Callaway Epic Max Vs. Cobra LTDx Driver Comparison & Review
Every golf manufacturer we know of has thrown their hat into the game-improvement ring. Golf is a hard sport but that hasn’t stopped people from trying it out for themselves. Golf club makers have responded by putting a lot of R&D and marketing into massively forgiving clubs.
Even Cobra, a company not necessarily known for their user-friendly game-improvement clubs, has kicked off 2022 with a driver that promises to be forgiving and then some. So how does it hold up against an old stalwart like the Callaway Epic Max driver? Let’s find out.
Callaway Epic Max Driver Overview
The Callaway Epic Max was designed with data input from the Callaway Supercomputer.
The result was a driver face that was optimized for speed and forgiveness. Indeed, the Epic Max offers an intriguing combination that pushes ball speed while remaining user-friendly. There is even a 16 gram sliding rear weight to adjust flight bias.
This makes the Epic Max appealing to a wide variety of players. In fact, all the testers in our party no matter the handicap were able to successfully work the ball the way they wanted. The oversized 460CC head of the Epic Max was also a boon to our slower swing speed testers.
Accuracy was a bit of a problem though. The face, while explosive, wasn’t great at controlling side spin. Trajectory also tended to be unpredictable.
Cobra LTDx Driver Overview
The Cobra LTDx driver combines an advanced face topography and front/back weighting to push ball speeds and fuel forgiveness.
It should also be noted that the Cobra LTDx driver has an adjustable hosel but no sliding rear weight. However, it still manages to be plenty workable thanks to the 15 different milled zones on the face that optimize flight conditions in specific spots.
While not a feature that some of our higher handicap testers were able to take advantage of, they did note that the Cobra LTDx was more forgiving overall than the Epic Speed. They noted better ball speed on off-center strikes with the Cobra LTDx. The same testers were also able to achieve straighter shots.
The Cobra LTDx was very impressive because it not only managed to be the more forgiving driver when compared to the Callaway Epic Max; it was also more workable. Even our low handicap testers were getting a thrill out of the performance of the Cobra LTDx.
Cobra LTDx Driver
In 20 Words or Less
The Cobra LTDx driver features a cool combination of some of our favorite Cobra design elements as well as offering enhanced ball speeds.
Callaway Epic Max Drivers
In 20 Words or Less
Designed by Artificial Intelligence, this clubs offers the full package: Distance, Forgiveness & Accuracy.
Cobra LTDx Driver – First Impressions
Needless to say, we were pretty excited to get our hands on this new Cobra driver.
And while it wasn’t quite what we were expecting, it still smacked of that same old Cobra innovation. We weren’t quite expecting the Cobra LTDx to be such a “game-improvement” driver. But the higher handicap testers in our group were pleasantly surprised. Plus, the Cobra LTDx isn’t the only release in this model…
The LTD Family
Included in this new line of LTD drivers is the LTDx LS and the LTDx Max. The LS has the most forward-positioned weight so as you can imagine, it has the lowest spin rates. Of course, that means detracting a bit from MOI so it is not quite as forgiving as the Cobra LTDx. But if max forgiveness is what you’re after then you should be looking at the LTDx Max. It produces the highest launch and has an extra rear-weight to increase forgiveness.
Epic Max Driver – First Impressions
Right away, we could see that the Callaway Epic Max driver was big and bad. We couldn’t wait to get it out to the range and see what it was capable of.
This driver is built with A.I to optimize the placement of the weighting for high launching straighter shots but you can also adjust the weighting with a simple slider.
The Jailbreak bars add stability while the 360 flash cup face offers an incredible ball speed on impact.
The Callaway Epic Max did not disappoint in any category. Not only does it play further than most drivers; it also offers an increased level of forgiveness and consistency.
The Epic Max features a 16g sliding weight that allows you to control ball flight.
The Epic Family
The Epic Speed is the only driver in the family to lack a sliding weight.
The Epic Max LS has a 13g sliding weight and is more compact than the Epic Max. It also produces less spin for ultimate forgiveness and fairway finding for those with less consistent strokes.
Cobra LTDx Driver Selling Points
- New H.O.T. face design
- Carbon fiber composite sole
- Titanium chassis
- Front-back weighting
- Low long-game spin
- Medium launch angles
Callaway Epic Max Selling Points
- Produces straight shots
- Plays long & Forgiving
- Weight Opitmization
- Internal Jailbreak Bars
- Triaxial carbon crown
- 16g adjustable weight
- Flash Face SS21
- A.I. designed
Who is the Cobra LTDx Driver for?
With the Cobra LTDx driver, Cobra went straight down the middle of the road – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
That phrase usually has a bad connotation attached to it for mediocrity but that is not what we mean here. The Cobra LTDx does a good job of straddling the line between forgiveness and fast ball speed. It features a new H.O.T. face which separates the face into 15 different sections. The 15 different sections represent different thicknesses to accommodate for common mis-hit areas.
It also features a titanium chassis that helps increase stability in the mid section without significantly increasing weight.
For beginners and high handicappers though, the real star of the show is the rear tungsten weighting. While we have to admit, this is a common and rather basic feature in game-improvement drivers, it still makes a low-spin driver more accessible to higher handicap players.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 91/100
Forgiveness: 94/100
Feel & Control: 92/100
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Callaway Epic Max – Who Is It For?
This driver would be a solid choice for any high, mid or low handicapper in need of distance and forgiveness.
The Epic Max driver inherently produces straight shots so that will help beginners as well. However, the sliding weight does open things up a bit in terms of ball flight.
We like that the head and sole are oversized as well. This will be a comforting site for beginners at point of address.
Epic Driver Family
The Epic Speed is for high speed swingers looking for maximum distance while giving up some forgiveness.
The Max offers distance but also more forgivness.
The LS model is a low spin version that caters for those who struggle with consistency in their drivers.
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 95/100
Feel & Control: 91/100
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
