THE TRUTH! Cobra SpeedZone Vs Cobra F9 Driver!

[@RickShielsPGA]

Q.) Who do you think is going to make the *BEST* driver in 2020? Cobra, TaylorMade, Callaway or someone else?

[@cawscarpentry8617]

Rick Shiels Golf Taylormade

[@TsionBenJudah]

Maybe Taylormade!

[@chrisjohnson181]

I think we might get another surprise and see ping or mizuno bring out something special.

[@cally2289]

Ping will dominate in my opinion as they feel they can improve

[@rhysclark2258]

Taylormade surely this year but not M7 M8 it will be a completely new name same as what Cobra have done.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

This feels like more of a testament to how great F9 was rather than SZ "not stacking up" or something. They set the bar so high with F9 it'd be very hard to exceed that anyway.

[@hunterbarnes54]

I just purchased a F9 over the holiday for $280 brand new so I’m pretty happy. However what I like about it is the extra “protection” around the crown and bottom so that when your buddy tries it out, they don’t damage it from their “bombs away” attempt.

[@BooWayn]

Great review Rick. I've been waiting to buy the F9 until the Speedzone was released so I could take advantage of the inevitable price drop. Now I can buy the F9 for $349 and know that I'm not missing out performance wise. Thanks mate.

[@MrCyberSlacker]

After watching this video I ordered the F9 driver. I never swung it, I didn't have the ability to get it fitted, and I never even seen it other than watching your videos. I have played with it for 2 weeks now and I can honestly say that it is worth every penny I spent. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@52t99]

Rick, appreciate this review. It confirm my thought and made me felt better that I just bought an F9 driver for over 50% discount.

[@nicolainilsen5101]

I did the same thing. I absolutely love the f9. Ive had the Titleist 909D since it came out, but never got comfortable with it.

[@SickDangles13]

Had a 20 year old Wilson driver and just spent $275 for brand new F9 Speedback... cannot WAIT

[@shimonhawkins13]

Replaced my 2017 Epic with the F9 as well for $229. It is 11/10 wow...

[@steelwater3947]

I just bought a new F8 300$ can. or 220 US delivered at home. I used it for the first time yesterday. all time straight with a good distance but the ball is a little bit too high. I will change the 10.5 degree to 9 degree like my previous driver. I had a cheap Ping copy before. The sound is much more better with the F8.

[@52t99]

Steelwater why in the world would you be paying that much for an F8? I would have sold you a great condition F8 for $150. An F9 would be just around that expensive.

[@ashjamben]

Come on Rick, you’re British. Call it an “S-Zed” 😂😂

[@RickShielsPGA]

Sorry

[@courier007]

@@RickShielsPGA Zorry?

[@mkmkm0000]

Pizz off

[@paulmcgee1867]

Ashley Bennett shed

[@urklenurkle]

Lol didn’t pick that out. Poor rick is torn

[@juergunmagerkinsquirter1280]

SZ Extreme driver and SZ 3 wood in my bag.....couldnt be happier. Love the forgiveness of the Cobra woods. As a casual player this makes all the difference. was belting them down the fairway the other weekend and has renewed my need to get out on the course at least every couple of weeks

[@timnelcin8717]

You still feel this way im about to purchase both

[@benjamingonzales9580]

It had been 6 years since I’ve updated my driver. Just didn’t feel the need to. I got off the couch yesterday and went to get fitted for the Cobra F9. Playing Bali Hai in Vegas later today and cannot wait to put it in play. I was bummed to see I’ve lost 8 mph club head speed in the past year. Time to get serious and re focused on my game from here on out. Cheers. And thank you for the content.

[@FineCutJoinery]

brought the F9 this year, largely due to your review and recommendation. Very happy with its performance. I had previously started leaving my old Ping driver in the bag due to a large consistent slice. After spending time getting fitted and adjusted am now using the Cobra consistently and finding the fairways consistently. Cannot recommend the club enough

[@Karma-qt4ji]

Bought one on Friday, arriving tomorrow. Of course I bought last years model because as Rick points out here, there is no real difference to the new one, and it was 100 odd quid cheaper. Can't wait to get it out on the course....

