The Cobra ZL driver is fully customizable and has some really unique technology that makes it one of the best golf drivers on the market. It also looks and sounds great.

GolfDriverReviews Editor’s Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0

GolfDriverReviews Editor’s Review

Cobra has really put out a fantastic driver with the ZL. It has basically everything you need to be successful off the tee and is adjustable in many ways to suit your game. You can adjust the hosel up to 3% so that the head is open, closed, or neutral to account for a hook or slice. The sweet spot is bigger using Cobra’s 9 point technology, so that even your miss hits will generally go fairly straight. The Cobra ZL driver is aerodynamically designed to increase ball speed over previous Cobra models – 3.5-4.5 mph fast than the Cobra L5V. There is a swing weight screw available in 3 different weights so that you can customize the club head weight to different shaft types.

Aesthetically, Cobra has also improved the impact sound with the ZL. It’s deeper and less tingy sounding than other Cobra drivers. Plus the club looks good – black on black with silver on the bottom is nice.

The price is a bit steep for new models, however, as with many things, you get what you pay for. In this case with the Cobra ZL driver you get one of the best, most innovative and technologically advanced golf drivers on the market.

Best Prices

3Balls.com	Cobra Men’s ZL Driver RH Used – $279.95
Amazon.com

The Good

• Accurate – with Cobra’s 9 point face technology you will definitely see an improvement in your driving accuracy. You can also adjust the hosel (open, closed, or neutral settings) to control hooks and slices.
• Easy to hit – the Cobra ZL feels smooth in your hands and swings well
• Forgiving – the 9 points helps to increase the sweet spot on this driver’s face, helping keep those miss hits closer to the fairway.
• Solid feel – the ZL feels solid at impact, which gives it a ball crushing sense of power
• Great sound – the ZL doesn’t have the familiar Cobra ting, but a deeper sound that is more robust
• Color scheme – the black on black looks really nice and sleek

The Bad

• No woman’s or senior stock options – sorry if you’re looking for these clubs, you’ll have to go with the custom options and pay more.
• Soft shaft – the 46 inch shaft can be a bit springy for some and generate a high ball trajectory
• Expensive – About $350 new and $280 used.

Models

Cobra Golf’s current driver lineup for the 2009 and 2010 golf season includes the following models:

Model	Average Consumer Rating	Number of Reviews	Model Year
Cobra ZL	5.0	5+	2010
Cobra S2	4.8	10+	2009

Technology Features

The ZL in Cobra ZL stands for “Zero Limits,” which is what Cobra’s engineers set as their goal when they began designing this new golf driver. Of course there are limits and restrictions set by the USGA on golf driver design, but let’s look at what Cobra has come up with. Their three major technology features are as follows.

Advanced Materials

Advanced Multi-Material Construction – To create an optimal center of gravity, and improve the MOI and ball spin, Cobra designed the club head using a titanium face and body, and a weight saving carbon fiber or graphite sole and crown. This combination of unique materials along with a swing weight screw or plug helps to create more control, as well as a higher launch for maximum distance off the tee. The screw is available in 2, 6, or 10 grams and can be customized by club fitters according to specific shafts. The lighter materials allow the ZL to generate about 3.5-4.5 mph faster ball speed at impact, than the Cobra L5V driver.

9 Point Face Tech

9 Point Face Technology – To increase the ball speed across the club face and provide greater accuracy, Cobra uses a super thin titanium perimeter which surrounds a milled rhombus face insert. The 9 points effectively enlarges the sweat spot of this driver so that the club is more forgiving and you can still get good distance even on miss hits.

Adjustable Flight Technology

Adjustable Flight Technology – You can adjust the face settings on this driver to Open, Close, and Neutral, which allow you to control the ball trajectory and accuracy based on whether you hook, slice or hit the ball straight. The hosel can be adjusted up to 3 degrees – 1 degree open, neutral, or 1 degree closed, using an included torque wrench.

Along with these features Cobra also reengineered the driver’s sound at impact. It is louder and lower pitched than the Cobra L5V which was high pitched and quiet. The sound change is a result of more sole curvature and no dimples on the crown.

Specifications Table

For more information on any of these features, check out our Golf Driver Buying Guide, which has very informative articles on what to look for when buying a golf driver.

GolfDriverReviews Consumer Reviews Summary

What The Pros Are Saying

“I love my Cobra driver.” – Ian Poulter

“The club is easier to draw and easier to fade [than the S9-1],” – Geoff Ogilvy

Summary of the most helpful positive reviews:

Players feel that there is a lot of solid power behind this club, but it’s not overwhelming. They also really like the sound and say it’s a more powerful, deeper sound than other Cobra drivers they’ve hit. Even the miss hits sounded pretty good. Others talk about how good the distance is (some players commented that they picked up a solid 10 to 15 yards) and how straight this Cobra ZL driver is. They also like the Aldila VooDoo stock shaft. Many players like the look of this driver as well.

Summary of the most helpful negative reviews:

Some players felt the Cobra ZL gives up a little distance for greater accuracy. (This may not necessarily be a bad thing though in some cases.)

JB gets pumped up!

Featured Pro Using An Adams Speedline Driver

JB Holmes – JB’s best finish in 2010 was T2 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He is ranked fourth on the PGA Tour in driving distance, averaging over 302 yards per drive. He turned pro in 2005 coming out of the University of Kentucky.

Best Prices

3Balls.com	Cobra Men’s ZL Driver RH Used
Amazon.com

Do you own a Cobra ZL golf driver? If so, let us know all about it. Submit your Cobra ZL Review below, and let others know what you think about this popular brand.

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