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Why We Like It
The problem with focusing on aerodynamics is that it helps players with the fastest swing speeds the most and is harder to achieve forgiveness for slower swingers. That’s why the design here is so smart—building in speed enhancements like a soft leading edge, reduced profile, higher crown peak and a taller trailing edge for high-swing-speed players. Those golfers also benefit from a low, forward center of gravity through three adjustable sole weights and internal weight bridge that sits lower and more forward than in past versions.
Characteristics
- The sleek shape, including a taller trailing edge and a softer leading edge, enhances speed for the fastest swingers.
- Large carbon-composite panels make room for two forward sole weights and another in the rear to balance forgiveness and spin.
- It features the built-in neutral-to-fade bias better players prefer.
- 8, 9, 10.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Highlights
- Top 10 quietest drivers, moderate swing speeds
- Top 10 quietest drivers, high swing speeds
Price
$550
HOT LIST PLAYERS FEEDBACK
Ratings are based on players’ assessments in three key performance areas.
Reviews
1 / 3
Subtle yet sharp looking head. The matte black makes it look like a cool new weapon in your arsenal. My worst swings are long and fairly forgiving. Not losing much distance on mis-hits is a game changer.
Alex, 39, Handicap: 112 / 3
The face is deep, but the heel to toe is compact. Has the power of a home-run hitter. Added yards without swinging harder.
Jamie, 50, Handicap: 53 / 3
Produces a high, low-spinning ball flight that comes off the face really springy and hot. Club is very workable and my distance was good.
RC, 62, Handicap: 7Max-out Your Speed and Carry Distance with The Driver
Whether you want more distance or a consistent shot shape, you need one skill above all others: the ability to make flush contact with the ball. It’s the No. 1 fundamental in golf, and without it, this game can be an eternal mystery. Here, Sean Hogan, one of Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Florida, helps you improve your impact with the driver.
From the Manufacturer
COBRA DARKSPEED LS
Designed for players with faster swing speeds, the DARKSPEED LS driver features a highly aerodynamic profile paired with a low launch and low spin head design to deliver maximum distance and workability. Experience out of this world speed.
Featured In
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1 / 33
Cobra
Darkspeed Max
$550
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Golf Galaxy
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550
Targets players who need help with higher launch and slice forgiveness.
Extensive carbon-composite panels in the crown and sole make room for switchable extreme heel and back weights.
Internal weighting makes the face easier to close and helps shots launch higher.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
2 / 33
Cobra
Darkspeed X
$550
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The use of extensive carbon composite in the crown and sole results in a driver with low spin with forgiveness.
Neutral shaping and internal weighting with a large face area should appeal to the largest segment of golfers.
Golfers can tweak launch and spin through centered adjustable weights in the front and rear.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
3 / 33
Callaway
Paradym Ai Smoke Max
$600
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Hot List Gold
$600
The use of carbon composite in the crown and sole saves more than six grams from past models.
The face-thickness pattern is optimized to maximize off-center hits.
The most stable head in the family uses a 10-gram sliding weight to dial in ball flight.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
4 / 33
Callaway
Paradym Ai Smoke Max D
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5 / 33
Callaway
Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast
$600
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Hot List Gold
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Targets moderate-swing-speed golfers with an ultralight grip and shaft that reduce total weight by more than 14 percent.
The built-in draw bias helps to mitigate a slice and square the face at impact.
It has the largest face area in the Ai Smoke driver family.
10.5, 12 degrees (fixed hosel)
6 / 33
Callaway
Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond
$600
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Hot List Gold
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7 / 33
Cleveland
Launcher XL 2
$450
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$450
The large head size and face area emphasize forgiveness.
The variable-thickness pattern on the face has been tweaked to save even more weight that can be used to improve stability and lower the center of gravity.
The face pattern is designed to line up with how an average golfer makes contact to improve distance on mis-hits.
Loft is adjustable between 9 and 12 degrees.
8 / 33
Cleveland
Launcher XL 2 Draw
$450
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Golf Galaxy
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Hot List Gold
$450
A slightly extended area toward the heel, along with internal heel-biased weighting, helps slicers find more fairways.
