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Why We Like It
The standard model in the lineup produces a neutral flight with a lower and more forward center of gravity than the Darkspeed Max. This should result in faster ball speed, less spin and a slightly lower flight. An internal weight bar is closer to the face and sole on this year’s model to push that CG even lower and forward. A carbon-composite crown saves as much as 17 grams to provide extra perimeter weighting and lower internal weighting.
Characteristics
- The center of gravity is lower and more forward than in the Darkspeed Max for less ball spin and a slightly lower trajectory.
- The face wraps around the sole to improve speed on shots struck lower on the face.
- 15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
Highlights
- Top 5 best sound/feel fairway woods, middle-handicaps
- Top 10 best-rated fairway woods, low-handicaps
- Top 5 best-rated fairway woods, middle-handicaps
- Top 5 best-looking fairway woods, low-handicaps
- Top 5 best-looking fairway woods, middle-handicaps
Price
$330
HOT LIST PLAYERS FEEDBACK
Ratings are based on players’ assessments in three key performance areas.
Reviews
1 / 3
I like the low profile and subtle carbon-fiber look. Everything is the same little draw with a nice thump. Low profile head feels stable through the ground. Just clip the grass. Always where I expect it to be.
Gary, 36, Handicap: 132 / 3
It's stealthy and mysterious and the speed is there. So much oomph to it. I'm able to smash the ball with control. Could easily work it both ways.
Anand, 42, Handicap: 63 / 3
There is friggin' power in this one. A good 10 yards longer than most. Impact is muted, yet it drove the ball forward with speed. Very consistent. So well balanced that I always feel connected to the club.
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 X
The DARKSPEED X fairway blends extraordinary speed and forgiveness for players seeking maximum distance with higher launch and added stability for control.
justinkosman.com
Featured In
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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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The shallow face is designed with input from AI to improve ball speed and dispersion on mis-hits low on the face.
Favors players who swing out to in and add loft at impact.
Saved weight from carbon-composite crown and sole feeds back weight to increase launch.
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The lightweight spec, including head, shaft and grip, provides more control and speed potential for moderate swing speeds.
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The compact head with a slightly taller face is designed for players who make consistent center contact.
The carbon-composite crown saves weight on top, and a steel plate on the sole lowers the center of gravity for a more controllable launch.
Angled sole plate features heel and toe relief for more versatility from a variety of lies.
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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.
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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 heavy tungsten sole plate pushes the center of gravity low to reduce spin.
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The high-strength steel face wraps into the crown and sole for better ball speed across the face.
A backweight provides stability on off-center hits.
The carbon-composite crown helps to produce a neutral ball flight with less spin compared to the SFT model.
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Designed to fight a slice with heel-side weighting, more upright lie angle and lighter total weight.
Should launch the ball higher and with more spin than the G430 Max thanks to 1-degree higher lofts.
Lower half of the face has less “roll” so that shots launch with less spin and more 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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12 / 23
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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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13 / 23
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Larger overall volume provides more stability on off-center hits.
A shallow face provides confidence for average golfers to get the ball in the air.
The sole slot and lower variable-thickness-face pattern increases the way the face flexes on low strikes.
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14 / 23
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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.
This year’s track sits lower for less spin in all settings.
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15 / 23
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Though 30 grams heavier than last year, this model is still the lightest Titleist fairway wood (20 grams less than the TSR2 and TSR3).
A deep, centered weight increases stability on off-center hits and elevates launch.
Designed for naturally higher flight with mid spin.
15, 18, 20, 23 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
16 / 23
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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.
A high-strength steel alloy in the face provides the potential for more distance.
15, 16.5, 18, 21 degrees (with a 16-way adjustable hosel)
17 / 23
Titleist
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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.
Its strong loft provides more ball speed potential than standard 3-wood lofts.
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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.
Expect slightly less spin and a flatter launch angle than with the TSR2.
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19 / 23
Adams
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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.
Weight saved from a carbon-composite crown lowers the center of gravity to optimize launch and spin.
A heel-side weight screw in the sole provides additional draw bias.
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20 / 23
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Compact head, angled sole design and shorter shaft lengths provide versatility for shotmaking.
High-strength steel cupface gets enhanced flexibility through an internal structure that stabilizes the frame.
A neutral center of gravity produces shots with steeper landing angle, consistent spin and less of a draw bias.
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21 / 23
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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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22 / 23
Tour Edge
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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).
13, 15, 18 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
23 / 23
Wilson
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GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
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The high-strength steel alloy in the face uses a variable-thickness design developed through artificial intelligence.
A centered 12-gram weight in the rear perimeter improves stability on off-center hits and boosts launch.
Tends to launch higher with slightly above-average spin.
15, 18, 21 degrees (with a fixed hosel)