GAME IMPROVEMENT FOR BETTER MID CAPPERS

These clubs are really quite good as far as game improvement clubs go. Adams has gone the extra mile to make them long, forgiving, balanced, and able to serve the mid capper in need of forgiveness on his/her quest to get to the low 80's / higher 70's. As I said in my review of the Adams a7 OS Super Game Improvement Irons, Adams has made enough money and has enough cache to be able to target specific groups of golfers with specific sets of clubs.

These are definitely for the improving mid-capper who is on a quest to get to single digit status. The shaft is stronger than that on the a7 OS's, the number of hybrids is less--2 hybrids and a hollow head vs. 3 hybrids and  2 semi hybrids. The soles and top lines are narrower. The hybrids are smaller with a different weight distribution, and not only is it 41 grams re-distributed vs 44, it is 41 grams re-distributed evenly via a sandwhich plate in the middle of the club's rear, rather than two 22 gram plugs placed in the  lower heel and toe extremes. This is all very well thought out stuff as far as differentiating specific clubs for specific players.

BALANCE--5 Stars

The balance on these is really quite good. Both the hybrids and the irons have a balance which belies that famous forgiveness of Adams clubs. In fact, when watching the forgiveness on these things after a miss hit, one is often given to question--"Where is that famous Adams Chunky Feel that forgives almost all sins?" Well, in order to gain balance and distance they dumped some of the chunk factor you'll find on the OS clubs. This is not a knock on the OS clubs, but rather a statement as to how Adams is taking the targeting of its clubs seriously, and using the designs to do so, rather than just marketing hype. Club head awareness is a breeze with these. It is neither too vague nor too pronounced. For the person who has developed a solid semi-repeatable swing--these clubs sport "The Goldilocks Balance."

DISTANCE--5 Stars

These clubs are just as long as any in the Game Improvement category. They still sport a fairly high trajectory, but due to shafts baring more of a mid kickpoint, and club heads sporting a slightly higher center of gravity, they are not as stratospheric as the OS Series, and thus more suitable for mid to faster swings that are at least semi repeatable in nature. I hit the 3 hybrid on this almost as far as with the Idea Pro 3 hybrid. The 6 Iron is just as long as the 6 iron in my Wilson Staff Di 9's.

FEEL--4 Stars

No these don't have a buttery feel to them, but they aren't harsh either. It's a nice solid feel that inspires confidence even if it lacks a bit in the finesse department. I found them to be just a tad on the "Clicky" side, but then again, after testing the forged Mizunos I think anything would feel just a tad clicky. THe lofts are almost as strong as those of the OS Series, but one would never be led to believe that by any sense of harshness or thudiness at impact. Really very nice for a mixed set that includes Hybrids, Hollow Heads, and Cavity Backs.

FORGIVENESS--4 Stars

I know this sounds really weird---"An Adams set of irons that doesn't get 5 stars in the forgiveness department."  Maybe it's because I play with a4 OS Hybrids, and I had tested the a7 OS hybrids before these. Either way--they are quite forgiving of your basic minor flaws, such as slightly over the top swing, slightly sloppy or overly strong grip, slightly laid off club head.

Come at these things with a moderate to major swing flaw, however, and they'll tell on you. Very nice clubs overall, and top notch in their field. Again, I ask readers to bare with me this season as I only have time to deal with the clubs that really impressed me until I work my way through a horrendous backlog of reviews. In normal economic times, when I would have time to review average clubs as well as the creme de la creme--these would probably rate a full 5 stars in forgiveness as concerns Game Improvement Clubs.

TECHS and SPECS--5 Stars

Adams went all out on the shafts on these. Both they and Nike have ponied up and decided to use the UST AXIV shaft in some of their clubs. How good is this shaft?--I suggest you go hit some of those newer Ping Drivers everyone is raving about. This shaft makes the V2 look a little noodley. Now these clubs sport a 3 and 4 hybrid, and similar to Nickent's old 3DX line--a hollow headed 5 iron as a transition club. I love hollow heads, as evidenced by the two seasons I spent with my KZG CH II's. The Transition Club is also where you separate Game Improvement from Super Game Improvement Clubs. If your driver swingspeed is less than 90 MPH--you're better off with a 5 hybrid rather than a hollow headed 5 Iron. If, however, you're cranking it at an average of 92MPH plus--that hollow headed 5 iron is the perfect transition club. Lofts are as follows:

3H=19*
4H=22*
5I=25*
6I=29*
7I=33*
8I=37*
9I=41*
PW=45*
GW=50*
SW=55*
LW=60*

OVERALL--5 Stars

You get a lot of technology and a lot of tried and true Adams trademarks for your money on these clubs (Forgiveness, Straight Flight, Ease of Use, Affordability). These are a strong club, and definitely a Game Improvement, and not a Super Game Improvement set. I am glad that Adams has stepped up to the plate, and really decided to tell marketing to take a hike as far as categorizing clubs, and let the club's design and functionality do the talking instead.

Recommended: Yes