The alternating flexible and rigid sections in the perimeter of the face and body offer a ball-speed boost.
An eight-gram weight in the butt end of the grip enhances control and speed in the downswing by helping the club feel lighter on the takeaway.
Loft is adjustable between 9 and 12 degrees.
9 / 33
Mizuno
ST-G
$600
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
The compact, pear-shaped head (440 cubic centimeters) has a deep face.
The carbon-composite crown section wraps around the upper-toe region to provide more discretionary weight and balance the draw/fade bias.
A new beta-rich titanium alloy in the face is lighter and stronger for better ball speed.
9.5, 10.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
10 / 33
Mizuno
ST-Max 230
$500
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Golf Galaxy
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
The deep center of gravity on the largest frame in the Mizuno driver family exudes stability on off-center hits.
The large channel cut in the sole extends fully to heel and toe to create more flexing in the face on extreme misses.
Mass saved from the large carbon-composite crown and sole is pushed to the perimeter.
9.5, 10.5, 12 degrees
11 / 33
Mizuno
ST-X 230
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
A channel cut in the front part of the sole creates better overall face flexing.
The carbon-composite crown and sole sections free extra mass for a 14-gram weight in the heel section of the sole.
The center of gravity is closer to the shaft. This makes the head easier to manipulate to help those who like to work the ball as well as slicers.
9.5, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
12 / 33
Mizuno
ST-Z 230
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
A low center of gravity reduces spin, and a centered rear weight adds stability.
The deep center of gravity also yields a higher launch.
The high-strength, titanium-alloy face and the polymer-filled channel cut in the front part of the sole maximize distance.
9.5, 10.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel).
13 / 33
Ping
G430 LST
$550
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550
Its relatively compact shape targets better players seeking low launch and spin.
A 22-gram tungsten weight fits into one of three positions in the rear perimeter to provide forgiveness and tweak a draw or fade.
The key to forgiveness and low spin is the weight-saving and CG-lowering carbon-composite wrap in the back half of the crown.
9, 10.5 degrees (with eight-way adjustable hosel)
14 / 33
Ping
G430 Max
$550
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Golf Galaxy
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550
Among the most stable heads in the game, this driver offers draw-fade adjustability with a 25-gram perimeter weight in three settings.
A thin T9S+ titanium alloy in the face reduces the overall face thickness for better energy transfer.
More of a neutral ball flight in the standard setting compared to the other models.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
15 / 33
Ping
G430 Max 10K
$600
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Golf Galaxy
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
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The at-the-limit size makes for the company’s most stable head.
A fixed 28-gram rear weight boosts stability, and a carbon-composite crown section lowers the center of gravity.
This driver's forgiveness is a boon for aggressive swingers.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
16 / 33
Ping
G430 SFT
$550
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550
This driver fights a slice through the use of two adjustable-weight positions slightly to the heel side of the rear perimeter.
A thinner variable-thickness face provides more potential ball speed and distance.
Its lighter weight gives slices more control, and it’s offered in a 15-percent lighter HL build for moderate-swing-speed players.
10.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
17 / 33
PXG
0311 Black Ops
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
This driver is forgiveness-focused thanks to weight-saving carbon-composite panels in the crown and sole.
New titanium-alloy face insert deflects more for higher launch with less spin.
Three extreme perimeter weights in the center, heel and toe of the sole (up to 20 grams) add stability and direction control.
8, 9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
18 / 33
PXG
0311 Black Ops Tour-1
$600
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
This compact, low-spin model places two adjustable weights toward the front of the sole to lower the center of gravity.
Carbon-composite panels in the crown and sole create room for a low back weight that adds stability on off-center hits.
This driver should produce a lower ball flight relative to the standard model.
8, 9, 10.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
19 / 33
Srixon
ZX5 LS Mk II
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
Larger profile (similar to ZX5) with more of a flattened crown shape.
The forward eight-gram weight in the sole helps to reduce spin and lower launch compared to the standard ZX5.
Expect a more neutral to slight fade-biased ball flight compared to the standard ZX5.
