I picked up the 8 degree LS which I play down at 7. I have it paired with a Ventus Black 6x. I LOVE it. I am coming from a stealth 2 plus same loft, and I find the cobra much easier to turn over, more forgiving off the toe, and as you said.. just looks mean. There is something about a driver that your excited to hit that makes you swing better. I am happy with my purchase. I prefer the sound of the Stealth 2 but really love the Cobra
I just fitted at club champion into the LS, with a Ventura’s blue 6x. The numbers were off the chart. Brought my spin down near 2700-2800 from 3600+. I’m suprised he found it hard to hit, that’s not my experience at all
What I saw in the data is the smash factor in the LS was 1.49 and the Max and X were 1.44 and therein lies the difference between them and the difference in the distance. What good golfers (scratch) want is a high SF because they generally hit the middle of the face. I play the Aerojet LS in a 9 degree delofted to 8 with a 44.5" Ventus Velocore TR Blue Stiff. I am hitting in 15 or 20 yards longer than my Mizuno STZ with the same shaft and it's winter in the pacific northwest. It does demand a consistent center strike though. To each his own...
I have the LS and I put the heavier weight in the back . I feel like I get the foregiveness of the X but I get the better looking profile and added aerodynamics of the LS
Yes Matt, Plenty of testers have found the LS longer and better dispersion. Give it a bit more time , you change your mind. Why would anyone give up the yards, and ball speed. The LS off the toe is fabulous, so good. So you don't have to be hitting center , but I like to live there and a few off the toe goes as far in the fairway. Rethink it . Cheers Matt .
Have you fit the LS weights and fine-tuned for your swing? I have the same problem with standard specs, but as soon I fine-tune the weights accordingly my swing is performing perfectly. The same is true with the Callaway Paradym Smoke Triple Diamond.
I bought the Cobra King F9 at the end of 2919 for $250. It's a great driver and I just don't see the new drivers giving me more than a few yards at most. That's a lot of cheddar to spend for minimum gains. I spent the money on new Volkey wedges and a Bettinardi putter.
100%. I on the other hand have to buy a driver every 2yrs. My swing speed is 120+mph & I crack faces. I in fact cracked the face in an F9, stealth2, callaway epic & on & on.. If you're in my shoes, you're shit out of luck if you crack a face & you're club no longer has warranty.
@@wannabegolfin24-72 That stinks but with a swing speed that fast hitting bombs would be worth the $. I'm about 95 and smooth. When I swing faster I'm all over the planet... Lol
I believe shaft selection now is the biggest upgrades 😅 but i Just got a Dark speed ls with hzrdus hulk haha. On gc3 it was averaging 191mph ball 9mph up on my tsr3. Dispersion much the same for me it should be good.
Marketing is brilliant though. How many people will go "I spin my driver too much, I'll buy the new low spin driver" instead of taking a couple lessons to sort out why they generate too much spin? I will give cobra credit for not jumping on the 10k moi bollockwagon though.
Bought the LS 4 months ago.(6.7 hcap)...not the easist to hit...never feels like you really hit out of the centre..Had a Titleist (TS3) before ....might be going back.
I still game my F9 model and very happy with it... I still outdrive most of the guys with their latest driver.... If not broken why fix 😊... I will not change my driver any near..
Ok I am a golf tech geek. I try many different models each year. I got the tested The Dark Speed LS and X. I junked my Taylormade and put the LS in my bag. Low spin rate was good, head speed was 1.4 mph faster than the Taylormade and 1.1 faster than the Dark Speed X. After 6 weeks I,ve gained 15-20 yards on my center strikes, I lose less than 10 yards on toe strikes. My dispersion is very tight. End results I am hitting a lot more short irons and wedges on my approach shots. My handicap has dropped more than a stroke and a half (3.2). At 65 I feel like I’m able to play with the young hardbodies. This is my story, it has really worked for me.
Just got fitted for, and purchased the X. The big thing it fixed for me was spin. I went from 2800 average with my Cobra F9 to about 2400 with the X. This gave me about 15-20 more yards on average (plus I think the face is just a bit hotter since it's newer). It also felt a bit more forgiving than the F9.
I tried the same shaft on my old f9 in my simulator and the spin was still higher but not as dramatic as it was at the fitter. So I think it's a combination of both the driver head and shaft.
As others have said, you need to play with the weights. I have the LS and I watched a fitting for it and he said move the heavier weight to where you are hitting it. For example, consistent toe or heal shots weight goes to that area. Right now I removed all the weights, except for having the heavier weight at the toe since that is my miss.
Everyone should get fitted for their swing... I play with the Aerojet Max and like it a lot, however I wanted to get some more distance. After a fitting trying Ping, Cobra, Mizuno, Callaway and Taylormade driver heads with different shafts, the driver head that gave me more ball speed was the Cobra Darkspeed X. I tried the Cobra Darkspeed Max and it performed almost identical to my Aerojet Max in ball flight and distance. The Darkspeed X gave me similar ball flight to the max with a consistent smash factor of 1.49 and 1.50, more consistent center strikes and 1 - 2 mph faster club head speed which gave me 10 - 15 yards more distance without affecting my dispersion pattern.
LS model is not for high swing speeds only, ANY swing speed can use it and gain it's benefits with proper fitting; the important part is being able to hit it out of the center (or close to it) more often as it's less forgiving.
Totally agree. I had one and had MONSTER drives with it...2 outta 14 times. Anything not in the middle is average at best. It should be "high skill' and not "high speed".
True that, I don't have any monster speed in my swing around 95-100 mph and i got fitted into LTDX LS. Cause I hit it kinda steep, so i generated alot of spinn myself. Got crazy numbers with that 1 when striked properly. But did u miss it was a nasty one. Ended up selling it, wasn't worth the 2-3 omega hits each round.