[@robturner109]

Hi Rick, I went to test out a few drivers and got fitted and bought a cobra speedback F9 (in avalanche, not good enough to step up to the tee with bright yellow! 😂) based on your review....and in just under a month I have cut 3 shots off my handicap and I am consistently breaking 90, the extra 30m is a game changer! Thanks so much for the review.

[@jeffnahass8373]

Hi Rick, I picked up the F9 last weekend for $145 after trade in. For a golfer like me, the F9 works great. My club head speed is 123-124. (Ex rugger, train for speed, but I’m older. I can’t go slow). I believe the Cobra product to be one of the best. Spending $500 on something to add 1mph to my swing didn’t see cost effective. I love the driver. I can draw it and hit straight. The fade is more like a slice, so I’m not there yet.

[@mikedunn7038]

Great review Rick. I just ordered the F9 this past Monday. Can’t wait to get it and test it out on the course!!

[@RickShielsPGA]

Enjoy

[@chadyost444]

Not just for golf, but for product reviews for all goods i think the ease for consumers to find information like this will force company's to actually develop real improvements. No more sales tactics forcing you out of your F9 into this SZ because of hype. Thanks rick

[@easonyang5388]

Wow I just realized that the editors timed Ricks striking sounds with the beats of the music👌🤩🏌️‍♀️

[@scotthill8777]

I have the SZ in my bag and it’s awesome. Set it up to be as forgiving as possible and the results are brilliant. Great driver

[@grahamtibbot3329]

Looks like Armageddon for driver technology, unless someone’s coming out with another weird and wacky solution we didn’t know we needed 😖 (heads straight to eBay and types in F9)

[@derekyoder1846]

Graham Tibbot I think the usga will change the rules eventually and allow bigger cc or whatever rules on drivers

[@grahamtibbot3329]

I doubt this, the USGA will look to preserve the traditions of the game and prevent courses becoming obselete rather than bow to manufacturers. In any case most top brands are producing clubs which are smaller than the allowable maximum because they are more aerodynamic and faster.

[@6dbur9]

I'm playing with the f8.. Its the first Driver I have ever bought and love it. Bought online without ever trying it but has changed my tee offs.. Would love in the future to go out get a full set custom fitted and see what if any difference it makes to me a high handicap golfer..

[@smoggydrones5664]

Just more proof that manufactures just keep re inventing the wheel. Spend your money on your swing.

[@vika0194]

What choices do they have? Golf tech has hit a plateu and any advancement might only improve a golf club insignificantly.

[@habs7646]

they improve stability year by year. Speedzone is more stable on mishits than F9, check TXG channel

[@vika0194]

@@habs7646 Hitting a golf club without 100% power is not so difficult. When I do a soft swing (95-100 mph) I have no issues hitting it on fairway. But Maximum force at 115 mph will fly all over the place. That's where they need to improve. When people give 100% swings.

[@habs7646]

@@vika0194 haha sorry Victor but if you go all over the place at 100% its your club path+face angle and angle of attack that does dispersion.. you gotta avoid the 2 way miss and take lessons. cheers

[@vika0194]

habs 76 No. 100% means all force and nothing else. Nobody can do that with accuraccy

[@michaelangelino3189]

Well, there it is. Time to find an F9 on a deep discount to replace my F8+ Volition. No need for the SZ it seems. If Rick really didn’t pick up much, not many others will either. Especially us mid handicappers. Thanks for the honest review Rick. It’s always appreciated.

[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks for watching

[@kimptos]

Update: he switched to the SZ Extreme 😏😂

[@c1985paul]

@@LavinMoinul-ni7cm afford? I have a feeling he gets clubs for free from manufacturers.

[@griff-nl7qn]

I use to just come up and hit the ball, 80 percent of the time its a slice an could not figure out why but then I have watched alot of your video's and changed my grip, stance and all an i was hitting better than before, so I thank you for that an the video's. Went from an rbz 2.0 driver an last week i picked up the cobra speedzone and what a difference. From following your tips an the new driver, its been a blast driving that ball out there... thanks Rick much appreciated.

[@josephvoll3842]

Man! He/RS has one of the smoothest swings that I have ever seen!!! Wow!!!

