Best Cobra Drivers 2024
Looking for a new driver? Here, we take a closer look at the best Cobra drivers on the market
Best Cobra Drivers: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Darkspeed models
3. Aerojet models
4. LTDx models
5. Women's models
6. How we test
7. How we choose
8. FAQs
Golf drivers are some of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the game. Particularly at the premium end of the spectrum, the best golf drivers on the market can set you back a pretty penny. Cobra is a brand that is vey well known for producing premium, high-performance golf drivers that will not break the bank. The brand is trusted by many players on tour including the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Rickie Fowler, who actually uses the Cobra Aerojet driver.
Many of you probably fell in love with the brand when it introduced its 'Baffler' utility wood, that boasts technology that is still used in many of the brand's recent releases. Since then, there's been no lack of innovation, particularly where drivers are concerned. And the brand new range of Aerojet drivers represent a real leap forward in driver technology, especially from the outgoing LTDx range, which has been one of our favorite club sets of the past few years.
Like its predecessor, there are three head designs available in the Aerojet range and, in this guide, we'll be walking you through what each design offers as well as which is best for your game. Alternatively, if Cobra is not for you, we have also created guides for other brands too – such as the best Titleist drivers, the best TaylorMade drivers, and the best Callaway drivers.
The Quick List
The Darkspeed X is an exceptional all-rounder. Competitive ball speeds coupled with comfortable levels of spin and playability make this a great option for a huge range of golfers.
This is an excellent driver in the low spin, better player category. The compact head shape and minimalist, dark aesthetic looks great and the performance matches it. A really penetrating ball flight and solid feel will no doubt make this driver a standout among high speed players in 2024.
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested. It does exactly what it says on the tin and we found it next to impossible to produce a fade or slice. Wrapped up in a very sophisticated aesthetic, if you struggle with a slice, the Darkspeed Max is a must try.
Cobra has built on its reputation for producing top performing drivers at a more affordable price. We were particularly impressed by the increase in speed and distance on offer.
The LS model is sure to appeal to confident ball strikers. It produces a more muted sound that we loved, and delivers both in terms of speed and on its low spin promise.
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The LTDx features smart, modern and aspirational aesthetics, as well as improved sound and feel. What really stood out was the level of forgiveness on offer.
True low spin performance that’s aimed at the faster swinger. With the right launch conditions, there is plenty of distance and consistency on offer from the Cobra LTDx LS driver.
For a driver that delivers on its promise of forgiveness, this also has an aspirational, premium look and feel. It is a great option for those who want a driver that won't break the bank.
Best Cobra Drivers
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Darkspeed Models
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Out of the box, first impressions were excellent with the all matte black profile giving a seriously sophisticated appearance. The headcover is a thing of beauty too, continuing the all black visual and adding a touch of class with some high quality embossed logos.
The lack of accent colors and graphics makes the Darkspeed X look a little more compact than it actually is, which may deter some but really suited my eye. The aesthetic really makes you feel you have a really premium driver in your hands.
From a tech point of view it would be a lie to say that the Darkspeed X is a significant leap forward from the Aerojet driver, but in terms of performance, the Darkspeed X ticked a lot of my boxes. Launch and spin sat perfectly in the mid-windows that we look for at around 11 degrees and the 2300rpm mark, and the ball speed was just as impressive as its predecessor the Aerojet, coming in at approximately 173mph.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Review
Cobra Darkspeed LS Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The LS is slightly more compact in profile than the Darkspeed X and the Max versions, and sits neatly behind the ball. The slightly conical shape that was synonymous with the Aerojet LS remains as part of the aerodynamic tech story, and the head is exceptionally clean with only a subtle Cobra logo and carbon highlights breaking up the simplicity somewhat. We are always big fans of clubs not trying too hard to impress with fussy logos and colors, and the Darkspeed range epitomises that ethos.
In terms of performance, we remained impressed. Our data was collated indoors on a Trackman 4 launch monitor with Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. The ball flight was suitably aggressive with a mid-to-low launch angle and good, low spin numbers comparable with any of the best golf drivers on the market. This produced a seriously penetrating flight which was never in any danger of climbing or being adversely affected by the wind.