LS is more forgiving . Toe hits are just as long and center hits. Fabulous. I think Matt must take a relook at the LS . I like the LS 8 Longest driver head on the Market .
The reason they have 3 heads is simple Matt: all the big companies have 3 heads, in fact some have 4. So if Cobra want to be considered part of the Callaway, TM, Ping, Titleist club… they feel 2 heads won’t convey that message
I tried the ls the other day and I actually thought it was pretty forgiving. I'm not the best ball striker but I thought it was pretty great. The spin was extremely consistent as well
I bought the X version and tried all of them. I agree that including the roll out for total distance the LS was only marginally longer for me and importantly only when I nailed it. The X was slightly higher launching and more forgiving so it was a no brainer for me - I also tried against latest Taylormade, Callaway and Ping offerings. The X was the fastest swing speed and the winner for me even although the orhers weren’t far behind. - the X is £100 cheaper though! Also the Max versions were higher ball flight still and slightly lower on the distance as unable to get as fast a swing speed with the larger heads and weight was at the back too.
I don’t really get the video to be honest. There is definitely a place in the market for all three, and your review just proves it. An extra 6-7 yards on the LS for a high ability player who can control their driver is absolutely worth having. Any club fitter worth their salt can put the right player into the right club, and clearly wouldn’t recommend it to a 15 handicapper for example. They are catering to all extremes of ability, and I personally think that’s a good thing, not a negative as you seem to think.
I bought the LS this year, project X extra stiff shaft 60G. I tested out the Paradym and the AI Smoke. I was getting the same specs and same distance with all 3. My previous driver was the f7+ from Cobra. It felt like home and was cheaper so I bought the LS Darkspeed. It had the best dispersion of the 3 for me combined with total distance and it was cheaper. It also got my spin down which is great as I couldn't stay below 3500 before. You asked why would you buy this one vs the X. I wanted the standard loft at 8 degrees that way its a more neutral face. I didn't want a 9 degree loft for standard my old driver(9.5 loft) did that and cranking it down I found wasn't good. Being the general public with a high swing speed this driver fit my mark, I needed the low neutral loft.
Great review!!! I always had the same feeling with the low spin callaway driver heads. Has no idea where it was going and I’m usually pretty consistent with the driver.
Good review Matt. But, in the end, marketing IS the name of the game. Personnally, I think Cobra made a fantastic job, and for a while now. They went the avenue of cheaper drivers, but VERY efficient. And if they decide to go on with 3 models, fine with me. There will always be people who consider theselves better than they really are, And let them choose their tool of trade. I bought a Radspeed and that driver changed my game!
Me ha gustado mucho tu revisión de estos drivers. He echado en falta especificaciones sobre la varilla que montan de fábrica. Creo que no has hecho referencia a ello. De todas formas muchas gracias por tu valoración y por tu esfuerzo. Me ha ayudado mucho para elegir mi nuevo Driver. Por cierto en qué campo de España estuviste probándolos? Un saludo desde Madrid.
I think any "Low Spin" model from any manufacturer is aimed mostly at tour players and the few amateurs that can consistently strike the center over and over. From what I've read and seen on other reviews, most people live the LS, so maybe you got a head worth some issues, Matt? Great review, and that distance is getting very impressive, my friend!
Darkspeed Ls for me out performed my gamer fitted tsr3. Was more forgiving same distance as tsr3 but on off centre strikes it had better spin than the tsr3. Fitted nicely into UST shafts. Never tried them before but it was nicer feeling shaft for me than the tensi 1k black.
Every single reviewer has struggled with the name…I thought it was obvious it’s a reference to dark matter and black holes, where the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape
Hogwash! Just get a better shaft fitting for the LS and then give it a try. You just got to tinker with it and get used to swinging it. Take the distance, just because you didn’t hit it as straight?
Love the look of this driver, and would be my choice when if I was in the market this year. Wish all three were all blacked out with a silver/white Max, X, or LS. I think we’re so accustomed to getting what the pros have cobra have felt they’ve got to offer the LS to the consumer market.
I picked up 15mph ball speed with the LS, and had a nice tight dispersion rate.46 out of 50 balls were a nice tight and boring draw. LOL Obviously its not for everyone, but I hit it better than the X or the Max. Both of which had too much spin for me. And I'm not swinging the club any faster than you? I don't think your average customer would be fitted for the LS. But I do think it will work for more people than just the log driving pros.
With the heavier weight in the heel position, I found better dispersion (on a sim) with the LS than the X. Very minor carry differences, but the LS had better spin numbers. Nice review, Matt.
@@DasViking - it's a smaller head with weight not as far back as the other models, so it's notionally not as forgiving or easy to hit as the others- but it will vary person to person. It just seemed to suit my swing. I tend to strike center, or very close to center, pretty consistently and my misses are more due to face angle at impact. I'm a 7HCP and I was
great review! but...... nowhere do you mention what shafts you were testing! Was the review done with off the shelf shafts? or did you install a Fujikura $350 shaft?
Hi Matt I own a Cobra LTDx driver, so how does the new range compare. Most golfers are keeping clubs longer due to the stupid pricing from the manufacturers. I would like to see reviews or comparisons of each manufacturer, i.e., all the max heads.
I had the ltdx ls was a great driver so tried the new darkspeed ls and wow that thing was hard to tame. Got the AI smoke triple D and love it, even with 14 weight forward so much easier to hit and drives were long
Have to ask, how did you get Carry Distance into the 290 range, that's fn Awesome, been working on carry and can't get it to 220 can you share your secret...
