7 new golf equipment products to check out at Golf Galaxy

Check out these 7 new golf equipment products at Golf Galaxy.

Once the calendar flipped to 2024, brands across golf began to release their newest gear. Whether it was drivers, irons sets, wedges, balls or something in between, it seemed like every equipment manufacturer had new offerings.

Well, thanks to our friends at Golf Galaxy, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite recent releases including drivers, irons and golf balls.

Some of the brands on the list below include Callaway, Cobra, Ping and more.

Most of the equipment below can be found on David Dusek’s best golf equipment lists for 2024 including best drivers, best irons, best golf balls and more.

Cobra Vintage putters (2024)

Cobra Vintage putters have a softer feel and classic looks.

Gear: Cobra Vintage putters
Price: $249 each with KBS CT Tour 120 shaft and SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 1.0 grip
Specs: 304 stainless steel heads with variable-loft, Pebax insert and adjustable sole weights.
Available: February 23, but available NOW via pre-sale

Who it’s For: Golfers who want help creating a consistent roll from a traditional putter with a soft feel.

The Skinny: Cobra’s second-generation Vintage putters retain their classic shapes, but a new insert helps them deliver a softer feel at impact.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Vintage putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/LXq57M”]

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The Deep Dive: The just-released Cobra 3D Printed family of putters is about as space-age putters get, but Cobra has new offerings in 2024 for players who want a classic-looking flat stick, the Vintage line.

Cobra’s Vintage line first appeared in 2021, and from a shaping standpoint, the 2024 offerings are very similar. The Sport-40 and Sport-60 are traditional heel-to-weighted blades that would look right at home in the bag of a PGA Tour player, while the Nova, with its wing-style extensions in the heel and toe, Stingray mallet and the semi-circular Cuba mallet will look familiar to most golfers too.

The most significant upgrade Cobra gave the Vintage putters is a new variable-loft Pebax insert. The hitting area is divided into four regions, with the top having 4 degrees of loft. Each segment of the face goes down in loft by 1 degree until you reach the bottom of the face, which has just 1 degree of loft. The design is meant to present the same loft to the ball on every stroke, even if your hands press forward slightly at impact or you swing up into the ball.

The technology comes from Cobra’s partner, L.A. Golf, and Cobra designers have used it in the past, but the addition of a lightweight thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) in the insert helps impact feel softer, especially compared to the firmer-feeling face of the 3-D Printed putters.

The body of each Vintage putter is metal injection molded (MIM) using 305 stainless steel, and each head has an adjustable weight in the heel and toe areas. Golfers will not be able to remove the weights, but fitters can swap the weights – which range from 5 grams to 25 grams – to change the swing weight of the putter based on its length and a golfer’s preferences.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Vintage putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/LXq57M”]

Below are several looks at the Cobra Vintage putters.

Cobra 3D Printed putters (2024)

Learn how Cobra’s 3-D Printed putters shift weight to help golfers putt better.

Gear: Cobra 3D Printed putters (2024)
Price: $349 each with KBS CT Tour 120 shaft and SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 1.0 grip
Specs: Carbon fiber crown with 304 stainless steel body, milled 6061 aerospace grade aluminum face insert and 3D-printed features.
Available: February 23, but NOW via pre-sale

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Who it’s For: Golfers who want extra stability and modern design with enhanced alignment features.

The Skinny: By 3D printing a significant portion of the body, Cobra designers can radically shift weight to enhance performance while the variable-loft face encourages a more consistent roll.

The Deep Dive: When you make a new golf club, whether it’s a driver, a wedge or even a putter, one of the biggest challenges is to manipulate weight and remove it from places where it doesn’t do anything to areas when it can improve performance. As much as any brand in the industry, Cobra has aggressively used exotic materials, not just because they are cool, but because things like carbon fiber, tungsten and other things aside from stainless steel can make clubs perform better.

In 2021, Cobra released its first 3D Printed putters, taking the concept of exotic materials to a whole new level. Now, Cobra is releasing an updated family of 3D Printed putters.

