Adams Golf Idea Hybrid

Brand: Adams Golf
Game improvement iron: Idea Hybrid Iron
RRP: £599 Best price: £499
Loft: 28-degree Lie: 61.25-degree
Length: 38.25” Swing Weight: D0.5
Shaft: True Temper Dynalite 85 Grip: Adams

Summary: Adams has changed how irons perform with revolutionary wraparound slots in its new Adams Idea Hybrid Irons, generating higher ball speeds and more forgiveness. Extensive research revealed that golfers with 15-plus handicaps make the majority of contact nearly ½” toward the toe, not on the club’s sweetspot. These new game-improvement irons are specifically designed to enhance the face speed in the area where those players need it most. Compared to the brand's Idea a12 OS Hybrid Irons, the New Idea Hybrid Irons provide 44% more ball speed on off-centre hits and 24% more ball speed on flush shots because of increased flex from the unsupported faces. With the transitional hybrid irons (6- and 7-irons) in the set, these clubs bridge the gap between the hybrids and short irons.

Appearance: Little chunky on first look but that's to be expected for a hybrid iron. Placing head in palm of glove, we could see how the rather eye-catching 270-degree slot wraps right around the head. Not the biggest sweetspot on offer. Love the new Adams logo and sketched-style numbering on the sole. Little too much glare on topline, though. We like the look of the channel placed in the topline, as well as in the sole and toe, as it inspires confidence at address and gives you the peace of mind that there is some additional help at setup. Clubhead appears a little bulbous, however, and that might not appeal to everyone. 3.5 (out of 5)

Feel: We could feel the face flex at impact as balls shot up off the face and into the sky. The True Temper Dynalite 85 shaft and heavier, bulbous clubhead will work wonders for the beginner. Effortless high trajectory. We liked the soft, rewarding sensation on centre impact and balls felt like they were being bullied off the face due to the substantial mass behind it. Don't usually get excited about grips but the Adams grip here is a beauty. A real grip and rip feel to it. 8.5 (out of 10)

Performance: Ridiculously high launch but that's expected given the Adams Idea Hybrid has one of the highest lofts in this test. We barely needed to put a swing on it to get it airborne. Perhaps flight was a little too high at times. Then again, for some, a lack of distance in return for higher ball flight and accuracy may appeal. The new wraparound slot design creates a trampoline-style effect off the face and the channels in the topline, sole and toe area create terrific forgiveness on those squiffy hits due to the enlarged sweetspot on offer. Not a great deal of workability but a decent offline dispersion pattern. About normal carry distances across the board with a 6-iron, but much higher launch angles and spin rate than we're used to seeing. 8.25 (out of 10)

Verdict: A club better suited for the high handicapper. Down the shorter end for distance in this test but very easy to hit high and straight. Ideal for someone just starting out the game or for the game improver seeking a much higher ball flight, particularly with the long irons. Better players that tend to prefer the more penetrating flight and workability of long irons over hybrids will want to look elsewhere. 20.25 (out of 25)

Next up, Adams XTD Cross Cavity

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