Matt has one of the smoothest driver swings I’ve ever seen, but gets huge distance. I, on the other hand, swing like I’m trying to split the world in half but never see 250yards 😢
Hey man might sound crazy but you know those Japanese guys on Instagram who look like they barely swing at all with a super smooth tempo? I’ve been trying that recently and it’s helped a ton. Emphasize the feeling in your downswing of not using any muscles at all, of course you still do but it’s an exaggerated feeling. I’ve been having much more consistency at striking the ball and much more consistent yardages
@@RiccaRazor you use muscles always except in the correct way they are all relaxed for speed...so the stretch and shorten... you just don't activate with contraction and decontraction..once you buy into it mentally, you will go into another level...
I really wanna get one of these I love the look of them and cobra gotta be my favorite brand been playing the same cobra bafler blade 2 since I started playing when I was like 12 hand me downs from my dad can't really afford to get a new set
The new LS driver is by far the coolest looking driver I've ever seen, but I guess its not optmized for us average golfers with average swing speed, especially if we aim to hit it long on the fairway. If I were to choose one its X driver all the way, much better dispersion and looks more consistent to me from most data out there, while getting lots of speed and distance.
I tried these a couple days ago at a demo day on a sim. I'm a high handicapper (very). I also have a very high launch angle and slow swing speed. They started me on the max but that made my LA even worse. In the end the best they could do for me was about 10 yds. They sent me home to work out my swing problems, lol.
@@DasViking it wasn’t the club as much as my swing. Most game improvement clubs are designed to get the ball up in the air. I already hit too high so they didn’t have a solution out of those three heads. I came home and adjusted my driver down two degrees but havnt had a chance to try it yet.
Beginning of the video you mentioned to keep in mind the SZ - but I don’t think you ever came back to that point (unless I missed it). What was the connection to the SZ with the Dark Speed?
LS, triple diamond etc will sell on ego. Much as was the case with blades for a long time. To be any good you have to use LS drivers and blades (where 18 handicappers wanted that buttery feel and to be able to shape shots) 😉
Having been a Cobra LTDx LS user, I tried the Darkspeed LS and it was too unforgiving for me. I traded it for the X model and was totally disappointed. The X performs decently but it feels awful compared to the LTDx series. Doesn't feel very solid.
Too funny , The Aero Jet was voted best feel sound over the LTDX and now the Dark speed sounds even stronger . LS Dark speed is longer all over the face then Aero Jet , strikes off the toe are fabulous hardly any lost of distance and still in the fairway , hard to beat it in the bunch of new 2024 heads.
The Dark speed has been tested extensively . What is your intent when you swing the Driver ? Golfers don't know . They think about all the places not to go, water on the right or left. Just hope they get it in play and not loose another ball. So what do they choose the Biggest driver head that is supposed to be the most accurate . Industry is fooling everyone. The intent must be to go up there and swing with out any of the little ear chatter . Then one will find the center of the clubface much more often , have better athletic swings, longer distance and accuracy with the smaller more face dominant mass head all across the face . Period. That is why most all would be better with the Dark speed LS Less spin., Higher ball speeds , higher clubhead speeds. More darn fun.
You answered your own question in the review, most better players like the smaller head and shape. Most players care about how a club sits and looks behind the ball. Your problem with Cobra seems not very well thought out just because you like the X. If the players on tour are plying the LS models why wouldn’t they sell that model? Seriously?
For me the LS was the best. I liked the sound and the soft feel of the face. Also liked the smaller head. What the Cobra fitter said to me, is that the 9* LS is 440 CC and the 8* LS is 435 CC. I hit both 8 nad 9* LS good. But the spinn with the 8* was to low and could cause problems, even that I had a peak height at 114 ft with both the 8 and 9* heads. But I didn't see the ball speed that I got with the LTDX LS 9*.
@@ablazer4551 Then the person from Cobra gave med wrong info about head size when I asked. Because both the 8 and 9* LS heads look way smaller than the more forgiving heads.
Great review as always Matt, I really enjoy your content especially more recently with your dad and your swing issues. I've been contemplating changing my Cobra King F7 driver, so went for a driver fitting with the new Cobra Darkspeed X/Max, Ping G430 Max/G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10/Qi10 Max. The 10K drivers did not suit me at all, but when I got into the "standard" models, The Cobra blew the Qi10 out the water, and the G430 came a close second though the dispersion and consistency with the Darkspeed X was far better. I have to say, it was exactly the same with the fairway woods too. The Cobra was just so much easier to hit and get the ball out there. The 5 wood was a lovely hit! So I am now the proud owner of the Darkspeed X driver, plus 5 and 7 woods Thanks as always Matt and keep the good content coming. Looking forward to seeing you, Finchy and Carter on the course again soon.
Pretty much all drivers go around the same distance due to restriction limits for nearly 15 years ,so cobra designed a driver called the LS that goes the same distance as every other driver more or less but isn’t very accurate.doesn’t seem like much of a good idea .
Statistics is also hard. People look at averages and state "LS is 3mph faster ball speed than X" but with 1.6 and 2.2 standard deviation respectively, the mean is not statistically significantly different from each other with significant confidence. Therefore, statistically, we cannot accept the hypothesis that the LS is any faster than the X. At a minimum we would need many, many more swings to reduce our standard deviation.
The LS is just not meant for u my man. Cant knock the club for being what it is. Its meant for high swing speeds and centered hits. The players that can do that benefit from the LS.
