Gary Woodland's Distinctive Cobra Driver Configuration Drives Tour Success

Prototype Driver Powers Woodland's Victory

Gary Woodland captured his fifth PGA Tour victory at the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open, ending a seven-year drought since his major championship triumph. The 41-year-old veteran, currently leading the Tour in driving distance and clubhead speed, credited much of his success to his distinctive driver setup.

The Unique OPTM Max LS-K Prototype

Woodland employs Cobra's prototype OPTM Max LS-K driver, which Tour Rep Ben Schomin describes as a "working prototype." This specialized build transforms the retail Max-K into a lower-spinning, fade-biased weapon specifically tailored for Woodland's preferences.

The setup features an extremely low 6.4-degree loft paired with a Fujikura Ventus Black 8-X VeloCore+ shaft – a combination heavy enough that most players reserve similar shafts for their fairway woods.

Back-Weighted Philosophy

Woodland's approach contradicts conventional wisdom. "In my 18 years on Tour, the drivers I've played when I've driven well have been back-weighted," he explained. While most players seek front-weighted designs to reduce spin and maximize distance, Woodland thrives with the deeper center of gravity typically found in game-improvement drivers.

Technical Specifications

Compared to the production Max-K, the LS-K maintains similar aesthetics but features a lower, deeper center of gravity for reduced spin and neutral-to-fade ball flight. The prototype also sports a matte crown finish rather than the glossy retail version, facilitating quicker Tour deployment.