Welcome to the Golfer Performance KZread Channel and thanks for visiting!
Check out the website for golf tips and the latest club and equipment reviews at golferperformance.com
At Golfer Performance, my goal is to provide tips learned along my golf journey, as well as test golf equipment on the market and bring more relatable reviews for all golfers.
This KZread Channel will be home of the testing sessions of the best drivers, irons, and wedges I find, all of which will have their own reviews and recommendations on the website.
Golf should be fun, and these reviews are all of my own personal view, coming from the perspective of a regular mid-handicap golfer.
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I have found with this driver you should tee it up more, my old driver I always teed it lower and hit it decently, this driver is amazing!! It’s been 20 years since I’ve upgraded to a A1 Smoke Max and I could not be happier, I literally gained 30 to 40 yards the first round I played with this club and it’s only getting better the more I play with it and get used to it… I recommend this driver to anyone
Glad you found one you love, Jake! Hit em straight :) You must be working on your swing too to gain 30-40 yards with driver, it’s not just the club. Don’t sell yourself short!
That ball speed isn’t typical for 94mph . I’m about to turn 40 and had my left hip replaced a few years ago. My club speed is right around 94 and my ball speed is 140. Your smash was around 1.35 which screams low heel. If anything the fact that your spin stuck under 3k just says how great the driver is. The driver looks like a platypus? Uh huh
Tim Callaway, is that you?😂 I did say that the performance was good and solid build quality. But for me, I was using the improper shaft for me and that impacted my numbers and true swing. Reality is, it really was super boring as hell to hit. Sound was boring and feel was not as electric as Paradym X off the face. Also, WAYYY uglier than Paradym X. Qi10 and Darkspeed are way more fun in this years driver release. Cheers :)
Thanks so much for this, I’m a newb on adjusting drivers and this answered my question. I just bought this driver “used, very good” condition on Amazon for $163 and I don’t know what happened but they sent me a shiny brand new one with stickers still on it. What a lucky deal, love hitting it
That’s awesome! Even better :) It is such a smooth feeling driver, love the feel off the face. Enjoy hitting it 😃 If you have any other questions, let me know!
PING G425 MAX (Amazon): amzn.to/3WBvaS4 PING G425 MAX (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/g1jY9v
Callaway Paradym X (Amazon): amzn.to/3YfR6Dk Callaway Paradym X (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/PyX7oM Good deals on Paradym X now! Great driver
Just traded my Callaway Rouge ST Max for a AI Smoke 12* Max Fast. I’ve gained 10-15 yds on average and the shaft , 40 G R2 suits this senior golfer quite well! As far as looks, that’s personal opinion, I like the looks feel and sound. You give the AI smoke Max a top grade on performance and quality. Try testing it with a regular shaft, you might have a different opinion!
That’s great! I’m in the same boat, completely agree looks and sound is personal opinion. I loved the Paradym X and felt the ball jump off that face. Possibly would feel that with the Ai Smoke MAX with a regular flex shaft, but overall it’s subjective for sure. Consistent performance is there, as you mentioned. I recently replaced my R9 with the Qi10 MAX. The ball speed and feel of the new TaylorMade felt phenomenal. I got ball speeds consistently up to 150mph, new territory for me. Glad you found extra distance with the Ai Smoke MAX Fast. Here’s to hitting them straight :) ~Cheers~
Great review! Love the contact sound on this driver!
Thanks! I appreciate it :)
cha cha cha chia! Cheers -
hidden gem growing ability
Whoever comes up with these names at Callaway needs to be fired 🤣 "AI smoke"
I think the name is a little long for sure!
Yeah and it’s gotten annoying how many companies are trying to capitalize off of “AI” technology
@@parkerbodin1236 agreed, people are tired of companies hopping on the AI bandwagon
I didn't mention in the video, but I wasn't thrilled with the name choice either. Both due to what you said about the AI overuse, and how long the full driver name is. Just not very consumer friendly, in my opinion.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Driver(Amazon): amzn.to/4cL4m7r Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Driver (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/g1jkb9
what shaft is this? the blue one in regular or stiff?