What I would like to see is a comparison between these drivers and the Cobra Speedzone and the Cobra Speedzone extreme. I bet the SZ goes just as far and a similar with forgiveness. I own both of the speedzones they were incredible drivers. Probably should’ve kept them too. A lot of the new drivers are just type, when you look at the numbers and the clubhead speed‘s from past years even going back seven years some of the older clubs at 110 or 115 mph whatever the UA-camr is swinging at the drives were further and dispersion comparable. And the price was a lot more reasonable compared to today. In Canada most of these new drivers are costing almost $900 with tax. Is that necessary? I have two drivers that are a few years old, Callaway Epic Max LS and 2017 Taylormade M1. I’ve tested a lot of the new drivers from the last 3 to 4 years and I have yet to find one that is significantly better that warrants spending all that money. I agree with you wholeheartedly with your assessment on these drivers. Toss the LS.
Kyle Birkshire IMO is just a big show off. Yeah he can hit a golf ball but IMO Bryson is a far better player and he's a professional golfer. Kyle is just a UA-cam entertainer. He really doesn't impress me. Bryson has game, he smart, has won many tournaments and let's be honest is very good all around. As they say, drive for show, putt for dough.
Dont give total distances when hitting into a screen, its ridiculous. Suddenly everyone on YT is hitting bryson distances with ball speeds 30 MPH less. Its total horseshit. Not one single person is hitting less than 330 suddenly, with a swing speed of 113? Sorry, not going to be even anywhere near that on the golf course. 265 - 280 perhaps
@@seanwhitman4365 exactly. It's all horseshit. Like Rick Shiels, the guy has never lost a single ball while golfing on UA-cam. No matter how far ob he slices it he finds his ball. It's magic.
I'm in complete agreement, I don't think there's a place in the golfing retail market for low spinning drivers from any manufacturer. The percentage of amateurs that could actually use one must be so small, I don't understand why they would invest in producing them?!
I see more finding the LS more forgiving . The toe strikes are darn near as long as center and still in the fairways. More golfer need less spin. They need to learn how to hit up . So I would say learn the swing . You can't buy a golf swing . But you can buy less spin , learn the swing , cut the spin.
Ah yes indeed ,,, the golf industry ,,, more hype and bullshit ,, there is nothing they won't do or say or claim to entice you to depart from stupid amounts of money for the " latest " driver. Golfers, forget the ridiculous hype and foocus on the shafts ,, that's where it's at. The high majority of the " latest " drivers are no better than the crap they were flogging ten years ago. Always keep in mind the priciple object of these golf companies is to baffle the golfing public with bullshit.
Contracted to start with it standard version for Sales boost . Then switch to LS . Right now Rory is not doing well with it as he likes . Look to the switch to the LS Soon.
I picked up the 8 degree LS which I play down at 7. I have it paired with a Ventus Black 6x. I LOVE it. I am coming from a stealth 2 plus same loft, and I find the cobra much easier to turn over, more forgiving off the toe, and as you said.. just looks mean. There is something about a driver that your excited to hit that makes you swing better. I am happy with my purchase. I prefer the sound of the Stealth 2 but really love the Cobra
I just fitted at club champion into the LS, with a Ventura’s blue 6x. The numbers were off the chart. Brought my spin down near 2700-2800 from 3600+. I’m suprised he found it hard to hit, that’s not my experience at all
@@bradleycaviness6513totally agree.. i find it incredibly easy to hit, great distance and low spin, and very forgiving..
Got mine last week, and I love it
Wish the X was the blacked out one because I think the LS is maybe the coolest looking driver I’ve ever seen
Similar to the titleist drivers which are very nice too
Was just thinking this.
I got the LS with the matte black project X shaft. All black everything. It so sexy. Like a stealthbomber.
Couldn’t agree more!!
What I saw in the data is the smash factor in the LS was 1.49 and the Max and X were 1.44 and therein lies the difference between them and the difference in the distance. What good golfers (scratch) want is a high SF because they generally hit the middle of the face. I play the Aerojet LS in a 9 degree delofted to 8 with a 44.5" Ventus Velocore TR Blue Stiff. I am hitting in 15 or 20 yards longer than my Mizuno STZ with the same shaft and it's winter in the pacific northwest. It does demand a consistent center strike though. To each his own...
Great review. I would have liked to see the numbers for the F9 to see how it stacks up against the new one
I have the LS and I put the heavier weight in the back . I feel like I get the foregiveness of the X but I get the better looking profile and added aerodynamics of the LS
Yes Matt, Plenty of testers have found the LS longer and better dispersion. Give it a bit more time , you change your mind. Why would anyone give up the yards, and ball speed.
The LS off the toe is fabulous, so good. So you don't have to be hitting center , but I like to live there and a few off the toe goes as far in the fairway. Rethink it . Cheers Matt .
Have you fit the LS weights and fine-tuned for your swing? I have the same problem with standard specs, but as soon I fine-tune the weights accordingly my swing is performing perfectly. The same is true with the Callaway Paradym Smoke Triple Diamond.
I bought the Cobra King F9 at the end of 2919 for $250. It's a great driver and I just don't see the new drivers giving me more than a few yards at most. That's a lot of cheddar to spend for minimum gains. I spent the money on new Volkey wedges and a Bettinardi putter.
100%. I on the other hand have to buy a driver every 2yrs. My swing speed is 120+mph & I crack faces. I in fact cracked the face in an F9, stealth2, callaway epic & on & on.. If you're in my shoes, you're shit out of luck if you crack a face & you're club no longer has warranty.
@@wannabegolfin24-72 That stinks but with a swing speed that fast hitting bombs would be worth the $. I'm about 95 and smooth. When I swing faster I'm all over the planet... Lol
You're from the future? 😮😮
@@DasViking 😆 just caught that typo 😂
@@brianmcpeake2509 Oh dang. Thought you were a time traveler. 🤣
I believe shaft selection now is the biggest upgrades 😅 but i Just got a Dark speed ls with hzrdus hulk haha. On gc3 it was averaging 191mph ball 9mph up on my tsr3. Dispersion much the same for me it should be good.
