Cobra Intros L4V Driver and TaylorMade Intros r7 CGB MAX Line

I think Cobra and TaylorMade are trying to make it easier to dial in your golf game than it is to find a Friday night keg party at a college campus.

Bag DropWhile you suckers in the northern states are preparing to put your clubs away for the winter, us lucky souls down south are simply trying to remember where we’ve put our long pants. After all, that’s all winter really means to us: pants instead of shorts when we golf.

Us southern boys also get the opportunity, unlike you Yanks, to try out the new equipment that is invariably released in September or October. This week, we’ve got news of lots of new gear from both Cobra and TaylorMade.

Don’t worry, my northern brothers, you’ll be playing this equipment in six or seven months!

King Cobra L4V Driver

Cobra’s new L4V driver line stands for Limit 4 Variables. This dynamic new driver is designed up to the limit of four USGA defined performance variables: Maximum COR (.830), maximum head dimensions (5″ by 5″), maximum volume (460cc), and maximum inertia or MOI. Clearly, limits are not an issue for Cobra.

“The L4V driver line is a direct result of Cobra’s commitment to developing the industry’s highest performing drivers via innovative, advanced design and technology,” said Jeff Harmet, President, Cobra Golf and Titleist Clubs.

The clubhead is constructed with a carbon composite crown and sole section with tungsten back-weighting, and the largest face area in golf with a dual rhombus face insert. This multi-material driver has been designed for maximum distance and accuracy.

The new L4V line features three models, X, F, and M. The X model is available in 9.0° loft, the F model available in 9.0° and 10.0°, and the M model available in 10.5° and 12.0°. All three models are tricked out with the most technologically advanced shaft on the market, the Cobra/Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Red Board. Additionally, these shafts feature Cobra’s proprietary Dynamic Shaft Balancing technology, paired perfectly with Cobra’s exclusive Speed Tuning platform. This technology enables Cobra design engineers to reposition more mass (four to six grams) in the L4V head, maximize MOI and maintain optimal swing weight to maximize ball speed for all player types.

Cobra L4V Driver Lineup

“The Cobra R&D team designed this clubhead to the limit of USGA regulations for MOI, COR, head volume and dimensions,” said Scott Rice, Director of Research and Development. “The L4V is the most advanced, highest performing driver we have ever produced, providing all player types the ultimate in distance and accuracy.”

The styling that Cobra consistently brings to the market is present in this new driver as well, with classic good looks that belie its playability. Just looking at it makes you want to call in to work sick for a day… or two.

All three Speed Tuned models will begin shipping on November 1 with an MSRP of $480.

Cobra L4v Lineup

R7 CGB Max Line

TaylorMade has introduced a new line of golf equipment called r7 CGB MAX, comprised of a driver, fairway woods, and irons. “MAX” is short for maximum distance, maximum forgiveness, maximum performance, and the kind of maximum ease of use that most players wouldn’t have dreamed possible.

r7 CGB MAX Irons
TaylorMade has vowed to make the new r7 CGB MAX family of clubs to be the very best game-improvement equipment that money can buy, and the iron looks as though it may live up to that promise. The extremely large head is stabilized with the help of visible tungsten weights that increase MOI for greater forgiveness. Clubhead speed is dramatically boosted by the incorporation of SuperFast Technology, which includes the ultra-light shaft and the thin, flexible clubface (thinner than the previous r7 CGB MAX model). There’s also TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology, visible on the back of the face, to promote high ball speed on off-center hits. Finally, there’s a new back-cavity badge that contributes to the clubhead’s great feel. When you add up all of the features and technologies you get the longest iron in the TaylorMade line, not to mention the most forgiving.

r7 CGB MAX Irons

r7 CGB MAX irons are available in 3- through 9-iron and pitching, attack, sand, and lob wedges. Left-handed clubs are also available (except for the lob wedge). Women’s right-handed r7 CGB MAX irons are available in right-handed only, 4-iron through 9-iron and pitching and sand wedges. The irons should hit the market on October 30, 2007, at a MSRP of $172 per club with steel shafts, $195 per club with graphite shafts. A set will run $1299 or more. Hey, nobody said game improvement came cheap!

r7 CGB MAX Fairway Woods
r7 CGB Max Fairway Wood HeroLike the driver and irons, r7 CGB MAX fairway woods incorporate a variety of top-level technologies that make them the best game-improvement fairways that TaylorMade has ever created. They share the driver’s triangular head shape and the exceedingly far-back CG location in relation to the face that this geometry makes possible. That CG location will prove especially valuable to the many players who have trouble getting fairway woods in the air, because it makes launching a 3-wood into the sky as easy as a 7-iron.