Hey Mac! This is the Regular Flex, Mitsubishi Chemical Kai'li Blue 60 gram Graphite shaft. Loved it with the Aerojet Max :)
Great on trackman. Definitely has a lot of speed of the face. I picked up massive amounts of ball speed on good hits.... but in the real world it was completely uncontrollable for me on the course. Misses both directions, mis strikes falling straight out of the air in and misses were huge. I've gone back to my 7 year old Titleist and my scores have improved. Note I say scores. Not distance, or ball speed.
Thanks, John, for the insight. I was definitely getting the left miss when I took it out in the first of 2 rounds I played with it on the actual course. I was able to correct it and played quite well for the most part with the DARKSPEED MAX, but I can definitely see where someone might experience some dispersion like that. You're so right; drivers should come with disclaimers "will not improve your irons and short game" lol But they are the most fun club to hit. Interestingly enough, the Qi10 MAX has been my favorite so far out of the new releases, and I just purchased one to replace my previous driver, the R9. I was long overdue. The Qi10 MAX is giving me what you are getting with your old Titleist, good positioning on the course. Cheers!
Is it better than the LTDX Max?
Hey Dezmon! I would honestly say my performance with both was pretty similar. Actually my average swing speed at the time of my LTDx MAX testing was ~3 mph slower than DARKSPEED MAX, but average total distance was similar. The DARKSPEED MAX had slightly more carry and felt tighter dispersion wise/more accurate. If you’re comparing performance, you can spend a lot less on the LTDx MAX and get a very similar performer. I like the DARKSPEED MAX looks better though (probably not worth the price difference on that alone lol). At the current price (I think you can get a new LTDx MAX for around $249), it’s very tough to beat the value in that price for the performance you get. My opinion :)
I have an LTDX max now but I do like the looks of the dark speed just was trying to justify a pour finical decision lol. You made believe I can’t so I’m holding off lol
I hear you, they really stepped up the look, I was so impressed with cobra and the DARKSPEED looks. I mean most drivers are pretty comparable in performance but I say as an amateur, I want a cool looking club too so sometimes it’s hard not to splurge on that latest release. I’m working on the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX review right now and it’s total opposite it with them. I Do not like the new looks/design much at all compared to the predecessor Paradym X.
Darkspeed looks amazing! i'm going to take a look into this one, Great video overall!
Thanks!
Invest in a cheap lavalier mic my friend
Much different story for my latest review lol
I just found your channel. It's really nice to see an honest review of a product. Especially from an amateur (please don't taken offense.) I just subbed.
I appreciate that a lot, thank you! No offence at all, that’s the idea. Trying to give an honest perspective from someone who can’t always hit a great drive :)
They aren't any better than the areojet. Waste of money.
I generally agree. It did have about 6 yards longer carry for me than the Aerojet MAX, but overall the performance difference is marginal, not enough to upgrade if you already have an Aerojet.
I'm confused, its like 30 yards shorter than the Cobra drivers you were testing? Or did you have a big swing change/speed change in between
Hi There! Big improvement on my driver swing in-between. Was working on fixing my swing all winter for more square club face/path and better swing speed to improve distance. Those earlier testing sessions (TSR2, LTDx, etc) were taken in December 2023/early 2024 in the early stages of my improvements. Latest reviews have been with my much improved swing. The swing speeds of 89.4 but still 227 yards is decent at the time for the TSR2, but the spin I was getting was higher on a lot of those drivers due to more of an outside-in swing (for which I worked on correcting) :) I say from about the Aerojet MAX review onward is where the improvements show up.
Awesome review, it’s so nice to see an amateur make an honest video from actual experience
I appreciate that so much. I would see reviews of actual experience but they are always teaching pros that would hit the ball 290-300+ yards no matter what and be like yup, club is great lol so what help is that to an amateur who is going to have a completely different feel with each club, and have a lot more mis hits. This comment means a lot, thanks! :)
I purchased the LTDx Max in 10.5* I put the heavier weight in the heel and turned down the club to -1.0 draw. I am now hitting driver 10-15 yards further than my previous driver.
The LTDx MAX is such a good value. Great to hear; those extra 10-15 yards will generally give you 1 less club in on your second shots and a better chance on each hole (if you can keep the LTDx MAX decently straight :D). Which driver did you previously have?!