Great video. Which do you think is more forgiving the Darkspeed X or the TSR2?
Marketing is brilliant though. How many people will go "I spin my driver too much, I'll buy the new low spin driver" instead of taking a couple lessons to sort out why they generate too much spin? I will give cobra credit for not jumping on the 10k moi bollockwagon though.
I was hoping to try the ping 10k most forgiving driver EVER….then STILL slice it 60 yards 😂
Don't many pros play low spin drivers?
@@greginRVAyeah. A lot have made the transition back to a standard driver just for the added forgiveness
@@scottstewart3954 i deadass did just that hahahhahaaha. then i got fitted and they gave me a cobra. funny as.
Bought the LS 4 months ago.(6.7 hcap)...not the easist to hit...never feels like you really hit out of the centre..Had a Titleist (TS3) before ....might be going back.
I still game my F9 model and very happy with it... I still outdrive most of the guys with their latest driver.... If not broken why fix 😊... I will not change my driver any near..
I am like you, my Radspeed will do quite nicely for the foreseeable future.
Ok I am a golf tech geek. I try many different models each year. I got the tested The Dark Speed LS and X. I junked my Taylormade and put the LS in my bag. Low spin rate was good, head speed was 1.4 mph faster than the Taylormade and 1.1 faster than the Dark Speed X. After 6 weeks I,ve gained 15-20 yards on my center strikes, I lose less than 10 yards on toe strikes. My dispersion is very tight. End results I am hitting a lot more short irons and wedges on my approach shots. My handicap has dropped more than a stroke and a half (3.2). At 65 I feel like I’m able to play with the young hardbodies. This is my story, it has really worked for me.
What Taylor made driver did you have?
Just got fitted for, and purchased the X. The big thing it fixed for me was spin. I went from 2800 average with my Cobra F9 to about 2400 with the X. This gave me about 15-20 more yards on average (plus I think the face is just a bit hotter since it's newer). It also felt a bit more forgiving than the F9.
I tried the same shaft on my old f9 in my simulator and the spin was still higher but not as dramatic as it was at the fitter. So I think it's a combination of both the driver head and shaft.
As others have said, you need to play with the weights. I have the LS and I watched a fitting for it and he said move the heavier weight to where you are hitting it. For example, consistent toe or heal shots weight goes to that area. Right now I removed all the weights, except for having the heavier weight at the toe since that is my miss.
Everyone should get fitted for their swing... I play with the Aerojet Max and like it a lot, however I wanted to get some more distance. After a fitting trying Ping, Cobra, Mizuno, Callaway and Taylormade driver heads with different shafts, the driver head that gave me more ball speed was the Cobra Darkspeed X. I tried the Cobra Darkspeed Max and it performed almost identical to my Aerojet Max in ball flight and distance. The Darkspeed X gave me similar ball flight to the max with a consistent smash factor of 1.49 and 1.50, more consistent center strikes and 1 - 2 mph faster club head speed which gave me 10 - 15 yards more distance without affecting my dispersion pattern.
LS model is not for high swing speeds only, ANY swing speed can use it and gain it's benefits with proper fitting; the important part is being able to hit it out of the center (or close to it) more often as it's less forgiving.
Totally agree. I had one and had MONSTER drives with it...2 outta 14 times. Anything not in the middle is average at best. It should be "high skill' and not "high speed".
@@xxthadeucexxGreat comment…. Just need to be able to find the middle 🤷🏼♂️🤣
True that, I don't have any monster speed in my swing around 95-100 mph and i got fitted into LTDX LS. Cause I hit it kinda steep, so i generated alot of spinn myself. Got crazy numbers with that 1 when striked properly. But did u miss it was a nasty one. Ended up selling it, wasn't worth the 2-3 omega hits each round.
LS is more forgiving . Toe hits are just as long and center hits. Fabulous. I think Matt must take a relook at the LS . I like the LS 8 Longest driver head on the Market .
@@chuckross8839 LS is more forgiving than what?
The reason they have 3 heads is simple Matt: all the big companies have 3 heads, in fact some have 4. So if Cobra want to be considered part of the Callaway, TM, Ping, Titleist club… they feel 2 heads won’t convey that message
I tried the ls the other day and I actually thought it was pretty forgiving. I'm not the best ball striker but I thought it was pretty great. The spin was extremely consistent as well
I bought the X version and tried all of them. I agree that including the roll out for total distance the LS was only marginally longer for me and importantly only when I nailed it. The X was slightly higher launching and more forgiving so it was a no brainer for me - I also tried against latest Taylormade, Callaway and Ping offerings. The X was the fastest swing speed and the winner for me even although the orhers weren’t far behind. - the X is £100 cheaper though! Also the Max versions were higher ball flight still and slightly lower on the distance as unable to get as fast a swing speed with the larger heads and weight was at the back too.
First review that is not a sales pitch and honest feedback.
Excellent review! Makes sense to have 2 versions, but people want choices and there is a need to cater to ego.
I appreciate your honesty and straightforwardness
I don’t really get the video to be honest. There is definitely a place in the market for all three, and your review just proves it. An extra 6-7 yards on the LS for a high ability player who can control their driver is absolutely worth having. Any club fitter worth their salt can put the right player into the right club, and clearly wouldn’t recommend it to a 15 handicapper for example. They are catering to all extremes of ability, and I personally think that’s a good thing, not a negative as you seem to think.
Completely agree. I also wonder, put a Taylormade badge with three models, do they get the same scrutiny?