We did experiment with lofting up a touch, and whilst this did raise my launch angle, spin remained steadfastly low. The R&D team really have nailed the brief in terms of producing another low-spin bomber.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed LS Review
Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
In terms of looks, along with the rest of the Darkspeed family, the draw-biased Max is straight out of the top drawer. Taking the “dark” theme to the extreme, Cobra has almost entirely done away with any color here. Down behind the ball the Darkspeed Max delivers again. Whilst the head shape isn’t quite as refined as its siblings, the Darkspeed LS and the Darkspeed X, the carbon effect crown and minimalist Cobra logo give a very sophisticated look.
With regard to performance, the Darkspeed Max delivered strong results for me across the board. We tested the Darkspeed Max both on the golf course and indoors, using Trackman 4 launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls.
Ball speed was strong, producing some very pleasing carry distances. Launch and spin were predictably a little higher than the other two drivers in the Darkspeed family but far from excessive. Cobra has really struck a great balance here of adding some spin and launch to help the intended market for this type of driver, but not too much so as to alienate higher speed players that might be entertaining a draw bias option.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Review
Aerojet Models
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Building on its reputation for producing top performing drivers at a great price, we were very impressed when we got our hands on Cobra's latest distance offering. An upgrade on the excellent Cobra LTDx driver that featured on our Editors Choice Awards for 2022, the Aerojet had a lot to live up to in terms of consistency, distance and aesthetics, but it really holds its own as one of the best golf drivers on the market right now.
Visually, this is one of the best-looking golf clubs that has been introduced to the market in some time. It comes with a stunning glossy carbon black base finish that features pops of blue and red on the sole of the club on it's adjustable weighting system. The matte black crown of the previous generation is gone, along with the subtle ridges on the top of the head, and the result is a simple, modern look that stacks up well against the best drivers of 2023.
That sleek aesthetic matches up to the performance on offer here too. The feel is very similar to what we saw in the LTDx, a powerful satisfying 'smack' through impact that is a fraction louder than its predecessor. The main story here though is around speed. As the name suggests, this is designed with aerodynamics in mind to help players flush their driver through the air faster and punch the ball further down the fairways. The PWR-Bridge inserted behind the face helps add to the speed on offer here, and we loved how well this club matched up to some of the best golf drivers for distance.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet Driver Review
Cobra Aerojet LS Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
In the distance model of the Aerojet range, Cobra has introduced a new ‘PWR-Bridge’, which is a 13g weight that sits low in the sole and behind the face. This is designed to move the centre of gravity forward, which should reduce spin, improve ball speed and distance. Having put this to the test on the golf course, we loved the power this offered which matches up well with some of the best drivers for distance in the game.
The LS version, which is designed to be the fastest of the three models, has a 457cc clubhead, so it’s 3cc smaller than the other two. That’s hardly a big difference but we noticed it has a significantly smaller footprint down behind the ball. That won't benefit those who want a larger footprint from their clubhead, but it is cerainly a great design feature that will catch the eye for experienced players looking for something more compact.
In testing, we found the LS was the more muted of the three models and, as it was designed to do, had the lowest spin of any of the three. Another point worth noting is that the LS version is more workable, which the better player and more consistent ball strikers will like. We enjoyed playing with the shot shape of this club and sounded much more muted at impact than the other two drivers in this range.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet LS Driver Review
Cobra Aerojet Max Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Aerojet Max model is predominantly aimed at those golfers searching for one of the most forgiving drivers on the market that will also help to straighten up a slice. High handicappers and beginners, this may be the club for you! It offers up great visuals and even better value, and will help you, like the standard Aerojet pump the ball long distances down the fairways. Aesthetically, it has similar looks to the other models, but the Max offers users a slight offset look down behind the ball – so a fraction toed in. But overall, the profile is very generous and confidence-inspiring behind the ball.
