Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver Review

Among the major golf club manufacturers, Cobra is one of the most underrated in my opinion.  Year after year, they produce world-class clubs played by everyone from the best players in the world to rank and file amateurs.

New for 2024 is their line of DarkSpeed drivers.  I had a chance to hit all three in testing and was quite impressed. 

My first DarkSpeed review is going to be for the LS clubhead.

Let’s have a closer look.

Key Features

• Space-grade material construction produces the fastest ball speeds of any driver Cobra has ever made.
• Streamlined aerodynamic clubhead profile helps golfers maximize clubhead speed.
• Adjustable heel, toe, and back weights make optimization easy.

Who Should Buy the Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver?

While there’s a driver in the DarkSpeed family for just about every type of golfer, the LS is meant for golfers with fast swing speeds that are looking to minimize spin and control their ball flight.

If you’re a slower speed, low-spin, low-launch player, you might want to opt for another driver in the DarkSpeed family.

Design and Technology

The materials used in the construction of the DarkSpeed LS driver are out of this world.  They were selected by a team of aerospace engineers who also conjured the LS’s incredibly aerodynamic clubhead profile.  These two characteristics combined make the DarkSpeed LS undoubtedly the hottest driver Cobra has ever made.

I was also blown away by this driver’s adjustability.  It has adjustable weights in the heel, toe, and back of the club.  This allows golfers to easily optimize launch, spin, and shot shape. 

The PWR-BRIDGE in the DarkSpeed LS is positioned lower and further forward than in previous models.  This maximizes energy transfer between the clubface and the ball while also minimizing spin. 

The PWRSHELL L-cup face is also 10% larger.  This feature not only increases ball speed, it provides added forgiveness and stability across the entire clubface. 

Speed and distance are the name of the game in the DarkSpeed line of drivers, but it’s the LS that’s going to deliver best on that front for high-speed, high-spin golfers.

Cobra Golf DarkSpeed LS Driver

$549.00 $399.00

Amazon World Wide Golf

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11/09/2024 11:06 pm GMT

Specs

The Cobra DarkSpeed LS driver comes in stock lofts of 8, 9, and 10.5 degrees.  Its length is 45.5”.  The 8-degree club is only available in the right-handed, while the 9 and 10.5-degree clubheads come in both right and left-handed options. 

Stock shaft options in the 8-degree clubhead are:

• UST LIN-Q White in stiff and extra-stiff flex
• HZRDUS Black Gen 4 60 in stiff and extra-stiff flex

Stock shaft options in the 9-degree clubhead are:

• UST LIN-Q M40X White 6 in stiff and extra-stiff flex
• HZRDUS Black Gen 4 60 in stiff and extra-stiff flex

Stock shaft options in the 10.5-degree clubhead are:

• UST LIN-Q M40X White 6 in regular and stiff flex
• HZRDUS Black Gen 4 60 in regular and stiff flex
• UST LIN-Q M40X Blue 6 in regular and stiff flex

Our Experience

I’ll be the first to admit that the Cobra DarkSpeed LS is meant for elite players with fast swing speeds.  But while I swing the club fairly fast, I’m nowhere near a consistent enough ball striker to put this driver in my bag long-term.

With that being said, the benefits this driver offers a specific type of player were easy to see in testing.  There’s no question that the materials used in the LS’s construction increase ball speeds and distance. 

However, what stood out most to me was the low amount of spin my drives consistently came off the clubface with.  I didn’t hit a single shot that ballooned in the wind, and my dispersion was significantly tighter than it was with the other drivers I tested.

While the Cobra DarkSpeed LS probably won’t find its way into my bag anytime soon, it gives elite players the control they need without sacrificing a shred of distance.

PROS

• Compact clubhead profile is desirable for players looking for more control and workability off the tee. 
• Space-grade material construction ensures maximum ball speeds for incredible distance.
• Three adjustable weights make optimization easy.

CONS

• Likely not the best driver for players with slower swings that don’t launch the ball very high.
• Compact head design may not be preferable for golfers used to looking at oversize clubheads.
• Price point is higher than other drivers on the market.

Conclusion

The Cobra DarkSpeed line of drivers is one of the most underrated in 2024.  For high-speed, high-spin players looking for added control and less spin, the LS clubhead is sure to deliver on both those fronts without sacrificing distance. 

If you fall into this category of golfer, don’t be afraid to give the Cobra DarkSpeed LS a try.  I’d be willing to bet you’ll be impressed by its performance.