I bought the LS this year, project X extra stiff shaft 60G. I tested out the Paradym and the AI Smoke. I was getting the same specs and same distance with all 3. My previous driver was the f7+ from Cobra. It felt like home and was cheaper so I bought the LS Darkspeed. It had the best dispersion of the 3 for me combined with total distance and it was cheaper. It also got my spin down which is great as I couldn't stay below 3500 before. You asked why would you buy this one vs the X. I wanted the standard loft at 8 degrees that way its a more neutral face. I didn't want a 9 degree loft for standard my old driver(9.5 loft) did that and cranking it down I found wasn't good. Being the general public with a high swing speed this driver fit my mark, I needed the low neutral loft.
I have the dark speed max and is miles better than my old cobra speed zone extreme so more forgiving which gives me confidence to go at it 😎😎👍👍
Great review!!! I always had the same feeling with the low spin callaway driver heads. Has no idea where it was going and I’m usually pretty consistent with the driver.
Hope you’re going to review the new Mizuno St Max? That looks very good
Good review Matt. But, in the end, marketing IS the name of the game. Personnally, I think Cobra made a fantastic job, and for a while now. They went the avenue of cheaper drivers, but VERY efficient. And if they decide to go on with 3 models, fine with me. There will always be people who consider theselves better than they really are, And let them choose their tool of trade. I bought a Radspeed and that driver changed my game!
Me ha gustado mucho tu revisión de estos drivers. He echado en falta especificaciones sobre la varilla que montan de fábrica. Creo que no has hecho referencia a ello. De todas formas muchas gracias por tu valoración y por tu esfuerzo. Me ha ayudado mucho para elegir mi nuevo Driver. Por cierto en qué campo de España estuviste probándolos? Un saludo desde Madrid.
I think any "Low Spin" model from any manufacturer is aimed mostly at tour players and the few amateurs that can consistently strike the center over and over. From what I've read and seen on other reviews, most people live the LS, so maybe you got a head worth some issues, Matt? Great review, and that distance is getting very impressive, my friend!
Darkspeed Ls for me out performed my gamer fitted tsr3. Was more forgiving same distance as tsr3 but on off centre strikes it had better spin than the tsr3. Fitted nicely into UST shafts. Never tried them before but it was nicer feeling shaft for me than the tensi 1k black.
My thoughts exactly when I tested them. I have the f9 and it's just everything for me until the day it breaks. For me the X is the f9 replacement.
Why not keep the LS and not the X since it it longer, faster, and has draw and fade adjustment????
Every single reviewer has struggled with the name…I thought it was obvious it’s a reference to dark matter and black holes, where the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape
Hogwash! Just get a better shaft fitting for the LS and then give it a try. You just got to tinker with it and get used to swinging it. Take the distance, just because you didn’t hit it as straight?
Thanks
Love the look of this driver, and would be my choice when if I was in the market this year.
Wish all three were all blacked out with a silver/white Max, X, or LS.
I think we’re so accustomed to getting what the pros have cobra have felt they’ve got to offer the LS to the consumer market.
I picked up 15mph ball speed with the LS, and had a nice tight dispersion rate.46 out of 50 balls were a nice tight and boring draw. LOL Obviously its not for everyone, but I hit it better than the X or the Max. Both of which had too much spin for me. And I'm not swinging the club any faster than you? I don't think your average customer would be fitted for the LS. But I do think it will work for more people than just the log driving pros.
With the heavier weight in the heel position, I found better dispersion (on a sim) with the LS than the X. Very minor carry differences, but the LS had better spin numbers. Nice review, Matt.
Is the LS a lot harder to hit? I'm a fairly high handicapper.
@@DasViking - it's a smaller head with weight not as far back as the other models, so it's notionally not as forgiving or easy to hit as the others- but it will vary person to person. It just seemed to suit my swing. I tend to strike center, or very close to center, pretty consistently and my misses are more due to face angle at impact. I'm a 7HCP and I was
@@ozwold74 Awesome. Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it
Love these new driver bought the X it so forgiving..bought the 3 wood and the 7 wood ..All I can say is very well done Cobra!!!!
The sun might not shine Up North in Manchester where you are but down here in civilised Kent is often very sunny and warm. ☀🌞🕶😎
great review! but...... nowhere do you mention what shafts you were testing! Was the review done with off the shelf shafts? or did you install a Fujikura $350 shaft?
Hi Matt
I own a Cobra LTDx driver, so how does the new range compare.
Most golfers are keeping clubs longer due to the stupid pricing from the manufacturers.
I would like to see reviews or comparisons of each manufacturer, i.e., all the max heads.
Just purchased the X version and Yeah!! Just filthy and am LOVING this driver!!! Great review and video Matt as appreciate you brother!!
Why is the cobra so expensive in australia? It’s only $20 cheaper then the Taylormade.
because, like everything else we buy, we are robbed blind but they will blame the FX rate
@@lonepineXthe taylormade is effected by the same FX rate, yet the cobra in $150 cheaper then QI10 in US and Uk, which is also half the price.
I had the ltdx ls was a great driver so tried the new darkspeed ls and wow that thing was hard to tame. Got the AI smoke triple D and love it, even with 14 weight forward so much easier to hit and drives were long
Have to ask, how did you get Carry Distance into the 290 range, that's fn Awesome, been working on carry and can't get it to 220 can you share your secret...
Right on the money Matt, totally agree. LS aimed at a very small market share.
Right its longer, faster, and has adjustments for draw and fade.... The LS is aimed a t very small market share. NOT!
They look so good and at a competitive price compared to rivals. Great review cheers.
