Cobra Amp Special Edition Drivers For Mac
While we believe the S2 was a very good driver, we certainly felt it could be more accurate, and I personally was anything but a fan of the tip-whippy stock Fujikura Fit-On shaft. For the S3, the Fit-On has been replaced by the Blur (still not a big fan), and they’ve shortened the shaft by 1/2”, which on paper means the S3 should be more accurate. Like the S2 before it, the S3 features 3 very simple, user-friendly, adjustability settings (open, neutral, and closed), but unlike last year, few of our testers even seemed to notice or care about the adjustability. Amazing how just a year can change things.
Given how well the S2 performed, it goes without saying that we were anxious to get the S3 in for testing. What I’m really starting to enjoy, as we build up our library of reviews, is not only having the opportunity to test the latest generation of clubs, but to also be in a position highlight comparisons, and hopefully distinctions from the previous models. What I’m quickly learning is that today’s equipment environment almost demands that new equipment be released annually. More often than not the only thing compelling about the latest and greatest is a new paint job.
Flv spider for mac os x 10.5.8. FLV Spider for Mac allows you to capture online videos to your hard drive, but some. People often find videos on the Internet they want to watch while offline. FLV Spider for Mac allows you to.
Performance, it seems, doesn’t change much (especially with 1 year product cycles). But hey, we try and keep an open mind, because you never know when actual improvements can be made. So is the S3 a compelling upgrade to the S2? We’ll get to that, but first let’s look at the marketing pitch.
The Marketing Angle While Cobra could have simply painted the S3 white and called it a new model, they actually decided to introduce something of relative consequence; E9 Face Technology. The short of E9 is that Cobra’s research showed that golfers tend to hit the ball in an elliptical pattern across the face of the club. At first it sounds a bit, wellwhateverlike clever marketing I suppose, but when I started to think about my own experiences, it started to actually make a little bit of sense. Sometimes I hit the sweet spot. When I miss, I don’t tend to miss along the same parallel. Like many golfers, if I hit it towards the heel, I hit it low off the heel. If I hit it out towards the toe, it’s almost always high on the toe.
To make what Cobra calls the “SweetZone” they took one of those larger sweet spots that we’ve seen diagrammed a hundred times over, and rotated it clockwise. The result is better performance on those parts of the faces where are misses generally occur.
Of course the big question is “does it actually work”. We’ll get there, but first, a few words about how we arrive at our results. How We Tested The 6 golfers for whom we collected detailed performance data were asked to hit a series of shots on our 3Track Equipped simulators from. As usual, testing was done at, a state of the art indoor golf facility located in Saratoga Springs, NY. Detailed data for each and every shot for which we collected data is now viewable in the. This data serves as the foundation for our final performance score. As a supplement to our 6 performance testers, a subset of additional golfers were given the opportunity to test the Cobra S3 Driver and provide feedback in our subjective categories (looks, feel, sound, perceived distance, perceived accuracy, perceived forgiveness, and likelihood of purchase).
This information, which we also collected from our performance testers, is used as the foundation for our total subjective score. Testing was done using a variety of lofts in both regular and stiff flex.
PERFORMANCE SCORING Distance Looking at the raw distance numbers really only tells part of the story. Yes, the S3 driver is long. For the most part it proved to be #1 or #2 of the drivers we’ve tested this year. Of course, raw distance could also be an indicator of whether or not E9 Face Technology is all that Cobra says it is (or at least should be). One of the things we observed is that the S3 launches a bit lower than not only the S2, but many of the other drivers we’ve tested recently. Across the board launch angles were down somewhat considerably. Mark, for example, normally plays a 9.5° driver, and often creeps up towards 16° of launch with our test clubs.
With the S3 we ultimately had him test using the 10.5° head, and his launch numbers were still lower lower than with any driver he’s tested for us. Even with lower than expected launch angles, the results were very solid. In fact, every one of the 6 testers for who we collected detailed performance data posted an A-level distance score!
I’d have to check our historical data, but this may well be the first time that has ever happened. When measured against the other testing we’ve conducted with 2011 drivers, the S3 sits alongside as the longest of the season thus far. MGS Distance Score: 94.67 Accuracy The biggest knock we had on last year’s S2 was accuracy. While most loved the feel, and got solid distance, our testers did struggle to hit it as straight as they’d like.
While the S3 appears to have improved a bit from the S2, though I’ll stop well short of calling it a substantial leap forward where accuracy is concerned. When we look at the adjusted accuracy numbers which serve as the basis for our accuracy score, we see that while two of our testers (Tim and Dan) had very good results (Tim was less than 11 yards from the center line, Dan less than 14), our other testers missed by an average of somewhere low 20-something yard range. So while the two most accurate testers posted A-level scores, the others were solid B-level at best. From my perspective that amounts to decent, but certainly nothing to get overly excited about. MGS Accuracy Score: 87.13 Consistency We think our consistency formulas are probably the best way we have to measure the effectiveness of E9 Face Technology.