Like the first generation of 3D Printed putters, the new offerings are aggressively shaped and made to be ultra-stable on mis-hits to keep putts you hit outside the sweet spot rolling on your intended line.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra 3D printed putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/75rDzQ”]

At first glance, you will see a carbon fiber crown and a four-level face that is made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, an exceptionally light material. Made in partnership with L.A. Golf, the top portion of the hitting area has 4 degrees of loft, but each section drops in loft by 1 degree as the hitting area lowers, leaving the bottom with just 1 degree of loft. The idea is to create a consistent amount of loft on every putt, so if your hands are forward on one stroke, which would naturally de-loft the face, the 4 degrees of loft on the top can help to counteract it. If you swing up into a putt, which would add loft, the lower-lofted bottom of the face accommodates that type of stroke.

That’s what you see, but looking closer at the body of the 3D Printed putters reveals what makes them unique. Each head has a dark nylon area in the center that is made using 3D-printed nylon that is shaped into a lattice. This technique allows designers to make shapes and structures that could not be produced by forging or milling, while saving weight. The nylon also absorbs vibrations to improve sound and feel.

The rest of the body of the 3D Printed putters is made using metal-injection molded (MIM) 304 stainless steel.

The result of opting for all these high-tech materials is Cobra removed weight from the top, middle and face of the 3D Printed putters and shifted more of it to the back in the heel and toe areas, which boosts the moment of inertia (MOI) and helps the putters resist twisting on off-center strikes.

On the bottom of each club are weight ports that can hold weight screws ranging from 5 grams up to 25 grams. Custom fitters will be able to use these weights to adjust the swing weight of each putter based on the length that is ideal for specific players.

The 3D Printed putters are available in three different head styles, including the high-MOI Agera, the smaller Agera RS, the fang-style SuperNova and the blade-style GrandSport 35.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra 3D printed putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/75rDzQ”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1364]

Now that 2024 equipment is launching, here are 10 great deals on 2023 drivers

With all the new clubs being released, there are some GREAT deals on 2023 golf clubs including Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, Ping and more.

January is release season for many of golf’s biggest brands including TaylorMade’s new Qi10 driver, Callaway’s new Paradym Ai Smoke driver, Cobra’s new Darkspeed driver, Ping’s new G430 Max 10K driver and more. We’ve seen some of this new equipment on the PGA Tour already and most of it is now available for pre-order.

However, if you’re looking to save some money on your new equipment, this time of year is a great time to be looking.

Vendors like World Wide Golf Shops and PGA TOUR Superstore offer sales on equipment maker’s old gear, even just the models from last year.

For example, TaylorMade’s Stealth 2, released in 2023, is now available for $499.99 at Worldwide Golf Shops.

Check out our full list of great deals below.

Cobra Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed LS drivers

All three Darkspeed drivers have an aerodynamic shape, fast face and moveable weights.

Gear: Cobra Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed LS drivers
Price: $549 with Project X HZRDUS CB Red shaft or UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red shaft and Lamkin Crossline grip.
Specs: Forged titanium face with carbon fiber crown and sole panels, moveable weights and adjustable hosel.
Available: Jan.11 presale, Jan. 19 in stores

Who They’re For: Golfers who want an aerodynamic driver that delivers more ball speed and trajectory control.

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The Skinny: Available in three models, the Darkspeed drivers have three different weight systems that allow golfers to obtain the ideal blend of forgiveness, ball speed and spin.

The Deep Dive: If you still think about bright orange, blue or red clubs any time someone mentions Cobra drivers, you might not recognize the new Darkspeed X, Darkspeed Max or Darkspeed LS. As with Henry Ford’s Model T, the Darkspeed drivers come in any color you like as long as it’s black. In this case, matte black. But don’t let the dialed-down cosmetics fool you into thinking these clubs lack technologies and features to help you gain distance and find more fairways.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop all Cobra Darkspeed drivers” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/5g0LD9″]

Cobra Darkspeed LS driver
The Darkspeed LS has an aerodynamic head shape. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

All three Darkspeed drivers have an aerodynamic shape, with the edges and seams around the hitting area, the heel and toe being rounded. The highest portion of the carbon fiber crowns has also been pushed farther back and away from the topline, so as you swing down to the ball, air flows over the head more efficiently. The back of each head has also been raised, the hitting area is more oval and the sole has been smoothed. These are details golfers might overlook, but they work together to make it easier for golfers to generate more clubhead speed.

Each of the three Darkspeed drivers also has features an updated, laser-welded PWR Shell face. This manufacturing technique allows Cobra to make the face plate larger, which naturally helps enlarge the sweet spot and protect ball speed on off-center hits.

