Golfstead is reader-supported. When you buy through links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon Associates.
In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Cobra AEROJET MAX driver.
Compared to the standard AEROJET, the MAX model has a slightly larger profile and an adjustable heel weight for slice-fighting draw bias. It benefits from Cobra’s PWR technologies and new aerodynamic design while providing the most forgiveness and launch in the AEROJET family.
How does the AEROJET MAX compare to the AEROJET and previous LTDx MAX model? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Who is it best suited for? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Read on to find out 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?
The AEROJET MAX driver has been received positively overall by critics and consumers.
It earned a gold medal on the 2023 Golf Digest Hot List and enjoys a high average rating of 4.9/5 on the Cobra website.
What People Like
- ample draw bias for slice mitigation
- easy to hit
- nice launch
- plenty of distance
- confidence-inspiring look
What People Don’t Like
- some people dislike the offset at address
- lower launch and spin than the LTDx MAX
The Features
The AEROJET MAX driver has the same features & technologies as the standard AEROJET, namely:
- Improved Aerodynamics: symmetrical shaping, a raised skirt, and streamlined edges for maximum clubhead speed.
- Carbon Crown & Sole: the lightweight carbon fiber crown is slightly flatter than traditional designs, contributing to improved airflow through the swing.
- PWRSHELL L-Cup: a variable-thickness insert that wraps around the carbon fiber sole to maximize face flexion at impact, resulting in better launch and more distance.
- A.I. H.O.T Face: optimizes face thickness in multiple locations through CNC machining, leading to increased ball speeds across the entire face.
- PWR-BRIDGE: a fully suspended weight bar shifts the center of gravity (CG) low and forward for improved face flexibility and hence more ball speed.
- Arccos Compatibility: eligibility to receive free Arccos Smart Sensors and a one-year free trial to the Arccos Caddie app.
The key differences with the AEROJET MAX are:
- a slightly larger profile with a longer face intended to inspire confidence over the ball
- a swappable heel weight in addition to the back weight, enabling golfers to fine-tune a draw bias
Stock Info
The AEROJET MAX driver is available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° standard lofts at 460 CC.
Included is a MyFly adjustable hosel that has eight loft settings: -1.5°, -1°, -1° Draw, STD, STD Draw, +1°, +1° Draw, and +1.5°.
Also available is the women’s AEROJET MAX driver with a lighter blue colour scheme. It’s basically the same as the men’s AEROJET MAX, but the stock shaft, grip, lies, lengths, etc. are tailored to women to maximize their performance.
Several premium aftermarket shafts are available with the AEROJET MAX. The stock options are the:
- UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore 5, 4 (high launch, mid spin, lightweight)
- Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 60 (mid launch, mid spin)
The stock grip is the Lamkin Crossline 58R. Custom options are available.
If you’re interested, full information on the driver, shafts, grips and their specs can be found here.
Below are the specs of the AEROJET MAX driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
Not surprisingly, my test results showed that clubhead speed and ball speed were pretty bang-on identical to the standard AEROJET.
The launch angle, however, tended to be lower, which contradicts Cobra’s claim that the MAX model has a higher launch. However, the spin was higher, and because of this, I was able to achieve a nice peak trajectory and get total distance numbers that were very similar to the standard AEROJET.
The AEROJET MAX is also supposed to be a few yards longer than the LTDx MAX model, and this bore out in my testing. All in all, it’s very long considering its game-improvement classification.
Forgiveness
It’s often the case in drivers that forgiveness actually needs to be sacrificed in order to provide a draw bias. I sort of found that to be the case with the AEROJAT MAX.
Having said that, forgiveness isn’t much different from the standard AEROJET as far as ball speed retention and dispersions go. This makes sense, because the only thing that’s really different is the heel weight that introduces draw bias; everything else is more or less the same.
I would even say that forgiveness is actually a little worse than the LTDx MAX, so if this is important to you, there’s no point in upgrading to the next generation just yet.
Playability/Trajectory
Cobra markets the AEROJET MAX driver as having a high launch, but I found it to produce a medium launch during my tests.
The draw bias potential is significant; it can produce 30+ yards of right-to-left shot correction depending on how much weight you have in the heel port.
The driver comes default with 12g and 3g weights, but weights up to 16g can be purchased separately. You can also use the MyFly hosel to add loft, remove loft, or introduce additional draw bias.
The AEROJET MAX isn’t as beginner-friendly as other models which produce a higher launch and more RPMs. At the same time, its ability to work the ball is poor, so if you intend to shape shots off the tee, you should look elsewhere.
The Look
The AEROJET MAX, like the other AEROJET drivers, has a very “techy” look. The textured carbon crown style with the angled portion near the hosel gives the driver a unique flare that is pleasing to the eye, although it could be a bit of a visual distraction when getting ready to hit your shot.
I think the sole design is a bit bland and uninteresting, although the introduction of a heel weight port gives the impression that there’s a little more going on there.
Apart from the heel weight port, one thing that will jump out at you when comparing the look to the standard AEROJET is the fact that the driver sits slightly closed at address. This is obviously designed to promote a draw shot shape, and I find it to be quite appropriate.
The face is also marginally longer from heel to toe, which provides that little extra confidence boost at address.
The Sound & Feel
The AEROJET MAX is very similar to the AEROJET when it comes to feel and sound except for the fact that feel is a little more stable in mis-hit areas.
Impact produces a satisfying “crack” with some loudness and reverberation. Strikes in the sweet spot feel extremely stable and very solid — impressive for a driver that has this much carbon in it. There is a touch of hotness off the face but not too much.
The clarity of feedback is right about where I think it should be considering that the MAX model is in the game-improvement category. You’ll be able to discern the general area of impact, but not much more.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
You can buy the AEROJET MAX driver directly from the Cobra store, with the ability to customize length, shaft, grip, loft and more. The women’s version can be found here. Financing is available.
Aside from the Cobra store, another great place to order an AEROJET MAX driver which allows complete customization control (loft, length, shaft, grip, etc.) is this page at PGA TOUR Superstore.
Not only does PGATS accommodate custom requests for most new models, but they also offer financing plans, performance guarantees, and club trade-in programs to help you minimize the financial hit and maximize peace of mind.
If you want to save some money, you can find discounts on eBay. Optionally look at what’s available on Global Golf, which is one of the best used golf equipment stores online.
Conclusion
The greatest strength of Cobra’s AEROJET MAX driver is undoubtedly its strong draw bias which can take even the worst slicers and get them hitting fairways consistently. In that sense, it more than serves its purpose.
The rest of it is a bit of a mixed bag. Distance is great, but launch and spin are a little lower than I was hoping for. Forgiveness is good, but I was expecting a little more out of what’s supposed to be the most forgiving model in the AEROJET family.
Nonetheless, the AEROJET MAX is a solid game-improvement offering that should satisfy most mid and high handicappers.
Are you interested in the Cobra AEROJET MAX driver? Have you tried it yet? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
