He doesn’t review golf equipment
yeah what does he know?