Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K Driver Review

Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K Driver Key Features

• FutureFit33 Adjustable hosel system
• Smartpad Technology
• Progressive Aero shaping
• Adaptive Weighting

Cobra is going big with drivers in 2025, and arguably, the pick of the bunch is the brand-new DS-Adapt Max-K driver. 

Following in the footsteps of both PING and TaylorMade, Cobra has jumped on the 10k MOI bandwagon, and with a whole host of innovative new tech infused too, this driver promises to be one of the most exciting new driver releases. 

So what's the tech story with DS-Adapt? Well, other than breaking the 10K MOI barrier, Cobra has also launched a new adjustable hosel system, called FutureFit33. The clue is in the name, but this hosel allows golfers and fitters to choose between 33 different configurations, allowing golfers an unprecedented amount of adjustability when it comes to loft and lie.  

Another new addition to the DS-Adapt is Smartpad technology, which is an innovative sole geometry design, which ensures the clubface remains square at address regardless of the loft or lie setting.

To test out how well this new driver performed myself and GolfMagic's Equipment Editor Alex Lodge took it out on the course before digging into the numbers at Foresight HQ with a GQ Quad launch monitor. 

Let's get into it.

Player Level

The DS-Adapt Max-K is Cobra's most forgiving driver ever, but that doesn't mean it's just for high handicappers. This driver still packs a punch and thanks to the added forgiveness it's a fairway finding machine. I would highly recommend this driver to golfers of any ability.

Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K Driver Looks and Feel

The original Darkspeed drivers were probably the best looking on the market in 2024 with their blacked out design, but Cobra has genuinely managed to go one step further with DS-Adapt, upping the ante in terms of pure aesthetics. 

Sticking with a primarily dark design, Cobra has introduced flashes of white and silver to give the Adapt Max-K a dramatic and dynamic sole design. 

With panels forming a chevron behind the face constructed from a mix of solid sections as well as carbon for added texture, this driver looks modern, sleek and very well thought out.

A single weight at the rear of the sole rounds out the design, for one of the most satisfying soles in all of golf.

Flip the club over and the crown has quite an angular look compared to other 10K drivers like the Qi10 Max and G430 Max 10k. If you were to hand the DS-Adapt Max-K to me I wouldn't immediately thing it fitted into the same category as the two previously mentioned drivers, such is the refined profile.

With regard to looks, the crown is once again completely blacked out with a solid black perimeter and carbon taking up most of the centre. It's a great look that has become very popular for drivers and one that looks lovely sat behind the ball.

In terms of feel, this driver produces a strong and solid sensation through impact that is paired with a satisfying crack off the face. 

There is plenty of feedback from across the face, so locating your strike is easy enough, and when combined with the stability this head offers on take back, the whole package delivers a very satisfying user experience. 

Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K Performance and Forgiveness

At the time of writing this review I haven't tested every new driver of 2025, but I will stick my neck out and say this particular model will be hard to beat. 

While the Max-K is slightly slower than other drivers on the market, what it lacks in pure pace it more than makes up for in forgiveness and playability. 

After playing around with the new adjustable hosel system, I finally found the right setting for me, and from there it was fairway after fairway of clean driving. 

Having admittedly struggled slightly to find the middle of the face with the core DS-Adapt driver, the Max-K felt like a real breath of fresh air.  

The stability on offer, combined with the forgiveness across the face means this driver is very hard to completely miss hit. Granted no driver is going to be able to save the true horror shots or a complete thin, but if you are able to find a central spot or even relatively far out of the perimeter of the face, the tech infused into this driver will do its best to ensure your ball finds the short grass. 

The level of adjustability on offer with the new hosel means you can really dial in your preferred lie and loft, which meant that in only a few minutes and a few swings, between myself and Alex, we were able to really dial into an ideal setup for me, which resulted in much better performance.

With regards to spin, we saw this driver hover around the 3k mark which was right around where I like to see it, resulting in a fairly neutral ball flight which I was able to work both ways when required. 

All in all this is a very impressive driver and although PING and TaylorMade were the first brands to hit the 10k mark, Cobra has done a fantastic job of catching up quickly. 

Should you buy a Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K Driver?

If you currently own a 10k driver then I would recommend saving your cash. However, if you have been intrigued by the prospect of a super forgiving driver and want to invest in one in 2025, then the Max-K is a great place to start. 

Offering excellent adjustability, superb looks and fantastic forgiveness, this driver really does have it all. Coming in at £469, the Adapt Max-K is also quite a bit cheaper than other brands who offer 10K models, so you could save yourself some cash at the same time.