Cobra Darkspeed Driver Review – Is it Good & Forgiving for High Handicappers?

“The onslaught of new 2024 drivers continues with the Cobra Darkspeed.”

Cobra claims that the Darkspeed driver is the fastest they’ve ever produced.

They state that they have accomplished such a feat by working with actual aerospace engineers.

But how much water do these claims hold and is the Cobra Darkspeed a viable option for high handicappers specifically? I tested the Cobra Darkspeed driver to find out.

The Cobra Darkspeed Driver Family

For this review, I tested the Cobra Darkspeed Max but let’s take a minute to review the other two entries in this new series of drivers:

• Cobra Darkspeed LS – The Cobra Darkspeed LS is the only version that has an 8 degree model. As such, it is the lowest launching and lowest spinning model in the Darkspeed series.
• Cobra Darkspeed X – This is the only driver in the Darkspeed series to lack adjustable weighting. It provides neutral flight for accurate strikers.

Is it Good for High Handicappers?

“The Cobra Darkspeed Max features an AI-designed variable thickness face, POWER bridge front weighting and adjustable heel and rear weights.”

For high handicappers, the Cobra Darkspeed Max has a great option: place the 12g interchangeable weight in the back and the 3g weight in the heel.

This will give you a draw bias with excellent forgiveness through increased MOI.

This weight configuration gave me very straight drives which is great news for any high handicapper.

A lot of the new 2024 drivers from the big manufacturers are emphasizing straight flight and the Cobra Darkspeed is no different.

Is it Forgiving?

“The Cobra Darkspeed Max has a large footprint but amazingly, produces low spin.”

It astounds me every year how companies like Cobra can make drivers with big heads and yet the spin rates seem to go down every year.

My average spin with the Cobra Darkspeed Max was 2463 RPMs which is amazing for a driver of this size.

Of course, the size of the head imparts natural forgiveness while the lightweight appointments keep the Cobra Darkspeed Max, well, fast.

So you get speed, forgiveness and low spin: a recipe for success even if you’re not a consistent striker.

Difference Between the Cobra Darkspeed Max and Cobra Darkspeed LS

“The tech is the same; but the weight ports are different.”

In the Cobra Darkspeed Max you get ports in the back and the heel – offering a neutral or draw bias.

In the LS you get ports in the back and the toe for a neutral or fade bias. The LS is also going to produce lower height and even lower spin numbers than the Cobra Darkspeed Max.

Available Shafts

• Project X HZRDUS Red CB
• UST LIN-Q M40X Red 5

What Does it Look Like?

The Cobra Darkspeed Max looks very cool.

The carbon fiber appointments on the crown and sole give definite Batman vibes which works very well with the triangular panel on the sole.

It has a large footprint with noticeable draw bias and looks very confidence-inspiring.

I especially liked the red “Max” lettering on the sole that plays off the otherwise completely black head very well.

Is the Cobra Darkspeed Worth it?

“The Cobra Darkspeed Max sells for about $50 cheaper than the latest drivers from Callaway and Taylormade.”

It offers the same kind of straight flight as the latest Callaway and Taylormade drivers and plays about as long as the Qi10 driver.

My average carry with the Cobra Darkspeed was 268.9 yards which is more than adequate for me.

So if you don’t mind not having possibly the longest new driver in your bag (that distinction belongs to the Paradyme Ai Smoke), the Cobra Darkspeed is definitely worth it.