Anecdotally, several testers (myself included) noted how far the ball carried on what our testers thought were some fairly poorly struck balls, impressive. Indeed, I can attest that balls low and off the heel, and high of the toe traveled significantly farther than I expected they would. Of course, our consistency formulas are about more than distance.
We look at launch angle, spin rates, and accuracy, and more in attempt to quantify how much deviation our testers produce from shot to shot. Where the S3 is concerned, that deviation proved to be minimal. It’s not unusual for one or two testers to post consistency scores in the mid to high 90s, but to see 5 of 6 consistency scores collected above 95 is rare. Only Todd failed to post a number above 95, and while his 88 and change wasn’t awesome, it’s certainly more than respectable. MGS Consistency Score: 96.69 Overall Performance Accuracy is fairly heavily weighted in our final performance score, so a “just ok” number in the point total there is almost always reflected in the Overall Performance score. The S3 posted a solid B+ for accuracy, which was enough to drag down the results of the extremely high distance and consistency scores (consistency counts for the smallest percentage of the performance total).
Overall, however, the final performance numbers are somewhere between rock solid and excellent, which tells us you probably shouldn’t buy a new driver without checking out the S3. MGS OVERALL PERFORMANCE SCORE: 91.48 SUBJECTIVE SCORING With the possible exception of the, the S2 was the most popular driver we tested last year from a subjective standpoint. With that in mind, you could say that the S3 had some pretty big shoes to fill. Based on what you’re about to read, though I’m admittedly not in 100% total agreement with our testers, not only does the S3 fill those shoes, it busts right through the toe box. Looks Our testers continue to love all black clubs, so it’s not a huge surprise that the S3 would score well in this category. In truth, apart from a slightly refined shape and some updated sole graphics, it’s not a radical departure from the S2.
Of course, while the sole and crown are similar to the S2, that big ol’ elliptical face certainly stands out a bit. I expected it would cause the looks score to drop, but not a single tester had much of anything to say about it. While I don’t think it diminishes the look of the club one bit, it’s definitely unusual. In truth, I personally prefer the looks of the S2, but our testers who awarded plenty of 9s and 10s seem more than satisfied with the small updates Cobra has made.
MGS Looks Score: 93.17 Feel I thought the S2 offered outstanding feel. In fact, I could make a case that it was the best feeling driver we tested all of last year. The S3, in my opinion, is actually step backwards. Though it’s not a bad feeling driver, I find it’s a bit more muted and duller than the S2. I personally gave it an 8, but only because 7 seemed a hair too low. One testers agreed with my 8, while a couple of others actually went lower (7).
Our scores are based on averages, however; and it turns out the majority really likeshellloves feel of the S3. A few 10s, and plenty of 9s came back on our surveys, which, after the numbers were crunched, looked exactly the same as the look score. MGS Feel Score: 93.17 Sound I’d suggest to you that the S3 driver is the rare club that actually sounds better than it feels. Of course, not everyone agreed with me as a couple of 7s and 9s dragged down my 9. That said, a few of our testers had clearly fallen in love with this club and weren’t about to consider anything lower than a 9 (and for some that 9 was too low). The S3 may account for the single highest number of 10s we’ve seen in our surveys.
In this particular case, the end results are starting to look strangely similar. MGS Sound Score: 93.17 Perceived Distance No real surprises to be found here. The S3’s performance numbers indicate it’s a longer than the average driver, and our testers seemed to take notice of that fact. The lowest rating we saw was an 8 (two of them), but each and every other tester wrote down 9 or better. To be sure, the final perceived distance number is high, but to the extent that we can quantify opinion, those opinions are more or less supported by the data. Tester Perceived Distance Score: 96.75 Perceived Accuracy Perceived accuracy is almost always either to0 high or too low (when compared to the actual data). In this case, I think it’s higher (and considerably so) than it should be.
But as I said, our testers really like this driver, so the psychology of the review process tells us that they’re going to remember the good shots, and almost completely erase the ones that perhaps aren’t as tight to the center line as we’d hope. While Dan and I rated the club a 7 for accuracy, not a single other testers wrote down less than a 9, with tester Tim noting: “Balls that I thought were breaking right stayed on the target line. Consistent distance and great accuracy. Nearly every shot felt pure”. It’s clear the majority agreed with Tim. Tester Perceived Accuracy Score: 93.17 Perceived Forgiveness It’s somewhat surprising that the forgiveness number isn’t higher than our tester’s surveys rated it. While we saw a single 10, and several 9s, plenty of testers rated it an 8 (with a single 7 thrown in for accuracy).
