An aerodynamic design met with the latest Cobra technologies and a fit and finish worthy of a Tour player, long-drive champ, or weekend warrior. That's DARKSPEED in a nutshell. We got an early look at the complete lineup at Cobra's Headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. and were blown away with the products, and the new fitting facility that will open to the public later this year.
We'll soon give you a video tour of the facility and tell you how to become one of those lucky enough to book an appointment to get fitted there. But first, let's take a look at the Cobra DARKSPEED driver lineup.
The new DARKSPEED lineup from Cobra reminds the equipment team at AmateurGolf.com of that car you can't keep your eyes off of when it pulls into the space next to you. You know the one. It's got a matte finish and looks like something out of the "Fast & Furious" movie franchise.
The DARKSPEED drivers share that "murdered out" black matte finish -- where you can see just enough of the carbon fiber to be reminded of what the crown is made of -- as well as aerodynamics honed by Cobra and a team of aerospace engineers trained to make everything that comes into contact with the air faster.
Following is a video shot at Cobra's new headquarters and a breakdown of the three new driver models.
DARKSPEED DRIVERS
The three available models are color-coded on the bottom for high (red), medium (blue), and low launch (black). They all share a A.I. designed PWR-BRIDGE weighting with a suspended weight positioned lower and more forward, resulting in faster ball speed. A 13% larger PWRSHELL face insert with AI-designed H.O.T. Face Technology maximizes speed across the hitting area. The face design is optimized using machine learning to increase ball speed efficiency and smash factor.
The adjustable weighting system in the DARKSPEED drivers allows golfers to tune their driver to adjust forgiveness, launch angle, and spin. The LS model features three weight ports that house two 3g weights and one 12g weight; two in the front and a third back weight position. The 12g weight can be placed in the heel or toe to fine-tune fade bias or in the back to add spin and forgiveness.
The X model features a back weight and a second front weight position, allowing players to optimize ball flight.
The MAX model features ports in the rear and heel of the sole. Players can position the 12g weight in the back for the highest MOI and forgiveness or in the heel for the most draw bias.
All three DARKSPEED drivers feature a multi-material chassis with lightweight carbon crown and sole plates and a reinforced titanium frame to create optimal weight distribution and maximum stability. The carbon fiber crown is 30% thinner allowing more weight to be placed low and forward in the PWR-BRIDGE structure.
The new DARKSPEED driver family also features COBRA’S MyFly 8 with SmartPad technology, allowing exceptionally quick and easy loft and lie adjustability. The MyFly 8 adjustable loft system enables users to adjust loft up to +1 or -1 degrees. Designed to work with MyFly8, SmartPad technology maintains a consistent face angle for each of the eight sleeve settings, ensuring a square clubhead at address.
The men’s DARKSPEED family of drivers comes in a new, sleek black colorway with a satin frost crown and sole finish, and is available in the following specifications:
DARKSPEED LS
The low spin model comes in right or left-hand configurations with a choice of three premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including UST® Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS® Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S), and UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S). Lamkin® Crossline grips come standard.
DARKSPEED X
The DARKSPEED X Driver also comes in RH/LH with a choice of four premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White (XS and S); Project X HZRDUS Limited Edition Matte Black Gen 4 (S), UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue (R and S); MCA® KAI’LI Blue (R and S). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.
DARKSPEED MAX
The DARKSPEED MAX Driver comes in RH/LH with a choice of two premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes: Project X HZRDUS CB Red (A and R flex); UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red (R and S flex). Lamkin Crossline grips come standard.
DARKSPEED MAX WOMEN'S and JUNIOR EDITIONS
The DARKSPEED MAX women’s edition ($549), features a gloss crown and sole with cool blue color accents. It comes in right-hand and left-hand (left-hand custom only) with an aftermarket UST Helium Nanocore shaft in Ladies flex. Lamkin Crossline grip comes standard. The DARKSPEED MAX junior edition ($449) is available in a 39" (8-9 years) with a 46g COBRA® Junior flex shaft and a 41" (10-11 years) or 43" (12-14 years) with a 60.5g COBRA® Junior flex shaft.
The MSRP for The DARKSPEED LS, X and MAX Drivers is $549.
The MSRP for The DARKSPEED MAX Junior Driver is $449.
And get this. A free shaft upgrade is available with purchase as juniors grow into their game. That's a perk that any parent of a junior golfer will appreciate. Visit cobragolf.com to learn more and configure your DARKSPEED driver.