[@dannguest862]

Crumbles when he plays Peter finch 🤣

[@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel]

First off my name is Mark, I am not Marta, she is my wife and I help with her videos. I have watched your videos of the F9 comparisons and this one, the speed zone vs F9. So I waited and just this week picked up a new F9 with a Fujikura Atmos TS Black 65 shaft for $225! I hope it works as well for me as your F9 works for you Rick! It's a bit of a gamble. I am 67 yrs. old and my swing speed has dropped from 110 to just below 100. I used to average about 270 with a slight draw and although not way long, my driver was way reliable. Sometimes I could play 3 rounds before missing a fairway! I changed from a xstiff to a stiff. Between getting older and the club change I lost a great deal of distance. Also, I was fighting turning it over left too much. So we are going back a bit, this Atmos is not x stiff but has a much stiffer tip. I have lost swing speed but have always had a quick tempo, so we will see! I am hoping the lower flight and less spin combined with the stiffer tip adding more control over right to left flight will allow me to gain some roll on that old slight low draw I used to play. Any suggestions?

[@angrytom1923]

This makes me want an F9 even more now. Just gotta wait for that price drop.

[@ssgenx2847]

Angry Tom by March 2020 it will be 200$ new

[@JayHavs11]

Recently bought the F9 brand new because it was $100 off. Great news knowing I’m not missing out. Love everything about what Cobra is doing. My first ever Driver was their Amp Cell model, love the strides they have made since then. Cheers Rick for another great review!

[@legend9018]

Thousands of F9 owners have just breathed a massive sigh of relief lol...including myself!

[@johnmichaelgavin3617]

yep!

[@jergernice1]

@@johnmichaelgavin3617 sz is way more consistent. and much lower spinning with the weighy in the back. unless you are a pro and hitting as good or better than rick in this test. to me the f9 is unplayable and the speedzone is money. i still have both drivers..

[@lesleywhitelaw6000]

Hey Rick, I have F8 with Arcoss. Just start the round on your phone. Hit drives and second shots and the tech senses ur drive and then listens for your second shot. No need to press done when u get to your ball. Just pull it out once at the 19th to get all your stats.

[@gabecouch3335]

At the moment im having the F9 and its , hands down, the best driver I ever had . previously : epic 2017 , sldr, burner.... That sldr was kind to me tho. Hit one 164 ball speed with eaze. Thx @ricksheilds for tips.

[@matthewbaker1662]

the tm burner??? i have that rn lol its 11 years old and im tryna upgrade

[@edtlonsway]

Thanks for always shooting us straight Rick! Can always count on real data and information coupled w/your experience in these reviews!

[@jamesallen160211]

Ffs I'm still rockin the amp cell 😭 love both of these drivers just a shame the wife is tighter than 2 coats of dulux

[@stewarth794]

Hahahahaha 😂👍

[@markcoulson5505]

Lol. I'm still rocking the Amp Cell Pro.

[@claytonjohnston25]

James Allen I haven’t been able to beat my F8+ numbers with the F9. Test my driver and fairway against the F9 counterparts. But who knows.

[@jamesallen160211]

@@claytonjohnston25 I'll be honest my numbers still stack up with my amp cell. My mate has the f9 and we have a gc4 at our club there's literally 5yrd difference between them

[@Yorkie263]

Tested my Amp Cell against the F9 and the stats were pretty much the same, but the F9 is now on sale so going to grab one :-)

[@grantgunderson4736]

Great vid as always RS! Just confirmed my plan to hang on to the F9 for another season. Straightest and longest driver I’ve ever owned. Nothing quite like having confidence on the tee!

[@robbiemcfadden3023]

So get a f9 driver when the price drops when the sz comes outn

[@RickShielsPGA]

Yeah! Why not

[@motty147]

Clubhouse Golf in the UK now have the F9 AT £309 👍

[@raymondrodriguez4551]

That’s what I’m doing 😂

[@JT-ic9mp]

The universal problem with this strategy is that club fitters typically only fit you for current models. I may go get fitted for an F9 now and then wait to buy on the used market next year.

[@JonxPon400]

The price has dropped in half I've seen em for $250

[@EnormousBison77]

I feel like we've reached the peak of technology in drivers. Companies are able to bring the clubs to the max allowed specs. There's just nowhere else to go. Much better off buying used and saving money since you'll get arguably the same performance.

[@bradybarrow907]

I’m getting the f9 for Christmas, great video!

