Cobra OPTM MAX-K & MAX-D Drivers Review: The most forgiving driver of 2026?

New driver silly season is well underway, and following on from last week's acclaimed TaylorMade Qi4D drop, Cobra are next up at the the plate.

2026 looks set to be a potentially pivotal year for Cobra, a brand that has somewhat struggled to really capture headlines in recent times. While Max Homa was a big signing for the brand, his steady slide down the OWGR rankings this year (he now sits 132nd, in case you're wondering) has removed a bit of the shine from what was supposed to be Cobra's new marquee moment.

The brand remains one of the most innovative around from an equipment standpoint all the same. Last week's release of the 3DP iron range, the first 3D Printed retail iron range from any major manufacturer, indicates that there are a lot of new innovations to come from Cobra's engineers.

Even so, it's not unfair to say Cobra needs the OPTM range to make a splash if it has any hopes of making meaningful inroads against the likes of Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade. And here it is.

The OPTM MAX-K and MAX-D are the two most forgiving, max MOI variants of the four new Cobra OPTM models for this year, following on in the mould of former Cobra MAX drivers by delivering high launch and an ultra-forgiving package for all golfers. The MAX-K has a more neutral bias while the MAX-D, as ever, is engineered with more of a draw bias for prolific left-to-right swingers.

It's clear that the MAX is becoming an increasingly important model for the brand. According to Cobra themselves, the DS-ADAPT MAX-K and MAX-D models accounted for over 60% of their total new driver sales last year, meaning it's clear that they've found a solid reputation as a maker of ultra-forgiving drivers.

But how do the two new models stack up against the best new drivers around? We took them out on the course at Quinta do Lago to find out.

Check out our video review below and scroll on to read our detailed thoughts. Let us know what you think of the new range in the comments below, and be sure to check out our review of the new Cobra OPTM X driver and OPTM LS driver here.

Looks and features

Cobra's mandate with the entire OPTM range was the pursuit of one very particular tenet of driver performance. Their drivers have been known for some time as among the longest and most forgiving around, so for this model, the main focus was accuracy. Note that accuracy doesn't mean forgiveness, it's more a case of reducing dispersion to get your bad shots on a straighter path and make your good shots even more consistent.

To deliver this, Cobra focused on improving a metric known as Product of Inertia, or POI, which is effectively taken to multiple new dimensions. This meant reducing the amount the driver moves diagonally across all axises at impact, delivering more stability and consistency on off centre strikes while optimising speed and spin on true hits.

A high MOI score is good, but according to Cobra, a low POI is even better, and means more accuracy through reducing the effect of wild hooks and pulls that sometimes arise even when a driver has a high MOI figure.

To lower the OPTM MAX's POI, Cobra used AI to reshape the driver head and redistribute its adjustable weights to reduce multi-axis twisting at impact. The result is a tangible jump in MOI and a decrease in POI, which should in theory make the new X both more forgiving and more accurate.

Much of the same tech from the DS-ADAPT range also returns, including the H.O.T face insert that has 15 hot spots across the face to maximise ball speed, and Cobra's much-loved FUTUREFIT33 hosel system, which allows players which offers 33 unique loft and lie combinations allowing players to specifically tune their club to produce their desired flight characteristics.

Beyond this, both OPTM MAX models share the same features, and indeed sort of the same aesthetic profile, as their predecessors. Both have a high carbon content crown and sole, with the MAX-K and MAX-D's distinct white and red accents returning (the OPTM X comes in blue and the OPTM LS in all black). 

Once again, Cobra have made a good looking driver here, following very much in the vein of Carbon-heavy designs we've seen hit the market so far this year. The MAX-K is noticeably bigger than the X and LS models at address, presenting much more of the face and pulling a lot of the weight rearward towards the back of the head to inspire confidence. The MAX-D, meanwhile, is large but noticeably more closed off to deliver a closed club face at impact – to the extent that it might take some getting used to at address (although the FUTUREFIT hosel does allow you to open it up somewhat).

The high-gloss carbon crown isn't our favourite due to its reflective qualities, but the simple alignment aid and clearly marked face lines make it easy to get a square and true alignment at address every time.

Performance

Both Cobra OPTM MAX drivers deliver distance and forgiveness in spades, embodying many of the characteristics we've come to expect from maximum MOI drivers in the last few years. Our launch monitor data found them to be the highest launching and highest spinning of the OPTM range, particularly in the case of the MAX-K, which produces a towering ball flight and plenty of distance that will appeal to slower swingers and players who just want to hit as many fairways as possible.

Dispersion was excellent with both the MAX-K and the MAX-D, and the latter is probably the most impressive club we've tested at addressing the needs of chronic slicers right out of the box. The look, of course, will take some getting used to, but if you struggle with consistently presenting an open club face at impact, the MAX-D is set up out of the box to nip that in the bud and for us immediately produced more of a right-to-left ball flight compared with the MAX-K – with the option to take that draw bias even further through the FUTUREFIT 33 hosel if you wish.

The distance and speeds we were able to achieve with the MAX models were pretty impressive, however we found that in the manner of many high MOI models, they tend to sacrifice raw ball speed for that added spin, launch and forgiveness.

Should you buy the Cobra OPTM MAX-K and MAX-D drivers?

With game-improvement clubs accounting for more and more sales across the entire equipment industry, it makes

The MAX-K and MAX-D as well set up as any other max MOI driver we've tested to suit the needs of higher handicappers and beginner golfers, however they do both come with the caveat that out on the course they feel very much like drivers designed to fill specific niches of driver. The MAX-K will give you reliable launch and plenty of forgiveness, while the MAX-D will really help you get a slice in check. 

And while the speeds and distances we achieved with both are okay, we feel that there's more room for the improving golfer to grow into a model like the OPTM X, which is still plenty forgiving but offers more distance and adjustability. However if re-establishing confidence with your driver is your number one priority, both OPTM MAX models should be at the top of your list to test..