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In this review, I’ll take a comprehensive look at the Cobra 2024 AIR-X driver, also referred to as the AIR-X 2 driver.
Offered in SN (‘Straight Neck’) and OS (‘Offset’) models, the 2024 AIR-X driver is marked by a lightweight design which helps slower swingers generate more clubhead speed and distance off the tee. In addition, an internal draw bias helps mitigate slices.
The 2024 model of the AIR-X improves upon the original (2022) version with new H.O.T. Face technology designed to give a boost to mis-hit forgiveness.
How does the 2024 AIR-X actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare with the original model? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Here’s what will be covered in the review:
Read on to learn what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
At the time of writing, critic reviews of the 2024 AIR-X driver are very limited. The Offset driver currently has a 5/5 average rating on the Cobra store.
Just like I did with the AIR-X irons, I asked around and got the opinion of 10+ golfers who just started playing this driver (Straight Neck or Offset), and the consensus seems to be that it’s just as good as the original AIR-X if not better.
What People Like
- offset makes the OS driver even easier to hit
- significant slice-fighting power
- better forgiveness than the original AIR-X
- feels great in the hands
- lightweight and easy to swing
- plenty of distance
What People Don’t Like
- not for high swing speed players
The Features
The main change Cobra has made with the 2024 model of the AIR-X driver compared to the 2022 model is the introduction of an A.I. H.O.T. Face, also found in their AEROJET line of clubs.
The idea behind the H.O.T. (“Highly Optimized Topology”) face insert is similar to innovations from other brands such as Callaway’s A.I. Flash Face.
Using machine-learned data from thousands of impact simulations, the thickness of the face is optimized in multiple locations through CNC machining. The result is better optimized spin and increased ball speeds across the face, not just in the sweet spot.
This technology gets its name from the fact that these zones create a topology map consisting of peaks and valleys.
Of course, the AIR-X driver is best known for its light weight. The stock configuration is just 290 grams which is about 40 grams lighter than the AEROJET driver. This includes a lighter head along with a lightweight stock shaft and grip, which allows slower swingers and players with smooth tempos to increase their clubhead speed and get a better launch.
With the 2024 AIR-X driver, you also have heel weighting designed to introduce a draw bias and help mitigate the right miss.
The Offset model in particular adds an offset hosel, which is rare in today’s drivers. This offset works with the heel weighting to further encourage a draw shot shape and produce a better ball flight.
Stock Info
The 2024 AIR-X driver is available in 9.5° and 10.5° for the SN and OS models, and the OS model is also available in 11.5°.
The purchase of Cobra golf equipment like the AIR-X driver immediately makes you eligible to receive free Arccos Smart Sensors and a one-year free trial to the Arccos Caddie app.
Unsurprisingly, Cobra chose not to include an adjustable hosel adapter in order to save weight.
The stock shaft is the Cobra Ultralite 40 in graphite, and the stock grip is the Lamkin EPDM R.E.L. Black STD 58R.
Also available is the women’s 2024 AIR-X Offset driver. This features light blue accents on the back instead of red, and club lengths, shafts and grips are tailored to women to maximize their performance.
Below are the specs of the 2024 AIR-X OS driver. The SN model has the same specs except it lacks the 11.5° and the A (senior) flex is not available for the 9.5°. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
In the sections that follow, I’ll talk about my experience with the 2024 AIR-X driver. Let’s jump right in.
Distance
My testing didn’t indicate a whole lot of difference in distance between the 2024 and 2022 AIR-X drivers, although the 2024 model certainly enjoys a slight distance advantage of maybe a few yards.
The 2024 AIR-X has a very slight edge in ball speed (maybe 0.5-1 mph) over the original when struck in the center of the face. This is not surprising considering the addition of the H.O.T. Face. In addition, I found spin to be a little lower — around 50 RPMs on average with the 10.5 degree.
Whether you’ll see increased distance over your current gamer will depend on if the 2024 AIR-X allows you to pick up additional clubhead speed and get a more optimal launch.
Forgiveness
The 2024 AIR-X driver is very forgiving overall and typically what you would expect from a game-improvement driver.
Where I noticed the biggest difference compared to the 2022 model is in ball speed preservation across the face. With the 2024 AIR-X, I lost noticeably less distance on mis-hits, resulting in a comparative gain of around 5-10 yards.
Dispersions are very good as well, but they are roughly the same between the two models.
Playability/Trajectory
The 2024 AIR-X driver tends to produce a mid-high trajectory with mid spin.
The driver’s inherent draw bias resulting from internal heel weighting is moderate with the SN driver but significant with the OS driver. With the Offset variant, I was seeing up to 26 yards of shot curvature, which shows you how much of a difference the offset makes.
The 2024 AIR-X driver is incredibly easy to get up in the air and is relatively effortless to swing, making it an ideal choice for many seniors and beginners.
Workability is below average, so those who want to shape shots are better off looking elsewhere.
The Look
The 2024 AIR-X driver has a very similar shape to the original AIR-X. The differences are mainly aesthetic, including a slightly different crown topography, H.O.T. Face indicator on the face, altered sole design, and dark smoke finish with red accents throughout.
I like the new aesthetic, but I would have preferred the Cobra lettering to be a light colour so it contrasts more with the background.
This oversized driver head inspires plenty of confidence at address, yet it doesn’t have excessive elongation from front to back like a lot of game-improvement drivers do these days, which I like. The driver appears to sit slightly closed behind the ball.
Aside from the offset, there are no differences in appearance between the SN and OS models.
The Sound & Feel
The 2024 AIR-X driver feels just as lightweight and easy to swing as the 2022 model. I probably wouldn’t game lightweight clubs like this personally, but it does feel easy to put speed into the shot which should really help seniors in particular.
The one thing that struck me when hitting this club is how effortless impact feels. Like the original AIR-X, feel at impact is a solid “crack” with a medium-pitched sound. I found the feel to be a touch more lively/responsive off the face, which is no doubt due to the H.O.T. Face tech.
I didn’t find during my tests that the feel changed much on mis-hits, but extreme misses near the heel and toe definitely lack crispness.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
You can buy the 2024 AIR-X driver directly from the Cobra store (Straight Neck or Offset) with the ability for full customization including loft, shaft, shaft length and grip.
The women’s 2024 AIR-X Offset driver is available here.
Another great place to order 2024 AIR-X driver with customization options is PGA TOUR Superstore. PGATS accommodates custom requests for most new models, and they also offer financing plans, performance guarantees, and club trade-in programs.
If you want to save some money, you can find discounts on eBay.
Final Thoughts
With the 2024 AIR-X driver, Cobra essentially brought in the H.O.T. Face technology found in their AEROJET model. This gives a nice little boost to ball speeds across the face compared to the original AIR-X, which many higher handicappers are sure to appreciate.
The 2024 AIR-X in its stock configuration is not quite as light as the original AIR-X (a difference of about 13g), but it’s still incredibly lightweight making it easy to swing and generate speed through the ball.
Throw in a game-improvement level of forgiveness, and the 2024 AIR-X driver is an excellent choice for many seniors as well as beginners looking for a great starter driver.
If you value the added draw bias and benefits of an offset hosel, go for the OS model. Otherwise, if you prefer a traditional look at address, I recommend the SN model.
Are you interested in the 2024 AIR-X driver? Have you tried it yet? What’s your experience? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
