Cobra DS Adapt X Driver vs DS Adapt Max K

Thanks for checking out Golfer Geeks’ comparison of the Cobra DS Adapt X driver vs DS Adapt Max K driver.
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. 

In this Cobra DS-Adapt X driver and Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K comparison, I discuss my experience with the clubs, and unique features and benefits.

Cobra DS-Adapt X

They designed the DS-Adapt X for faster speeds, lower spin, mid-launch, and more forgiveness.

Cobra introduced a few new features for the updated DS-Adapt X. I’ll cover the ones I think are important.

-FUTUREFIT33 shaft adapters give you 33 unique loft and lie settings for extra help dialing in your drives. This is a major update from the shaft adapter they’ve had the last few years.

-SMARTPAD design keeps the face angle square regardless of the settings. How the driver sits behind the ball address is and important confidence builder.

Launch Monitor Data

Club Speed	Ball Speed	Carry Distance	Smash	Peak Height	Spin
103	150	237	1.47	60ft	3177 ft

Performance & Review

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

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews and all 5-Star.

A couple of samples:

“So good out of the gate. Sound, flight, and an uncanny ability to get pretty dang straight. Had a PING 430 Max and am really happy I switched to this. I prefer the feel/ sound and knowing that I caught one. As usual, Cobra sneaks in a bomber” – Seth E.

“I hit the driver well. My miss hits honestly seemed to be a little straighter. This driver did not seem longer than my other driver, but was just as long – so that is good, not losing any distance. All in all, the driver looks great at setup, sounded good, and hit well.” – Mel.K

Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K

Cobra says the Max-K is their most forgiving driver to date.

Like the Adapt X, they’ve introduced several upgrades, but I’ll only mention the ones I think are most relevant.

It’s their first 10K MOI driver – which means more stability on off-center contact for straighter, longer drivers that launch higher.

Cobra placed internal and external weights farther back and lower in the head to lower CG and increase MOI.

Like the Adapt X, it has FUTUREFIT33 and SMARTPAD tech, which gives you 33 unique lie and loft settings and the face square setup.

Launch Monitor Data

Club Speed	Ball Speed	Carry Distance	Smash	Peak Height	Spin
100	148	234	1.47	63ft	3153 ft

Performance & Review

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

Customer Reviews

5 reviews, all with a 5/5 average.

A couple of samples:

“Excellent driver in every way” – Terry.K

“I have gained an average of 17 yards with this driver. There is no such “longer driver” it does not exist as club capabilities are governed by the USGA and if it hits the ball too far it is rejected. But this club allowed me to swing freer to eliminate my misses hit the ball straighter and longer. I just kept adjusting the Tru-Fit 33 until i got the best results and to swing free and faster and not worry about slowing my swing down to eliminate the big misses. Great club and strongly recommended!!” – Gerard G.

My Experience With Both Drivers

For the first time testing drivers, I couldn’t get the same loft. 10.5 degrees for the Adapt X and 9 degrees for the Max-K.

I hit a number of good drives on the range and during my round with both.

I didn’t get the tingles like I did with the Darkspeed X last year, but that’s on me.

I played the Adapt-X on the front nine of my round and the Max-K on the closing nine holes.

My swing was occasionally erratic and occasionally good for the entire 18 holes.

I got away with this on the front 9 for the most part – I was fighting quick pulls.

However, I finally paid the price on my final two holes of the day: one push/slice into the water and one pull/hook also into the water.

Those were with the Max-K. I guess I was overconfident because I hit the driver well for the middle part of the round. So, I “let it out” just a bit on those final holes.

Bad idea.

Unfortunately, I had to return both drivers and couldn’t get more work in.

I’ll get them back in the next 3-6 weeks. My swing will be in much better shape and I’ll come back here and update all relevant information.

Are there big differences between DS-Adapts X & DS-Adapt Max-K?

Nope.

Looks – Draw

They both look premium and well-made. But cosmetics are rather ordinary.

Sound/Feel – Draw

Solid and muted.

Playability/Ball Flight/Accuracy – Draw

Pretty much the same for me on the course. Launch monitor says I hit the Max-K a smidge higher, but only a smidge.

Forgiveness – Draw

Again, they both save all but your very worst drives.

Distance – Draw

No meaningful difference. Good swings were similarly rewarded by both drivers.

Value – Draw

DS-Adapt X – ~$549 new
DS-Adapt – ~$549 new

Final Verdict

Though I hit the Adapt X better than the Max-K, I don’t think there’s much difference for the average golfer.

I bet the same swings get the same results for both. But, I’m not that consistent this early in the season, and I don’t own an Iron Byron.

Which driver should you buy?
See below…

My #1 suggestion is to test both drivers 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 X driver vs DS Adapt Max K driver.