Cobra Darkspeed X driver
The Cobra Darkspeed X has been designed with a H.O.T. Face. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

In the high-toe area of each Darkspeed driver, you will see “H.O.T. Face” etched. It is an acronym for Highly Optimized Topology. This involves computers dividing the hitting area into 15 spots and making those regions thicker or thinner until the best-performing face is revealed. With the hitting area of the Darkspeed drivers being larger than last season’s Aerojet, the 15 regions are spread farther apart, which once again aids in protecting ball speed on mis-hits.

Finally, all three Darkspeed drivers have been made with an internal bar that Cobra calls a PWR Bridge. It is positioned inside the head and connects the heel and toe areas directly behind the face. The PWR Bridge in the Darkspeed drivers is slightly lighter than the one found in Aerojet drivers, but it still lowers the center of gravity and helps reduce spin.

Cobra Darkspeed Max driver
As with the other Darkspeed drivers, the Max has a large carbon fiber sole panel to reduce weight. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Along with a large carbon fiber sole panel and an adjustable hosel system that allows players and fitters to increase or decrease the stated loft by as many as 1.5 degrees, those are the things the Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X and Darkspeed LS drivers have in common. Several things make them different and ideally suited for different golfers.

The weight saved by opting for a carbon fiber crown and sole gave Cobra designers a significant amount of discretionary weight. In the Darkspeed LS, that weight was repurposed as a 12-gram weight and two 3-gram weights. The weights can be affixed into any of the three ports, with two ports designed into the front of the sole and one in the back. When the 12-gram weight is in the front, it pushes the center of gravity forward, encouraging a lower launch and less spin. It also allows players to set up the club with a slight draw or fade bias. When the 12-gram weight is in the back, the spin rate increases, the launch angle goes up slightly and the Darkspeed LS becomes more stable.

Cobra is offering the Darkspeed LS in 8, 9 and 10.5 degrees of loft, with the 8-degree head designed for the fastest-swinging players.

Cobra Darkspeed X driver
The Cobra Darkspeed X driver (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The Darkspeed X – available in lofts of 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees – comes with two moveable weights, one 12 grams and the other 3 grams, with the forward port being more in the center of the sole. Cobra chose this location because several staff players added internal weight (called hot melt) to last season’s Aerjet to lower its spin rate. For the Darkspeed X, adding weight in that area is as simple as positioning the 12-gram screw there. 

The Darkspeed X, which has a neutral weight bias, creates a slightly higher launch and more spin than the LS, but it delivers a high moment of inertia and added stability.

For golfers who battle a slice, Cobra is offering the Darkspeed Max, which will come in lofts of 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees. This is the most forgiving Darkspeed offering and features a 12-gram and 3-gram weight like the X, but the Max’s two weight ports are in the back and the heel area. Putting the 12-gram weight in the heel encourages the face to close more easily on the downswing and square as it impacts the ball, resulting in less sidespin and a straighter shot. When the 3-gram weight is in the heel, the club still has a draw bias, but its moment of inertia and stability are elevated.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed LS driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/q46NL5″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed MAX driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/DKd1Zj”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed X driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/rQNbyQ”]

Below are several images of the Cobra Darkspeed drivers:

Cobra Darkspeed, Darkspeed One-Length irons

The Cobra Darkspeed irons are made to help mid- and high-handicap golfers hit shots farther, higher and straighter.

Gear: Cobra Darkspeed, Darkspeed One-Length irons
Price: $999 (4-PW or 5-GW) with KBS Tour Lite steel shafts and Lamkin Crossline grips.
Specs: Hollow-bodied long and mid-irons with 17-4 stainless steel faces, 431 stainless steel chassis, CNC-milled grooves and internal weights.
Available: Jan. 11 presale, Jan. 19 in stores

Who They’re For: Mid- and higher-handicap golfers who struggle with inconsistent contact, need more distance and want more height on their shots.

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The Skinny: The hollow-body design, low center of gravity and vibration-dampening foam combine to give the Darkspeed irons more ball speed, greater height and a softer feel at impact.

The Deep Dive: Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose broke through and won again on the PGA Tour in 2023, and both players used Cobra irons. In Fowler’s case, it was Cobra King Forged Tour irons, while Rose used a blended set of a Cobra King Tour (4), King CB (5-6) and  King MB (7-PW). As might be expected, all those clubs are designed for accomplished ballstrikers with powerful, repeatable swings.