Matt has one of the smoothest driver swings I’ve ever seen, but gets huge distance. I, on the other hand, swing like I’m trying to split the world in half but never see 250yards 😢
Hey man might sound crazy but you know those Japanese guys on Instagram who look like they barely swing at all with a super smooth tempo? I’ve been trying that recently and it’s helped a ton. Emphasize the feeling in your downswing of not using any muscles at all, of course you still do but it’s an exaggerated feeling. I’ve been having much more consistency at striking the ball and much more consistent yardages
@@RiccaRazor Thanks, I'll try my best to give it a go.
@@RiccaRazor you use muscles always except in the correct way they are all relaxed for speed...so the stretch and shorten... you just don't activate with contraction and decontraction..once you buy into it mentally, you will go into another level...
I really wanna get one of these I love the look of them and cobra gotta be my favorite brand been playing the same cobra bafler blade 2 since I started playing when I was like 12 hand me downs from my dad can't really afford to get a new set
The new LS driver is by far the coolest looking driver I've ever seen, but I guess its not optmized for us average golfers with average swing speed, especially if we aim to hit it long on the fairway. If I were to choose one its X driver all the way, much better dispersion and looks more consistent to me from most data out there, while getting lots of speed and distance.
I know. I wish they would have blacked out all the models. Love that look.
I tried these a couple days ago at a demo day on a sim. I'm a high handicapper (very). I also have a very high launch angle and slow swing speed. They started me on the max but that made my LA even worse. In the end the best they could do for me was about 10 yds. They sent me home to work out my swing problems, lol.
Did you only get to try the max?
@@DasViking no, he had me try one other but I do t recall which.
@@mikecoughlin4128 So you weren't super impressed? I'm a high handicapper myself.
@@DasViking it wasn’t the club as much as my swing. Most game improvement clubs are designed to get the ball up in the air. I already hit too high so they didn’t have a solution out of those three heads. I came home and adjusted my driver down two degrees but havnt had a chance to try it yet.
@mikecoughlin4128 Oh ok. Got ya. Thanks for the answers. These clubs look really cool, but I think I'm like you. I hit the ball really high
I’ve got the X plus the 5W and 2 hybrids in the range and I can’t say anything wrong at all and that’s up against the Ai Smoke and Qi10 👍👌
That was a cracking review that 👏 well done Matt.
Just got my hands on the x version. Can’t wait to get it down the range, especially after this video. 👍
Keep us posted. I'm really interested.
What were the gram settings on the Driver?
Beginning of the video you mentioned to keep in mind the SZ - but I don’t think you ever came back to that point (unless I missed it). What was the connection to the SZ with the Dark Speed?
2 models not 3
LS, triple diamond etc will sell on ego. Much as was the case with blades for a long time. To be any good you have to use LS drivers and blades (where 18 handicappers wanted that buttery feel and to be able to shape shots) 😉
Not according to my fitting.
I think they make 3 heads, purely because everyone else does. I agree 100%, lower the number of heads and make 2 that were GREAT
Always been a cobra fan...have the LTDX currently. The new X definitely has my eye 😊
Having been a Cobra LTDx LS user, I tried the Darkspeed LS and it was too unforgiving for me. I traded it for the X model and was totally disappointed. The X performs decently but it feels awful compared to the LTDx series. Doesn't feel very solid.
@@xxthadeucexx l love my cobra LTDx LS for forgiveness and length.
Too funny , The Aero Jet was voted best feel sound over the LTDX and now the Dark speed sounds even stronger . LS Dark speed is longer all over the face then Aero Jet , strikes off the toe are fabulous hardly any lost of distance and still in the fairway , hard to beat it in the bunch of new 2024 heads.
@@chuckross8839 How much have you played the Darkspeed LS? We are obviously having drastically different experiences.
The Dark speed has been tested extensively . What is your intent when you swing the Driver ? Golfers don't know . They think about all the places not to go, water on the right or left. Just hope they get it in play and not loose another ball. So what do they choose the Biggest driver head that is supposed to be the most accurate . Industry is fooling everyone. The intent must be to go up there and swing with out any of the little ear chatter . Then one will find the center of the clubface much more often , have better athletic swings, longer distance and accuracy with the smaller more face dominant mass head all across the face . Period. That is why most all would be better with the Dark speed LS Less spin., Higher ball speeds , higher clubhead speeds. More darn fun.
Right its longer, faster, and has adjustments for draw and fade.... The LS is aimed a t very small market share. NOT!
LS trajectory better for me; X was good but my dispersion and trajectory window with LS were spot on.
You answered your own question in the review, most better players like the smaller head and shape. Most players care about how a club sits and looks behind the ball. Your problem with Cobra seems not very well thought out just because you like the X. If the players on tour are plying the LS models why wouldn’t they sell that model? Seriously?
Try the LS with a shorter shaft
For me the LS was the best. I liked the sound and the soft feel of the face. Also liked the smaller head. What the Cobra fitter said to me, is that the 9* LS is 440 CC and the 8* LS is 435 CC. I hit both 8 nad 9* LS good. But the spinn with the 8* was to low and could cause problems, even that I had a peak height at 114 ft with both the 8 and 9* heads. But I didn't see the ball speed that I got with the LTDX LS 9*.
I believe all models are 460 cc
@@ablazer4551 Then the person from Cobra gave med wrong info about head size when I asked. Because both the 8 and 9* LS heads look way smaller than the more forgiving heads.
Love the F9!
Even the head cover just looks super slick
Tried the x and i was hitting shorter than my last years aerojet, dont care what it looks like the aerojet is just better for me
I saw a UA-cam girl hit 300 with a 97 mph swing speed. Everyone hits longer than Bryson on UA-cam. It's amazing
Great review as always Matt, I really enjoy your content especially more recently with your dad and your swing issues.
