Cobra experienced a real success story in 2024 with its Darkspeed range, both with regular golfers and also on the global professional tours. Its striking looks combined with strong performance made it one of the best golf driver ranges of the season for me. However, as always, progress waits for no one, and we are now being introduced to the latest driver family from Cobra, DS-ADAPT. In this review, I will be taking a look at the core model of the new family, the DS-ADAPT X.
WATCH: Joe Ferguson takes a deep dive into the full Cobra DS-ADAPT driver range...
Before I get into the weeds of what I think about this driver, the technology story is certainly one worth telling. In terms of the clubhead itself Cobra has highlighted some slightly improved aerodynamics and a reimagined H.O.T. face, but, somehow the main event is a hosel adapter which is not often the case with major driver launches.
Cobra is bringing to the table a new adjustable hosel which it calls FutureFit33. This somewhat complex-looking invention offers Cobra users the ability to de-couple loft and lie angle for the first time ever, and the amount of individual settings available (33 obviously) is enough to keep even the most avid tinkerer happy.
I must admit to feeling some skepticism as to how well the average golfer would be able to navigate that many options. That remains to be seen, but Cobra has done a good job of simplifying the task with a handy guidance chart and even an interactive app that is accessible by scanning a QR code that is laser etched into each driver's head. A very Cobra touch this, and one which I really enjoyed.
From my testing, I can confirm that FutureFit33 works, although that was never really in doubt to be honest, every loft sleeve I have ever tried from any manufacturer works. If you change the loft and lie, you will experience a different ball flight, but the brilliance here is in the sheer amount of options available to the player and not having to sacrifice one set-up parameter to accommodate another. And that’s not all…
Another common adapter issue that Cobra has also smartly navigated is that of face angle. When using some other major manufacturers' adapters to manipulate driver loft, not only are you often affecting the lie angle but you may also be altering how open or closed the driver sits in the playing position. Well, Cobra has introduced a concept called ‘SmartPad’ that - through clever contouring of the sole - ensures whichever setting you put the driver in, it will still sit perfectly squarely behind the ball at address, and I can absolutely confirm that it works. Whilst this is very clever and will be useful for the majority, there will be some players out there who like to see a specific face angle at the address, be it open or closed, and that is not an option with DS-ADAPT which is something to bear in mind.
In terms of the aesthetic of the DS-ADAPT X, I think Cobra has done a good job following up on the heavily praised Darkspeed X. Still oozing shelf appeal, the X model features some subtle blue accent colors to help differentiate it from the rest of the range and the somewhat triangular head profile of its predecessor has been softened a touch which is getting closer to the look I prefer.
My one gripe visually would be with the crown where the face meets the rest of the chassis. I feel the banner strip this produces lacks a little symmetry and distracts from an otherwise much-improved shaping.
As always though, the key to any driver is performance, and the DS-ADAPT X is a very solid and genuinely versatile performer. As with every other model within the DS-ADAPT range, the X delivers everything it promises. Throughout my testing, I experienced a nice, comfortable level of launch, with mid-range spin and strong levels of forgiveness. My predominant miss is low and from the heel and I found the DS-ADAPT X particularly flattering to this fairly persistent problem of mine, maintaining a strong ball speed and relatively tight dispersion.
The versatility of the X comes from the two adjustable weights in the sole of the club. The ball flight characteristics I described above come from the standard or neutral setting with the lighter weight in the front weight port of the head, but switch them around and personally, I was seeing around 100 to 150 rpm less spin and a driver that sat somewhere between the LS and X models – an ‘LSX’ if you will. This is a genuinely valuable option for those who play in changeable weather conditions, essentially creating two drivers in one head.
Possibly the real star of the show for me however is the feel of the X, and in fact the DS-ADAPT range as a whole. With tangible performance gains such as ball speed becoming harder and harder to come by, sometimes the biggest wins come in the less quantifiable areas, and that is absolutely what has happened here. With the DS-ADAPT range, Cobra has produced one of the better-feeling drivers I have used - certainly over the last few years - and the acoustic that goes along with (and contributes to) that is spot on too. It can be tough to describe things as subjective as feel, but smooth is the best adjective I can think of here. Minimal vibrations, and just a delightful mid-level pitch that makes striking this driver a real pleasure.
The DS-ADAPT X driver is an excellent all-rounder that will have broad appeal in the marketplace. Those with more moderate speed may prefer the neutral weight setting, but those who move it quicker may potentially benefit from the more aggressive spin profile the opposing setting facilitates. As usual, I envisage this will be coming in slightly less expensive than many of its competitors ($549/£469), which won’t do this driver any harm either and provides compelling bang for your buck.
The DS-ADAPT X Driver comes in RH/LH (*LH available in stock Denali Blue 60, (R and S), with all other shafts custom) with a choice of five premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: TrueTemper Denali Black 60 (S and X); True Temper Denali Blue 60 (R and S); True Temper Denali Red 50(A); Fujikura Pro Black 60 (S); MCA Tensei AV Blue 60 (R). Lamkin Crossline grips (50g) come standard.
Available lofts: 9˚, 10.5˚, and 12˚
