Cobra Darkspeed Max and Darkspeed X drivers added to USGA Conforming List

Rickie fowler, who used a Cobra AeroJet driver last season, nearly won the U.S. Open. He then won the Rocket Mortgage Classic and earned a spot on U.S. Ryder Cup Team. Fowler may have given us our first glimpse of his next driver on Monday because the Cobra Darkspeed Max, Darkspeed X, and Darkspeed LS was added to the USGA List of Conforming Heads.

Addition of a driver on the conforming list allows it to be used in official tournaments such as this week’s PGA Tour, RSM Classic as well as DP World Tour, LPGA and DP World Tour events.

Cobra may not have made any official announcements about the Darkspeed Drivers, but using the USGA photos, descriptions and history, we can still learn a few things about them.

• Lofts Cobra released several versions of its driver in the past. These included a standard model, a low spin version, and a version that was designed to combat slice. The USGA notes show that the Darkspeed LS is available in 8-,9-, and 10.5 degree versions, while the Darkspeed Max, and Darkspeed X, will be offered in 9-,10.5-, and 12-degree clubs. We can deduce from this that the LS will be a low spin club that is suited for golfers who have a faster swing, while the Max and X will likely be geared towards recreational golfers.

• Carbon fibre: Cobra used carbon fiber in the soles of its drivers in the past. In images of Darkspeed drivers, we can also see what appears carbon fiber in the soles. The USGA photos do not show the top, but Cobra drivers have used carbon fiber for many years in their crowns. We can therefore assume that the Darkspeed drivers also use this material.

• Moveable Weights: Cobra drivers feature moveable weights that allow players and fitters the ability to create a bias for draw or fade, or to increase or decrease spin or launch angle. The Darkspeed Max features a weight port on the heel, back and center of the driver. It can accommodate a 12-gram or 3-gram weight. Darkspeed X also has weight ports at the center and back of the sole, which can hold a 12-gram weight and a 3gram weight. Darkspeed LS has three ports for weight, two at the front, one at the back. It also appears to include a pair each of 3-gram and 12-gram weights.
• PWR Shell “PWR Shell”, the words appear on all three Darkspeed drivers’ soles. PWR Shell was a face-technology Cobra used in the past. The PWR Shell faces on the AeroJet drivers of last season were not flat but formed an L shape. Cobra claims that this helps to increase the sweet spot, and improves performance when low-struck shots are taken.

• Cobra Darkspeed Max driver. (USGA)

• PWR Bridge We can see the “PWR Bridge”, on all three drivers, in images. It is a similar technology to the AeroJet drivers from last season. The PWR Bridge, an internal metal piece that extends from heel to toe, drives the center-of-gravity (CG) down.
• Release Date: Cobra usually releases new products in January, either during the PGA Merchandise Show or in Orlando. The release date of the Darkspeed Drivers is not yet known, but this would be a reasonable time frame.