If you’re trying to wrap your head around the timing of the Cobra Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE and SPEEDZONE Xtreme drivers, remember that if not for the misery that is 2020, the best golfers in the world would be competing in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot this week.
Pars and Stripes was supposed to be Cobra’s limited-edition U.S. Open driver. But as was the case when The Masters was postponed, the schedule change has left the brand in a pickle.
What do you do now?
You could hold it for the U.S. Open. A limited-edition driver in September is infinitely more practical than an azalea print polo in November but that would push you perilously close to end of the buying season.
Fortunately, there is a second option.
Cobra checked its colorway against the calendar and, boom, here’s your red, white and blue limited-edition Pars and Stripes driver just in time for the 4th of July.
A deft maneuver for sure. I respect the hustle.
A Tradition of Limited-Edition Awesome
While nearly every equipment brand has dabbled in the limited-edition game, you can bank on Cobra releasing something special every season. And with few exceptions (the tan camo F8 maybe wasn’t my favorite), Cobra’s special-release designs continue to improve and impress.
Granted, it’s just one guy’s opinion but with this 2020 Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE design, Cobra has set a new bar. It’s the company’s coolest limited-edition design to date. So much want.
To be sure, the story of the Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver is mostly about paint but, damn, Cobra painted it right. The 360 Carbon Wrap crown is glossy white with blue accents. The sole is red, white and blue (because America, that’s why). And while all of that would look dandy on its own, what sets the Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver apart is the blue CNC-milled Infinity face.
Boo, PVD
Full disclosure: The finish is PVD, so the longevity of the finish is questionable. That doesn’t thrill me but, without the constant turf interaction and bag chatter, PVD on drivers tends to be more durable than it is on irons. The contrast between the blue finish and the underlying silver titanium isn’t nearly what it is with a black PVD, so when if/when it starts to wear, it shouldn’t be as noticeable. I’m not particularly concerned about it, especially since the full package is exceptionally well done.
It’s sexy in a way that should make you uncomfortable with this conversation.
Most of the rest of the story is the same as the mainstream retail version of the driver. In addition to the Infinity face, you get the 360 carbon wrap crown, the low center of gravity and the aerodynamic SPEEDZONE shape. No need to rehash the details here, we’ve covered the tech in detail.
Short version: Pars and Stripes is like the black and yellow (and a little bit of red) SPEEDZONE Driver with a well-themed and well-executed paint job.
Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE – A Real Ventus Shaft
Remember, I said the Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver was mostly about paint. There is a bit of a ripple here that justifies the $549 price.
The Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE driver is outfitted with a Fujikura Ventus Blue shaft. The Ventus color scheme fits perfectly with the US Open 4th of July theme, so the choice makes sense – especially in a limited-edition offering. To be clear: we’re talking about a same-as-the-aftermarket Ventus Blue and not the less -than-real-deal Ventus* offered in the SIM lineup. The shaft drives the costs of the driver up $100 over the standard retail offering but it’s arguably worth it, considering that the retail price for the shaft remains $350.
As was the case with ATMOS in the Wilson Cortex, in Year 2 of its life cycle, Fujikura has made a premium aftermarket available to a club manufacturer, presumably at a price that makes it viable as a semi-stock option.
I loved it with ATMOS and Cortex and I love it every bit as much here.
Cobra Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver Specs and Pricing
The Cobra Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver is available in 9 degrees only. The Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE XTREME is available in 10.5 degrees only. Both models are available in stiff and regular flex with X-flex available through custom.
An Arccos Powered Cobra Connect grip is included.
Sorry, lefties, this one is available only in right-handed. You poor bastards had to see that coming.
Retail price for the Cobra Pars and Stripes SPEEDZONE Driver is $549. Availability begins Friday, June 19, at Cobragolf.com and key retail accounts.
Varun Sharma
7 months agoI pretty much like it..
Willie T
7 months agoLove the paint scheme. – as it reminds me of when HD did the bicentennial paint schemes of ’76. If I were to be in the market for a new driver, this would be on the top of the list. Love it when it is something other than the usual color schemes. Will be neat to see if the golf community takes Cobra up on it and these sell out….then EVERYONE will be making RWB drivers!
Brett
7 months agoSaw this one today in PGA Superstore, beautiful club. I was confused about the shaft, the Taylormade version does not have Velocore on the shaft. Being that this one is supposed to be the aftermarket good version i thought it would say that on the shaft but there was nothing. The shaft looked exactly the same as the shaft in the SIM? How else can you tell the difference?
