Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver Review

We take a look at the new ‘anti-slice’ offering from Cobra, the DS-ADAPT MAX-D driver, to see what golfers can expect

Photo of the Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver
(Image credit: Future)
Golf Monthly Verdict

The DS-ADAPT MAX-D does pretty much everything you could ask from for a driver in this category. There won’t be many more draw-biased drivers on the market this season. Some slight reservations in terms of the playing position visual were certainly mitigated by the very impressive performance and ease of use.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Achieves exactly what it sets out to - a very left-biased ball flight

  • +

    Exceptional impact feel

  • +

    Very forgiving model

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    The angular head shape did not suit my eye

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The genre of the ‘anti-slice’ or ‘draw-bias’ driver is a competitive one, with many manufacturers trying to address the shot that afflicts so many. The best drivers for slicers all achieve an all-round package of flight correction, ease of use, and high-quality, premium looks. Can the new Cobra DS-ADAPT Max-D driver fill that brief and sit among the best golf drivers of 2025?

WATCH: Joe Ferguson takes a deep dive into the full Cobra DS-ADAPT driver range...

In terms of the individual tech story of the MAX-D model, it has been designed with all of its discretionary weight positioned in the heel for increased slice correction and exceptional stability. The wider tech story of the range is a more complex and detailed one with the new FutureFit33 shaft adapter being the main event, and I would encourage you to head over to either the DS-ADAPT X driver review or DS-ADAPT LS driver review to read about that in more detail.

Photo of the adapter for the Cobra DS-ADAPT LS Driver

(Image credit: Future)

The upshot of this clever new adapter is that it will provide the user with more options than ever before and the ability to decouple loft and lie when making adjustments, which can only be a good thing.

Visually the DS-ADAPT MAX-D is a tale of two halves. From the shelf appeal or in-bag perspective I think it looks excellent. The visible carbon and subtle red accent colors give off a really premium look which follows on nicely from the Darkspeed Max of last season. However, down in the playing position, this particular model just doesn’t do it for me. The playing profile lacks a little uniformity of shape to me when compared to say the DS-ADAPT X or LS models, and just looks a touch awkward to my eye. Furthermore, I am not a big fan of how the multi-material junction on the crown flows - or more accurately doesn’t - into the hosel section of the crown, which I think negatively impacts a strong-performing driver.

Photo of the Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver in the address position

(Image credit: Future)

I said last year that I thought the Darkspeed Max may have been one of the most draw-bias drivers I had ever tested and its successor has picked up the mantle where Darkspeed left off. As with this entire range of drivers from Cobra, each model shamelessly delivers on its marketing promises through its performance characteristics. If you want a low spinner, Cobra can give you that in bucket loads with LS, if it’s versatility you are after, the X can mold to just about any requirements, and the same can be said of MAX-D. If you want to get rid of your slice, then this is just about as much as can be done in a clubhead, and that’s before you get stuck into the 33-setting adapter.

Photo of the data table of the Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver

(Image credit: Future)

Launch is easy to come by with this driver, and throughout testing, I was impressed by a high level of stability at impact even on some very questionable passes at the ball.

Even above how well it delivers on its promise of slice correction, the star of the show throughout this whole DS-ADAPT range for me is the feel and acoustics. With measurable data-related gains such as ball speed becoming more difficult to achieve, sometimes the biggest victories are found in the less quantifiable areas, and DS-ADAPT family-wide, that is the case.

Photo of the sole of the Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver

(Image credit: Future)

Cobra has produced one of the best-feeling driver families I have personally reviewed here and the impact acoustic that accompanies it is superb also. Describing something so personal and subjective well is a tall order, but the best way I can do so is to say that for me there seems to be a sweet spot right in the middle of ‘thuddy’ and dull, and ‘clangy’ and high-pitched that the DS-ADAPT range has dissected perfectly.

The DS-ADAPT MAX-D does pretty much everything you could ask from for a driver in this category and, as has become the norm for Cobra, it is priced a touch more conservatively than some of its competitors at $549/£469. My reservations in terms of the playing position visual were certainly mitigated by the very impressive performance.

Photo of the face of the Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver

(Image credit: Future)

The DS-ADAPT X Driver comes in RH/LH (*LH available in stock Denali Blue 60, (R and S), with all other shafts custom) with a choice of five premium aftermarket shafts in select flexes including: True Temper Denali Black 60 (S and X); True Temper Denali Blue 60 (R and S); True Temper Denali Red 50 (A); Fujikura Pro Black 60 (S); MCA Tensei AV Blue 60 (R). Lamkin Crossline grips (50g) come standard.

Joe Ferguson
Staff Writer

 Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade.  He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice. 

Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.

Joe's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Switch between Ping G430 Max 10K & TaylorMade Qi10 - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X

Fairway wood 1: TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X

Fairway wood 2: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD 5 Wood - Fujikura Ventus Black 8-X

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB 3-PW with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Wedges: Callaway Opus 50, 54, and 60 degrees - Project X LS 6.0 shafts

Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9

Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x 

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R

Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand