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.
This is a full review of the Cobra LTDx MAX driver.
The LTDx MAX packs the same cutting-edge technologies that mark Cobra’s LTDx family of drivers, but features an adjustable heel weight and focuses more on forgiveness and a draw bias for the high-handicapper.
The LTDx MAX is engineered for distance, forgiveness and adjustability. But how does it actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare with the standard LTDx, and does it set a new bar in forgiveness? Who is it best suited for?
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?
Customer ratings of the LTDx MAX driver are stellar — the driver has an excellent average score of 4.9/5 on the Cobra store, 4.8/5 on Global Golf, and 5/5 on PGA TOUR Superstore.
It’s also worth noting that the LTDx MAX, along with the other LTDx drivers, earned a gold medal on the Golf Digest 2022 Hot List.
What People Like
- fantastic forgiveness
- very confidence-inspiring
- highly effective for curbing or eliminating slices
- lightweight and easy to hit
What People Don’t Like
- some don’t quite get the distance they hoped for
The Features
The LTDx MAX driver has the same core technologies as the LTDx, namely:
- PWR-COR: positions as much weight as possible low and forward, right behind the hitting zone, to maximize ball speed and reduce spin.
- H.O.T Face: optimizes face thickness in multiple locations using machine-learning and CNC machining, resulting in increased ball speeds across the face.
- Infinity Face: wraps around the leading edge in an effort to increase ball speeds on the bottom part of the face, as well as creates a traditional top line meant to improve visual alignment.
- Multi-Material Construction: consists of a light and strong titanium chassis, sole plate, and lightweight carbon crown, all of which enable weight savings that are shifted low and forward in the PWR-COR for increased speed.
The purchase of an LTDx MAX driver also makes you eligible to receive free Arccos Smart Sensors and a one-year free trial to the Arccos Caddie app. Arccos sensors are attached to the clubs in your bag and enable automatic shot tracking.
The key difference with the LTDx MAX is weighting. Firstly, the PWR-COR consists of 10 grams of weight (6g machined internal steel weight and 4g exterior aluminum weight) as opposed to 19 grams with the LTDx.
Second, instead of just a fixed back weight, the LTDx MAX features two adjustable sole weights (10g and 3g) — one in the back and one in the heel.
The heavy 10g weight can be put in the back for maximum stability and a neutral to slight-draw ball flight, or it can be put in the heel for as much as 11 yards of draw bias. This weight distribution can be further customized with LTDx weights sold separately.
Stock Info
The LTDx MAX driver is available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° standard lofts at 460 CC.
Also available is the women’s LTDx MAX driver. This is essentially the same as the men’s LTDx but with a rose pink colourway, lighter stock shaft, and undersize grip meant for women to maximize their performance.
The LTDx MAX comes with a MyFly adjustable hosel that has eight loft settings: -1.5°, -1°, -1° Draw, STD, STD Draw, +1°, +1° Draw, and +1.5°.
Several premium aftermarket shafts are available with the LTDx MAX. The stock options are the:
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 (60g) (mid launch, mid spin)
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Blue (60g) (mid launch, low spin)
- UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore (40g, 50g) (high launch, high spin)
The stock grip is the Lamkin Crossline 58R. Custom options are available.
The LTDx MAX is also available in Tour Length (shorter 44.5″ length with heavier sole weights), Limited Edition Black, and Limited Edition Palm Tree Crew variants.
If you’re interested, full information on the driver, shafts, grips and their specs can be found here.
Below are the specs of the LTDx MAX driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
For the majority of golfers, the LTDx MAX won’t be quite as long as the LTDx, although the difference is small.
In my experience, the LTDx MAX tends to have a slight edge in carry distance due to a higher launch angle (1°-2° difference). At the same time, the MAX typically produces higher spin by a few hundred RPMs, so your distance results will depend heavily on your natural swing speed and trajectory.
The LTDx MAX is not meant to be a pure distance driver; the other two models in the LTDx family do a better job in that regard. However, distance results should be more than satisfactory for the high handicapper who would benefit most from this club.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is well above average and definitely one of the greatest strengths of the LTDx MAX. You will generally find the fairway on all but your worst swings.
During my tests, dispersions were tighter than the LTDx by a good 10-20 yards.
For golfers that tend to miss to the right, the significant draw bias of the LTDx MAX, particularly when the heavier weight is in the heel port, will make a huge difference. Moreover, having the 10g weight in the back will increase stability and MOI.
Playability/Trajectory
The standard trajectory produced by the LTDx MAX is mid-high with 5-11 yards of draw bias depending on whether the 10g weight is in the back or heel. It’s very easy to get the ball up in the air, even when you deviate from the center of the face.
You can switch out the sole weights with different LTDx weights sold separately (6g, 8g, 12g, 14g), and this can alter performance.
You can also use the MyFly hosel to add loft, remove loft, or introduce additional draw bias. Putting it to the “Draw” setting will give the driver as much as 18 yards of draw bias.
All of this means that there is plenty of opportunity to dial in a driver setting that gives you the best results.
Although the LTDx MAX is meant to be the most forgiving model in the LTDx line, the driver is still somewhat workable. Competent golfers should be able to shape shots around doglegs with little issue.
The Look
The LTDx has a relatively large footprint, and compared to the LTDx, it has a slightly more triangular shape.
The club sets up square at address. The alignment aid and the raised crown accents help keep the ball in visual focus.
The overall look and aesthetic is nearly identical to the LTDx, with one main exception: Cobra has altered the design near the heel to accommodate a new adjustable weight port. I tend to like drivers that have a lot going on in the sole area, and that’s certainly the case with the LTDx MAX.
There are two different colour schemes available: matte black with gold or gloss peacoat with red. Providing more choice when it comes to colour aesthetic is a great way to get interested golfers off the fence.
The Sound & Feel
The sound & feel of the LTDx MAX in the sweet spot region, which is that circle with the infinity symbol on the face, is very similar to that of the LTDx. Exceptional overall.
I couldn’t notice any significant difference in feel (solid, muted, and very explosive), but the sound (a satisfying “crack” with a little bit of a “pop” mixed in) seemed to be just slightly less audible. The configuration of the sole weights seems to have minimal impact on the sound and feel.
One thing that seems a bit unusual is the fact that the feel gets noticeably worse the farther you move away from the center of the face. Everything just gets quite dull and unpleasant.
I did expect the feel to be more consistent on the MAX, but the upside is that there is decent feedback for those that want to improve their game.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
The LTDx MAX driver is not a current-season model, so ordering it custom is difficult.
A fantastic place to snatch up this driver at low prices (new or used) is eBay.
I also recommend looking at the stock available on Global Golf and PGA TOUR Superstore. These vendors may offer club trade-ins, performance guarantees, and/or financing plans to help you minimize the financial hit and maximize peace of mind.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the biggest benefit of the LTDx MAX driver is its adjustability and ability to deliver a strong draw bias. This could be a game-changer for golfers who traditionally struggle with a slice off the tee.
Beyond that, the great distance, forgiveness, launch, and superb sound & feel is a nice, sweet, juicy cherry on top. The only thing negative I can say is that I was a bit disappointed with the feel on the face towards the toe and heel.
For best results with the LTDx MAX, it’s important to not only use a shaft that suits your swing, but also to experiment with the sole weights and MyFly hosel. If you can do that, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of strong driver performance for the upcoming season and beyond.
Are you interested in the Cobra LTDx MAX driver? Have you tried it yet? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
