50 Words or Less
The Lynx Black Cat driver has a stealthy look and impactful adjustability. Solid performance.
Introduction
When it comes to adjustability in drivers, we’re seeing different OEMs choose different paths. Some, like TaylorMade, choose to offer golfers countless options. Others, like Lynx with their Black Cat driver, deliver fewer options but each one is meaningfully different. In this review, I’ll discuss the performance of the Black Cat and how much impact the WBS (weight bar system) has on it.
Looks
With it’s totally clean, matte black crown, the Lynx Black Cat has a stealthy look at address. The round, symmetrical shape should appeal to just about everyone.
When you flip the club over, the neon green paint explodes against the black sole. As bold as the color choice is, the sole isn’t overloaded with graphics. You’ll see the Lynx logo, “Black Cat” near the heel, and the words “Spin Control” near the reversible weight.
Sound & Feel
The Lynx Black Cat driver produces a high pitched, slightly hollow sound when struck in the center of the face. When you miss the center, the tone gets lower pitched, providing good audio feedback. There’s also decent feedback on impact location through the hands.
When the heavy weight is shifted from forward to back, it does change the feel of the club substantially. If you pick up this club and don’t like it, make sure you flip the weight before writing it off.
Performance
As someone who prizes forgiveness above all else when I’m on the tee, I started testing the Black Cat driver with the heavy weight in the back of the head. I was immediately impressed with how consistent (and high) the launch angle was, even on strikes that were low on the face. Despite the high launch, the ball flight was fairly strong, holding its line and rarely ballooning.
When I moved the weight forward, the Black Cat felt like an entirely different driver. Pure shots felt more satisfying, but mishits were felt more in both my hands and in the ball flight. The drop in spin was noticeable: the ball bored through the wind and occasionally knuckled.
On the launch monitor, I was struck by how easy it was to lose ball speed with the weight forward. With the weight back, the Black Cat is a solid, forgiving driver. When the weight is forward, mishits are stringently penalized.
The stock UST Recoil is a solid, “decent for everyone” type of shaft. I felt a substantial kick in the butt section of the shaft and a moderate amount of torque in the tip. With the weight forward, the shaft felt more active which likely contributed to my poorer results with that configuration.
The Black Cat driver only comes in one head with loft adjustability at the hosel. You can set it anywhere from 8.5 degrees to 12.5 degrees. This range of flexibility is nice, but it will also create a variety of face angles at address. To my eye, it appears just slightly open at 8.5 degrees. At the 12.5 degree setting, it looks a little shut. I was surprised that it didn’t look more shut to me; I think it’s the result of the clean black crown and face.
Conclusion
The Lynx Black Cat driver is a quality performer with exactly the kind of adjustability that I like best: simple and impactful. There aren’t hundreds of possible settings, but when you flip the weight bar, you will notice it immediately. If you want a stealthy-looking driver that’s different than what everyone else is playing, the Black Cat is worth a try.
Lynx Black Cat Driver Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Matt I enjoy reading reviews like this on different companies equipment, instead of the big guys in golf.
Nice looking driver . What price range are they asking?
Thanks,robin.
Robin,
It’s listed at $399.
Best,
Matt
That is insanely low spinning.
Yes, that is low spin, even with the weight back.
How does it fair in distance when compared with Ping, Taylormade, Callaway, Cobra and all the other high dollar drivers ?
Scott,
As with any driver, if it fits you, it will be as long as just about anything else. The forgiveness and ball speed are a little shy of the very best from PING and Callaway, but the difference isn’t large.
Best,
Matt
I have played with Macgregor and Titleist all my life now that I am 65 and still using Titleist 714 Blades and happy with them. However one of my mates told me to try cavities, I tried the Cobra Kings’, and they went 18 Metres further I was impressed. My driver is the titleist 975D 6.5 Degrees old habits die hard. So now I am looking for a whole new set of clubs’ I like the new new Cobra 9, I haven’t tried it as yet.