Conversely, most amateur players likely would benefit from a game-improvement iron that delivers more distance and more forgiveness on mis-hit shots. That is the type of iron Cobra set out to make with the new Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length.

The Darkspeed irons have a reassuringly thick topline and some offset to help mid-handicap golfers square the face more effectively on the downswing.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed One-Length irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/rQNbq5″]

Cobra Darkspeed Iron
The PWR Shell face wraps into the sole, while the PWR Bridge lowers the center of gravity. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Inside the heads of the 4-iron through pitching wedge, the Darkspeed irons are hollow to allow the thin 17-4 stainless steel faces to flex more efficiently at impact. The sand wedge and gap wedge are half-hollow, with an open chamber behind the hitting area. 

Cobra gave the 4-iron through 7-iron a PWRShell face, which is 21 percent thinner than the face of last season’s AeroJet iron and wraps under the leading edge of the club and into the sole to broaden the sweet spot. 

These irons also were designed with a single post in the head that supports a weight that designers call a PWR-Bridge. It extends from the heel to the toe, lowers the center of gravity and helps golfers hit higher-flying, faster-stopping shots.

Cobra Darkspeed Iron
The H.O.T. Face is designed to protect ball speed on mis-hits. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The hitting area and grooves have been CNC-milled to ensure the face is perfectly flat and the grooves are precisely in place.

Inside the hollow chamber of the 4-iron through pitching wedge, Cobra added 924D foam microspheres, a material that soaks up excessive vibrations to improve sound and feel. However, the material is elastic, so it allows the face to flex and snap back quickly without inhibiting ball speed. Cobra studies showed that adding the foam helped reduce spin, which led to more distance and straighter shots.

The standard Darkspeed has a darker finish over the 431 stainless steel body, which helps reduce glare. The set’s lofts are strong, with a 5-iron being 21 degrees and the pitching wedge at 42 degrees. Those lofts help golfers achieve more distance, while the low center of gravity helps shots fly as high as players expect.

Cobra also offers the Darkspeed iron in a One-Length edition, with each club being 37.25 inches long (the same as a typical 7-iron). Some golfers find that using irons that are all the same length makes it easier to achieve solid contact and consistency.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed One-Length irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/rQNbq5″]

Below are several images of the Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length irons:

Cobra Darkspeed LS, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed Max fairway woods

The new Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods give golfers a choice of clubs that create different blends of ball speed, spin and launch angle.

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Gear: Cobra Darkspeed LS, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed Max fairway woods
Price: $429 with UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White shaft and Lamkin Crossline grip. $329 (Darkspeed LS), with UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue or UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red shaft (Darkspeed Max, X)
Specs: Titanium face and body with carbon fiber crown and adjustable weights and adjustable hosel (Darkspeed LS); Stainless steel body and face with carbon fiber crown and moveable weights and adjustable hosel (Darkspeed Max, X).
Available: January 11 (pre-sale), January 19 (in-stores)

Who It’s For: Golfers who want more ball speed and distance with some adjustability (Darkspeed LS). Golfers who want more distance and forgiveness (Darkspeed Max, X). 

The Skinny: The Darkspeed LS has a titanium face and body with a carbon fiber crown for players who want a low-spin option off the tee that does not sacrifice distance. In contrast, the Max and the X versions have extra stability and forgiveness.

The Deep Dive: Finding just the suitable fairway wood can be challenging because you want a club that fills a distance gap and can hit a specific yardage both off the tee and from the fairway. With the release of the three Darkspeed fairway woods — the LS, the Max and the X — Cobra is giving players and fitters a wide variety of clubs and several different ball flights to choose from.

The most interesting is the Darkspeed LS, a club made for fast-swinging players who generate excessive spin and need a club that produces a lower ball flight. 

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop all Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/vN6b9O”]

Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood
The Darkspeed LS, with its titanium face, titanium body and carbon fiber crown, is built like a driver. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The Darkspeed LS was designed like a small driver, with a titanium body, titanium face and carbon fiber crown. The titanium faces in the Darkspeed LS fairway woods can be made thinner than their stainless steel counterparts, which saves weight while still allowing them to flex more at impact for increased ball speed. 

