What you need to know: Cobra’s bid to build a successor to the Aerojet has taken a dark turn. Which is to say, the blacked-out Darkspeed family of drivers (Darkspeed LS, Darkspeed X, Darkspeed Max) and woods are here. They feature, in addition to the (almost) all-back aesthetic, reworked shaping and re-engineered PWR-Bridge and weighting system, PWRSHELL, and H.O.T. Face Technologies.

2024 Cobra Darkspeed drivers: What’s new, key technology

Aero shaping, tailored weight configuration: These elements work in combination for the specific needs of each player type across the three drivers. Reduced drag for faster speed while configuring the driver head for the launch and spin needs of Max, LS, and X players is the goal here.

The weight system in each model is precisely configured as well. For the Darkspeed LS, three weight ports with two three-gram weights and one 12-gram weight. Two ports are situated in the front of the club and one in the rear for players to dial in draw/fade or preference spin versus forgiveness. In the Darkspeed X, players can adjust flight (spin) by adjusting front and rear weights. For Darkspeed Max, weight ports are positioned on the heel side of the club and the rear of the club for draw bias.

PWR-Bridge: Designed with help from artificial intelligence, PWR-Bridge positions a suspended weight low and forward in the club for faster ball speed.

PWRSHELL: The PWRSHELL face insert is 13 percent larger and it works in conjunction with Cobra’s AI-designed H.O.T. Face Technology for better ball speed across the face.

Lightweight carbon crown, sole plates plus multi-material chassis: A 30-percent lighter carbon fiber crown is 30-percent thinner, which allowed engineers to distribute more weight low and forward within PWR-Bridge. The crown and sole are supported by a titanium frame for stability.

Cobra Darkspeed drivers: Additional model details

Darkspeed LS: With the most compact profile in the lineup (albeit with a higher crown peak), Darkspeed LS is designed for high-clubhead-speed players seeking lower spin with shot shape control. The LS also comes in a Kyle Berkshire-inspired 8-degree model with a smaller shape and greater aerodynamics.

Darkspeed X: Designed for the widest portion of the fitting bell curve, Darkspeed X balances speed and forgiveness. Larger profile, less adjustability than the LS.

Darkspeed Max: Cobra’s draw-biased model is built for the player who needs forgiveness. Depending on the weight configuration, either greater forgiveness or more draw bias can be targeted.

What Cobra says

“The aerodynamic package in the new Darkspeed family of drivers is our most advanced to date,” said Mike Yagley, Vice President of Innovation, Cobra Golf. “We continue to push aerodynamic shaping, mass properties and resilience to drive technology and innovation, providing golfers the most advanced and high-performance clubs possible.”

Pricing, specs, availability

Lofts:

• LS: 8, 9, 19.5
• X: 9, 10.5, 12
• Max: 9, 10.5, 12
• Women’s: 10.5, 12

Stock shafts: 

• LS: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White; Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4, and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue
• X: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White; Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4, UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue; MCA Kai’lI Blue
• Max: Project X HZRDUS CB Red, UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red
• Women’s: UST Helium Nanocore

Grip: Lamkin Crossline

Price: $549

On sale/at retail: 1/11, 1/19

Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods, hybrids

Cobra Darkspeed LS fairway wood: This titanium-bodied club is built for high-swing-speed players seeking low spin. Weight is low and forward in the head thanks to PWR-Bridge technology, 68 grams of tungsten, and a lightweight carbon crown. Two 15-gram weights are positioned in the front of the club and a three-gram weight sits in the rear for ball flight adjustments.

Cobra Darkspeed X fairway wood: Like the X driver model, this club targets players seeking a forgiving, easy-to-hit fairway wood. Featuring similar technology to the LS model, the Darkspeed X has a single eight-gram weight in the rear of the club for ease of launch and higher MOI.

Cobra Darkspeed Max fairway wood: The draw-biased Max model is the most forgiving in the lineup. Here the weights are 12 and three grams and are situated in the rear and heel of the club to achieve the desired launch and ball flight.

Cobra Darkspeed hybrids: Leveraging PWR-Bridge and PWRShell H.O.T. Face, Cobra touts the added speed, launch, and forgiveness relative to the previous generation. Additionally, the company continues its tradition of offering a One Length version for use in conjunction with players of single-length irons.

Pricing, specs, availability

Lofts:

• Darkspeed LS: 13, 14.5, 17.5 degrees
• Darkspeed X: 15, 18, 21 degrees
• Darkspeed Max: 15.5, 18.5, 21.5 degrees

Stock shafts:

• Darkspeed LS: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White
• Darkspeed X: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue
• Darkspeed Max: UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red

Grips: Lamkin Crossline

Price: $429 (LS), $329 (Max), $279 (Hybrids)

Pre-sale/At retail: 1/11, 1/19

Hybrid specs, below.