Fly-Z drivers
Loft options - 9° to 12°
Adjustability - The head can be set in eight positions between 9° and 12°. A moveable weight allows a forward or back centre of gravity.
Key technology - The centre of gravity can be moved to either a forward or back position to change the flight and the amount of spin a golfer produces. A titanium body is combined with a carbon-fibre crown. Weight saved as a result is repositioned low in the head to improve the forgiveness and the overall performance on offer.
Test Report – Paul O’Hagan
Cobra drivers have improved every year in recent times, and the Fly-Z+ is the best model yet. Moving the centre of gravity position did affect spin, but the best performance for all three of us came in the forward position. Those looking for a higher flight would be better off starting with the standard Fly-Z, which launches higher. The look at address is excellent, although each colour option (white, blue, orange and black) has a very different appearance behind the ball. Compared to other better-player drivers, this was one of the most forgiving, opening it up to a range of abilities.
Adjustability - The head can be set in eight positions between 9° and 12°.
Key technology - The SmartPad sole design means that changing the loft has little impact on how the head sits behind the ball. The CG is positioned low and back in the head to deliver a mid-to-high launch with low spin. This is assisted by weight from the face and crown being repositioned at the back of the sole. The crown is available in a range of colour options: blue, orange, black and white.
This is a model built with forgiveness as a priority. The head looks big and confidence-inspiring at address and, even set at lower lofts, it was easy to get the ball up in the air on a pleasing flight. Players with fast swings will get more out of the Fly-Z+, but the majority of golfers will find impressive performance from this mid-price Cobra offering. Shots that slightly missed the centre of the face still flew reasonably impressive distances. It’s a design I felt I could swing hard with and still control. It is a great option for those looking to gain yards but not willing to sacrifice consistency.
Loft options - 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°
Adjustability - None
Key technology - The Fly-Z XL driver model is designed specifically for players who suffer from a slice. This is predominantly achieved with an offset design that helps to square the face through impact more easily. Weight has been moved from the crown and repositioned low and back in the head to increase forgiveness. A channel around the face helps to minimise face thickness and should increase ball speeds on off-centre strikes.
Very popular around a decade ago, it’s rare to see an offset driver model these days. In fact, this is the only one on test. One of the main reasons for this is that golfers struggle to adjust to the offset look behind the ball. However, it’s done very well here. The offset undoubtedly made it easier to square the face through impact, to the point that some will find it results in a pull or hook. While the design won’t completely eradicate a major swing fault, it will make big slices cut less than a square-faced model. The launch was very high and I was able to consistently find the fairway during testing.
Cobra Fly-Z driver range - first-look review:
Cobra Fly-Z+ driver - on-course test:
Cobra Fly-Z driver range verdict:
