THE NEED FOR SPEED

21 Mar 2024

Aerospace technology blazes the trail for Cobra’s new DARKSPEED Driver and Woods.

Speed equals distance. It’s as simple as that in the laws of physics that govern golf. This is the premise of the Cobra DARKSPEED drivers and fairway woods as ground- breaking aerodynamic shaping aims to propel the clubs into a new era.

As it seems to be the trend among club manufacturers this year, different models have been rolled out to match different kinds of players. Cobra has also bought into this by designing DARKSPEED drivers that feature aero shaping and tailored weight configurations to optimise performance for the target player for which they are designed.

The DARKSPEED LS (8, 9, 10.5 degrees loft) is aimed at the fastest swingers who need lower spin and more shot-shaping control, and is designed with the highest rear skirt height, a higher crown peak, and a more compact address profile. Within the LS family, COBRA also offers an eight-degree model, which is an evolution of a long drive prototype head used by Kyle Berkshire that features a visibly smaller and even more aerodynamic head shape, promising extreme speed for the most powerful players.

The DARKSPEED X (9.5, 10.5, 12 degrees loft) model, which is aimed at the widest range of players looking for a combination of exceptional ball speed and forgiveness, features a medium rear skirt height and streamlined shape. The DARKSPEED MAX (9.5, 10.5, 12 degrees loft) model, which is aimed at players who require the most forgiveness and/or a draw bias, features the lowest skirt height and the highest MOI of the three models. All three drivers feature Advance Aero Shaping that aims to reduce drag and enables golfers of all abilities to achieve the fastest speed possible.

The adjustable weighting system in the DARKSPEED drivers allows golfers to tune their driver to adjust forgiveness, launch angle, and spin. The LS model features three weight ports that house two 3g weights and one 12g weight; the X model features a back weight and a second front weight position allowing players to optimise ball flight. The MAX model features ports in the rear and heel of the sole. Players can position the 12g weight in the back for the highest MOI and forgiveness, or in the heel for the most draw bias.

DARKSPEED LS comes in RH/LH with a choice of three premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: UST® Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS® Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S), and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S). Lamkin® Crossline grips come standard.

The DARKSPEED XTM Driver comes in RH/LH with a choice of four premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S), UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S); MCA® KAI’LI Blue (R and S). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.

DARKSPEED MAX Driver comes in RH/LH with a choice of two premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes: Project X HZRDUS CB Red (A and R flex); UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red (R and S flex). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.

DARKSPEED MAX Driveris also available in a women’s edition in 10.5 and 12-degree lofts featuring a gloss crown and sole with cool blue colour accents.

Cobra DARKSPEED Fairway Woods complement the drivers, and also utilises PWR-BRIDGE weighting, PWRSHELL with H.O.T. Face, and carbon fibre crown technologies. Fairway metals also have MyFly8 Adjustable Loft Technology to fine-tune your game, and comes in the three families – DARKSPEED LS (13, 17.5 degrees loft), DARKSPEED X (15, 18, 21 degrees loft) and DARKSPEED MAX (15.5, 18.5, 21.5 degrees loft). DARKSPEED MAX is also available in a women’s model (18.5, 21.5, 24.5 degrees loft).

A.I. designed PWR-BRIDGE Weighting features a suspended weight that is positioned lower and more forward, resulting in faster ball speed. A 13 per cent larger PWRSHELL face insert with A.I. designed H.O.T. Face Technology maximizes speed across the hitting area. The face design is optimised using machine learning to increase ball speed efficiency and smash factor.

All three DARKSPEED drivers feature a multi- material chassis with lightweight carbon crown and sole plates as well as a reinforced titanium frame to create optimal weight distribution and maximum stability. The carbon fiber crown is 30 per cent thinner allowing more weight to be placed low and forward in the PWR-BRIDGE structure.

The new DARKSPEED driver family also feature COBRA’S MyFly® 8 with SmartPad® technology, which allows for exceptionally quick and easy loft 9 up to +1 or -1 degrees) and lie adjustability.

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