[@RickShielsPGA]

Class

[@scottz.1975]

Rick, based on your love of the F9, I couldn't resist ordering one for me AND my wife once I saw they were marked down to $249 after the SZ came out. I really value your opinion and cannot wait to receive the F9s. Thank you so much for your reviews. Love your channel!

[@Cornwall1888]

The red lines go left to right instead of top to bottom so it must be better 😂😂

[@jergernice1]

i spent a year thinking f9 was a dud. i immediately sold it. it was dead off the toe. so many shafts tried. bought ping 400....same shaft great club. bought speedzone a year later and i was absolutely amazed. some of my longest shots off the toe. I simply could not stop fading this club though...fade biased??? any way found a f9 head for 100$ and wow.....its amazing. i must have had a dud. much like crossfield had during initial testing. unfortunately my f9 has a rattle. i want another f9 but not a dud.....ugh..

[@Ryan-ym9tb]

Would love to see your review of the Wilson Staff Model Utility Iron for 2019 👍

[@maxgrahlher2206]

marauder15 Agreed!

[@davidyeomans6279]

Why the Americanism it’s zed not zee. Your from Lancashire ????

[@imasspeons]

As much as I love WS products, the utility iron has (to me) what looks like a ton of offset at address. Hard pass.

[@TheStallion234]

Great review, Rick! Makes a lot of sense, similarly to the ski market, if you compare clubs (or skis) within a year or two of each other, unless there are massive changes, it's largely cosmetic updates, so doesn't make sense to upgrade every year unless you get it for free or just have to have the newest, latest kit.

[@royjohnsonvideo]

Surely Rick that's a "ZED not a "ZEE" or are we all Americans now? Good review though...

[@smoggydrones5664]

Roy Johnson with success the need to cater towards the American market, remember Wheeler dealers car program. That was the beginning of the end for mick and Ed China .

[@chadyost444]

Amazon had the one in my wish list dropped to $240 US but i missed it. I jumped on a new F8 for $200. I had the double check with Ricks review of it first lol

[@ssgenx2847]

Chad Yost F8s are selling for 100-120$ right now

[@chadyost444]

@@ssgenx2847 where? Used?

[@52t99]

Chad Yost, I just finished my first round with my new F9, an upgrade from the old F8. The F9 is so much better than the F8. I would wait for another F9 and return the F8 if I were you. You won’t be disappointed.

[@robertbogdan7058]

PHEW!! I just bought an F9 on year end sale. I was worried I had pulled the trigger at totally the wrong time. PHEW!! You just saved me the price of a new SZ.

[@TheRycooder]

And you JUST moved into the SZ....LOL

[@Mathijsvanwijk]

Hahaha what i thought !

[@TheRycooder]

@@Mathijsvanwijk lol

[@brentjewell9641]

Nice review rick! Im using f9 smoke 6.5 Also... Actually 1 yr now the longest any driver has ever been in my bag.... Im sure it will be hard to replace

[@wiggy123]

6 adverts in a 10 minute video. Nice.

[@martingriffin4825]

yep - weirdly all about 'project management' - i wouldn't mind if the ads were for something I have a passing interest in :-)

[@Slashaboyz]

Use the F9 3 wood. Absolutely love it and it's all thanks to you Rick!

[@anthonyroberts5082]

Boom first “big up the notification squad “ 😂

[@RickShielsPGA]

Nice work!

[@rhysclark2258]

Pipped to the post 😤😊

[@johnnyhunter]

First to make a comment nobody cares about anyway. So yeah, big ups there.

[@anthonyroberts5082]

😂😂 jeeeeezzzzzz Johnny why you so saltyyyyyyyyy 😂😂

[@johnnyhunter]

Anthony Roberts I live beside an ocean ;)

[@jackkelly5766]

Thx for the comparison. Just bought F9 set on close-out sale. Driver, 3W, 4H and 5 thru wedge. Since added 5W an d 3H. Hope come this summer, I made a good choice.

[@qman3223]

Rick when did you start pronouncing the letter Z as "zee" instead of "zed"? Ar us Americans rubbing of on you?

[@RickShielsPGA]

S 'ZEE' sounds better

[@Erictheking66]

No it doesn't, it sounds like you've forgotten how to talk properly.

