Equipment Review: Adams Golf 2009
Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D Driver
Insight XTD Pro Hybrid Fairway Metal
Idea Tech a4 Hybrid
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Last season, our affection for the Insight XTD Pro driver and Idea a3 hybrids was well documented. Adams Golf played a big part helping me card the round of my life: a 12-under 60 which, suffice to say, will not be duplicated anytime soon by yours truly.

Fact is, Adams Golf has become a solid partner of golfers of every ability. Founded in 1987, Adams has skyrocketed to the ranks of the golf elite. You can read my in-depth interview with founder Barney Adams here - http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/general/general-interview_with_barney_adams.htm .

With technology changing as quickly as John Daly’s waist line these days, a wise golfer learns to adapt to new clubs each season. This year, that means a new driver, fairway metal and hybrid for yours truly. Thanks to Adams, the transition has been almost seamless. Here’s why.

Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D Driver

If you followed the Masters Tournament this year, you admired the driving prowess of Chad Campbell. The big Texan had the Adams Golf Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D driver amongst his arsenal. It almost slipped a green jacket onto Campbell’s shoulders.

The Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D driver is one of the longest drivers available today, as is evident by its performance on the long drive tours. As Bernhard Langer says, “Well-struck balls jump off the face of this driver with frightening speed.”

A classic pear-shaped 460cc driver, the Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D allows for maximum workability, supplying low spin and high launch – the dynamic duo of today’s high-tech drivers. The result? Maximum carry distance and roll. A 15 g external weight pad repositions the mass of this behemoth low and back for optimal launch.

I tested the 9.5° model (it’s also available in 8.5° and 10.5°), with stiff, premium 60 g Matrix Ozik shaft. This is a new shaft for me, and one I have grown to like for its stability and crazy kick offering amazing launch conditions. This driver is just as long, if not longer than, the XTD Pro. It promotes a high launch angle but very little spin and maximum distance.

I look forward to many rounds this summer with the Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D driver in my bag. It retails for about $399.

Insight XTD Pro Hybrid Fairway Metal

It’s part fairway wood, part hybrid, and 100 per cent birdie making machine. The Insight XTD Pro Hybrid fairway metal is a classic example of how modern technology merges the best of a fairway wood for distance with the best of a hybrid for ease of use. The result: a hybrid fairway metal that is longer than a traditional fairway metal and as easy to hit as a hybrid club.

The Insight XTD Pro Hybrid fairway metal, available in lofts of 13°, 14.5° we tested, and 16° promotes a mid-launch angle. However, I found it incredibly easy to hit a low running stinger, or a high cut into the wind with this versatile club. Imagine what Jack Nicklaus would have done in his prime with this beauty in his hands?

Adams says this club is for “the better player,” but I would estimate a mid-handicapper would also benefit from this hybrid fairway metal. Pull face construction with custom steel face creates low spin and increased ball speed, and a weight port in the sole offers head weight adjustments. Adams says this club provides an estimated 11 yards more distance than a traditional fairway metal, and I would agree thanks to the low-to-medium trajectory and low spin. I like the sole shape, too, which results in 22 per cent less turf drag and ease of use from a variety of lies. As well, increased inertial properties around the hosel helps achieve 41 per cent more MOI for greater forgiveness.

The stiff 75 g Graphite Design Tour AD YSQ shaft in this club is a favourite of mine, and the shaft length (longer than a traditional hybrid – can we say ‘traditional’ hybrid now that a hybrid is mainstream?) is perfect for this type of club. What else can I say about this club, other than flagsticks will buckle at the knees when you grip it and rip it with this hybrid fairway metal from Adams Golf.

Idea Tech a4 Hybrid

Adams Golf has rightly earned the title of hybrid king on the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours. Once I converted, I saw the light: Adams’ hybrids are so easy to use, it’s almost unfair when tracking our handicap indexes. OK, so this is golf, and nothing is for certain, but having an Adams hybrid in your bag does give you a big advantage over your playing partners.

This season, I have the Adams Golf Idea Tech a4 hybrid in my bag, namely a 19° 3-hybrid and 22° 4-hybrid. There are 17° and 26° models, too. Again, Adams says this club is for “the better player who wants tour-proven performance along with additional forgiveness,” and because of that forgiveness, I think a mid-handicapper could use this club, too.

Zero offset and narrow sole width make this a player’s club, and either sweeping or hitting down with this hybrid (boasting a smaller hybrid shaft length) is very doable. I prefer hitting down with this club rather than sweeping. I found the same thing with the Idea a3 hybrid. Both boast Boxer technology for ideal CG and MOI.

The Idea Tech a4 hybrid provides 18 per cent more MOI than the Adams Golf Idea Pro Gold hybrid. Interchangeable sole weight allows for swing weight adjustments. A high-strength Maraging steel face and pull-face construction provide increased ball speed, too. I have the Matrix Ozik Altus stiff hybrid shaft in my clubs. Adams lists the Mitsubishi Javln FX shaft as standard.

It’s no wonder Golf Digest named the Idea Tech a4 Hybrid the 2009 Gold Winner and Category Leader – Innovation. I concur. This club is long, straight, versatile and aesthetically pleasing. It retails for about $189.

Visit www.adamsgolf.com to catch up on the latest offerings from one of golf’s most innovative companies.