8.5, 9.5, 10.5 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
20 / 33
Srixon
ZX5 Mk II
$500
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Golf Galaxy
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
21 / 33
Srixon
ZX7 Mk II
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
The shorter front-to-back measurement favors players who prefer to work their tee shots.
The lowest launching of the three drivers in the family.
Two different weights for ports in the heel and toe allow players to tweak ball flight.
9.5, 10.5 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
22 / 33
TaylorMade
Qi10
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
The carbon-composite face and body balances forward and rear weighting for low spin and forgiveness.
The face size is the same as the Qi10 LS, but this driver is deeper front to back for more stability.
The redesigned sole channel gives at impact in unison with the face for faster ball speed.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
23 / 33
TaylorMade
Qi10 LS
$630
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$630
The lowest spinning of the three models also has the lowest and most forward center of gravity.
The sliding-weight track houses a 19-gram weight to tweak fades and draws.
The aerodynamic sole still accommodates a 19-gram rear weight for better off-center-hit performance.
8, 9, 10.5 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
24 / 33
TaylorMade
Qi10 Max
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
The extreme front-to-back length and 30-gram rear weight creates the highest stability on off-center hits in company history.
Heel-biased shaping and weighting make it easier to square the face and maintain clubhead speed.
A special lightweight low-torque shaft helps create more draw than last year’s Stealth 2 HD.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with a 12-way adjustable hosel)
25 / 33
Titleist
TSR1
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
26 / 33
Titleist
TSR2
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
The larger overall size emphasizes forgiveness, but the shape improvements help optimize aerodynamics to maximize swing speed.
The variable-thickness face design targets players whose misses cover a larger area of the face.
This model maintains the higher launch of past versions with less spin.
8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
27 / 33
Titleist
TSR3
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
A rear sole panel allows for weight to be shifted between heel and toe to better align with a player’s natural impact location.
This model targets consistent players who want to maximize performance on center-face hits.
Aerodynamic enhancements maximize potential clubhead speed within the compact shape better players prefer.
8, 9, 10, 11 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
28 / 33
Titleist
TSR4
$600
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$600
This model has the most forward center of gravity of any TSR model and tends to produce the lowest spin.
A movable weight in front and back allows for extreme and moderate spin-reduction settings.
The variable-thickness face favors similar ball speed across a wider area of the face.
8, 9, 10 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
29 / 33
Cobra
Air-X
$350
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$350
The Air-X targets moderate to slow-swing speeds through a lighter head, shaft and grip.
Internal weighting on the heelside and deep in the perimeter fights slicing and encourages a higher launch.
Lofts measure higher than the number on the sole to encourage higher launch for slower swingers.
9.5, 10.5 (straight neck); 9.5, 10.5, 11.5 (offset); with fixed hosel
30 / 33
Tour Edge
Exotics C723
$500
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$500
Compact shape appeals to better players seeking lower spin.
Four carbon-composite sections in the crown and sole save weight to make room for movable rear and front weights in the sole.
Switching the positions of the heavy and light weights can add or subtract spin, but the center of gravity will still be more forward than in E723.
8, 9, 10.5 (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
31 / 33
Tour Edge
Exotics E723
$450
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$450
This model is the largest of the two and features a 20-gram rear weight for the highest stability in a driver in company history.
The rear weight can be positioned in draw, fade or neutral positions to tweak left or right misses.
Three 40-gram shaft options provide higher launch possibilities for slower swingers.
9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
32 / 33
Wilson
Dynapower Carbon
$500
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$500
Lightweight carbon composite in the crown and toe section of the sole lowers the center of gravity to reduce spin.
Expect a more neutral to fade ball flight with a lower trajectory compared to the Dynapower Titanium.
Designed for players who prefer to work the ball on tee shots.
8, 9, 10.5, 12 degrees (with a six-way adjustable hosel)
33 / 33
Wilson
Dynapower Titanium
$430
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$430
The more forgiving of the two models uses a 16-gram rear weight for extra stability on off-center hits.
Expect a higher flight and a built-in slight draw bias to minimize a slice.
Designed for most average golfers with swing speeds of less than 100 miles per hour.
9, 10.5, 13 degrees (with a six-way adjustable hosel)