Are you looking to upgrade your driver? The Cobra RADspeed series is a refined version of the SpeedZone lineup. This big dog has a better feel and weight balance than its predecessor and better acoustics that leave you smiling after every shot.
Cobra adds the split wing-weights closer to the clubface, giving you more comfort and control on off-center shots and a better chance you get the ball going in the right direction.
While the SpeedZone earned a reputation for producing outstanding ball flight, the RADspeed driver range brings you more consistency to your shots, coupled with the amazing ball flight of the SpeedZone design.
This review looks at the design and performance of the Cobra RADspeed in detail.
Content
Models Available
- RadSpeed Driver Handicap Range: 0-15
The RADSPEED Driver features a traditional (460cc) shape and forward-biased RADIAL WEIGHTING in addition to front to back movable weight technology to deliver the fastest ball speeds, lowest spin, and the most workability of the three models. - RadSpeed XB Driver Handicap Range: 5-15
The RADSPEED XB (XTREME Back) Driver features an oversized (460cc) shape and back-biased RADIAL WEIGHTING to deliver the longest and most forgiving ball flight with low spin. - RadSpeed XD Driver Handicap Range: 5-25
The RADSPEED XD (XTREME Draw) Driver features an oversized (460cc) shape and heel-biased internal RADIAL WEIGHTING to deliver the fastest and straightest ball flight with maximum slice-fighting power.
Technical Review
The RADspeed driver is the pinnacle of R&D from Cobra. The three drivers in the series come with 460cc heads, but the RAD doesn’t feel like you’re playing with an oversized club. You’ll find the driver has a slimmer feel to other Cobra oversized drivers but maintains the legendary oversized sweet spot on the clubface.
The RADspeed gets its feel from the 28g of RADial tungsten positioned at the clubface, counterbalanced by another 10grams toward the rear of the clubhead. Cobra places the front-facing weights as far forward as possible without causing any limitation in flex to the infinity clubface.
The performance difference in the RADspeed driver comes from the “forward-biased radial weighting” as opposed to the RADspeed XB, which uses “back-biased radial weighting.”
Cobra claims the new RADspeed driver design offers players fast ball speeds, low launch and spin, and the best workability in its range. The Cobra RADspeed provides some of the best performance figures in the industry when it comes to spin rate and ball speed.
You’ll see low spin rates and high ball speeds with the forward-weighting. However, the only drawback with the forward-weighted design of the clubhead is the fact it makes the club less forgiving. However, moving it to the back position, you’ll find your numbers really move.
With the spin, you’ll find that you get small differences in your numbers, depending on your swing. The RADspeed driver’s radial weighting makes the club feel more balanced in your hands, and you can feel the difference the radial weighting makes when connecting with the ball.
Suitable Handicaps for the Cobra RADspeed
Cobra claims that the RADspeed driver suits players with a handicap range between 0 to 15. When comparing it to the XD and XB models, the RADspeed driver doesn’t feel as forgiving, but when you manage to get it on point, it offers an outstanding driver experience that’s hard to beat.
Testing the driver, we find that you’ll need to pair it with a high swing speed or a higher launch shaft if you have a slower swing. The technology in the RADspeed driver clubhead keeps ball flight low while reducing spin.
Weight Distribution
2022 continues the trend of brands adding tungsten to driver clubheads. Cobra’s addition to the market shows its competitors that it knows how to work with the material to improve the performance and feel of its clubs.
We like the way you can adjust the weighting of the head to allow for more or less spin. The new radial weighting system in the RADspeed is practical and functional, allowing you to set the club up to your unique swing and sense of balance. You get total control over spin, launch angles, and distance with the RADspeed driver.
- Radial Weighting Technology-Radial Weighting is the strategic placement of weight relative to the CG to optimize speed, forgiveness, and flight direction from the fairway or off the tee
- CNC Milled Infinity Face-An infinity edge face design expands the milled area by 95% to increase the zone of maximum ball speed
- Thin-Ply Carbon Crown-The Carbon Wrap Crown system features a new carbon fiber material that is 30% thinner which creates another 6 grams of discretionary weight
- Lighter T-Bar Chassis-A refined T-Bar speed chassis design is 7 grams lighter, giving us even more discretionary weight to position mass within the frame to optimize performance
- Extreme Front Weighting-The Radspeed Driver frame features 28g positioned as forward as possible (16 g of fixed weight and 12 g adjustable to deliver ultra low spin and our fastest ball speeds
Shaft and Loft Options
The Cobra RADspeed driver comes with a Hzrdus Smoke RDX and Fujikura Motore F1/F3 Blue shafts as standard on the club. Cobra installs ARCCOS grips on the RADspeed at the factory. The Cobra comes with an adjustable loft between 9º and 10.5º.