[@wiltshirecaravansltd3507]

@@Erictheking66 agreed

[@wiltshirecaravansltd3507]

you will be saying pudder next!!!!

[@bigphatsmoke9284]

Nah Zee is deffo better zed sounds shite

[@stevenaguilar5605]

White F9 mainly..... primarily because the logo and n the top of the club head is terrible on the SZ!thanks for being a great teacher Rick!🙏🏼

[@RookiePlaysWZ]

can we just say it is awesome how he syncs up his shot with the music in the editing?

[@roughneck8260]

Great review Rick. I personally love the Cobra brand. I would love to have the F9 or the SZ in white. I have been using the S3 for years. To answer the question "Who do you think is going to make the BEST driver in 2020? Cobra, TaylorMade, Callaway or someone else?" I would say Callaway or Taylormade will have the best selling driver. Simply because that is what the majority of the tour pros will be using.

[@jrternieden]

Hey Rick (someone might have already posted this) but if you have an Apple Watch, you don’t need to keep the phone in your pocket. Your watch can register shots. What’s also nice is you can turn on the haptic and the watch will vibrate when the shot is properly registered. Cheers.

[@currbag]

Hit my 14 year old cleveland hibore 300 yards dead straight so figured why get a new driver. Ended up buying a set of f9 from driver to wedges yesterday because it was an amazing deal with a new bag! Took the clubs to the range and I definitely hit my drives another 10 or 15 yards further with the new f9! Cant wait to take it on the course!

[@allahalibaba9063]

I agree...the Cobra F 8 was a great driver and the F 9 a little better..only thing was that Cobra did on offer the Shaft options as they did on the F 8 but after calling Cobra, the Aldila Rogue Silver can be played so now I have two shaft options....Thanks Rick....I got the Cobra F 9 at a discount seeing how they came out with the New Driver....Wonderful

[@hammymonkton8201]

Just bought an f9, definitely more forgiving and straighter and slightly more distance than my taylormade r5 which I have used for years. I also noticed than this performs better for me using a lower tee.

[@21joose]

I have arccos on all 14 clubs and it's a game changer. I love it. It does exactly what Rick suggested, I know where I need to improve. It gives you a handicap rating on all aspects of your game, chipping, putting, driving, approach. Hi check em out. Great customer service too.

[@japietheron8345]

I would definitely want to have the Cobra SZ driver 9.5 degrees in an extra stiff shaft in the Matte Black/White finish. I think the extra milled face will definitely help my driving in the form of forgiveness and that extra bit of speed will definitely have an effect on my overall distance. Thanks for your great content Rick. Big fan all the way from South Africa.

[@a-a-ronseventy7235]

Honestly, any driver would be an upgrade to my current driver. I just picked up (and quickly got addicted to) this lovely game about 6 months ago. However, the matte black looks awesome! Thanks for the vid!

[@scrollbass27]

Bought the F9 last week and couldn't be more pleased. I was bombing 250+ straight carry drives at the range today without trying. Thanks for the recommendation! And I only paid $250 for it. BUTTAAAAA!

[@Uppdala]

Awesome vids man. Compared to other youtubers, I really feel that you are putting in the effort to get your followers to understand the crucial points of the videos!

[@glfrjack]

Titleist used to do similar marketing with their ProV1 back in the day. "The longest ball in golf" was the claim in ads. It was shown that statistically it was only like a fraction of a yard in robotic testing, so they couldn't get sued. Good job Cobra.

[@allahalibaba9063]

I agree the Cobra F 9 is a great driver and a little better then the F 8 I had...Cobra new driver SZ if more for people who don't already own a F 8 or F 9...Thanks for the review....

[@ryantrepal3480]

Rick thank you for the honest review. I play with the F8+ and I was considering moving to the F9. Since I heard the new cobra driver was coming out I wanted to wait and see the reviews. I'll probably just stick with getting the F9. Thank you again for the great content.

[@artemioalmenario2180]

Ui Li

[@mikeway267]

Still playing my Cobra F6 and still love the feel and sound.

[@nicexcollectibles7128]

This is why Rick is the best. He doesn’t cater to hype or brand. He’s a straight shooter and genuinely cares about us as golfers.

