Cobra RADSPEED Hybrid Review

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“Powerful” best describes the Cobra RADSPEED hybrid in sound, feel and performance.  Super consistent.  Bold, quintessential Cobra looks.

Introduction

Cobra proclaims that “RAD runs in the family,” and based on our reviews of the RADSPEED drivers and fairway [full reviews HERE] that sets the bar high for the Cobra KING RADSPEED hybrid.  Add to that the fact that Cobra hybrids have been perennial favorites of the PIG staff, and it seems like that bar is also wide.  If that sounds like an unfair ask of the new RADSPEED hybrid, take a listen to Matt’s podcast with Tom Olsavsky, VP of Research and Development at Cobra Puma Golf [episode 113 – listen HERE].   Tom and his design team are obsessed with technical innovation.

Check out the new Cobra LTDx Hybrid HERE

Looks

At address, the RADSPEED hybrid has a silhouette similar to its F9 Speedback predecessor with a rounded, toe-centric shape that should be a comfortable size to the vast majority of golfers.  The new RADSPEED hybrid crown is a deep, glossy black with trailing edge pinstripes and a crowned “C” alignment mark.

The sole of the RADSPEED hybrid has a myriad of technical features and eye catching graphics.  There’s a lot going on, but it’s very Cobra-esque.  Same can be said about the headcover with its well executed neon yellow stitching.  The standard hybrid is only available in black/turbo yellow.  The peacoat (blue)/red combination that’s offered in the drivers and fairway is only available in the one length version.

Sound & Feel

“Solid” was the single word that the sound and feel in my hands brought to my mind.  The metallic “tink” created by reasonable contact reminded me of a hammer striking an anvil.  That analogy also holds true for the powerful feel of the face of the RADSPEED hybrid.  If you look closely at the face view, you can just see the oval forged insert that generates the power.

I really enjoyed the overall stability, which inspired a confident swing.  Feedback was minimal, but a reasonable tradeoff for the design elements affecting performance, which I’ll elaborate on next.

Performance

As we’ve cited in previous RADSPEED reviews, the name refers to Cobra’s RADIAL Weighting design.  In simple terms, the concept is to place weights as far from the club head’s center of gravity as physically possible to maximize the radius of gyration.  To optimize performance of the RADSPEED hybrid, Cobra designers front loaded weight for low spin while utilizing a 7 gram weight low and towards the back for launch.  That combination also provides forgiveness and the stability mentioned above.

Did the design intent translate to actual performance?  Absolutely.  Spin rate averaged just over 3000 rpm with a consistent 13 degree launch angle.  Most impressive was the tight dispersion both in distance and accuracy.  For me, a 19° hybrid is for finding tight fairways and greens on long par 3s and the RADSPEED hybrid delivers.

Cobra has incorporated rails for over 40 years, but for the RADSPEED hybrid they decided to split them for higher launch and more ball speed.  According to Cobra, the split provided 70% more flex in the sole just behind the face where it has the greatest impact.  I couldn’t sense the flex, but I’m a big fan of the rails that seem to guide the club through the thicker grasses I occasionally find myself in.

Conclusion

If you’ve never hit a Cobra hybrid, the RADSPEED deserves a few swings.  If you’ve enjoyed Cobra hybrids in the past, you’re going to love the new RADSPEED.  As with all the latest Cobra clubs, the RADSPEED hybrid comes equipped with COBRA CONNECT which seamlessly adds the world of Arccos.

Visit Cobra Golf HERE

Cobra RADSPEED Hybrid Price & Specs

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Matt Meeker

Matt - aka 'Meeks' - is the Senior Writer at Plugged In Golf based on both tenure and age. Matt lives in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina with his wife who allows his golf obsession to stretch the limits of normalcy.

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13 Comments

  1. alex
    June 2, 2021 at 10:03 am  ·  Reply

    How did the distance compare to the other hybrids you tested/hit?

