Expert Review: Cobra AIR-X Fairway Wood


All photos courtesy of David L. Brown
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf club, which I tested for one day in December of 2022.
My take
The Cobra AIR-X Fairway Wood is great for attacking pins on those long par 3s and approach shots on par 5s. This club is geared toward mid-handicappers who need a club to help them with distance.
About the club tested
- Model: 2022 Cobra AIR-X Fairway Wood
- Loft setting: 16 degrees
- Shaft type: Cobra Ultralight 50
- Shaft flex: Regular
About me
- Average score: 79
- Handicap: 7
- Experience: 22 years of golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Left-Handed
- Typical ball flight: Left to right
- Golf ball used: Titleist Tour Soft
- Club swing speed: 97mph
Test conditions
- When I tested the club: December 2022
- Days tested: 1
- Where I’ve used it: Simulator
- Weather and wind conditions: Inside
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for a new wood that offered distance and forgiveness, as my current Callaway XR16s are becoming more and more outdated, and I don’t love their feel.
Why I chose to test this club
I tested this club because it was visually appealing to the eye, and I have heard from other friends that the Cobra woods are solid. I didn’t buy this club, but I loved the distance and how lightweight the club felt. It is one of the lighter-weight clubs I have ever tested.
What I love about it
- Distance: The distance carries consistently 5-10 yards further than my current XR16s.
- Forgiveness: The forgiveness is better than I thought it would be, with the club being as light and distance being as long as it was. It doesn’t feel like it sacrifices on the forgiveness side, as my left or right shots are typically only 10–15 yards off target.
- Feel: The feel is incredibly light, and the composition of the head makes it so I can feel each shot where it hits upon the face of the club. I enjoy this because it gives instant feedback as to where I missed it or if I struck it pure.
- Sound: It has a normal “ting” sound with a nice ring.
- Workability: I can move the ball from left to right with a high fade pretty consistently, so I am pleased with its workability.
- Shaft Performance: The shaft is incredibly lightweight, allows me to move through the ball with a vengeance, and helps create the extra distance.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The sleek, simple design looks cool from behind when addressing the ball.
- Launch Angle: The fall was flying higher off the club than I expected, but I prefer that, as I like my ball to land softly with a high fade.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Adjustability: It has no adjustability, so if someone wants to set their club at a draw/fade, they cannot do so.
- Grip Feel: I used standard grips. I like custom grips on my clubs, so I would replace them with new grips once purchased because I felt my hands slipped on multiple occasions.
- Spin: The spin rate was a little higher than I would have liked at 4,500rpms versus being closer to the 4,000rpm mark, which helps keep the ball on line longer and creates fewer shots off target.
Best shot with this club
I remember hitting back-to-back shots with a fade on one and a draw on the other. I liked that it could work on whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to hit it.
Value for the money vs. other options
This is a quality wood for the price. It is best suited for the average golfer. I think it outperforms the Wilson D9 and the Tour Edge line of fairway woods but doesn’t quite have the performance of the Callaway Big Bertha or Mavrik series.
Final verdict
The Cobra AIR-X is a good option for the average weekend golfer looking to increase their distance from the fairway or be more consistent off the tee.