I've been contemplating changing my Cobra King F7 driver, so went for a driver fitting with the new Cobra Darkspeed X/Max, Ping G430 Max/G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10/Qi10 Max. The 10K drivers did not suit me at all, but when I got into the "standard" models, The Cobra blew the Qi10 out the water, and the G430 came a close second though the dispersion and consistency with the Darkspeed X was far better. I have to say, it was exactly the same with the fairway woods too. The Cobra was just so much easier to hit and get the ball out there. The 5 wood was a lovely hit! So I am now the proud owner of the Darkspeed X driver, plus 5 and 7 woods
Thanks as always Matt and keep the good content coming. Looking forward to seeing you, Finchy and Carter on the course again soon.
Pretty much all drivers go around the same distance due to restriction limits for nearly 15 years ,so cobra designed a driver called the LS that goes the same distance as every other driver more or less but isn’t very accurate.doesn’t seem like much of a good idea .
I would like to see old Cobra vs new Cobra.
For all : driving a fairway is at the end always longer than a bomb in the rough....
So you swing to fast for the max and to slow for the ls
Hit 10 fairways at 320-360 yds with ls. Gotta swing faster mate
Statistics is also hard. People look at averages and state "LS is 3mph faster ball speed than X" but with 1.6 and 2.2 standard deviation respectively, the mean is not statistically significantly different from each other with significant confidence. Therefore, statistically, we cannot accept the hypothesis that the LS is any faster than the X. At a minimum we would need many, many more swings to reduce our standard deviation.
I think they are just trying to keep up with the Joneses since all the big guys are making an LS model
Matt would you call the Darkspeed X the best driver of the year so far?
@@DasVikingmaybe he’s busy making everyone more free content 🤷♂️ Such a salty comment.
They've got the LS because emall the others have one in their line ups its that simple
The LS is just not meant for u my man. Cant knock the club for being what it is. Its meant for high swing speeds and centered hits. The players that can do that benefit from the LS.
Cuz its 100 more and ppl buy it thats why they sell the ls version..
I will continue gaming my radspeed for the time being.
Cheers Matt
What I would like to see is a comparison between these drivers and the Cobra Speedzone and the Cobra Speedzone extreme. I bet the SZ goes just as far and a similar with forgiveness. I own both of the speedzones they were incredible drivers. Probably should’ve kept them too. A lot of the new drivers are just type, when you look at the numbers and the clubhead speed‘s from past years even going back seven years some of the older clubs at 110 or 115 mph whatever the UA-camr is swinging at the drives were further and dispersion comparable. And the price was a lot more reasonable compared to today. In Canada most of these new drivers are costing almost $900 with tax. Is that necessary? I have two drivers that are a few years old, Callaway Epic Max LS and 2017 Taylormade M1. I’ve tested a lot of the new drivers from the last 3 to 4 years and I have yet to find one that is significantly better that warrants spending all that money. I agree with you wholeheartedly with your assessment on these drivers. Toss the LS.
Kyle Birkshire IMO is just a big show off. Yeah he can hit a golf ball but IMO Bryson is a far better player and he's a professional golfer. Kyle is just a UA-cam entertainer. He really doesn't impress me. Bryson has game, he smart, has won many tournaments and let's be honest is very good all around.
As they say, drive for show, putt for dough.
Can someone tell me why Brits consider a singular company as plural?
Day/video 35 I need your ER5 pal
Dont give total distances when hitting into a screen, its ridiculous. Suddenly everyone on YT is hitting bryson distances with ball speeds 30 MPH less. Its total horseshit. Not one single person is hitting less than 330 suddenly, with a swing speed of 113? Sorry, not going to be even anywhere near that on the golf course. 265 - 280 perhaps
In no way shape or form does this guy look like hes got 113 mph wing speed. I think he needs to recalibrate his machine
@@seanwhitman4365 exactly. It's all horseshit. Like Rick Shiels, the guy has never lost a single ball while golfing on UA-cam. No matter how far ob he slices it he finds his ball. It's magic.
I'm in complete agreement, I don't think there's a place in the golfing retail market for low spinning drivers from any manufacturer. The percentage of amateurs that could actually use one must be so small, I don't understand why they would invest in producing them?!
I see more finding the LS more forgiving . The toe strikes are darn near as long as center and still in the fairways. More golfer need less spin. They need to learn how to hit up .
So I would say learn the swing . You can't buy a golf swing . But you can buy less spin , learn the swing , cut the spin.
Great video. Remember these are HIS results! Yours will be different
Science nerd alert, yes a shadow (i.e. dark) can move faster than the speed of light. Utterly irrelevant to golf of course 😅
Like SLDR 430😂
Ah yes indeed ,,, the golf industry ,,, more hype and bullshit ,, there is nothing they won't do or say or claim to entice you to depart from stupid amounts of money for the " latest " driver. Golfers, forget the ridiculous hype and foocus on the shafts ,, that's where it's at.
The high majority of the " latest " drivers are no better than the crap they were flogging ten years ago. Always keep in mind the priciple object of these golf companies is to baffle the golfing public with bullshit.
thanks for this video. excuses French....
Totally agree, LS models are a waste of time for 95% of golfers. I’ve read that even McIlroy has a watered down version of the QI 10 LS. Say no more.
You will find that the LS is best for most all golfers. You got to learn to swing .
Rory is currently gaming the standard QI10,not the LS
Contracted to start with it standard version for Sales boost . Then switch to LS . Right now Rory is not doing well with it as he likes . Look to the switch to the LS Soon.
These are clubs from a multi-million dollar company with an Engineering team made up of Doctoral level Engineers. I guess you know better 😳
Honma