[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks so much- glad you enjoy

[@robertbrown9912]

Got an F9 on sale last fall to replace a Fly-Z. Played two rounds so far with it and have not missed a fairway. This thing wants to go straight. Not sure how much longer it really is as courses here in Ontario are still pretty soft. My regular partners say I'm hitting it farther. Still working on finding centre of club face consistently. Tending toward heel. Great driver. I'm sure SZ is at least as good.

[@dakotathoman]

I have the 2018 F8, probably wont be changing any time soon, I love it. Maybe wish I waited for the F9, but I LOVE MY F8. Plus my driver is all black. :)

[@jasonescoto3355]

Thanks so much for your review. Looks like I'm sticking with my F9 and saving money!

[@johnandrews1959]

Another great review rick, it would be great to see a golf brand just hold there hands up and say “ we can’t improve on last years driver” the numbers are so tiny how could anyone tell that there new driver is better. I’d love to see 2020 driver vs 2015 driver.

[@dianeurwin5591]

So I appreciate this video so much! As a player looking for a new driver, this gives me the confidence to move forward & know I could choose F9 or SZ & I could not go wrong! I have tried the M6, did not like the sound, nor the feel, but the ball came off the face so quick & went long! Listening to you hit the Cobras, I liked the sound, the distance was positive, & you seemed to like the feel! I am going to try the Cobras! Thanks you Rick!

[@gooddeedsbeatbad2625]

Would absolutely love the cobra sz driver.

[@RudiPollard]

I didn't think there will be much difference between them. I really like the Matt option on the sz though. Now just to find the cash...

[@leehall6285]

So glad to see Cobra back in the driver convo! They used to be what I wanted to hit when beginning golf in 2003-2006 days! I would buy the F9 or the SZ in White, don't care for the yellow. Can't wait to save some funds and buy one!! That milled face is SEXY!

[@franksampsell3538]

Like the sound of the Carbon crowned clubs, but typical manufacturer games. If every club since the original King Cobra were 5% longer than its predecessor, I would have a 450 carry by now! Keep the honest reviews coming

[@creamabdul-jabbar6722]

Man I broke down and bought the f9 just now. Big upgrade in my bag and as much as I play $250 to last me probably next 10 15 years if not more. God willing nothing happens to it, probably be the only driver I ever buy. I’m now $600 into a bag. I got Cleveland 588 wedges, 51, 56, 60 degree all for $90. Now a cobra f9 driver and the rest are Callaway strata box set but the irons and 5 hybrid are damn good for what you pay. Hitting greens on par 3s and usually one shot off gir on par 4s sometimes hit it but thats because my game sucks. Bogey consistently though so with new driver I look to start getting pars

[@Biglou1478]

Love my F9...there truly is no reason to change. Thanks Rick!

[@p.walker3957]

Just bought an F9 coming from a Wilson ultra driver from a box set. Stoked is an understatement.

[@chadode9048]

Great review as always! Your vids helped turn me into a club junkie as well as an average to below average husband. Keep up the good work!

[@johndoe-tx8bc]

That SZ in the matte black is on point!!!!!!

[@pistolpete7319]

Exactly thoughts and that’s why I just bought the F9 for half the price and on top of it I’m not a fan of the new graphics.

[@dustindyer7480]

SZ with a hazardous stiff shaft as far as color that’s a toss up. To be sleek the matte to be flashy that yellow pops and is slick Rick. I’d go with the Yellow it’d match my irons a bit better.

[@darrenbell6376]

Rick I've gamed f9 for 3 month now and found centre strike high on the face were bombers but strikes low and from toe or heel lost yards so i didn't find it very fotgiving if I'm honest. Had a fitting with the new sz last week and although it's only fractionally longer for me it is for sure much more forgiving on off centre strikes. The head is more stable and doesn't twist as bad as the f9 and sz looks much cleaner from Above so for me i ordered it right there and then. My dispersion side to side and front to back tightened up significantly which tells me the work they have put into the new model has paid off even though it's no longer than the f9.

[@dereksimpson1284]

Pretty much what I expected. F9 is still my best driver. I don't see anything on the horizon that can take its place for me. Great video 👍

[@rutgersfan7]

If anyone is interested, the Cobra F9 driver just went on sale through Cobra/the PGA Superstore for $250. Just put in my order for it!

