The Green Fee Back to back days with a OEM announcing a new driver! I love this time of the year. Yesterday was Srixon and today its time for Cobra! Cobra today brings the most unique name so far. Cobra announced the RAD Speed. The 3 driver lineup consists of the standard RAD Speed, The RAD Speed XB, and the RAD Speed XD.
What’s the same for the 3?
The biggest and obvious most important technology in the driver is going to be the new Radial weighting system. The press release is full of crazy ass words like Radius of Gyration, which before today I was fairly certain was the area a stripper occupied. After doing some research a.k.a. Wikipedia and a youtube video I am still fairly confused. To be fair though Cobra is paying a lot of smart people a lot of money to design these things. These smart engineers figured out that if they can maximize the Radius of Gyration (hehehe) they can optimize the launch, spin, and forgiveness. Well you want to get the weight as far away from the Center of Gravity as possible. Cobra has introduced these “radial weight” around the club to push that weight out.
That sounds like a bunch of extra weight which would make the club way too heavy. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!!!!. Cobra was able to refine the T Frame they introduced last year and make the crown thinner. This saved the engineers 13 grams of weight. While that doesnt sound like a ton in driver design every gram is super important. In addition to the carbon fiber crown and T bar, Cobra is keeping the milled infinity face. I always love seeing companies keep their awesome technologies and just refining them.
The Differences
The standard model RAD Speed is the low launch low spin model in the line up. With 28 grams ( 16 g fixed and 12 changeable) up front by the face it encourages a low and forward Center of Gravity. This is typically preferred by higher swing speed players. It will also be a little more punishing on mishits than some of the other models. IT is also the only model with the option to move the weight around the head. You can move the heavier weight back and the light weight up front to increase MOI.
The RAD Speed XB (Xtreme Back) is the straightest and fastest ball flight. The radial weights are moved to the back of the club. In addition to the radial weight there is a removeable weight position low and back. Its also going to have a larger profile than the standard version.
The RAD Speed XD (Xtreme Draw) is their driver for the folks who could use a little help. The radial weights in the XD are moved to the heel side of the club which encourages a draw ball flight. If you struggle with a slice or an uncontrollable fade this is the one for you!
Final Thoughts
Overall its a pretty tech forward release which I have come to expect from Cobra. They have always been the company willing to take some chances. Thankfully the Avalanche color way moves forward. The yellow has been replaced with a bright green. Im not a huge fan of that look but it will turn heads on the sales floor.