Equipment
You can see inside Cobra’s King LTD drivers and fairway woods

It’s been more than a decade since the release of golf’s first adjustable driver. In that time, equipment manufacturers have gone to great lengths to inform golfers of the performance benefits of the gizmos on the outside of their clubs. What few golfers realize, however, is that important changes have also been made on the inside.
- The King LTD drivers were created with technology developed through a partnership with CASIS, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. “Ark 2” is the second series of research investigations brokered by CASIS to the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory.
With its King LTD drivers and fairway woods, Cobra offers golfers a glimpse inside its new clubs in a way that the company hopes will not only further their understanding of its aerospace-inspired technologies, but also further their ability to hit longer, straighter shots as well.
Here’s what you need to know about the new clubs: Cobra’s King LTD driver ($449), King LTD Pro driver ($449) and King LTD fairway woods ($299). They’re in stores Nov 13.
King LTD Drivers
- Two Models: Cobra’s King LTD drivers are offered in two models, King LTD and King LTD Pro, but they use the same head design. The difference is that they have distinct loft and lie settings. The King LTD can be configured to lofts between 9 and 11.5 degrees and has more upright “draw” settings, while the King LTD Pro can be configured to lofts between 7 and 10 degrees and has flatter “fade” settings.

The King LTD uses Cobra’s “Speed Channel,” a channel around the perimeter of the club face that improves ball speed on off-center hits.
- Key Features: The two most notable new features are a removable “Spaceport” sole weight and a “Textreme” Carbon Fiber Crown, both of which reposition weight lower and deeper in the club head to help golfers increase launch angle, lower spin rate, and improve ball speed on off-center hits.
- Spaceport is a 16-gram removable weight made of aerospace-grade aluminum and a clear polycarbonate material that allows golfers to see inside the driver head. It’s secured with “Spiralock,” a thread technology that was developed for high loads and high vibrations.

Spiralock helps lower the center of gravity of the King LTD driver, saving approximately 6 grams of weight from the design.
- Take It Off: Spiralock sheds light on the technologies inside the club head when it’s removed, but it’s not just for looks. Most removable weight systems require additional material inside the club head to hold weight weight in place, says Cobra VP of R&D Tom Olsavsky. Spiralock’s design eliminates the need for such supportive structures.
- At address: The King LTD driver has a glossy black finish and an orange Cobra alignment aid.
- Can you see the Textreme pattern?
- Crowning the King: Cobra has used carbon fiber crowns in previous models, but the King LTD drivers mark the first time the company has used a carbon fiber material called Textreme. Textreme is 20 percent stronger than standard carbon fiber, which allowed the company to make the crown thinner and lighter. If you look closely, you’ll see the patterned Textreme finish on the crown of the drivers.
- A key allows golfers to remove the Spaceport with the included torque wrench.
- Wrench included
- The key goes inside.
- A Material Change: Cobra used Ti-811 titanium for the bodies and faces of the new drivers, which is stronger and lighter than the 6-4 titanium used on previous models. Because of the strength difference, the company had to redesign its E9 face technology, which uses varying face thicknesses on the internal portion of the club face to improve ball speed on off-center hits. As shown below, the structure can be viewed when the Spaceport is removed.

A view of Cobra’s E9 face technology from the inside.
- 28 Grams: Cobra claims that the new design elements allocate 28 grams of additional weight to be redistributed lower and deeper in the club head. That creates a higher moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of ball speed retention on mishits, as well as a lower center of gravity (CG). According to Olsavsky, the King LTD and King LTD Pro mark the first time a driver has achieved a CG below the “neutral axis,” a perpendicular line extending rearward from the geometric center of the club face.
- Tungsten and Tuning: The drivers come stock with a 12-gram tungsten weight installed internally in a rear weight port. Along with the Spaceport, it can be adjusted to meet custom swing weight requirements and/or custom shafts.
- Stock Shaft and Grip: Both the King LTD and King LTD Pro drivers come stock with Aldila’s Rogue Black 60 shaft (R, S and X flexes) and Lamkin’s UTX grip (0.600 diameter, 52 grams)
King LTD Fairway Woods
- The King LTD is a mid-sized fairway wood with a Textreme Carbon Fiber Crown that is 15 grams lighter than its steel equivalent.
- Like the King LTD driver, the fairway wood has a removable Spaceport that repositions weight lower in the head for better performance and allows golfers to see inside the club head.
- The fairway woods have 475 stainless steel faces, which are thinner and stronger than the 465 stainless steel faces used on the company’s Fly-Z and Fly-Z+ fairway woods. They’re designed to produce ball speeds at the USGA’s legal limit for center hits.
- A 12-gram weight is positioned in front of the fairway wood’s Spaceport to help golfers improve ball speed and reduce spin.
- The King LTD fairway woods are available in two models: 3-4 (13-15.5 degrees) and 5-7 (16-18.5 degrees). The come stock with Aldila’s Rogue Black 60 shaft (R, S and X flexes).
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the King LTD drivers in our forum.
Equipment
BK’s Breakdowns: Cameron Young’s winning WITB, 2025 Wyndham Championship

Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
Whats in the Bag
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)

- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
Equipment
GolfWRX Members Choice presented by 2nd Swing: Best driver of 2025

We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
---|---|
Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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John
Aug 24, 2015 at 8:45 am
Golfers must be the most gullible people on the planet. No high tech innovation is going to help you if you’ve got a swing like a demented lumberjack hacking at a trees tump. Take some lessons, practice when you can and stick with what’s worked for you in the past. A $500 driver is only going to make you poorer not better.
Just Wondering
Aug 24, 2015 at 1:46 am
Would it sell better if they installed a Magic 8 Ball feature in the window? “Will I shank this drive? It is decidedly so.”
ooffa
Aug 24, 2015 at 7:23 pm
You made my day. Great comment, I laughed hard.
Mac n Cheese
Aug 26, 2015 at 2:35 pm
It wouldn’t be hard, crack open a magic 8 ball, poor the fluid in the head, assuming it is air tight, along with the answer thing and done! now you have the Cobra King magic 8 driver…
john
Aug 19, 2015 at 8:44 pm
gee that’s ugly lol
shame about the grip too, utx’s are greasy as hell and wear out in like a fortnight especially on a driver!
Regis
Aug 19, 2015 at 4:12 pm
I’m a Senior with an 85 mph swing speed and I have good fundamentals. I’ve been playing and tinkering with all sorts of shafts for many years. Two years ago I got fitted for a SLDR and the hype notwithstanding when I set it up properly it more than lived up to its hype. Years ago I gamed a ZL encore and in all fairness I could have stuck with that for the rest of my life and been fine. But you know the drill. So when the price dropped on the “new” Cobra Fly Z (which topped the list in a lot of reviews) I had to take the plunge. Put a GD Tour AD shaft on it that never worked on the SLDR or any other toy in my arsenal but on paper should have been perfect. Anyway put it on the Fly Z and never have I had a club that performed so well. Aside from forgiveness, feel, distance, I can actually work the ball, flight it in the wind, do what I want. I feel like a “Playa”. So naturally, I’ve had my eye on the FLY Z + because well because. Now this come the King LTD. Anyway If you’ve never played a Cobra don’t be put off by the colors or the hype. Their technology is as good as any manufacturer out there.
Peter Hostrup
Aug 26, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Agree!!! Had the R11 with a oban devotion 6-4 stiff but my mates started outdriving me with their Titleists 913 blueboards, so – “had to” go shopping. Bought the Fly Z + fitted with a GD Tour ad stiff. My SS is 102 – my mates are no longer outdriving me and I’m more often on the short grass!!!
Great driver(and shaft)
dcorun
Aug 19, 2015 at 2:24 pm
I’ll compare it to my current driver the RBZ Stage 2 Bonded w/ Accra Fx150 shaft and see how it goes. Nothing has come close in the past 2 years plus to knock it out of the bag. It’ll probably look like Shane Lowry’s driver before I buy a new one. 🙂
Matt Wiseley
Aug 19, 2015 at 2:20 pm
I think the club looks great and Rouge Black shaft as standard option is really nice.
My question- can I fill the head with something to make it hit farther? Kind of like how we used to load aluminum bats in high school?
Mac n Cheese
Aug 26, 2015 at 2:28 pm
I see this happening. tons of mods for packing it full of weight to maximize distance…
StressDoc
Aug 19, 2015 at 11:41 am
Most of the head changes provide minimal distance or control for the average golfer..it’s in the shaft that there is control or power.
Teaj
Aug 20, 2015 at 8:35 am
ummmm… yes the shaft plays a part for sure but I have to say that the tech in the head is a little more valuable then the shaft, mind you the shaft has to be close to fit, if im swinging a SR shaft with a 114mph SS then yes it will matter.
Mat
Aug 19, 2015 at 11:23 am
Cobra is on a winning streak. That said, anyone who knows their stuff knows that waiting ~8 months is worth a huge, steep discount. I hope Cobra start valuing their own stuff a little better.
Semi
Aug 19, 2015 at 8:04 am
The suggested retail price for a new Rogue black is $449…that’s on the website. These shafts can’t be the real deal – can they?
Teaj
Aug 20, 2015 at 8:30 am
if you are purchasing 1 shaft from Aldila the $449 price point makes sense. this being a stock shaft they will be purchasing large quantities as it will be stock in both the standard King and Pro so I am sure they get a little break on the price.
example. company X puts out a list price on a bag of cement, if I the general public go to the store I will be paying list price. If a contractor goes to the manufacture he will most likely receive a percentage off of this list price which can range depending on the product being purchased and the amount of margin built into the list price of such product.
alan
Sep 7, 2015 at 10:49 pm
I hope you understand that there is a TREMENDOUS difference between a real deal, after market shaft and an OEM (original equipment manufacture) shaft.
