Cobra DS Adapt X Vs Taylormade Qi35 Drivers Comparison Overview
Two of the latest offerings in the driver space in today’s review as we take a look at the Cobra DS Adapt X versus the QI35 Driver from Taylormade.
Both drivers have plenty to offer so let’s take a look at the technology behind them and how they performed in our testing.
Taylormade QI35 Driver Overview
The Taylormade QI35 range of drivers have a ton of shelf appeal with the gun metal carbon crown that wraps all the way around the head and the jet black twist face which sits in a neutral position at address.
There is 4 versions of the QI35 – the standard, the Max, the LS and the Max lite for senior players.
The lightweight carbon material allows for the CG to be lower and deeper in the head for a higher launch while maintaining relatively low levels of spin.
You’ve also got two weights – a 13g and a 3g which are interchangeable to get the exact ball flight you are looking for. The driver is at 9k MOI which gives amazing stability and forgiveness across the face and the Speed Pocket keeps a tight dispersion for shots low on the face.
Despite the twist face being carbon, you still get a nice solid sound out of the driver and it performed very well in testing.
Cobra Ds Adapt X Driver Overview
The Ds Adapt X driver from Cobra is one of three in the line up and suits moderate to faster swing speeds.
The driver has a Carbon wrap around the crown and sole like the Darkspeed but it has more refined looks.
Cobra have added 33 customizable options for the Loft and Lie of the driver with the Future Fit Hosel system.
The Smart H.O.T has more sweet spots which should give more overall forgiveness and distance in the club head.
Cobra DS Adapt X Vs Taylormade QI35 Max Performance
These drivers were very similar in terms of overall performance and are aimed at drivers looking for a ton of distance and with good forgiveness to boot.
The Cobra DS Adapt came out on top in our testing with a high club speed, higher launch, lower spin and more distance.
There wasn’t a million miles between them but the DS Adapt also had a tighter dispersion in terms of distance and left to right.
When it comes to dispersions, shots low on the face lost distance in both drivers but more so in the Qi35. We also had more left and right misses with the Taylormade QI35.
For us the Carbon faces are not able to fully compete with the traditional ones but they are getting closer with each release.
Taylormade Qi35 Max Driver
In 20 Words or Less
A Large Profile with a beautiful carbon design and a black twist face coupled with premium performance in Distance, Spin And Forgiveness.
Taylormade Qi35 Max Driver – First Impressions
“The Black Carbon Twist really stands out as a premium looking driver and the Carbon Crow And Sole Screams, Hit Me.”
The QI25 Max is a driver you can pick straight off the rack and put into play and it has no adjustable weights to play around with and optimise for your particular strike. Indeed the standard version has lower spin and is almost just as forgiving.
Taylormade have managed to get this driver up to 10k MOI by lowering and deepening the COG for optimal launch and forgiveness.
The Crown and sole of the driver is wrapped in Carbon to reduced the weight and it also looks great at addres with a big forgiving profile and a massive face.
Twist face technology is used in the black carbon face to keep shots moving straight, long and far.
There is a fixed 34g weight at the back of the club that is not adjustable so minus changing the shaft, this is very much an off the rack driver.
There is a toss up between the QI35 and the QI35 Max which are very close in terms of performance and maybe Taylormade only needed to release one of these drivers in 2025.
Overall a very nice drive that sounds amazing and delivers on its promises of max distance and max forgiveness.
Cobra DS Adapt X Driver
In 20 Words or Less
“A FutureFit33 Hosel with 33 Settings adds to an impressive, forgiving, long and moderate launching/spinning driver for moderate to slightly fast swing speeds.”
Cobra DS Adapt X – First Impressions
“The Cobra DS Adapt is worthy replacement for the impressive Dark Speed drivers from Cobra.”
It has a long and forgiving head alongside 33 loft and lie options which will be a club fitters dream but may get other eager golfers into trouble on the course by using the wrong settings.
The Carbon wraps around the head and the sole and Cobra say that they have again improved the aerodynamics of the driver for extra club head speed and they have also reduced the weight the optimize the CG placement.
There are two moveable weights, 10g and 3g which are interchangeable and sit at the front and back of the head.
The Forged hot face is also improved, offering increased forgiveness on off center shots. It also gives a premium sound and feel and offers a ton of ball speed off the face.
The X version is one of 4 heads on offer and even Rickie Fowler has this customized to his optimal settings on tour in 2025.
The X is for moderate to slightly faster swing speeds who want a moderate/high launch, plenty of distance and a bunch of forgiveness.
It’s not as long and low spinning as the LS version but it is longer and lower spinning than Max K and the Max D versions.
This is a quality driver that can easily hold its own and compete with the better drivers of 2025.
Taylormade Qi35 Max Driver Selling Points
- Carbon Crown And Sole Look Amazing
- Black Carbon Twist Face For Speed And Forgiveness
- Straight Shots Anywhere On The Face
- 10k MOI for Forgiveness and Ball Speed
- 34g Rear Weight Which Lowers The COG
- Large Profile To Inspire Confidence
Cobra DS Adapt X Driver Selling Points
- Ultimate Customization with FUTUREFIT33
- Maximum Distance with Forged H.O.T. Face
- Forgiveness Without Sacrificing Control
- Adaptive Weighting for Dialed-In Performance
- Confidence-Boosting Look & Feel
Who is the Taylormade Qi35 Max for?
“The QI35 Max is for All golfer but especially high handicappers who want straight shots with decent forgiveness and a lot of distance”
There is 4 drivers to choose from and the QI35 Max will suit moderate to slighter faster swing speeds.
If you are somebody that struggles with slicing the ball, the twist face technology has been ramped up in the carbon face to ensure you get straight ball flights with tight distance dispersion almost all the time.
The QI35 Max is very close in terms of performance to the QI35 standard and that comes with an adjustable weight too allowing the club to be optimised for you particular swing and approach to driving the ball.
Overall a great looking, sounding and performing driver that lives up to the claims that Taylormade have made about it.
Distance: 97/100
Accuracy: 96/100
Forgiveness: 97/100
Feel & Control: 94/100
Overall Score: 95/100
Who is the Cobra DS Adapt X Driver for?
The Cobra DS Adapt X is for golfers with moderate to slightly faster swing speeds who want a ton of distance with forgiveness and moderate to lower spin and launch.
The driver has 33 custom options for Loft and lie and two interchangeable weights for the front and back of the head.
The shelf appeal really adds to the pull of the driver, it definitely competes in terms of performance and shelf appeal.
During our testing, it was right up there with the best drivers of 2025.
Even Rickie Fowler has been using the X on tour in 2025.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 95/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Feel & Control: 94/100
Overall Score: 95/100