Brett
7 months agoFollow up… bought it yesterday. The Velocore logo is on the shaft underneath all the stickers they put on the shaft… excellent driver btw
TheBrad
7 months agoTake that, hippies!
scott
7 months agoBought a brand new Cobra Fly z plus Driver without trying it first . I could hit it after two rounds I took a lose traded it in for a Callaway XR , Best move ever even at a $100 lose. side note I do own a Cobra F8 7-8 fairway wood and love it set at 23.5 degree it’s my 180 club go to club.. Moral this long winded story is I’ll never by a Cobra Driver.without testing it first and even then I won’t own one.
Brandon
7 months agoIf you are playing a 7 wood to hit the ball 180 yards the high speed low spin + model drivers probably aren’t the best fit for you.
Dr Tee
7 months agonot as cool as my 1/1800 issued green Masters edition amp cell !
Chris
7 months agoI agree. I have the #1 club in that series. It is to nice looking to hit. Sits on my wall with my Masters collection.
Gordon
7 months agoGorgeous club.
JAS
7 months agoWhat does PVD stand for?
I wish my old gray Cobra AMP looked like that. Is there an after market custom paint process that would be reliable for drivers?
Johnny
7 months agoI’d be all over this but I ditched Cobra for Ping and just bought a max 400 today and its incredible
Mike (UK)
7 months agoJohnny, : I’ve got the G410 SFT its awesome, if you get a chance to try one please do, its got + or – Flat options to really tune in your swing, I upgraded from the G400 and haven’t looked back, plus the fairways 3, and 7 are super to hit off the deck.
Matt
7 months agoOh My….
SAM
7 months agoWow! I sure would like to get my hands on one of those!
Bryce
7 months agoWould be all over this normally. Love the stars and stripes and especially love white and blue on drivers, but I tried hitting the regular speedzone and it just couldn’t deliver the same pop for me that other clubs were. Really wish more brands would come out and make some cool looking clubs like this and the mizuno blue wedges. Anything to get out of black drivers and silver irons.
808nation
7 months agoI love my F9 driver and I love this limited edition as well, don’t know if I can afford the price tag but it is a beaut ❤❤❤❤❤
Don
7 months agoI’m with you on this
mackdaddy9
7 months agoI was 50/50 between the cobra and the Epic Flash and chose the flash because I liked the looks better. I would 100% have gone with this is it had been out. I play a Venus Blue 6.
Briscoe
7 months agoYou are correct sir!
Andrew
7 months agoIf the retail cost of the shaft is normally $350, this driver is a steal at $550!
Will
7 months agoI respect the hustle….I liked that one.
Vern
7 months agoBest looking new driver I’ve seen in great while.If I were in the market now I would have to at least consider it.
IrishMace
7 months ago“Sorry, lefties, this one is available only in right-handed. You poor bastards had to see that coming.”
I can’t tell if Tony is commiserating or taunting us here.
Tony Covey
7 months ago50/50
David Silkroski
7 months agoInteresting paint job but nothing that needs to be in my bag; I’ll wait for the Naval Aviation model (Blue with Wings of Gold)
Ted
7 months agoCool! I bet they’ll have that out right around never, so enjoy the wait.
Mark
7 months agoI.m a fan!!
GilB
7 months agoI’m not much for the cosmetic or colorful array of drivers but this looks simply awesome.
Mike Murray
7 months agoPlease, Cobra, make these limited-edition clubs available for lefties … please.
shortside
7 months agoAs a convert to the Cobra brand after adding a King F7 hybrid to my bag (followed by 2 more and an F8+ driver) I must say considering that at retail pricing is tempting.
Not likely as I’ll probably sober up. But tempting.
tscdave
7 months agoWow, nice. If I found $550 somewhere, I think I would scoop one up.
JL
7 months agoGreat looking club but they really screwed up… they made the F9 too good and that sucker is not coming out of my bag unless something truly blows it away, performance wise…. I am coming off the tee better than I ever have in the last decade.
Thomas
7 months agoDo u think we will ever see most wanted driver by swing speeds??? I’ve ask same many times no reply????
Tony Covey
7 months agoWe’re working on the posts now. Coming next week or early the following.
Jeff
7 months agoAny time frame for an updated driver cg report.
Kevin
7 months agoThey already do that.
Brent
7 months agoLooks sexy as hell. Have my F9 and it is doing good things (with room for my improvement), but this got my attention. Full on Ventus with velocore too! Definitely well done on the presentation. I liked my desert camo F8+ though.
Phillip Barrett
7 months agoI was gaming my Cobra Bio Cell 2014 Masters Limited Edition (green head) with an Aldila Tour Green shaft until very recently. Wanted to put it away in the closet years ago and keep it clean but it just went too well. I think these were available in left hand.