Performance
We feel that Cobra achieved what it set out to do with the RADspeed diver. The RADspeed shifts the weight in your swing to the front of the face offering the best results for your shots. You get a low launch trajectory, with a huge reduction in spin compared to other leading driver models.
In fact, you’ll find that it’s practically impossible to get the RADspeed to hit a lofty shot, even when you’re trying. To compensate, you might find that you have to tee up a little higher when you want more loft in the launch angle of your shot.
Regardless, the RADspeed brings you less climbing or towering in the flight pattern of your shot. You get a smooth arc in the ball flight every time, and the consistency in the driver is amazing. Cobra claims you’ll find it challenging to get a shot producing over 2,500-RPMs of backspin.
We like that you get a firm, good feel on the contact between the ball and the clubface, even if your shot is to one side on the face. The result is almost zero feedback through the shaft, which some advanced players might find problematic, but novices will love the consistency.
You get amazing ball speeds from the RADspeed. Cobra claims that, with a fitted setup and some practice, the average intermediate shooting a 150-mph ball speed from the tee may see an average increase of up to 165-mph with the RADspeed.
If you’re on the tee and it’s windy out, you’ll probably be prone to suffer from steep descent angles and minimal roll-out. The RAD will give you higher average ball speeds off the tee and the furthest carry, with 300+ yards on the cards for experienced players.
When you get the sweet spot just right, you’ll find the Cobra RADspeed driver offers you the best driver experience available.
Styling and Finish
The Cobra RADspeed comes with a somewhat flashy design, so it’s not for those golfers looking for a classic finish. The aggressive styling on the bottom of the clubhead is eye-catching, and you’re sure to have a few people stare when you pull the big dog out of the bag.
While the bottom of the clubhead is all rockstar, Cobra tones it down on the top of the RADspeed clubhead.
You get an attractive matte finish with highlighted lines running through the club head and a rounded design with a slimline form factor in the finish.
Acoustics and Feel
The Cobra RADspeed range shares similar characteristics with the sound and feel of the clubs. However, the RADspeed driver offers a noticeably deeper sound on contact that gives the impression of a solid connection on the shot.
The RADspeed driver separates itself from the rest of the lineup on the tee. When you line up and take your swing, you’ll notice the difference from the first time you contact the ball. The additional 28gram weight pushed towards the front of the clubface is remarkable, giving players plenty of gravitas when contacting the ball.
The RADspeed is one of the densest drivers providing a solid feel in your hands when making contact. In fact, it’s so smooth advanced players might complain that they find it harder to set up their shots through feel alone.
For novices, the wide sweet spot makes this club very forgiving when you step out on the tee. The low launch angle takes some getting used to, and you might find yourself adjusting to hitting higher up on the clubface just to get more loft from your shot.
Cobra RADspeed Driver Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- An excellent choice for beginners upgrading to their first driver.
- Amazing consistency in ball flight production.
- Adjustable radial weighting makes it fully customizable to your playing style.
- Low launch angles and minimal backspin production in your shots.
- Stable and dense feel in contact between clubface and ball.
- Visually impressive matte crown finish with intelligent use of color.
- Great price point and high-quality manufacturing.
- Built-in ARCCOS grip installed at the factory.
- Large selection of stock shaft options.
Cons
- The low-launch angle can cause some advanced players to lose their carry distance in shots.
- You need a high swing speed to appreciate this club.
- Love or hate relationship with the looks, sound, and feedback in your shots.
Wrapping Up – The Verdict on the Cobra RADspeed Driver Range
Overall, we feel that the Cobra RADspeed is a real hammer off the tee. This club gives you plenty of consistency, extended carry range, better ball speeds, and lower launch angles. With the right club speed, you’ll be hitting the 300-yard carry on the regular.
Cobra outdid themselves with this model, and if you enjoy the styling, it’s a great choice for an upgrade to any beginner’s bag, and some advanced players might find it worth the investment.
You get a highly customizable setup with a great standard offering from Cobra. Some people may have a problem with the aggressive styling, and the launch angle might be an issue. However, with enough practice, you’ll find you work out the kinks, and your shot is better than ever.
We give the Cobra 4.5-stars out of 5.