    • Matt Meeker
      June 2, 2021 at 2:55 pm  ·  Reply

      Very comparable, to a bit longer. Always hard to compare fairly with variations in lofts and shafts.

      – Meeks

  2. Bryan
    June 2, 2021 at 11:42 am  ·  Reply

    Hi Matt,

    Do you find this year’s version to be a little less draw biased than last years? I love everything about the Speedzone hybrid except that it is consistently 5-10 yards more left than I feel like it should be. It leads me to hit a lot of pushes as compensation. But I LOVE the rails for crisp turf interaction.

    I wish I could flatten it or it had an adjustable hosel so I could try some different shafts.

    Thanks,
    Bryan

  3. Bradd
    June 3, 2021 at 8:40 am  ·  Reply

    I just ordered my RAD Speed 3 Hybrid from Club Champion and I was down to this and the Ping G425 Hybrid. For me, this is a 225-235 carry club and I found that the Cobra had a higher spin rate than the Ping but that is a good thing for me. When hitting into par 5’s or teeing off on Par 4’s where you only need this length, I found the higher spin to create a decent angle that was ideal and created more consistency. I paired with an Oban Devotion shaft which is what I have in my driver (funny enough a Ping G410+). It is getting built now and can’t wait to put it in the bag. I am an Arccos nerd so I will be able to see if the performance on course aligns with the trackman data. I would highly recommend everyone try the Cobra, it has an amazing feel and consistency (assuming you get fit properly).

  4. Matt Patrick
    June 4, 2021 at 6:09 pm  ·  Reply

    Would this be comparable to the Cleveland Halo? I am looking for a 4 hybrid. All the reviews I have read makes me feel the halo is the club I want but availability is extremely difficult to find.

    • Matt Meeker
      June 5, 2021 at 8:53 am  ·  Reply

      There are some similarities Matt. Reading reviews is great – and thanks – but there’s no substitute for hitting any club yourself.

      – Meeks

  5. Sam Evans
    September 23, 2022 at 11:41 am  ·  Reply

    I have £100 and have found this or the f9 hybrid which one do you think would be the better choice

  6. PHIL
    March 5, 2023 at 8:39 am  ·  Reply

    HEY MATT I HAVE A GOOD QUESTION FOR YOU IF I HAVE AN XXIO X 12 51 gram shaft , 5 HYBRID DO YOU THINK I WOULD LOSE DISTANCE IF I WENT WITH THIS 4 RADSPEED 69 GRAM ESX RECOIL SHAFT WHICH IS THEIR LIGHT SHAFT 21 degree MY 5Hybrid Is 23 degrees OF LOFT WITH A AX1 SHAFT MIYAZAKI SHAFT, APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION

    • Matt Meeker
      March 5, 2023 at 11:46 am  ·  Reply

      There’s no way I can answer that question Phil. Beyond weight, those shafts almost certainly have different profiles. You need to hit the Radspeed to make a fair comparison. Take your XXIO to a store and hit it alongside the Radspeed. Let us know what you discover.

      – Meeks

  7. PHIL
    March 9, 2023 at 11:47 am  ·  Reply

    THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO ME MATT ,BUT TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I TRADED IN THE XXIO 12 3HYBRID AND MY XXIO 4 X BLACK HYBRID, AND PURCHASED THE COBRA 21 DEGREES 2023 AEROJET 4HYBRID AND RECIEVED BETTER DISTANCE WITH THE AREOJET 4 HYBRID 21 DEG OF LOFT AT 72YEARS OLD MY DISTANCE WAS ABOUT 169 YRDS . THE 3AND 4HYBRIDS WERE 6TO 8YARDS SHORTER, I MADE OUT BETTER WITH THE COBRA AEROJET 4 HYBRID , IT GOES TO TELL YOU ITS ALL ABOUT THE MARKETING WITH CETAIN MANUFACTURERS. COBRA HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNDERRATED IN GOLF

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