Louis Pringle

Nov 08, 2024

8 minutes

If you’ve been keeping up with our recent releases, you know that we’ve recently been comparing the latest driver model from the top brands in the game against a model from 20 years ago. We've explored TaylorMade’s Qi10 against the R580 XD from 2004, and we’ve compared Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver with the ERC Fusion, also from 2004. This time, we turn our attention to one of the most budget-friendly and, in our opinion, underrated brands in golf—Cobra.

In this comparison test, we’ll be examining Cobra’s latest release, the Darkspeed Max driver. Instead of comparing it to a driver from 2004—since we didn't have one on hand—we’ll pit it against a slightly more recent Cobra model, the L4V, released in 2008. Let’s dive into the details and discover how these two drivers stack up against each other!

Differences between the Darkspeed Max & L4V Drivers

When you’re comparing drivers that we’re released almost 20 years apart, there’s bound to be some pretty obvious differences, specifically when you’re looking at technological perks and the materials used inside the clubheads. Let’s take a closer look at those differences between our two drivers.

Looks and Specs

Despite its age, the L4V features an impressively large clubhead, indicative of Cobra's early exploration of aerodynamic principles. However, it lacks the adjustability we see in modern drivers, reflecting the technology standards of its time.

The Darkspeed Max features a massive clubhead designed to instill confidence at address. Its predominantly dark profile, accented with subtle red highlights, gives it a sleek, modern look that aligns with the typical aerodynamic design of contemporary Cobra drivers.

While the size of both clubheads appears similar, their shapes differ significantly. The L4V boasts squared edges that were typical of its era, whereas the Darkspeed adopts a more bullet-like shape to enhance aerodynamics. The L4V also features unique dimples on the top of the clubhead, a design choice aimed at improving airflow and aesthetics.

Tech

When it comes to technology, the Darkspeed is clearly superior. It incorporates features like HOT Face technology, PWR Bridge technology, a PWR Shell, a dual adjustable weighting system, and an adjustable loft sleeve.

One of the standout features of the Darkspeed is its adjustable weighting system, which includes two weights—one positioned near the hosel and another at the back of the clubhead. This allows for personalized adjustments to optimize performance.

In contrast, the L4V represents a more straightforward design with basic technology. Our objective today isn’t merely to compare specifications but to see how this older, more affordable driver holds up against a cutting-edge model.

Lou’s Impressions After Testing the Darkspeed Max Driver

“The Darkspeed impressed me right away. Its modern design and technology contributed to a responsive feel and a powerful sound at impact. The adjustable weights offered a noticeable difference in ball flight and feel.

The Darkspeed felt great throughout the swing and the clubhead was very easy to locate both in the the backswing and the follow-through. Speaking of feels, the ball was pretty easy to locate on the club face at impact, and even off-centre strikes produced decent results.

My main takeaway from my time with the Darkspeed Max is how forgiving and consistent that driver was. The ball trajectory was a very constant right to left that mostly hung around the fairway. What truly impressed me was the small dispersion for most golf balls I hit during my testing session with the Darkspeed Max.

Though I did hit some balls out of line completely, the ones that did find the fairway were stacked in small landing zone that was at most 10 yards wide. In terms of distance, the club was also consistent allowing the balls to land extremely close to one another. That was truly impressive to me.

The Darkspeed is the 3^rd 2024 driver we’re trying in this series, and it was by far the most consistent and forgiving of all the drivers I’ve tested so far in 2024.”

Lou’s Impressions After Testing the L4V Driver

“Meanwhile, the L4V surprised us with its nostalgic acoustics and solid feedback, reminiscent of a time when drivers prioritized explosive sounds over adjustability. Ryan Barath from Skratch Golf warned us about this when he visited our FC, but I had not idea how loud that thing was going to be!

Right away, the L4V was sitting large behind the ball, just like the Darkspeed Max, so I obviously had all the confidence in the world. And with such a massive clubhead, I was expecting some major bombs. While the distance wasn’t all I hoped it would be, the ball flight with that one was almost as impressive as it sounds at impact.

While the L4V has perhaps the loudest impact noise I’ve heard since the days of the Nike Sasquatch, the ball flight it produces is where my true interest lies. Golfers looking for a club that will get the ball airborne with ease and consistently, they’ll easily fall in love with the L4V. And on top of that, this driver has some clear offset at address and an obvious draw-bias in the air.

Complete Performance Comparison between the Darkspeed Max and L4V Drivers

Now, let’s dive into the numbers and compare the performance of the two drivers. Surprisingly, the difference in distance between the Darkspeed and the L4V was minimal—just over five yards on average. When analyzing carry distance, the Darkspeed edged ahead with a difference of about two yards. While the discrepancies are slight, they highlight the evolution of technology in driver performance.

Distance Performance

Examining club speed, the Darkspeed delivered faster swings, translating to higher ball speeds. Though the L4V's ball speed was close, it would have been even more competitive had I been able to generate more spin during my swing. This difference in swing and ball speeds accounts for the slight distance advantage of the Darkspeed.

Spin and Launch Angles

When evaluating spin and launch angles, the L4V recorded superior figures. Its 14.2-degree launch angle and spin rates over 2400 RPMs are respectable. In comparison, the Darkspeed produced slightly lower spin rates but maintained a strong performance with ball speeds over 2300 RPMs. Ultimately, the L4V's spin and launch conditions resulted in a slight disadvantage in terms of distance.

Is the L4V driver still worth the investment?

While it may have fell short distance-wise, the L4V retain character, especially in terms of sound and feel. Plus, our comparison emphasizes that decades of technological advancements don't always equate to substantial gains on the course. Also, the data from our test shows that you truly don’t need to spend all your golf budget on the latest and greatest. Old trusty or older used models like the L4V still have plenty to offer to most golfers!

There’s no denying the consistency and forgiveness of the Darkspeed max, but at this point, the only question you have to ask yourself is, “is this slight improvement worth all this money?” Let’s be honest, the answer is usually pretty obvious.

If you do feel the need to move on to a more recent model that’ll provide you with more forgiveness, you can always help to lower the cost of your next driver by trading or selling your old golf clubs to Golf Avenue!

You can even book a call with any of our in-house experts for personalized advice based on your specific needs. They’ll meet with you, listen to your needs, and will provide you with recommendations suited to those needs.

Until next time,

The Golf Avenue team