Besides that, the heads feature a large, eye-catching shape with high MOI that makes them extremely forgiving on mis-hits. r7 CGB MAX fairway woods incorporate Movable Weight Technology and three weights, promoting up to 22 yards of trajectory change from side to side, which will help players configure additional distance and control to their liking. Last but not least is SuperFast Technology in the form of an ultra-light graphite shaft that promotes added clubhead speed for increased distance. Available in right- and left-handed 3-wood, 5-wood and 7-wood. Availability starts November 30, 2007 at a MSRP of $360 per club.

r7 CGB MAX Driver
The r7 CGB MAX, which is characterized by its smashing good looks and deep red color, incorporates multiple technologies that make possible its extraordinary performance. First is TaylorMade’s now-famous, Movable Weight Technology (MWT). In this case, MWT is in the form of three weights; one in the toe, one in the heel and one in the very back. Two one-gram weights and one 16-gram weight are included. Very simply, if you want the ball to go to the right, put the heavy weight on the right side of the clubhead (the toe). That promotes a slight fade. If you want the ball to go left, as in a slight draw, put the heavy weight in the middle of the clubhead (the back). If you want to promote a large draw, put the heavy weight on the left side of the clubhead (the heel).

“CGB” stands for Center of Gravity Back, which is critical to making a club easy to launch high and long. The r7 CGB MAX’s distinctive triangular clubhead shape makes it possible to position the CG especially far back in the head in relation to the clubface. That kind of CG location also makes the r7 CGB MAX more stable and forgiving on mis-hits, which leads to another huge advantage about this driver, and that’s high MOI. When you combine the Inverted Cone clubface technology that TaylorMade incorporates into all of its drivers, which delivers higher ball speed when you miss the center of the face, you get an effective MOI. The r7 CGB MAX also incorporates TaylorMade’s SuperFast Technology, with an ultra-light RE*AX graphite shaft, an ultra-light grip, and an extra inch of overall length, all of which contribute to more clubhead speed for increased distance.

r7 CGB Max Driver

The r7 CGB MAX driver is available right and left-handed models in three lofts: 9.5°, 10.5° and HT. Availability starts on October 30, 2007 at a MSRP of $600.

“Everything we know about improving golf club performance has gone into the r7 CGB MAX line,” said Sean Toulon, TaylorMade executive vice president. “We’ve incorporated every modern performance technology we have into each member of this family, and we did so without regard to the cost. The result is equipment that delivers a truly extraordinary level of performance in terms of being incredibly easy to hit high, long and straight. For golfers willing to pay a premium price, we believe the r7 CGB MAX line delivers the best performance that money can buy.”

This article was written by guest author Ryan Sullivan, who remains an active member of our forum.

16 thoughts on “Cobra Intros L4V Driver and TaylorMade Intros r7 CGB MAX Line”

  1. 907D1 + ugly paint job + “MWT” = r7 CGB Max Driver?

    In the battle of square versus triangular drivers, we’ve now got Titleist and TaylorMade on the side of triangular and Nike and Callaway on the side of square (among the heavyweights, anyway). It’ll be interesting to see which “shape” wins in the end.

    As for me, this entire lineup is completely uninteresting to me (except perhaps the Cobra driver). I’m beginning to wonder if TaylorMade is losing its way a bit. The company has nine drivers, seven fairway woods, three rescue clubs, and seven sets of irons!

    History teaches you that when consumers are confused by the number of choices available to them, they’ll just as soon go elsewhere as they will force themselves to choose. NINE drivers!!! I mean, c’mon!

  2. How is TaylorMade much different from Callaway? Callaway offers EIGHT drivers, FOUR fairway woods, THREE rescues or hybrids and SIX sets of irons. Even Titleist, which is aimed at the lower handicapped player offers FOUR drivers and FIVE sets of irons.

  3. Callaway offers 8 drivers? I can’t think of eight… The FTi, FT5, Big Bertha, and X-series. The latter is scheduled for replacement, I think. I guess if you consider there are “pro” heads available for both the i and 5, it goes up to 6, cut still I think it’s actually 4. What other Callaway drivers are there? You can’t count close out stuff that internet houses are selling.

    I agree TaylorMade is lost in the woods.

    All of the manufacturers seemed to have created a vicious cycle that is hurting them long term… the product cycles seem too short to me.

  4. History teaches you that when consumers are confused by the number of choices available to them, they’ll just as soon go elsewhere as they will force themselves to choose.

    I can’t tell the difference (except the Superquad); everything starts with a “r7”. I eliminated a Taylormade purchase precisely because of that reason.

  5. Those clubs are pretty fugly(freakin + ugly = fugly) 😆 I love that titleist is sticking to the traditional looking clubs except the D1. They dont need a gimmick to sell clubs. But i’ll stick to my r7 TP’s thanks. Not these new fangled contraptions with MWT and CGB. It hurts my head. Granted I use an r7 fairway wood but its pretty easy only having to worry about what combonations make 16.

  6. I think the Cobra drivers are pretty sweet. I played one a friend bought last year and am REALLY considering the new F-speed model. I am drooling and that carbon-fiber look on the sole is just gorgeous.