Yes it’s a Rogue Black, BUT IT IS NOT A $449 shaft. It is a collaboration between the club maker and shaft company. The bend point, torque. tip stiffness, bend profile, and materials are different from the after market shaft. The way it is described is the design is proprietary to in this case Cobra. That is a nice way of saying scaled back.
Hey, It is still a lot better than the average stock shaft, BUT get real !!!
Cobra is not installing a $449 shaft in a $449 club. The head is not free.
All of the high end shaft makers are doing this BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SELL ENOUGH OF THEIR AFTER MARKET SHAFTS to remain economically viable, stay in business. They cannot turn down a request by Cobra or any of the big club makers to produce 10 or 20 thousand watered-down shafts.
I hope you will find this helpful.
Jack
Aug 25, 2015 at 5:18 am
Nope. It usually comes with a made for tag on it. Not really the same thing (supposedly). But with the huge margins they have on these shafts, maybe that is the only difference?
David
Aug 19, 2015 at 5:48 am
* to make a dollar
David
Aug 19, 2015 at 5:47 am
Just another golf gimmick the make a dollar. More junk you will see on the bargain racks in a couple years.
Chris
Aug 19, 2015 at 2:49 am
Just great!
And what’s the release date for the see-through shaft? I just can’t wait.
Teaj
Aug 20, 2015 at 8:24 am
speed holes lol why didn’t I think of that.
Ron Burgundy
Aug 18, 2015 at 5:27 pm
I have tried them all and the Fly Z+ has suited me the best. A top 100 club fitter I know who is not in any way affiliated with Cobra told me the have the best R&D department. The Fly Z+ is awesome. It feels like the ball explodes off the face and is as low spinning as anything I have hit. I had an SLDR custom fit before that driver and the Cobra is way better on miss hits. It may not be quite as long but I hit way more fairways and am way more consistent. Also IMO it feels way better. I am interested in trying this and I think it is cool, but I highly doubt it will beat the Fly z+ for me. Cobras issue is that they do not have the fitting carts that the other big manufacturers do. Do not knock until you try. Every one of my friends that has hit the Cobra has ended up buying one. The are scratch to plus handicaps. Real deal boys!
Cliff
Aug 19, 2015 at 9:15 am
Love good facial explosions!
Steve P
Aug 18, 2015 at 1:40 pm
If the acoustics of the club are decent, it’s going to be a big hit.
It’s got that same kind of uniqueness that products like the bubble shaft, 2 Ball putter, R7 and R11 drivers, etc. etc. that made golfers want to learn more about it. If it performs and doesn’t sound horrible, think of clubs like the Nike Sumo Squared or Callaway C4, Cobra will have a winner.
Chuck
Aug 18, 2015 at 10:15 pm
After the usual “What about hot melt?” thought passed, I immediately thought about sound. My thing with hot melt as much as anything was about deadening the sound of a 460cc head. But with a composite crown, this thing should already have a good sound…
I see some interesting, if not new, technology in this. I would very happily and eagerly demo this driver!
LD
Aug 18, 2015 at 11:08 am
Shark. Jumped.
joe
Aug 18, 2015 at 10:39 am
I actually like the look of this driver….but once you put hotmelt in it…its gonna look like it has some gunk inside the head lol
Leon
Aug 18, 2015 at 10:18 am
Great! I can get some beers, candies or even a bottle of 5 hour energy hidden inside this club head. Nice container that charges for $499.
Mo
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:47 am
Reminds me of the old King Cobra days. That was a great driver and it looks like Cobra has hit another home run.
Mike
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:20 am
I’m pretty happy with my Fly Z + right now and have not found anything that can beat it. I do like the looks of these new models however but not enough to switch. I just don’t see myself getting anything more out of a new driver than my current Fly Z +
tom
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:07 am
Wow…I can’t wait to try this. That is bad @ss.
bunty
Aug 18, 2015 at 8:52 am
that looks very good
redneckrooster
Aug 18, 2015 at 8:50 am
I like it but not the price.
Brian
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:36 am
Wait 6 months.
scott
Aug 19, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Just remember in that 6 months to a year when the price drops you will also have to avoid reading all the NEW information about why the NEW replacement driver is so much better…
Teaj
Aug 18, 2015 at 8:41 am
iv tested most of the Major Brands clubs and the Fly-Z Series mainly the + for me have been the best driver out there by far (for me anyways) if this new driver allows me to be more accurate with the addition of lowing spin I would love to take a crack at it.
its a shame more people don’t try Cobra drivers as they are pretty dam good. Having lost their coolness which they tried to gain back by adding many colours I think backfired for a sport that is very traditional.
Sr
Aug 18, 2015 at 11:04 am
The Seniors are loving Cobras
redneckrooster
Aug 18, 2015 at 4:14 pm
I sure like them.
By the way I’m a senior and I carry 245 with my ZL with stiff shaft .