Inside the Darkspeed LS, Cobra has added a 19-gram tungsten weight pad in the heel and two areas. The internal weights boost the moment of inertia (MOI) and, combined with the internal PWR Bridge bar that extends from the heel to the toe area, lowers the center of gravity (CG) location.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/anG6Zb”]

Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood
The Darkspeed LS has three moveable weights in the sole. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Opting for a titanium body and a carbon fiber crown saved even more weight, which allowed designers to add three moveable weights to the sole, two in the forward area and one in the back. The Darkspeed LS comes standard with two 15-gram weights and one 3-gram weight, and when the heavier weights are in the front, the club produces more ball speed, less spin and the lowest launch angle. However, players and fitters can move the weights to simultaneously boost stability and create either a draw or fade bias.

The Darkspeed LS comes in 13, 14.5 and 17.5-degree versions, but using the MyFly adjustable hosel, players and fitters can increase or decrease the loft by up to 1.5 degrees to help them find the ideal ball flight and distance.

The Darkspeed X and Max fairway woods are constructed similarly, but instead of using titanium, they each feature a 475 stainless steel PWRShell face and 17-4 stainless steel chassis.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed MAX fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/JzdQvr”]

Cobra Darkspeed X fairway
The Darkspeed X has a single weight in the back of the sole. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The PWRShell face extends the hitting area below the leading edge and into the sole, which helps to broaden the sweet spot and enhance performance on low-struck shots. And, like the Darkspeed LS, the Darkspeed X and Max fairway woods have the MyFly adjustable hosel system, and an internal PWRBridge weight helps to lower the CG location to encourage higher-flying shots.

The Darkspeed X (15, 16.5, 18 and 21 degrees) has a 3-gram weight in the back of the sole that increases stability and gives the head a neutral shot-shape bias.

Cobra Darkspeed X fairway
The MyFly adjustable hosel allows players and fitters to increase or decrease the loft by up to 1.5 degrees. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The Darkspeed Max (15.5, 18.5 and 21.5 degrees) has two weight ports and comes standard with a 15-gram and a 3-gram weight, along with ports in the heel and back of the sole. When the heavier weight is in the heel, the Max has a draw bias, but when it is in the back, the MOI, forgiveness, spin rate and launch angle all go up.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/anG6Zb”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed MAX fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/JzdQvr”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed X fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/nL6bZo”]

Cobra Darkspeed, Darkspeed One-Length hybrids

The Cobra Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length hybrids are designed to take the place of long irons.

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Gear: Cobra Darkspeed, Darkspeed One-Length hybrids
Price: $279 with KBS PGI 85 shaft and Lamkin Crossline grip
Specs: 17-4 stainless steel body with 475 stainless steel face with adjustable hosel. Variable length in 2H (17 degrees), 3H (19 degrees), 4H (21 degrees), 5H (24 degrees), 6H (28 degrees). One-Length in 3H (19 degrees), 4H (21 degrees), 5H through custom order (24 degrees)
Available: January 11 (pre-sale), January 19 (in-stores)

Who It’s For: Golfers who want more ball speed and distance in a long-iron alternative. 

The Skinny: The Cobra Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length hybrids are designed to take the place of long irons and make it easier for every golfer to hit higher, longer approach shots.

The Deep Dive: Some golfers who reluctantly hand over their longest iron and buy a hybrid still demand a short blade length and the ability to shape shots. For them, Cobra offers the King TEC hybrid, a control-oriented club that has three moveable weights.

Most recreational golfers, however, ditch their long irons and buy hybrids to make the game easier, to hit the ball farther and get it higher in the air so it stops faster on the green. For these players, Cobra is now offering the Darkspeed hybrids.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop all Cobra Darkspeed hybrids” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/R5dW99″]

Cobra Darkspeed hybrid
The Cobra Darkspeed hybrid. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Like the Darkspeed fairway woods, the Darkspeed hybrids feature a 475 stainless steel PWRShell face that wraps under the leading edge to enhance performance on low-struck shots. The inner-facing side of the hitting area has been studied and designed by computers that broke it into 15 regions. The system then modified the thickness of each area so it produces the most possible ball speed.

Cobra Darkspeed hybrid
Computers divided the H.O.T. Face into regions and them adjusted the thickness of each area to maximize ball speed. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Inside the Darkspeed hybrids, Cobra added an internal PWR Bridge bar that extends from the heel to the toe area. The bar lowers the center of gravity (CG) location, as does the 12-gram weight in the center of the sole. The result should be higher-flying shots that come down more vertically and stop faster on the green.