  7. I agree with Erik that this lineup is pretty uninteresting to one who prefers a more traditional shaped club. I recently added a Cobra LD F to my bag and I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse. I just can’t get used to that head. A friend recently bought a Nickent 4DX driver: 460 size head but a more traditional shape. I tried it and liked it a lot. With the exception of my putter, I have tried to keep my clubs more traditional in appearance as that look just appeals more to me than the bazooka like red head TaylorMade has just introduced. I’m all for technology that will enhance one’s enjoyment of the game, but I prefer it packaged with more than just a passing nod toward tradition.

  8. I agree totally that Taylormade has ruined their club offerings by not having longer cycles for their clubs. I own and play the Taylormade Rac LT1 irons.

    These irons have been in play for the last 4 years and honestly, I can’t see that the new offerings are any better. In fact, I’ve hit the new R7 TP and it doesn’t feel as forginving as the older Rac LT with DG300S shafts.

    I must admit, I do like looking at the new offerings, but so far that’s it!! I’m just going to look and not purchase!

    I think all of the major manufacturers, are simply trying to sell the amateur golfer a golf game! MOI, COR, 460cc, MWT, L4V, CGB….its getting a little overwhelming!

    I like the marketing of the R7 MWT, but, does a weekend golfer who hits a driver maybe 8 times a round….need to worry about tweeking ball flight on a $499 driver. I’ll take middle of the fairway everytime…..I DON’T CARE what the ball flight looked like to get it there!

  9. I have an FT-i, a 907D1, a 905S and an R7 425TP. Almost picked up a Burner TP but was wracked with guilt. Anyway, I believe we will find, in the end, that the 425cc traditional drivers with the correct loft and shaft will give us the most consistent drives and probably the longest (for our given talent and skill). If Titleist released their 907D4, I might swap out my R7 if quilt doesn’t get in the way again. The rest? Hanging around, waiting for me to move them along.

    How to find the right shaft and loft? Fitting, not match alpha characters. 😕

  10. I just got the CGB Max this week, courtesy of my American Express points. I have played Callaway drivers for years, but I’ve had the TM R7 CGB irons for about 1 1/2 years. The CGB Max driver is incredible. It is very light, but with a smooth easy swing I’ve been launching the ball straighter, higher and about 20 yds longer than my old driver. I’ve only hit it on the range because the fires in SoCal closed all of the courses in San Diego. I am salivating to play this weekend at Torrey Pines.

  11. I must say that TaylorMade’s done their homework over the past couple of years. After giving up my beloved 400cc r7 quad to my son in a bet last winter, I moved to the r7 460. The bigger head further reduced my mis-hits, but even with the two weights I really wasn’t able to adjust the trajectory like I could before. So, decided to bid on a slightly-used r7 SuperQuad on eBay. That club is absolutely perfect (for me anyway.)

    I’m all-for adjustability! MWT may not cure a bad swing, but it absolutely does help make corrections.

  12. I’ve seen the r7 CGB Max in a local store, and can’t think of any reason someone would call it ugly, unless they just don’t like red. I wouldn’t say it is much different than many of the clubs next to it at the golf shop.

    I frankly don’t understand the volume of commentary on club appearance in general. Looks are a) so subjective, and b) so secondary to performance, fit, and probably price too, that I just don’t get some people’s obsession with commenting on how a new club “looks”.

    As for product cycles being too short, it should be driven by innovation, not marketing. That sounds naive perhaps, but I do think consumers are smart enough to sniff out a ‘new’ product that is nothing more than a cosmetic repackaging of the previous model. But the r7 CGB Max doesn’t strike me as that, so don’t impeach it on those grounds unless you can back up your claim.

  13. Just traded in my Cleveland HIbore for a 09 Taylor made CGB Max. Just left the driving range and was dump struck! I always thought my Hibore fit me perfect. This driver gos straight and true and LONG with a 65% swing. In fact in goes better with a easy swing. I missed one or two out of the whole bucket. If I do as well on the course I will be a fan for ever… Try this and get some wow.

  14. Looking around for a good review regarding the R7 CGB AX driver i found this wonderfull site. I’m A 19 Hcp player from Italy, and recently had the opprtunity to buy at very good price one R7 CGB MAX , RE-AX stiff shaft, after having used for one year an “old” G2 Driver with grafalloy blue stiff shaft.

    After 4/5 rounds I can say the differnce is amizing : CGB Max is far easier and helped me a lot to avoid slice or push hits that often spoiled my previous shots from the tee.
    Maybe I lost some yard (meter) but securely I was compensated by the biggest amount of balls in fairway which in my opinion is more important, isn’t it ?. I just wonder if this is my “perfect” driver. Probably the ball flight is a little too high for me (even if I bought 9.5° loft) , and the distance and rolling of the ball could be better with a lower trajectory.

    I cannot understand why many people here is concerned by the shape of this driver. I find it more than decent under this point of view, nor I can understand arguing about life cycle or things like that, from my point of view, which is only the one of a golfer who is looking for the most suitable clubs.

    I think to purchase wood 3 also (i tried it once and hit incredible straight and long !) . As for the irons I never tried them. Did somebody ? I’d read with pleasure his impressions. I will come back often to read your useful commentary.

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