Cobra Darkspeed Hybrid Review

Cobra say the Darkspeed hybrid delivers increased speed and launch to help you hit the ball farther with greater ease. In this review, I find out if it lives up to the promises.

Cobra are notorious for producing fantastic rescue clubs that challenge for being the best hybrid golf clubs on the market. The brand’s history with hybrids goes back further than any other company, having been the brains behind the first hybrid ever introduced to the golfing world.

The Baffler was the first rescue club unveiled to golfers and it was an instant hit with players of all abilities. Over time more and more better plays have turned to hybrids to help get them out of trouble, or as a way to find more consistency than they can with longer irons.

Hybrids might not be a staple of every Tour player’s golf bag but you will find TG columnist and Cobra staffer Andrew “Beef” Johnston playing with them. Rescue clubs are much more popular among amateur golfers because of their characteristics and they serve very well as a “get out of jail club”.

If there is any brand out there that knows exactly how to build the perfect hybrid it’s Cobra. Hybrids are intended to be used as a substitute for long irons or higher lofted fairway woods – rather than going for a Darkspeed fairway wood or a Darkspeed long iron you might want to look at a Darkspeed 3 or 4-hybrid to help improve your game.

Cobra’s newest range of Darkspeed hybrids features much of the technology found in the Darkspeed drivers and fairway woods, including the PWRSHELL H.O.T. Face and PWR Bridge weighting which makes this hybrid fast and forgiving. It’ll be no surprise to see both Darkspeed variable and ONE length hybrids featuring highly amongst the best hybrid golf clubs of 2024.

What’s new about the Cobra Darkspeed hybrid

Dark color scheme

Given the name Darkspeed, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Cobra have elected to go with a dark color scheme absent of any color on the variable length head, while the ONE length head has a splash of blue and red on the sole of the club head. The previous AeroJet fairway hybrid did have a dark carbon crown like the Darkspeed but there are no visible colors other than black – in a very appealing satin finish – when you lay the club behind the ball.

Cobra removing all colors from the variable-length Darkspeed hybrid is perhaps a bold move that could backfire but we doubt it will. At TG we absolutely love the fierce look of the all-black club head both in the bag and sat behind the ball, and we imagine the majority of golfers will feel the same.

No return for the Baffler rails

When Cobra launched the AeroJet hybrid in 2023 it didn’t feature the Baffler rails we’d seen on prior Cobra hybrids. It left us questioning whether they were going to return in 2024, well we can now answer that question… they won’t. Baffler rails were added to Cobra’s hybrids in recent years to help golfers play out from tough lies with greater ease.

However, as Cobra have improved the technology in the club head the need for Baffler rails has declined. Removing the Baffler rails reduces drag during the swing meaning you can deliver quicker club head speed which transfers into hitting the ball farther.

ONE Length returns

Despite Bryson Dechambeau no longer being a Cobra Tour player, the company haven’t ditched the ideology of ONE length. It’s incredibly popular and Cobra enjoy a lot of success with the ONE length range of irons so they’ve decided to continue manufacturing the ONE length hybrid too.

We expect both the ONE length and variable-length Darkspeed hybrids to be challenging the best hybrids in 2024.

Cobra Darkspeed hybrid technology explained

PWRSHELL Insert and A.I. designed H.O.T. Face

Through machine learning, Cobra have been able to enhance the performance of the PWRSHELL insert to add more speed and launch, which ultimately results in further distance. The A.I. designed H.O.T. Face has 15 individual hot spots across the entirety of the clubface and features an optimized variable thickness pattern to deliver more efficient ball speed and spin, making this hybrid even easier to hit while producing brilliant numbers.

PWR Bridge

The PWR Bridge was first introduced in last year’s AeroJet hybrid and it’s back (and better) this year in Darkspeed. Cobra have improved the PWR Bridge so it has more impact on distance and spin. PWR Bridge works cohesively with the PWRSHELL insert to create a more flexible face and sole which helps maximize launch and ball speed while ensuring spin rates don’t jump.

Mid Weight

The Darkspeed is fitted with a 12g weight as standard in the middle of the club – previously it has been positioned in the back. It has been strategically positioned to promote a high, towering ball flight which helps increase carry distance.

Deep body design

Cobra are aware that the majority of golfers who turn to hybrids are those looking for increased forgiveness that irons just can’t offer. The deep body design is extremely confidence-inspiring, and thanks to the high bounce leading-edge turf interaction is much improved on a wide range of lies.

Everything you need to know about the Cobra Darkspeed hybrid

Cobra Darkspeed hybrid

RRP: £229.00 / $279.00

Variable Length Lofts: 17° / 19° / 21° / 24° / 28°

ONE Length Lofts: 19° / 21° / 24°

You can pick up a Darkspeed hybrid, or any other club from Cobra’s Darkspeed range, from January 11 when pre-sale begins. From January 19, they will be available to purchase from multiple retailers and online.

There isn’t much the Cobra Darkspeed hybrid doesn’t offer, whether you’re searching for speed, launch, distance, forgiveness, or all of the above Darkspeed has you covered. Both the variable and ONE length hybrids are aimed more towards amateur golfers, with their King Tec hybrids being intended for Tour players and better golfers. There’s no adjustability with the Darkspeed hybrids but there are ample lofts to choose from, ensuring you can find the best hybrid to slot in your bag.

