Polarizing Products: COBRA’s FF33 Hosel – Fitting Revolution or Overkill?

It wouldn’t be a proper golf season without something new and head-turning from COBRA and the FF33 hosel system might be their boldest move yet. Featured in the new DS-ADAPT drivers, this adjustable hosel offers 33 unique settings. Yes, you read that right: thirty-three.

Some golfers call it brilliant. Others say it’s just too much. Let’s break it down. Is FF33 a groundbreaking leap forward in driver fitting or is it more about complexity than actual benefit?

The case for FF33: Fitting without limits

COBRA isn’t just adding a couple of extra options here. With 33 unique settings built into a clean, dual-cog hosel adapter, FF33 allows fitters and gearheads to dial in loft, lie, face angle, launch and spin with more precision than ever before.

According to COBRA, robot testing showed a 16-yard dispersion swing from left to right, nearly four degrees of launch angle change, 750 rpm spin difference and up to 16 yards in peak height variation. 

That’s all before you even touch the movable weights on the LS and X models.

If you’re working with a knowledgeable fitter and have access to the proper setup, FF33 offers a level of fine-tuning few others can match. Combine that with COBRA’s SMARTPAD sole which helps keep the face square at address regardless of the hosel setting and you’ve got one of the most fittable driver systems on the market.

That does sound pretty exciting doesn’t it?

The case against: Complexity and compatibility

Let’s be real. Thirty-three (33!)settings sound great in theory but for many golfers, it’s already tough to understand and utilize a handful of options. COBRA has made an effort to clearly label the hosel and there’s an app to guide you but how many golfers are actually going to use it?

Then there’s compatibility. Older MyFly8 shafts from previous COBRA drivers won’t fit the FF33. That means that if you’ve got a favorite shaft, it’s not making the jump. And for those who go through a third-party fitter using universal adapters, you’re likely not getting the full FF33 experience either.

So while the system offers incredible potential, most golfers may never get to unlock what it truly offers. Without access to a COBRA-specific fitting cart, the promise of FF33 remains more theoretical than practical for a lot of players.

Where do you stand?

More adjustability is generally seen as a benefit but is there a point where it becomes too much? Does FF33 give you more meaningful control over your driver or just more ways to overthink things?

Would you take the time to test all 33 “unique” settings? Does this make you more excited about fitting or more overwhelmed by it?

And what about the shaft compatibility? Is that a reasonable sacrifice for new tech or a deal-breaker?

Let us know what you think. Has COBRA raised the bar for driver customization or has it crossed the line from innovation into unnecessary complexity?