[@kevinmontgomery1054]

Rick, I love what you do but consider some reality here. The 2 biggest factors determining club head speed are 1) muscles, and 2) swing technique (probably 90%). I believe #3-5 are shaft length, club head weight and aerodynamics (in that order). I'm thinking only in terms of real club head shaft lengths (44.5 - 45.5") and club head weights. Milling the face, movable weights, Arcoss tracking, forgiveness, lower spin all have nothing to do increasing club head speed. Ignore all those factors. Club makers can't impact the first 2 factors at all. They can set the length of the stock shaft but that is easily customized (and you always say get fit which includes the shaft length). Also, we're at the limit of golf shaft lengths and most golfers know a longer shaft also brings less accurate strikes. When it comes to club head weight more carbon = lighter club head but the weight saved is usually offset by adding more weight back into the head somewhere else. That really only leaves tinkering with aerodynamics to influence club head speed. So, it's no surprise to me that club head speed is nearly identical. For me the real deal is ball speed. Every club maker does well on center strikes. The key is off-center strikes. Wtih Cobra's new wrap-around infinity face I would expect a larger sweet spot and much more consistency of ball speed on a bigger part of the face. Please measure ball speed on heel, toe, high and low shots. Did this improve significantly?

[@andyg9187]

Excellent review Rick. The comparison from last years F9 to the F8 was from what I can remember was quite a difference so for Cobra to make something to beat the F9 was always going to be minimum results if any. They really are bringing out some wonderful stuff just now and so underrated, I love that they have kept the price realistic. I agree, if you have an F9, dont upgrade yet. If you are in the Market and want a good driver get the SZ. If you are in the market but looking for a bargain get an F9 I seen one selling for £250 on black Friday but generally they are now down to £300, an absolute bargain these days you might even be able to get it in your next Golf Bidder challenge. Is it obvious I have a bag full of Cobra stuff?

[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks so much for watching

[@joegvoll6017]

Wow! I can't believe how similar the performance was!!! Crazy. I think I prefer the look of the F9. Can't wait to see if the RAD can top them??? Off to watch the RAD Review!

[@bejayranger7194]

SZ white version 9.0 hazardous smoke stiff shaft for me Rick. Great review as always

[@jonthatcher9735]

I actually like the yellow. Give me the yellow SZ, 9 degree, with a stiff Smoke shaft.

[@jporter504]

Thanks for an honest and unbiased review! That is why I watched your video first.

[@brettjeffery8753]

The fact that the face wraps around is good. The F9, it was possible to crack (chip) the carbon fiber top (where it meets the face) with a hit off the top of the club face.

[@paulgeddert6125]

The principle of constantly fiddling with your phone while playing golf seems to me the opposite of why we play golf. To be in a beautiful setting away from technology / devices etc.

[@conormurphy3758]

I'd love a driver upgrade Rick... had mine for a while!! Your reviews on the cobra have made my mind up... the SZ for me pls... or I'll take your old F9 if it comes out of the bag!!

[@meetmichaelprince]

Thanks Rick! Been looking forward to this one since your teaser a couple weeks ago. I’ve had the F9 in the bag since the spring and like you, ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. And honestly I never would’ve tried it if it wasn’t for your review last year. Anyway, I do really like the overlapping face and the full carbon top option, but definitely not work the $449 just for that. I thank you, and so does my wallet!

[@XaviBentanachs]

In love with the new SZ driver it's definitely my choice

[@adamseidel9780]

Oh wow, the black and white with matted top looks so great. I hated the yellow color scheme on the F9, but that looks so great now

[@smoggydrones5664]

On a positive note it will make 2019 model cheaper. I bought a ST180 £150 cheaper than the ST190 and on Ricks review just the same

[@henrymonster9926]

Great review! Smart move not to increase price, just a dressed up driver with no real changes. I would then expect the SZ successor will have the substantial(maybe measurable) changes. Honestly, I think this will be the pattern for most OEMs this year, all put out quality drivers, I doubt anyone will bring anything new, just dressed up repeats.

[@chichenwings09]

I dig the matte finish on the SZ but I'd take an F9 with the black/white finish. Definitely on the list this year.

[@petereccles376]

Great review again and honest as ever. I think Ping are due a change in tech as the 400s been in a while but if my son wants to upgrade his Cobra F8+ hes saving a few quid and going F9