Having achieved much success with the previous AeroJet hybrid, Cobra have continued to use AI to assist them in designing the H.O.T. Face. The emphasis of this hybrid is on playability and forgiveness from any lie, to achieve this Cobra have positioned one weight in the center of the club head to maximize carry distance thus resulting in increased total distance. The deeper body and high bounce leading edge make this club extremely versatile and a go-to no matter where you’re balls sitting.

Video: How does the Cobra Darkspeed compare to other leading 2024 hybrids?

Verdict: Cobra Darkspeed hybrid

If you’ve been an observer of our test results over recent years you may well have spotted Cobra hybrids have a history of cropping up among our award winners within this category. It’s not unusual for brands to have areas where they excel and for us at least Cobra knows their onions when it comes to creating great hybrids.

Part of my reasoning for their success is the brand’s dedication to using quality KBS Players Graphite shafts for their mainstream hybrids, which our test pro felt added additional head stability on off-center hits. Hand on heart, even though the model is £40 less expensive than a TaylorMade Qi10 and £70 cheaper than a Callaway Ai Smoke and it was the 3^rd longest hybrid we hit this year I don’t feel this is a hybrid for everyone.

My thinking comes down to how our test data spells out that compared to the competition the Darkspeed flighted shots 20.5% lower than our test average and hit the green at a 17.1% shallower descent angle. There’s nothing wrong with that, so long as you specifically want to target a lower ball flight with any new hybrid purchase.

If you do we love the simple unfussy head shape and profile of the Darkspeed, hence why it ranks among my favorite four hybrids of the year.      

Data comparison: How does the Cobra Darkspeed compare to leading competitor hybrids in 2024?

Hybrid	Loft	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Backspin	Height	Descent Angle	Carry Distance	Carry Distance Drop Off	Shot Area
TaylorMade Qi10	19°	143.2 MPH	11.5°	2669 RPM	27 YDS	35.5°	234 YDS (1)	14 YDS	949.2 SQ YDS
Callaway Ai Smoke HL	21°	144.4 MPH (1)	10.8°	3283 RPM	29 YDS	38.3°	231 YDS (2)	14 YDS	645.4 SQ YDS
Cobra Darkspeed	19°	141.8 MPH	9.3°	2651 RPM	21 YDS	31°	226 YDS (3)	18 YDS	586.8 SQ YDS
TaylorMade Qi10 Tour	19.5°	142.9 MPH	9.2°	3125 RPM	23 YDS	34.1°	225 YDS	18 YDS	801 SQ YDS
Callaway Ai Smoke	21°	142.2 MPH	9.9°	3270 RPM	25 YDS	35.9°	225 YDS	8 YDS (T2)	156 SQ YDS (1)
Titleist TSR 1	20°	143.8 MPH (3)	10.2°	3668 RPM	28 YDS	38.8°	225 YDS	21 YDS	735 SQ YDS
Titleist TSR 2	21°	142.6 MPH	10.5°	3359 RPM	27 YDS	37.4°	225 YDS	17 YDS	759.9 SQ YDS
Ping G430	19°	142.4 MPH	9.4°	3295 RPM	24 YDS	35.1°	224 YDS	17 YDS	554.2 SQ YDS
Titleist TSR 3	19°	143.9 MPH (2)	8.2°	3378 RPM	22 YDS	33.1°	223 YDS	25 YDS	387.5 SQ YDS
Cobra King Tec	19°	141.9 MPH	10.3°	3611 RPM	27 YDS	38°	222 YDS	21 YDS	720.3 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 Black Ops	22°	139.8 MPH	10.1°	3313 RPM	25 YDS	35.7°	220 YDS	20 YDS	380 SQ YDS
TaylorMade Qi10 Max	20°	140.7 MPH	12°	3782 RPM	31 YDS	41.2°	220 YDS	18 YDS	480.6 SQ YDS
Cleveland Halo XL	21°	142 MPH	10.6°	4739 RPM	30 YDS	42°	213 YDS	13 YDS	438.1 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 XF GEN6	22°	138.7 MPH	11.7°	4016 RPM	30 YDS	41.1°	213 YDS	7 YDS (1)	166.6 SQ YDS (2)
Wilson Dynapower	22°	139 MPH	10.6°	4164 RPM	28 YDS	39.8°	211 YDS	13 YDS	341.9 SQ YDS
Inesis 500	20°	140.2 MPH	10°	4407 RPM	27 YDS	39.9°	211 YDS	12 YDS	454.8 SQ YDS
MacGregor V Max	21°	132.8 MPH	10.5°	4587 RPM	25 YDS	38.9°	196 YDS	8 YDS (T2)	200.8 SQ YDS (3)
Average		141.3 MPH	10.3°	3607 RPM	26.4 YDS	37.4°	220.2 YDS	15.5 YDS	515.2 SQ YDS

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.

Cobra Darkspeed Hybrid

RRP: £229.00 | VIEW UK OFFER | $279.00 | VIEW US OFFER

Variable Length Lofts: 2H - 17° / 3H - 19° / 4H - 21° / 5H - 24° / 6H - 28°

ONE Length Lofts: 3H - 19° / 4H - 21° / 5H - 24°

Stock shaft: KBS PGI

Stock grip: Lamkin Crossline Black

Flight bias: High