The company have created a more aerodynamic design in this new range of clubs to give golfers more speed. That means the Max is also a great golf club for anyone looking for one of the best drivers for slow swing speeds. Rather kindly, there’s also a bigger sweet spot on offer here and that'll help to improve your performance, especially when the strike point is not in the centre of the clubface.
You'll benefit from a very handy weighting system here too, which adds a draw bias to the club that'll keep you towards the middle or left side of the fairways. Performance wise, it is one of the best drivers for slicers out there and will suit those whose common miss is right, and it's worth mentioning that one of the main points of difference between the Max model and the other two is the draw bias and weight in the heel.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet Max Driver Review
LTDx Models
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Launched right at the start of 2022 to replace the Radspeed range of the clubs, the LTDx range from Cobra is an impressive model that offers great visuals, distance and feel off the tee. There is the standard LTDx which we've featured here, as well as the LTDx Max and LTDx LS, both draw bias and lower spinning models respectively. The standard head will likely suit the broadest range of golfers, with the aesthetics being more refined than its predecessor.
It is worth noting that the LTDx features a very similar-looking matte black carbon crown to last year’s Radspeed (why change what was one of the best looking drivers of 2021). The LTDx has a much lower pitched, quieter impact sound than the Radspeed. For us, it was significantly better - creating a satisfying ‘crack’ through impact that felt very powerful. As tends to be the case with Cobra drivers, the RRP is a decent chunk lower than the best TaylorMade drivers and best Callaway drivers, all with very little difference in performance between the three brands.
- Read our full Cobra LTDx Driver Review
Cobra LTDx LS Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The LS in the Cobra LTDx name stands for low spin and as such, this driver is aimed squarely at those faster swinging players looking to control their ball flight and shape. Down behind the ball, the club has a traditional shape and sleek aesthetic, offering a compact design that will catch the eye of more experienced players. The matte black crown that we saw in the Radspeed LS driver is back and to be honest the differences in terms of the visuals at address are minimal at best, but are still impressive.
The LTDx LS was, as you would hope, the lowest spinning of the three LTDx heads in our testing sessions. Whilst we gained 3 yards through the air with the standard head, the lower flight of the LS version actually delivered one extra yard. While that's not a lot in the grand sceme of things it matches up pretty well with some of the best drivers for distance on the market. There is a lot to like about the Cobra LTDx LS driver and, for any faster swinging golfers, the controlled flight is the standout performance gain here, whereas we were also impressed with the forgiveness on offer from a low spin model.
- Read our full Cobra LTDx LS Driver Review
Cobra LTDx Max Driver
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The LTDx Max is an aspirational driver which we think is one of the best drivers for beginners and high handicap players. It features a 3g weight positioned toward the heel of the head to help encourage a draw shape and yet it sits less closed behind the ball than some other draw-biased drivers you’ll find this year. For us, that meant we were able to swing confidently at the ball without worrying about hitting a hook and ultimately, we were pleased by how consistent the Cobra LTDx Max was and is one of the best drivers for slicers around.
As we mentioned above, the look of the driver is excellent with a matte black carbon crown and small touches of orange around the head. You can also get a Volition America finish in red, white and blue as well if that is more up your street. Like with the standard head, the sound is quieter and lower pitched when compared with the Radspeed. We also enjoyed the higher launch and spin characteristics of the Max. Overall, this is one of the most forgiving drivers around and given the lower price point on the market, this is definitely a model to consider.
- Read our full Cobra LTDx Max Driver Review
Women's Models
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
An absolute savior for slicers, this club is a fantastic option for any player looking to eliminate a slice on their swing. It is a stunning option for any lady golfer, thanks to its black crown that features pops of pink throughout its design. Visually it will be a winner among many players but we also reckon it is one of the best drivers for high handicappers thanks to its large footprint. That means it sits nicely behind the ball and delivers a lot of confidence to players looking to get the ball up in the air. The clubhead is also closed (pointing left) when you address the ball and we think slicers will really appreciate this set up.
In terms of performance, we were certainly impressed with the high launch, effortless height and super fast speed off the face. The hitting experience placed it among the upper echelon of the best golf drivers for women. It is a light but well-balanced driver to swing through the air. In our opinion, it will really suit women who lack physical strength and swing speed. The weight-saving made by using a carbon crown material paired with Cobra’s own Women's Ultralite 40 (46.5 gram) shaft and lightweight Lamkin grip is clear. On impact it did sound loud and the resulting propulsion off the face is equally impressive, translating into favorable distances.
- Read our full Cobra Air-X Women’s Driver Review
How We Test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. Headed up by Neil Tappin, and assisted by Joel Tadman, both have been testing golf clubs for years and both play to a handicap of 5. Both are also able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics for drivers, we first attend product launches and speak to manufacturer's to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor. Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is.
How To Choose
There are plenty of things to consider when purchasing a brand new driver. Some of the top models on the market right now come with a whole ton of design features and technology that can make buying a new driver a very complicated thing to do. But don't fret. We've put together a list of key considerations that you should keep in mind when buying your next Cobra driver.
1. Size
The first thing to think about is how big your driver should be. In order to conquer this conundrum we recommend heading down to a club fitting session to get the right size and length of driver for you. You're also going to want to think about the size of the clubhead on your potential new driver. Do you want a larger head to help you feel more confident over the ball, akin to some of the models on our best drivers for high handicappers guide, or are you a more experienced player looking for something a little more compact?
Forgiving drivers tend to be slightly larger than other models for the basic reason of giving them a larger clubface and larger footprint. When hitting, try and take note of where you are striking the golf ball with the face of the club and see if there is any performance drops. Many forgiving drivers these days are designed to perform regardless of where you strike them off the face and you being able to see and understand that in person will help you be more confident with one model over another.
2. Forgiveness
On that note, it is vital to consider how much playability each driver offers. Some of the most forgiving drivers on the market help you consistently strike the ball right down the middle of the fairway no matter where you hit the ball on the clubface. That can also be helped by buying a driver that has a built-in draw bias, that'll help you eliminate a slice.
3. Style
Confidence can come from the equipment you're playing with, so, if you're using a driver that looks and feels the business then, more often than not, that can help put you in the right mindset to play better! There are plenty of drivers out there that offer bags of shelf appeal, with some of the best golf drivers offering glossy and matte finishes that look stunning behind the ball.
4. Weight
Weight has become a big factor when it comes to forgiving drivers, with most brands making models that have a weight towards the back of the head to aid forgiveness and launch. When it comes to whether you want a forgiving driver, it is worth acknowledging whether this is important to you because if not then manufacturers usually make a model without a weight there. If you're looking for better launch angles and longer carries, look for clubs that have the weight pushed towards their heel, a design feature that moves the center of gravity lower, helping you to hit upwards on the golf ball.
5. Adjustability
Often this weight is moveable too and adjustability has become a huge part of modern golf. Being able to tinker and change loft, lie, and many other factors, has become all the rage and if you like to try new things then plenty of the models above, like the Titleist TSi2, will cater to that. However if that doesn't interest you one bit, there are also models which keep things more simple, like the Ping G425 Max.
While there are plenty of fantastic options on this guide, we have been hard at work testing some of the top driver models in the game right now. We have come up with some definitive walkthroughs on the best golf drivers for distance, best budget golf drivers, and best golf drivers for beginners, which you should check out if you're in the market for a new club!
FAQs
Which Cobra driver is the best?
That depends what type of golfer you are. If you're after more forgiveness, the Cobra Aerojet Max will be best. If you're after more distance, the Cobra Aerojet or Aerojet LS will be the best. If you're somewhere in the middle of these two, the standard Aerojet will be the best.
What pros use Cobra drivers?
The biggest names using Cobra drivers on Tour are Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland and Lexi Thompson.
Are Cobra drivers good?
Cobra drivers regularly make it into our list of the best golf drivers. They easily compete with the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Ping for the best driver crown.
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In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf.
Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
- Joel TadmanTechnical Editor
- Sam TremlettE-commerce Editor
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