Thanks for checking out Golfer Geeks’ comparison of the Cobra DS Adapt irons vs Darkspeed irons.
I’m an avid golfer, an 8-ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6), and a frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015. 

Summary: DS-Adapt irons are a legitimate improvement over Darkspeed irons.

  • Same great sound and feel.
  • Improved distance and similar forgiveness.
  • DS-Adapt irons launch higher and easier than Darkspeed irons.

I had reservations about recommending the Darkspeeds to higher handicaps because of their low launch.

I have no such reservations about the DS-Adapt irons.

In this comparison of the Cobra DS-Adapt irons and Cobra Darkspeed irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, and I give my recommendations on who should play which set.

Cobra DS-Adapt Irons

The Cobra Adapt DS Iron Set

Set Tested – 5-GW, Standard Lie, Right Hand
Shaft: KBS Tour Lite, Stiff Flex

DS-Adapt irons are the next generation of Darkspeed irons.

Cobra says they’re re-engineered to be longer and launch higher than the Darkspeeds. Both of those check out.

The “360 Speedshell” wraps further around the sole and toe, which, according to Cobra, allows for 23% more face flexion.

Like the Darkspeeds, they have a hollow body with injected foam. The DS-Adapt foam is supposed to provide better feel and feedback. (I found them to feel similar, if not the same.)

The new Internal Adaptive Weighting System lowers the CG in the clubhead, resulting in higher launch, ball flight, and distance.

DS-Adapt Iron Specs

Club
Loft
Lie
Length
5
21*
62.5*
38.5″
6
24*
63*
37.75″
7
27*
63.5*
37.25″
8
31.5*
64*
36.75″
9
36.5*
64.5*
36.25″
GW
48*
65*
35.75″
PW
42*
65*
36.00″

7-iron Launch Monitor Data

Club Speed
Ball Speed
Carry Distance
Vertical Launch
Peak Height
Spin
82
116
183
17*
76 ft
3533

Performance Review

Category
Grade
Looks
B+
Sound/Feel
A
Distance
A+
Forgiveness
A
Flight/Playability
A
Value
A

Customer Reviews

Early days. None yet on Cobra’s website.

Cobra Darkspeed Irons

Cobra Darkspeed Cavity Back w: Badge

Set Tested – 4-PW, Standard Lie, Right Hand
Shaft: KBS Tour Lite 105 g, Stiff Flex

Like the DS-Adapts – the Darkspeeds are hollow-body irons injected with foam for vibration dampening to improve sound and feel.

I was semi-blown away when I first hit the Darkspeeds. They were the first Cobra irons I tested and I had no idea what to expect.

What I got was among the best feel in the game improvement iron category— supremely solid and strong through the ball.

They have the original PWRSHELL construction with H.O.T. Face design for fast ball speeds and a large sweet spot.

The Darkspeeds are undoubtedly long and forgiving. I got great distance with solid strikes and didn’t lose much with minor mishits.

The PWR-BRIDGE, an internal suspended weighting system, also contributes to greater ball speed.

They lack the high launch and trajectory help golfers look for in game improvement irons.

Darkspeed Iron Specs

Club
Loft
Angle
Length
4
18.5*
62*
39.25″
5
21*
62.5*
38.5″
6
24*
63*
37.75″
7
27*
63.5*
37.25″
8
31.5*
64*
36.75″
9
36.5*
64.5*
36.25″
PW
42*
65*
36″

7-iron Launch Monitor Data

Club Speed
Ball Speed
Carry Distance
Vertical Launch
Peak Height
Descent Angle
80
113
173
14 *
57 ft
31*

Performance Review

Category
Grade
Looks
B
Sound/Feel
A
Distance
A+
Forgiveness
A
Flight/Playability
B
Value
A

Customer Reviews

37 reviews and all 5-star.(1)

  • Customers rave about the feel, distance, and accuracy. No complaints about trajectory, which I saw as a potential problem.

Are there big differences between DS-Adapts & Darkspeeds Irons?

Cobra DS Adapt & Darkspeed club faces

Yes – Launch & Trajectory are much improved with DS-Adapt irons.

Looks – DS-Adapt Irons

The DS-Adapt irons are a smidge more compact and have slightly better cosmetics.

Sound/Feel – Draw

Great sound and feel for both. A stand-out in the game improvement category. I detect zero difference between the two.

Playability/Ball Flight/Accuracy – DS-Adapt Irons

They’re both long and forgiving. They both chew through the turf. But, the DS-Adapt irons launch and carry higher than the Darkspeeds.

Forgiveness – Draw

They both cover for mistakes with appropriate loss of distance and minimal change in ball flight.

Distance – DS-Adapts

I averaged 10 yards longer with the DS-Adapt 7-iron on my launch monitor. I honestly didn’t realize this until I checked out the numbers from last year’s testing of the Darkspeeds.

That’s significant…to say the least.

Value – Darkspeeds

DS-Adapt irons – ~$142/club
Darkspeed irons – ~$114/club

Final Verdict

I think the DS Adapt irons are better suited to higher handicaps because they launch higher and carry farther.

That said, the Darkspeeds remain popular in this category.

Should you upgrade if you own the Darkspeeds?
I always say “No” if you’re happy with your current set. But, the higher launch and added distance are hard to ignore.

Looking for higher ball flight? I’d say go for DS-Adapt irons.
Don’t need help with launch and want to save some money? Go for the Darkspeeds.

My #1 suggestion is to test both sets before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it. 

Thanks for checking out my comparison of the Cobra DS-Adapt irons vs Darkspeed irons.

Higher Launch & Trajectory
Great Feel - Crazy Long
Primary Rating:
4.8
Primary Rating:
4.7
~$142/club
~$114/club
Pros:
  • Superb Feel & Sound
  • Great through the turf
  • Healthy Distance & Forgiveness
Pros:
  • Incredible feel
  • Tons of distance & forgiveness
  • Chews through the turf
Cons:
  • Nada - they hit their mark
Cons:
  • Low ball flight
Higher Launch & Trajectory
Primary Rating:
4.8
~$142/club
Pros:
  • Superb Feel & Sound
  • Great through the turf
  • Healthy Distance & Forgiveness
Cons:
  • Nada - they hit their mark
Great Feel - Crazy Long
Primary Rating:
4.7
~$114/club
Pros:
  • Incredible feel
  • Tons of distance & forgiveness
  • Chews through the turf
Cons:
  • Low ball flight