This is Golfer Geeks’ review of the Cobra Radspeed driver.
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent (really frequent this year) tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I played two rounds of golf and spent two range sessions with the Radspeed. I tested it along side the LTDx for a driver comparison you can find here.
Summary: The Radspeed is long, feels really solid, and sounds great at impact. I think it best serves skilled drivers of the golf ball. I’m a mediocre driver, so I had issues with trajectory and over hooking during my rounds. ( I explain why I think this was the case below).
I think the Radspeed XB may be more my speed for my current skill level.
In this Cobra Radspeed driver review, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives.
- Superior Distance, Sound, & Feel
- Great Price
- Little less forgiving
- Lower launch
Cobra Radspeed Driver Overview
RadSpeed drivers were released in 2021 and come in three head configurations. They were Cobra’s lowest spinning and most forgiving driver line at that point. Radspeed is short for Radical Ball Speed. My launch monitor numbers agree.
3 RadSpeed models offered:
1) RadSpeed
- Ultra-low spin
- Lowest launch
- Fastest ball speed and most workable
2) Rad XD
- Mid spin
- Mid to high launch
- Draw bias for straightest drives
3) Rad XB
- Low spin
- Highest launch
- Longest and most forgiving
Why Consider the Radspeed driver
You need to give this version of the Radspeed driver head a look if you are a strong driver of the golf ball. It is no-doubt a hot driver and an absolute weapon in the right hands. It has great looks and prices just dropped massively. Deals to be had.
Radspeed Features and Benefits
1) Radial Weighting
- They’ve placed 8g of weight either side of the center of the sole right behind the leading edge. The also have 12g and 2g adjustable weights that can be moved to the front or back of the sole. Another 10g of weight is fixed in the rear of the sole. This is supposed to increase speed and forgiveness
2) Thin-Ply Carbon Wrap Crown
- The carbon wrap crown is 30% thinner and lets them reposition another 6g of weight to optimize performance
3) T-Bar Speed Chassis
- They’ve save 7g of weight which they’ve moved forward in the clubhead to decrease spin and increase ball speed
4) CNC Milled Infinity Face
- They’ve increased the milled area by 95% by using an infinity edge design. (also helps with sky marks)
Testing the Radspeed Driver
2 Range Sessions: My sessions were a mix of testing the Radspeed, the LTDx, Ping G425 irons, and Ping G410 irons. I hit irons in between every drive so my swing would stay in sync.
Drives were measured with my Swing Caddie SC300 and SC200. I only used both because I let a friend borrow the SC300 and I didn’t have it for one of the sessions.
2 Rounds on the course: I played two 18-hole rounds at my course (Longwood) spaced a day apart. (Shot 81 and 82). I played the Radspeed and the LTDx since I was testing both. My mistake was starting the front nine with the Radspeed and playing the LTDx on the back nine for both rounds. It usually takes me a few holes to get my driver swing right. I drove better the back nine with the LTDx both rounds..
My Experience with the Cobra Radspeed Driver
The Radspeed felt hot from my first drive on the range. My launch monitor showed 154.7 ball speed, 1.52 smash factor, and 289.7 total yds. I’ll take these numbers all day long. Ball flight was a low playable hook.
On the course I had to work harder to hit good drivers, but there were a few. My misses were hooks into the junk and a couple pushes. I attribute this to a combo of me, possibly the wrong Radspeed clubhead, and likely not the best shaft for my swing. My drives wanted to start and stay low and run once they hit the ground. I needed my best swings to elevate the ball the way I like.
Radspeed | Carry Yards | Ball Speed | Swing Speed | Smash Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 267 | 155 | 107 | 1.45 |
Total Yards | Ball Speed | Swing Speed | Smash Factor | |
Day 2 | 294.6 | 158 | 104.1 | 1.52 |
Review of the Cobra Radspeed Driver
Looks: (A)
I love the Peacote colorway and I love the mat finish even more. The Radspeed looks especially nice at address. The crown has a dark blue mat finish with a little bit of carbon weave showing through. The Cobra logo is centered behind the face and rales on the crown help align and frame the ball well. The red, white, and blue on the sole look great, but the graphics… not quite as great.
Sound/ Feel: (A)
Solid and muted like the LTDx, just the way I like it. Also reminds me of the Taylormade SIM2 I tested about a month ago.
Distance: (A+)
Long. This driver and the LTDx are the longest I’ve tested this year.
Forgiveness: (B+)
It’s forgiving, but not the most I’ve tested this year.
Flight / Playability: (B+)
I needed my better swings to get my normal medium-high to high trajectory. I hit a lot of low hooks with my mediocre swings.
Customer Reviews
There are 27 reviews at cobragolf.com for the Radspeed. 26 are 5-star and 1 is 3-star because they don’t like the sound.
Who’s the Radspeed driver for?
You need to be a fairly strong driver needing to control spin and keep the ball down to play this Radspeed in my opinion.
Low Handicaps – Yes. This is the best Radspeed version for you… if you are a strong driver.
Mid Handicaps: Maybe. If driving is your strength and you have good swing speed. It can’t hurt to test it. The XB head is likely a better choice.
High Handicaps: No. Test the XB and XD.
Potential Alternatives
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Best Driver Value
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Editor's Pick
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Best Driver of 2021
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
- Long & Forgiving
- Great Sound & Feel
- Best Value
- Larger head may turn off some
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Long & Forgiving
- Great Sound & Feel
- Large clubhead (doesn't bother me)
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Long & Forgiving
- Great Sound & Feel
- Getting scarce
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
Our Verdict
The Cobra Radspeed driver version I tested is likely for better drivers than I.
I bet I could learn to play it… or just become a better driver (working on it), but there are better choices for mediocre drivers.
Are you a strong driver? This Radspeed is definitely worth a look if you can tame it.
My #1 suggestion is to test both clubs 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 our Cobra Radspeed driver review. Let me know how it works for you if you pull the trigger.
- Superior Distance, Sound, & Feel
- Great Price
- Little less forgiving
- Lower launch
