Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver review
Welcome to my Cobra Darkspeed LS Driver review. Cobra’s DarkSpeed LS driver, released in 2024, stands out for its utilization of space-grade materials and aerodynamic design, developed with the help of aerospace engineers, to maximize club speed. It is designed as a low-spin driver focused on delivering maximum distance and workability for golfers with faster swing speeds.
Cobra has improved upon previous designs by focusing on computational air movement to reconfigure the driver’s shape and reduce drag, leading to improved club head speeds and added distance.
Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver review-Overview
The Cobra DarkSpeed LS driver is part of the DarkSpeed series, which includes the DarkSpeed X and DarkSpeed MAX models. Released in 2024, it has a highly aerodynamic profile and a low-launch, low-spin head, making it suited for skilled players with higher swing speeds.
The key focus was to create the fastest driver Cobra has ever built by integrating advanced technologies and high-grade materials. The DarkSpeed LS distinguishes itself from the other models through its stealthier design and compact head shape.
Look/Design
The DarkSpeed LS has a streamlined clubhead shape that encourages workability and control. Its smaller visual footprint inspires confidence and provides exceptional control. The LS model comes completely blacked out, compared to the DarkSpeed X and DarkSpeed Max, which have black or red highlights. It looks stealthy, fast, and premium. The headcover is high quality and has the same all-black theme as the driver’s design, which looks fantastic in the bag.
The matte black finish on the head and the simple design, with just a small Cobra logo for alignment, are appealing. Even though the profile at address was a little more ‘ stretched out’ than expected from an LS model, it still had the taller face profile with no offset, which looked great.
Features/Technology
The DarkSpeed LS leverages cutting-edge technologies, space-grade materials, and the collective expertise of aerospace engineers and Cobra’s club design team. Key features and benefits include:
Refined Aerodynamic Design: The DarkSpeed LS features an enhanced aerodynamic shape to maximize speed. This design includes a raised skirt, a streamlined face-to-topline radius, a higher crown peak, and reduced clubface surface area, all contributing to increased clubhead speed.
Larger PWRSHELL with AI. Designed H.O.T. Face: The driver boasts a 10% larger PWRSHELL L-cup face, delivering robust distance. An A.I.-designed H.O.T. Face ensures efficient speed and spins across the entire clubface.
Lower and More Forward PWR-BRIDGE: The suspended PWR-BRIDGE is strategically positioned lower and more forward, enabling faster ball speeds through improved energy transfer.
Max Workability With Added Forgiveness: The DarkSpeed LS driver features adjustable heel and toe weights, complemented by a third back weight. This setup allows for additional adjustment to optimize spin and forgiveness. The hosel sleeve provides up to 3° of adjustability to loft and lie
Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver Specs
The Cobra DarkSpeed LS driver has a 460cc head. Loft options include 8.0 (RH), 9.0 (RH/LH), and 10.5 (RH/*LH).
Cobra DarkSpeed LS Driver Performance on the Course
Distance
The DarkSpeed LS is designed for speed and distance. The driver boasts a 10% larger PWRSHELL L-cup face and an A.I.-designed H.O.T. Face, delivering robust distance and ensuring efficient speed and spin across the entire clubface. The suspended PWR-BRIDGE is strategically positioned lower and more forward, enabling faster ball speeds through improved energy transfer.
Most people who played this driver saw impressive ball speeds, particularly with less-than-perfect strikes, resulting in consistent distance. While on the range, I noted an average ball speed of just under 145 mph, which is typical, but also noted a couple of mishit shots that dropped closer to 140 mph, and this, in my opinion, highlighted a potential drawback of low-spin drivers for inconsistent ball strikers.
Forgiveness
Despite being a low-spin driver, the DarkSpeed LS is surprisingly stable across the face, providing decent results even when not hitting from the center. The PWRSHELL L-cup face provides added forgiveness and stability across the entire clubface. One reviewer noted the driver ranked 2nd overall for forgiveness in a mid-swing speed test, producing efficient dispersion, consistent carry distances, and relatively higher ball speed numbers.
Feel & Sound
The DarkSpeed LS has a crisp, solid, and highly responsive feel at impact that is unbeatable when you make center contact. The sound at impact is a tighter, smoother “crack” than its sister models and has a really nice thudding sound. While the feel is worse on mis-hits, it’s not too bad, and golfers can discern the location of impact with reasonable precision, even though consistency is above average for a low-spin driver.
Playability/Trajectory
The DarkSpeed LS is tailored for golfers with faster swing speeds, offering a low launch and low spin head design for maximum distance and workability. The driver’s streamlined clubhead shape encourages workability and control. One reviewer achieved a flat ball flight and good distance on course, even on toe-struck shots. When testing, launch angles were less than 11 degrees and spin rates were just over 2000 rpm, resulting in a penetrating ball flight ideal for windy conditions. However, the reviewer cautioned that the low launch and spin might not be optimal in wet conditions, where carry distance could be compromised.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Low spin performance
- Adjustable weighting for customization
- Aerodynamic design for faster clubhead speeds
Cons:
- Less forgiving than other models in the DarkSpeed series
- May not be optimal for players who need higher launch and spin
Comparison With Similar Models
The DarkSpeed LS is the low-spin option in Cobra’s DarkSpeed lineup, with a more compact head shape compared to the X and MAX models. It distinguishes itself with the lowest spin rates and a penetrating ball flight, making it suitable for skilled players with higher swing speeds. It is also cheaper than other similar-performing drivers from Ping, Callaway, and TaylorMade.
The performance of Cobra’s DarkSpeed LS driver is very similar to last year’s AEROJET LS in all categories but with an additional weight port at the back of the sole that gives golfers some added control over forgiveness and spin.H ere’s a comparison of the three Cobra DarkSpeed models: Max, X, and LS:
| Feature | Max | X | LS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forgiveness | Most | Middle of the road | Less |
| Spin | Higher | Mid | Low |
| Head Shape | Fastest | ||
| Weight Options | Forgiveness and draw bias | Two weights for customization (12 G and 3 G) | Adjustable heel and toe weights, plus a third back weight |
| Aerodynamic Shape | Most aerodynamic |
However, if you want a more recent option in the Cobra setup, you may want to go for the newly released DS-ADAPT LS driver.
Who Can Play This Club
The DarkSpeed LS is tailored for golfers with faster swing speeds, offering a low launch and low spin head design for maximum distance and workability. Low handicappers and pros are likely best suited for the DarkSpeed LS, but many mid- and even some high handicappers can have success with it, given the level of forgiveness it offers. The LS is meant for golfers with fast swing speeds who are looking to minimize spin and control their ball flight
Conclusion
The Cobra DarkSpeed LS driver is a rock-solid low-spin offering that is aerodynamic and workable, with great feel and a distinctive dark finish. It is packed with technology to maximize speed and distance, and it offers a good amount of adjustability to fine-tune launch and spin. If you have a fast swing speed and are looking to reduce spin and control your ball flight, the DarkSpeed LS is definitely worth considering
