For a healthy number of years now, Cobra has occupied a nice spot in the driver market. Are their clubs as highly touted as the likes of Callaway and Taylormade? No. But that doesn’t mean they don’t continue to turn out quality products year after year.
This year is no exception. The Rapspeed, XB, and XD have all received positive feedback and collectively, provide players of all levels a viable option to put the newest and best technology in their bag.
Key Features
Precisely positioned radial weights at back and front of the head create the perfect conditions for distance, forgiveness and speed.
RAD Technology creates the Infinity face design which ensures consistent performance on both solid shots and mishits. The faces are also some of the thinnest on the market and allow players to maximize distance.
Thin-ply carbon warp crown is ultralight and increases aerodynamic efficiency.
Design and Technology
As we stated in the opening, Cobra is always on the cutting edge when it comes to the latest and greatest in technology.
For 2021, that means the incorporation of radial weighting that strategically places weight at points farthest forward and back in the head to increase forgiveness and ball speed, while reducing spin. In short, creating ideal launch conditions was a top priority.
Additionally, RAD Technology creates a cnc-milled face that expands the zone where maximum ball speed can be achieved. It also features a T-Bar Speed Chassis that’s seven grams lighter, allowing that weight to be moved to more strategic areas of the head.
Now, let’s examine each driver in the Rapspeed family individually.
Cobra Rapspeed Driver
This driver was designed for better players that want increased ball speed, lower spin, and more ability to control trajectory off the tee.
The milled face blends seamlessly with the top of the crown and the result is much more stable feeling at impact than previous models. This added stability reduces spin and creates a lower launch angle than the XB and XD drivers.
Cobra Rapspeed XB Driver
The Rapspeed XB driver is perfect for players that want both increased distance through faster ball speeds, as well as forgiveness across the face.
Players have noticed a slightly louder sound with the XB when compared to the Rapspeed, but they continue to tout this club’s stability through the hitting area.
While this driver doesn’t have quite as much playability as the Rapspeed, it’s still a great option for both low and mid handicap players.
Cobra Rapspeed XD Driver
Cobra’s version of a game improvement driver for 2021 is the Rapspeed XD. This driver is designed with added weight in the heel to help players that fight a slice release the club through impact.
Featuring the same cutting-edge technology as the Rapspeed and Rapspeed XB, this club just might be Cobra’s longest draw bias driver ever.
Cobra Radspeed Drivers
The Cobra Radspeed drivers are a line of high-performance golf drivers designed to deliver unparalleled speed and distance. Featuring a radical new design with a unique heel-to-toe weighting system, the Radspeed drivers aim to optimize launch conditions and maximize ball speed. With three distinct models - the Radspeed, Radspeed XB, and Radspeed XD - Cobra offers a tailored solution for various swing styles and preferences, ensuring that golfers of all levels can experience the thrill of extreme distance and accuracy. Whether you're a low-handicapper or an aspiring golfer, the Cobra Radspeed drivers promise to revolutionize your game off the tee.
PROS
- Amount of loft and lie angle adjustability in each club is much greater than other drivers.
- Stable feeling through the hitting area is unmatched.
- Price point is significantly lower than other, similar drivers.
CONS
- Performance characteristics appear to be quite similar to the previous generation of Speedzone drivers.
- Customizable options are more limited than some other manufacturers.
- Fewer demo days may make it harder for some players to get fitted.
Our Experience
I recently went through a fitting for the Cobra Rapspeed XB driver. The Rapspeed is too much golf club for me, and the XD is a little on the light side.
With that being said, I was impressed by the stability this club provided through the hitting area. It had the feeling of a players club, yet provided more than enough forgiveness on mishits.
I asked one of our writers to take the Rapspeed for a test drive since he likes to swing as hard as he can. He had positive things to say about this club too. He was particularly impressed with the low launch and spin conditions. He felt he was able to hit a variety of shots and touted the various stock shaft options available.
All in all, Cobra has hit it out of the park again with the Rapspeed family of drivers for 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Cobra Radspeed drivers unique compared to previous Cobra models?
The Radspeed drivers utilize Cobra's "Radius of Gyration" technology, which allows weight to be positioned further from the center of the clubhead to optimize launch, spin, and forgiveness. This is a new approach compared to the aerodynamic and carbon fiber technologies used in the F9 and Speedzone drivers.
What are the different Radspeed driver models available?
The Radspeed line includes three driver models: the standard Radspeed, the Radspeed XB (extreme back) which has more weight in the back for higher launch and forgiveness, and the Radspeed Draw which has a draw bias.
How do the Radspeed drivers perform?
Reviews praise the Radspeed drivers for their distance, forgiveness, feel, and sound. The adjustable hosel allows loft to be adjusted up to 1.5 degrees. The standard Radspeed produces a lower launch and spin for faster swing speeds, while the XB model is more forgiving for mid to high handicaps.
What shafts are available with the Radspeed drivers?
The Radspeed drivers come stock with popular aftermarket shafts like the Project X HZRDUS RDX Blue and the Tour AD VR-5. Cobra offers a free shaft upgrade on the junior Radspeed driver.
How much do the Radspeed drivers cost?
The Cobra Radspeed drivers have a MAP (minimum advertised price) of $449. They were released in January 2021.
Conclusion
Cobra just might be the most consistent company in golf when it comes to turning out quality products. While they don’t WOW the world with new stuff all that often, it’s a rare day when they come out with something that’s subpar.
That trend continues with this year’s Rapspeed driver series. What’s great about this particular line is that there’s something for everyone. Do you favor the right side trees more than the fairway? No problem, the Rapspeed XD is perfect for you. Are you looking for more playability, control, and less spin? Perfect, the Rapspeed is right up your alley.
Whatever driver you choose for your game, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a quality product at a fair price.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
