Review: Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods

Cobra Darkspeed fairway woods review

Cobra fairway woods have taken the tour by storm over the last few months, so how do they follow up that success? With another top-quality product.

The First Look

We’re a huge fan of the colour scheme. The black looks are striking and really appeal. If you’re someone who is serious about the performance of your club and wants to let the performance do the talking, then this is for you.

Like the Darkspeed drivers, these are colour-coded through the range. The LS model is all black, the X model features blue highlights, while the Max model, the most forgiving, has red details.

It’s a nice touch for what is a great looking range.

The Tech

Here’s what you can expect from the three models in the Darkspeed range from Cobra.

Darkspeed LS Fairway

Designed for players with faster swing speeds, the new LS features a space-grade Titanium body and Titanium PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE insert. Titanium was utilised by engineers to save more discretionary weight and reposition it lower and forward in the head. This combination of PWR-BRIDGE technology and 68g of tungsten weighting moves the CG lower and forward for maximum ball speed and distance. A lightweight carbon crown also functions to save weight in the upper portion of the clubhead, yielding a CG location that is 3.2mm lower to the ground than in the previous model. Like the LS driver, the Darkspeed LS fairway metal features an adjustable weighting system with two 15g weights in the front and a single 3g weight in the back for trajectory and spin tuning.

Darkspeed X Fairway

The Darkspeed X model is designed for players looking for a balance of easy launch, forgiveness, and distance. An 8g fixed weight is positioned in the rear of the sole for added forgiveness and high launch, while PWR-BRIDGE and PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE Technology provide faster ball speed through a low, forward CG location. A lightweight carbon crown further contributes to the low CG by removing weight from the upper portion of the clubhead.

Darkspeed MAX Fairway

The most forgiving fairway metal in the lineup is designed for players that desire a high, draw-biased ball flight. Like the MAX driver, the fairway metal features an adjustable weight system with 12g and 3g weights positioned in the back and the heel of the sole to fine tune forgiveness and flight. PWR-BRIDGE weighting and PWRSHELL H.O.T. FACE Technology deliver the fastest ball speed possible using low and forward weighting and an optimised variable thickness face design, while a carbon crown helps lower the CG location for higher launch.

The bunkered Verdict

You can watch our review of the Cobra Darkspeed range in the player below, or on the bunkered YouTube channel!

Aerojet was a tough act to follow for Cobra, but I’m fully expecting to see these fairway woods in the bags of plenty of tour players in 2024.

In particular, the X model was a dream to hit. Behind the ball, it’s very confidence inspiring, without being too large. You just feel that if you make decent contact with the ball, it’s going to get in the air easily, and for me it certainly did.

If you’re someone who, like me, often struggles with a fairway wood, particularly from the deck, I really think you’ll like these.

If you really want something designed to get you flying high, give the Darkspeed Max a shot. In the best way, this is like a pancake behind the ball. Flat and long, it’s really, really easy to hit.

The LS model will appeal to better players. Like the driver, it’s a more squat shape, so it wouldn’t really work for me, unless I was using it from a tee. If you’re confident with clubs at that end of the bag and want something that will go miles though, it’s worth looking at.

Overall, these are excellent. From the marketing to the performance, to the choice available, everything is covered by Cobra. Bravo.

The Details

RRP: £279 (X/Max), £349 (LS)

On-Sale: 19 January

The Cobra Darkspeed range