My guess is that the results may be more reflective of accuracy (our testers started remembering the ones that didn’t go straight), than it is of the shot for shot performance of the club. Still, we’re not talking about anything radically low here. We’re still talking about an A-level grade, even if it’s closer to an A. Tester Perceived Forgiveness Score: 91.38 Likelihood of Purchase The LOP score can tell you plenty about what our testers actually think about a club. We’ve had clubs rated highly across the board that still received low LOP scores. In those cases, our testers have told us things along the lines of “the club looks good, and performs great, but I’m just not in love with it”.
Of course, the opposite is also sometimes true (“It didn’t perform well for me, but I really like it”). My point is there’s no accounting for golfers. As you may recall from our review, one of our testers actually loved the clubs so much he went out and bought a set. While that’s impressive, the story has got nothing on that of the S3. Two of our testers are actually now bagging the S3 driver, while another went out and purchased an S2 (he told us he loves the S3, but he got the S2 for half the price).
Based on the sum total of our LOP surveys, I wouldn’t be shocked in the least to discover more of our testers have put S3 drivers in their bags. Tester Likelihood of Purchase: 94.96 There’s really little I can add.
Across the board the Cobra S3 Driver received high (if not the highest) marks in all of our subjective categories. When every single score is A-level, there’s not real surprise where the final tally will fall. TOTAL SUBJECTIVE SCORE: 93.70 CONCLUSION The end result of this review boils down to two fundamental questions. How good is the Cobra S3?.
Should you replace your S2 with an S3? The first questions is exceedingly simple to answer. The S3 is a very good, perhaps extremely good driver. It’s without a doubt one of the longest drivers of the 2011 crop, no doubt in part to the E9 technology, which looks like it might be more than just marketing. If you do a reasonably good job of keeping the ball and play, and are simply looking for something to help you get more out of your mis-hits, there are few if any drivers that will offer more benefit than the S3.
As for whether or not it offers enough of an improvement to replace an S2; that’s not so clear. The S3 is almost certainly longer, and is hotter across the whole of the face; however, I’m personally still not a fan of the stock shaft (the Blur is a minor upgrade at best), and I’m not convinced accuracy has been measurably improved. If you’re long enough, and hitting fairways, stick with the S2. If, however, you have a real need for that 5 more yards that many golfers lust after, or again, you need to get more out of your mis-hits, then absolutely consider the S3.
While E9 Face Technology is compelling, the S3 driver is very much an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary product. That’s not a knock on the S3. If anything it should illustrate exactly how good the last several driver releases from Cobra have been. Year after year the company produces some of the best products we test, and thus far 2011 is proving to be no exception!
Have you hit the Cobra S3 Driver yet? What were your thoughts? MGS TOTAL SCORE: 91.70 If you found this review and others useful, please consider making a cash donation to help support MyGolfSpy or a contribution to our.
We accept credit cards through PayPal. A PayPal account is not required in order to donate. Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site.
In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them.
Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer. Golf-Spy Really enjoyed your reviews on the S-3. After reading them I have decided to give it a try. I have been a fan of Cobra for years I still carry the King LD with Pro force V2.
I have purchased other drivers in recent years and always go back to the LD it has a sound all of it’s own. Hundreds of dollars in drivers sit in my garage due to incomparable performance of Cobra I will purchase the S3 on your advice and expertise. My LD will be hung with pride on the wall as been a great friend for many years. I also use the ping raptures V2’s which I haven’t found an equal.
The pings offer the custom fit since I’m 6’4” can you suggest an equal. Thanks again great article.
From a pure vanity perspective (my S2 had been given such a bashing over the last 3 years that it had a few sky-marks on the top and a very feint rattle) I just upgraded my S2 to an S3 (American Golf here in the UK were selling the S3 for £99 (about $150) which seemed such a bargain). I didn’t read this article until after I’d bought the S3, but it sums up nicely the debate I was having. I loved my S2, but I found that I was inconsistent in terms of accuracy (I’ve always been long but erratic off the tee). I bought the S3 without custom fit, without even demoing (I know, I know), purely on the basis that I loved the S2 and the S3 was an evolutionary product from the S2, and the cheap cost was such that I could take the risk.
I have not been disappointed. Straight out of the wrapper it felt familiar having used the S2 for 3 years, although I’ve eliminated the big misses I used to get from the S2, and probably added about 10 yards on my purest strikes. It makes a fantastic noise, playing in twilight you can see the sparks fly off the face (awesome) and it really does put it out there a long, long way. Playing in a pro-am with my club pro, on the long drive hole he flushed one down the middle, only for me (a 10 handicapper) to put it 10 yards past! Have a S3 (10.5 deg) with stock stiff fujikura shaft.
