So how exactly do drivers with adjustable hosels work?

Not sure about the Cobra, but assuming it's the same as Titleist, it is more than just turning the face.  For Titleist D2 and D3, the adjustments are to loft and lie, not face angle.  There are 4 of each setting, and therefore 16 different combinations you can set it at.

I believe that Callaway and TM are similar (although both of them also have a face angle adjustment option), and can only assume Cobra would be as well.

And you're not the only one with similar questions ... here's a thread I started a ways back that has some more answers:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/56112/tunable-drivers-with-adjustable-face-angle-huh

I believe the cobra driver just opens or closes the clubface. Titliest changes the lie and loft, they adjust on two axis to achieve this. Check out there websites for more information. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebsmash 

So at address Will it look the same for all angles?

The titleist does because, like I said, one of the adjustments is not to the face angle.  But for TM and Callaway, you can adjust the face angle, so yes, it will look different at address.  How much, I don't know.  I have a Callaway Razr Fit coming my way soon, so I will check it out when I get it and see what it looks like.

OK, so I got my Callaway Razr Fit today.  It has two different tunable options: You can adjust the hosel for an open, square, or closed face angle at address.  The other adjustable part is the weights in the sole of the club.  2g in the heel and 12g in the toe for a "neutral" ball flight and you swap them so the heavier weight is in the heel to promote a draw.

Once I have used this club a few times a will post a review of it here:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/58537/the-sand-trap-visits-callaway-golf-razr-fit-driver-fitting-at-the-ely-callaway-performance-center

I unwittingly got a R7 driver a while back that has a 1* closed face, and put it in play despite the fact that I sometimes fight a hook tendency. It's face is closed relative to the sole plate, so you only see it when you rest the club on the ground. I used it quite well for years by just turning it back to neutral - it would just feel a little funny when grounded. I got to where I could fade it just as well as a neutral face club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBlack14 

If you open or close the club face it will change effective loft. Taylormade's ASP is a gimmick.

I don't believe that is true, because you can do that by simply moving the club in your hands.  It would be a complete waste of R&D and money to put that "technology" into the club, no?  (Side note: this is exactly the reason I started that other thread a few months back - I had wondered the exact same thing)  Now I understand that the face angle change on adjustable drivers is specifically so you can open, square, or close it WITHOUT changing the loft.  If the loft was adjustable as well, they would advertise that too (like on the Titleist, for example)

These drivers offer various adjustments, including loft, face angle (open, square, closed) and shape weighting (you move adjustable head weights to different positions to encourage draw or fade).

Different companies/driver models have different features in their adjustments. For details on particular models, check out the manufacturer's website.

If you're worried about cost (as I always am), consider buying used clubs.  That opens up your options big time while still allowing you to get a reasonable price.  Of course, you have to have a shop around that carries a good selection of used clubs and has stalls with monitors, unless you want to buy a club from ebay or whatever without hitting it.  The Roger Dunn near me has just that, and I've bought all my clubs there.

With that in mind, I'll just say my usual piece that you should consider Tour Edge woods/drivers, especially given you're not attached to the new adjustability thing.  I just got a Tour Edge Exotics 15˚ from a number of years ago.  When I look at the distances other players here post they get with their irons and 2h/5w, my driver length fits right in the range those players give for their driver.  But my 3W distance now matches up more with guys who hit their irons and hybrids 10-15 yards longer than I do.  I haven't actually played their drivers, but I've heard that others have had similar experience with their drivers, getting 10-20 extra yards compared to other clubs with the same loft and similar shafts.  (just to note, I'm in no way associated with Tour Edge, just a very satisfied user)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdl 

The Roger Dunn near me has just that, and I've bought all my clubs there.

Are you referring to the big 'superstore' in Santa Ana?  I haven't been there yet because there is a golfsmith much closer to me, but I should probably check them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad 

 Now I understand that the face angle change on adjustable drivers is specifically so you can open, square, or close it WITHOUT changing the loft.  If the loft was adjustable as well, they would advertise that too (like on the Titleist, for example)

You may need to go read some more product literature.  Opening/closing the face does in fact change the loft.  It also changes the lie of the club.  The loft changes are "advertised".  Why do you think the TM setting cards show the different settings at different heights?  The loft changes are even etched into all 4 of the hosel adapters I have for my R9 and R11.  Setting the adapter at full left (closed), raises my loft from 8.5 to 10 (I have the 1.5 degree adapters), and full right (open) changes it to a 7 degree driver.  When they came out with the R11, they even changed the writing on the ferrule to say "regular", "higher" and "lower" to make it easier for the lamens to understand.  How do you think they achieve these higher and lower trajectories?

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBlack14 

If you open or close the club face it will change effective loft. Taylormade's ASP is a gimmick.

This is true.  The ASP can be seen as a gimmick.  It only takes effect if you happen the ground the club before setting your grip.  I hover and set my grip, so it does not matter what setting I have the sole plate set at.

It works because the shaft does not sit perfectly in the middle of the sleeve, it is on an angle. So when you rotate the sleeve around it produces different lies and lofts. If you take the sleeve out of the head and rotate it around you will notice that the sleeve angle is not the same as the shaft angle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by moparman426 

You may need to go read some more product literature.

You might be right ... I am not 100% sure about the Callaway.  I'll read up more on it tonight to see if I can find out.  I just figured if the loft would also change, then the website would advertise it and I can't find that anywhere.

And, of course, the Titleist doesn't even offer the face angle change option.