Cobra Darkspeed hybrid
The Darkspeed and Darkspeed One-Length have matte-black, anti-glare crowns. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

In addition to the standard Darkspeed hybrid, Cobra is offering a One-Length version of the club. Each One-Length hybrid comes standard at 37.25 inches in length, like a typical 7-iron.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed hybrid” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/4PnqN9″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra Darkspeed One-Length hybrid” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/KjdWNn”]

New drivers from Cobra, Ping, PXG and TaylorMade added to USGA Conforming Driver List

Here’s what we know about the latest drivers from Cobra, Ping, PXG and TaylorMade.

The holiday season is almost upon us, and while that means getting ready for Thanksgiving, starting your holiday shopping, and preparing for the bombardment of Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads to hit your email box, it also means golf equipment companies are quietly making next season’s gear available to pros.

On Monday, the United States Golf Association added new drivers to its List of Conforming Driver Heads. That means the USGA has tested the heads to ensure they meet equipment standards and comply with the Rules of Golf. Once added to the list, a driver head can be used by anyone in a competitive round or official event like this week’s PGA Tour event, the RSM Classic, or the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

We don’t have official information on the drivers that were added to the conforming driver list this week, but from the images and notes published by the USGA, there are a few things we can learn.

Cobra Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed LS drivers added to USGA Conforming List

Traditionally, Cobra releases its new product lines in early January.

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Last season, Rickie Fowler used a Cobra AeroJet LS driver and nearly won the U.S. Open, then broke through and won the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which helped him earn a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. On Monday, we may have been given our first look at Fowler’s next driver because the Cobra Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X and Darkspeed LS were added to the USGA’s List of Conforming Driver Heads.

Adding a driver to the conforming list makes it legal for play in official tournaments like this week’s PGA Tour event, the RSM Classic, as well as DP World Tour and LPGA events.

While Cobra has not released any official announcement about the Darkspeed drivers, using history as a guide, along with the USGA photos and descriptions, there are few things we can learn about them.

  • Lofts: In the past, Cobra has released a standard version of its driver, along with a low-spin model and a high-stability or slice-fighting version. We can see in the USGA notes that the Darkspeed LS comes in an 8-, 9- and 10.5-degree version, while the Darkspeed Max and Darkspeed X will be available as a 9-, 10.5- and 12-degree club. Based on that, we can assume that the LS is a low-spin club for faster-swinging golfers while the Max and the X are likely going to be for recreational golfers.
Cobra Darkspeed X driver
Cobra Darkspeed X driver (USGA)
  • Carbon fiber: Cobra has used carbon fiber on the sole of drivers in the past, and in images of the Darkspeed drivers we can see what appears to be carbon fiber on the sole as well. The USGA images do not show the top of the club, but Cobra has used carbon fiber in the crown of its drivers for years, so we can assume the Darkspeed drivers will have that too.
Cobra Darkspeed LS driver
Cobra Darkspeed LS driver. (USGA)
  • Moveable weights: For several seasons, Cobra drivers have featured moveable weights to allow players and fitters to create a draw or fade bias, and in some cases increase or decrease the spin and launch angle. The Darkspeed Max has a weight port in the heel and the back areas that can hold a 12-gram and a 3-gram weight. The Darkspeed X has weight ports in the back and center of the sole while also holding a 12-gram and a 3-gram weight. The Darkspeed LS, however, has three weight ports, two in the front and one in the back, and appears to come with a pair of 3-gram weights and a 12-gram weight.
  • PWR Shell: The words “PWR Shell” appear on the sole of all three Darkspeed drivers. PWR Shell is a face technology Cobra has used in the past. Instead of being flat, the PWR Shell face in last season’s AeroJet drivers wrapped under the leading edge, forming an L shape, which Cobra claimed helps to enlarge the sweet spot and improve performance on low-struck shots.
  • Cobra Darkspeed Max driver
    Cobra Darkspeed Max driver. (USGA)
  • PWR Bridge: In images, we can see “PWR Bridge” on the sole of all three drivers. This is another technology found in last season’s AeroJet drivers.  The PWR Bridge is an internal piece of metal that extends from the heel to toe that drives the center of gravity (CG) downward.
  • Release date: Traditionally, Cobra releases its new product lines in early January, either in the days leading up to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, or at the show itself. We don’t have word on when the Darkspeed drivers will come out, but that time period would make sense.

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