Great review!
Thank you!
Solid in depth review on the Darkspeed. Thank you!😎
Thanks, appreciate it!
Forget the Aerojet, Darkspeed looks SO good. Darth Vader vibes
Impressive content - keep up the good work
I appreciate that so much. Thanks :)
Cobra DARKSPEED MAX Driver (Amazon): amzn.to/468i5Tj Cobra DARKSPEED MAX Driver (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/LXV30M
Might need to upgrade from my LTDx to the Aerojet! Great review.
Cobra is on fire with their drivers lately. DARKSPEED MAX review coming up next!
@@GolferPerformance oh wait there’s an even newer one than Aerojet?? 😂 Looking forward to seeing it!
Cobra LTDx MAX Driver (Amazon): amzn.to/46d5vCe Cobra LTDx MAX Driver (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/DKPrKj
TaylorMade Qi10 (Amazon): amzn.to/4ddQr9C TaylorMade Qi10 (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/baxY6m
Cobra Aerojet MAX Driver (Global Golf): globalgolf.pxf.io/oq1Z3m Cobra Aerojet MAX Driver (Amazon): amzn.to/3SBFTtl
This or the aeromax?
Hey Garry! Great question. I love the LTDx MAX look and feel, and the performance was pretty similar. That said, I would get the Aerojet MAX if I had to choose. I just felt I could get a bit more out of it, but overall they are both fantastic clubs at a great price right now. Here is a bit more in-depth review if you're interested. golferperformance.com/blog/cobra-ltdx-max-driver-vs-aerojet-max Also, I currently have the DARKSPEED MAX with me and played a round with it today. It feels unreal off the face (I know, brand new and way more expensive). Will be putting it on Trackman this week to get stats in comparison to Aerojet MAX.
Nice driver; take your thumb off the top of the shaft & you’ll do better,,,
Great catch! Thanks :) It’s a bad habit that sneaks into my driver. Instead of having it more to the left I have a tendency to subconsciously have it straight on the shaft. I don’t put as much tension as it looks, but you are 100% correct. I need to remember to catch myself doing that :)
Hahaha “Quest for Inertia”? How did the marketing team approve that? Curious to try a Stealth 2 myself
Completely agree. Qi10 alone sounds much more James Bond’y!
Great swing Jeff :) Love my Cobra LTDx
Thanks, ODi! It’s a great driver. Infinity symbol is the go zone.
Got this for $250 bucks few weeks ago.. think it's a bargain and It's right up there with the big boys in terms of performance
That’s a great deal! It truly is. Hitting it, feels very solid and the distance I was getting was essentially the same as the newer Aerojet MAX. Great buy and value. Like you said, bargain price in comparison to some! :)
Bit more higher spinning than the Aerojet Max. Have you tested Darkspeed yet?
All fairness, I should have a disclaimer, my driver swing was a bit of a mess around Paradym X testing time and I still got solid distance. Definitely more my club path than the driver, you’ll notice a lot of my swings had a negative degree (outside in) swing path which added to the spin. Fixed that and much improved inside-out swing now. The Paradym X did feel electric off the face. I am posting the LTDx MAX testing later today (yes it’s older but great value). Just edited the video. I have the Qi10 and Qi10 MAX with me now that I’m excited to hit this weekend! DARKSPEED I am hoping to get in by end of next week. I’m most curious to see the difference with recent Aerojet MAX testing given my swing is in a good spot. :)
Just bought the aero max head for £149. Currently playing with the radspeed xb which is unbelievably forgiving
That’s a great deal, you’re going to love it; Such good value for the performance. You’ll have to let me know how you like it! I’m going to be testing out the DARKSPEED MAX over the next few weeks and post that session. I’m highly interested to see the difference (at double the price almost) vs the Aerojet MAX. I’m in the market for a replacement driver as well for this upcoming golf season!
It’s good. Twists a little more on off centre strikes than the radspeed, but I’ve added a little extra weight at the back and it’s stabilised it. The tinkered with aerojet is better in feel and performance than radspeed and ltdx for me
That's great. It's nice to know you are set for the season with a driver you like to hit. The added weight to the back was a good call to add forgiveness!