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Today, I’ll be reviewing the Cobra DARKSPEED LS driver.
The DARKSPEED LS is the low-spin model in the DARKSPEED family. Its compact, highly aerodynamic profile is designed to deliver low spin, low launch, and distance for players with fast swing speeds. In addition, three weight ports on the sole allow for precise ball flight adjustability.
How does the DARKSPEED LS driver actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to its sister models and the AEROJET LS? Who is it best suited for? 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?
The DARKSPEED LS driver, like the X and MAX, won a gold medal on the 2023 Golf Digest Hot List. It currently enjoys a 5/5 average user rating on the Cobra store.
What People Like
- compact, minimalistic design
- superb low-spin performance
- solid feel
- penetrating ball flight
- forgiving for a LS driver
- really nice headcover
What People Don’t Like
- too similar to the AEROJET LS
The Features
The DARKSPEED LS driver packs the same core features as the DARKSPEED X, namely:
- Aerodynamic Design: the aerodynamics have been refined in the form of a higher crown peak, raised skirt, streamlined face-to-topline radius, and reduced clubface surface area. This is designed to squeeze out as much clubhead speed as possible.
- PWRSHELL L-Cup: this variable-thickness insert is 10% larger than on the AEROJET. It wraps around the carbon fiber sole and maximizes face flexion at impact, resulting in better launch and more distance.
- PWR-BRIDGE: this fully suspended weight bar is positioned lower and more forward than in the AEROJET, leading to even better energy transfer, lower spin, and more ball speed.
- A.I. H.O.T Face: using machine-learned data from thousands of impact simulations, the thickness of the face is optimized in multiple locations for more consistent spin and increased ball speeds across the face. Now, the face design has been updated for greater performance efficiency.
The key differentiating factors of the DARKSPEED LS are:
- a more compact visual footprint at address which promotes workability and control
- three weight ports on the sole (back, heel and toe) that can be used to dial in spin, forgiveness, and draw/fade bias. The default weights are 12g, 3g and 3g, and the additional back port is new since the AEROJET LS.
In addition, like any Cobra club, the purchase of a DARKSPEED LS driver makes you eligible to receive free Arccos Smart Sensors and a 45-day free trial to the Arccos Caddie app.
Stock Info
The DARKSPEED LS driver is available in 8°, 10.5°, and 12° standard lofts.
The 8° loft option is new this generation and is different from the other lofts; it has an even more compact, aerodynamic shape and is designed to produce even lower spin. This loft is suggested only for golfers with the fastest swing speeds.
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 DARKSPEED LS Tour Length driver, which is 1″ shorter (44.5″) than the regular option for maximum control and accuracy.
Several premium aftermarket shafts are available with the DARKSPEED LS; the stock options are the UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Blue or White and Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4. The stock grip is the Lamkin Crossline 58R. Custom options are available.
If you’re interested, more detailed information on the driver, shafts, grips and their specs can be found here.
Below are the specs of the DARKSPEED LS driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
It was clear during my field test that the DARKSPEED LS produces slightly more ball speed and a slightly lower launch than the other models. For players with swing speeds north of 100 mph or so, this should be ideal.
While carry distance was a few yards less than the X model, in my case, the added rollout from the lower flight resulted in total distance numbers that were very similar to the X.
In some cases, I gain distance with low-spin models, and in other cases, I lose some. With the DARKSPEED LS, I ended up somewhere in the middle.
Forgiveness
Back when I reviewed the AEROJET LS, I noted the driver’s impressive forgiveness and said it was one of the most forgiving “LS” drivers I’ve ever tested.
The DARKSPEED LS has a similar level of forgiveness, but with the heavier weight in the back, it probably has a bit more.
You can expect to miss plenty of fairways when you struggle to make center contact, but this driver is far from the most penal I’ve played. Ball speed preservation and dispersions on mis-hits are very respectable.
Playability
Launch angles with the DARKSPEED LS tend to be noticeably lower (maybe around 1°) than either the X or MAX models.
Spin numbers were around 300 RPMs less than the X during my test, despite Cobra classifying both the LS and X as having “low” spin. Trajectories are mid-low with great penetration in the wind.
With the heavier weight in the back, I was getting slightly higher spin and launch than the AEROJET LS, which is expected. Focusing weight in the heel and toe positions will introduce draw and fade biases, respectively, but these inherent biases are not terribly strong on their own.
When it comes to workability, capable golfers should have no trouble putting the desired shape on their shots off the tee.
The Look
The DARKSPEED LS driver has the same aesthetic theme as the X model. Notable among this is a matte black finish that makes the ball stand out at address and minimizes distractions like reflections and glare. I personally like drivers that have some contrasting colours and pop, but to each their own.
When it comes to differences, the sole accents of the LS are black instead of blue. The shape of the club from the address perspective is more compact than the other models, which will suit the eye of better players.
Unlike the AEROJET LS which only has sole weights in the heel and toe regions, the DARKSPEED LS adds a third weight at the very back of the club. This gives golfers additional control over spin and forgiveness in addition to draw and fade biases. The weights can be removed using the included wrench and screwed in with an audible “click”.
The driver appears to sit slightly open at address, which is typical for a better-player model.
The Sound & Feel
The DARKSPEED LS has a crisp, solid, highly responsive feel at impact that is just unbeatable when you make center contact. I found the sound at impact to be a tighter, smoother “crack” than its sister models.
Depending on the configuration of the sole weights, the driver can feel a bit back-heavy through the swing relative to having more weight in the front. Stability is quite impressive for a low-spin driver.
The feel is worse on mis-hits, but it’s not too bad. You’ll be able to discern the location of impact with reasonable precision, even though consistency is above average for a low-spin driver.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
You can buy the DARKSPEED LS driver directly from the Cobra store, with the ability to customize length, shaft, grip, loft and more. The Tour Length version can be found here. Financing is available.
Aside from the Cobra store, another great place to order the DARKSPEED LS, 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 driver 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.
Final Thoughts
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.
This is a rock solid low-spin offering that is aerodynamic and workable, with great feel and a distinctive dark finish to boot.
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. It may be worth upgrading from its predecessor model just for the extra weight port.
Are you interested in the Cobra DARKSPEED LS driver? Have you tried it yet? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
