Adams Golf Idea Pro Black Hybrids  

Like General George Washington, Adams Golf prides itself in being a pioneer, revolutionizing golf technology while improving the equipment and the game itself. Unlike George Washington, many companies have presided before them, attempting to do the same. The question remains: is Adams Golf changing the game, or is just more of the same?

Well, many golf critics always look at equipment from a perspective of perfection being the criteria for new clubs--but that’s not doing anything to illustrate the subtle improvements and innovations that Adams Golf and others are trying to make. Walking on water wasn’t built in a day. So don’t expect to break par just because you spent a few thousand dollars to buy the hype. Any company can make a club that will add distance to your drive; remember Big Bertha and all the hype? But that’s Callaway; a product that has proven built to last. Is Adams Golf in the same league? Will they stay at the same caliber in another ten or twenty years?

Adams Golf is meritorious and ambitious, praising their award-winning hybrids, claiming them to be “built for better players.” But what does that mean for the worst players? Couldn’t the best players eventually adapt to any new clubs? Adams further describes its new line as “Sleek and hot, with a penetrating ball flight for maximum distance, forgiveness and workability.” Well, what’s next? A birdie with every backswing? A ball that bounces forgivingly in the breeze before pounding between the pin and green? Poetry is one thing; practicality is another…

Yet Adams Golf is at the top of the game when it comes to producing impressive hybrid technology. Adams swears that their Idea line “has been the preferred hybrid by more PGA Champions and Nationwide Tour pros…[Idea] has become our fastest growing hybrid on all three tours with over 300 in play year-to-date.”

Sounds good, huh? Even Golf Digest pinned it on it’s 2010 Hot List--claiming: “Makes you think you’ve got skills when you hit it….Small and slick with sexy clean lines.”

Well, that’s the one thing about the Idea line: it feels and sounds wonderful when you make contact with the ball. It’s almost an ethereal floating moment when you merge with the ball as it ascends. But does it make your shots better? I think it might. At least it seemed to improve our accuracy. Maybe this was the placebo effect: having a brand new line of clubs to use, but maybe it was the technology as Adams claims.

The driver was exciting and explosive, but we fell in love with the Aldila VooDoo graphite shaft--as Adams meritoriously says with their prosaic yet melodious company line propaganda: “The combination of a maraging steel face, low-spin head design and Aldila VooDoo shaft maximize distance for more skilled players. The compact head is made to perform from any lie and provide optimum workability." That’s true; it seems that the steel and dynamic head design seem to aid skilled golfers looking for an edge in their accuracy and control. The club is easy to swing, and the grip is lovely, like a glove that gives experienced golfers a chance to really target their ambitions.

Working with a pro and an exceptional Mexican golfer with a four handicap, we enjoyed the test of Adams Idea Pro Black Hybrids immensely. It’s almost a shame we have to return the clubs to the resort. But before we go about worshiping the ground of this golf line and the poet who writes their press releases, let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the major pros and cons that we noticed.

Pros

Great grip, tight feel; graphite makes the ball tear through the breeze, into the headwind flowing from the ocean, desert and mountains. Good club for those who like to go for it all from the tee box. Sleek club design works magic around the greens, a chipping wand that can be used in many facets.

Cons

Not great for the course as a whole--as divots are pretty much inevitable. Difficult for those who prefer short irons, not enough incline to make it work for inexperienced golfers. The placebo factor?

Conclusion

These clubs might not be on a boat fighting for freedom, but Adams Golf has the idea on how to get over those water hazards with style and inertia.