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Why We Like It
This clubhead’s lightweight titanium construction (compared to traditional stainless steel) provides more discretionary mass to move the center of gravity as low and as far forward as possible. That makes this compact head ideal for better ball strikers looking to maximize distance through low spin. The titanium face might not generate more ball speed, but by lowering the CG and raising the launch angle, the head creates more distance. Also enhancing distance is the L-shaped face that wraps under the sole with 15 thickness regions for better ball speed across a wider area.
Characteristics
- A multimaterial construction pairs a titanium body and face with a lightweight carbon-composite crown and heavy tungsten sole weights.
- An internal bridge-like bar close to the face and just above the sole lowers the CG for distance-enhancing lower spin and higher launch.
- Three interchangeable sole weights help to lower spin or tweak fades and slices.
- 13, 14.5, 17.5 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Highlights
- Top 5 best-rated fairway woods, middle-handicaps
- Top 10 best-rated fairway woods, low-handicaps
- Top 5 best-looking fairway woods, high-handicaps
Price
$430
HOT LIST PLAYERS FEEDBACK
Ratings are based on players’ assessments in three key performance areas.
Reviews
1 / 3
The carbon-fiber look gives me confidence at address. I feel I have control of my ball flight. The head is on the skinnier side, but it doesn't look or feel intimidating even to a higher-handicap like me.
Daniel, 32, Handicap: 122 / 3
This is the stealth bomber of fairway woods. Silently glides through the hitting zone. Sends the ball into flight with urgency. There's no sacrifice in distance on mis-hits. Just a real pugilistic club.
Ryan, 48, Handicap: 103 / 3
Super small head but nice proportions. Good visual . Extremely fast, and I could move through the ball. The shot I hit low on the face got me maximum distance even at 4-wood loft. A real rocket.
Paul, 62, Handicap: 4Swing Your Fairway Wood with Confidence
One of the more difficult shots amateurs face is the long approach that requires a fairway wood. Most players aren’t confident hitting a 3-wood off the ground, and they don’t practice the shot enough to build confidence. In this video, Jason Birnbaum shares his best confidence-building techniques and tips on how to make a solid contact with these long clubs.
From the Manufacturer
COBRA DARKSPEED LS
The DARKSPEED LS fairway features a space-grade Titanium construction to deliver driver-like distance in a refined clubhead shape tailored for precise shot shaping.
justinkosman.com
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The shallow face makes it easier for a broad group of players to launch shots.
A carbon-composite crown and sole save weight that is moved forward for low spin and rearward for forgiveness.
The variable-thickness face was designed with AI to optimize performance for players with a low-heel to high-toe impact pattern.
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Favors players who swing out to in and add loft at impact.
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The compact head with a slightly taller face is designed for players who make consistent center contact.
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A special beta rich titanium face surrounded by a lightweight all-titanium body provides extra ball speed.
The compact head should attract better players with faster swings looking to control spin.
Nearly 90 grams of stainless steel sits near the sole to lower the center of gravity for a higher launch with less spin than other Mizuno fairway woods.
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Titanium body and beta-rich titanium face save weight and boost ball speed.
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A new steel alloy in the face is 12.5 percent thinner for faster, higher launch with less spin.
The carbon-composite crown is one-fourth the density of titanium but just as strong, lowering the center of gravity and creating more flex in the face.
Three movable weights in the sole can provide more forgiveness and a higher flight or more slice or fade correction.
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Designed for more forgiveness and better launch on low-face impacts.
The sole slot and a lower variable-thickness-face pattern enhance face flexibility.
The taller face and longer front-to-back measurement improve ball speed and mis-hit stability.
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Larger overall volume provides more stability on off-center hits.
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The sole slot and lower variable-thickness-face pattern increases the way the face flexes on low strikes.
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A broad, weight-saving carbon-composite crown stretches to the top edge of the face.
Accommodates multiple launch and spin profiles through a 50-gram weight in the sole that slides in a track from front to back.
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This model targets players with average swing speeds or faster who are looking for off-center-hit forgiveness and easier launch.
Expect this model to launch with less backspin (and more potential distance) than its predecessor, the TSi2.
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The larger size and taller face make it a good driver alternative on shorter holes.
It features the deepest CG of any Titleist fairway wood for extra stability on off-center hits.
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18 / 23
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An adjustable sole weight pad lets players toggle among five settings that range from fade to neutral to draw.
More settings means more precision, but the weighting is also deeper for extra stability.
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These shallow-faced designs feature a slot in the sole to improve the way the face flexes for more ball speed.
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Compact head, angled sole design and shorter shaft lengths provide versatility for shotmaking.
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Alternating stiff and flexible regions around the face create more ball speed for center and off-center hits.
An angled interior weight pad lowers the center of gravity for more direct energy transfer and better launch.
The lightweight carbon-composite crown on the lower lofts pushes the CG lower and frees up more perimeter weighting.
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The fast-flexing and light titanium face has rows of diamond-shaped indentations to create more flex zones at impact.
The lightweight carbon-composite crown and 75-gram steel sole plate improves energy transfer and reduces spin.
Front and rear weight ports in the sole allow for the heavier weight to reduce spin (forward) or boost forgiveness (rear).
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The high-strength steel alloy in the face uses a variable-thickness design developed through artificial intelligence.
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Tends to launch higher with slightly above-average spin.
15, 18, 21 degrees (with a fixed hosel)