Great club, amazing length, but control sucked. Blur shaft snapped on me recently, went for a fitting and now have it loaded with a Aldila RIP alpha 60 stiff shaft. Best change I could have made, consistency on fairways hit up by 70%; distance gained with lower ball flight (coastal course and windy). Will be in my bag for a while yet. Now saving to get the cobra AMP forged irons, hit these at demo day and amazed by the gentle draw or fade I could get; haven’t managed that since carrying Mizuno TP11’s in the ’90’s! Don’t forget a gain of over 10 yards on current set with same loft in 6 iron, slightly lower flight. Can only point to the KBS shafts and better face technology.
Would you guys suggest this club for someone with a slower swing speed of between 80-90 and somewhat fights a slice. I have a draw Big Bertha Diablo that I’m borrowing for a friend but I’m in the market to buy a driver. I put that driver right down the fairway almost every time carrying anywhere from 175-200.
Mostly wondering if I dial this thing up to the draw and with my club head speed is this possibly a right fit for me. Currently trying to fix the slice I have and don’t want to get a permanent draw or offset so the S3 with it’s adjustable head is really screaming at me right now. Looking at the 11.5 with the results you guys and others are getting with the low flight.
Cobra Amp Special Edition Drivers For Mac
I can take all the flight I can get but roll out isn’t a bad thing either! Keep up the good work on the reviews! By far the best I’ve found anywhere. Dear Golfspy T, I know it’s 2012 now, but I would really appreciate a response on this driver. There’s only one Cobra S3 Driver left in this entire city (Hanoi) that’s in my specifications, and it’s on sale, and, after reading this review, I’m pretty much sold.
(I’m sick of waiting for Nike to get their products to Vietnam) But before I head out to the shop, can I ask one question? Maybe it’s the swing speed (I doubt it) or maybe there’s a fault in the way I hit the driver, but most drivers I use become loose at the hosel after a few months. Usually I just bring it to the shop and have it glued back in. But with an adjustable driver like the Cobra S3, will this phenomenon damage the mechanism permanently?
Is it possible just to bring a loosen hosel on an S3 to the shop and have it “fixed”? Thanks so much for your help in advance. Sincerely, Tue. Just finished a wear down selection for a new driver.
Have hit about every brand in the store and whittled the selection down to the TM Superfast 2.0, TM R-11 and the Cobra S3. Using a GC2 Launch Monitor, after avout a 10 minute warm-up with a 6 iron (man, 180 with a 6! My how clubs have changed in 10 years) I hit 10 balls with each club then compared the results of the best 8 shots for launch angle, distance and distribution. My swing speed is 94 – 97, so the flex was stiff, and loft on all clubs was 10.5. Also made sure the R-11 and S3 were set to neutral. I really, really wanted the S3 to be the club. But it’s not this day.
With both TM clubs, I averaged 256 yards, 11 – 13 degrees launch angle and 18 yards dispersion, pretty much equally left and right. The S3 was 8 yards shorter, 248 average, and 30 yards of dispersion, mostly left. Launch angle was also much lower that the TM clubs, averaging 9.5 degrees.
I will give the 3 another go in a few days and see if anything changes. But if I had to make a decision right now, I’d go with the Superfast 2.0 and save $100 over the R-11.
MGS.absolutely love your site and the most impressive product reviews such as this one for the Cobra S3. Seems like everytime that I read about the newest long hitting driver I am just about to go out and test it on the machine and then BAM, you come out with another informative post. I tested the Adams 9064 last week and just could not get past the tingy sound of the ball coming off the head, it was the strangest sound of any driver I have ever heard and I was really hoping deep down it would be a winner. The Ping I15 was an absolute straight and long arrow but I do not have the distance numbers yet to compare. I am going back and forth on the Ping G, K and I 15 models and the Razor Hawk.
Cobra Amp Special Edition Drivers For Macbook Pro
NOW add the S3 to the list to be tested. The Interactive review page is awesome since we in the audience can fine tune our reviews to those testers of very similar swing speeds and handicaps.
This is by far the best information in helping make the decision. I broke the head off my Adams Insight MTD driver last week at a Bridgestone Ball fitting program at the local golf shop and am in dire need of a new and LONG driver. Keep those reviews coming. The longer that I can wait using my old backup R7 the more informed a purchaser I will become.
Thanks from Ft. Worth, Texas. Would it be possible for you to publish just what exact type of ball you use in your driver tests? From the plethora of ball info out there knowing the ball dynamics you are using would also be valuable info when comparing spin and launch angles.
Please consider this request in future reviews. Our testing is done using 3Trak simulators from aboutGolf. Although we understand that the company is working on “logo recognition” technology that would allow the cameras to calculate flight dynamics with a normal golf ball, for now, in order to get accurate data we must use the specially marked balls supplied by aboutGolf.
My understanding is the balls themselves are manufactured by Callaway. They are 2-piece models, which from what I can tell are most similar (if not identical to) the Warbird.