Though the 2009 golf season has been in full swing for a few months now, it doesn't mean that there is no new gear to check out. From Adams Golf, an industry leader in Hybrid technology, come the Idea A7 Hybrids and A7 Hybrid Iron set, labeled by Adams as "the Future of Iron sets." Continuing the Adams tradition of innovation, these new clubs are loaded with new technology that comes packaged in the familiar styling of the Idea line.

The iron sets and Hybrids will begin shipping on August 1, 2009. The set (SRP $599 for steel and $699 for graphite) begins with a three- and four-hybrid, followed by a patented hollow-back design 5-iron that should more efficiently bridge the gap between hybrids and irons. The short irons are stabilized cavity-back irons, designed to improve forgiveness and maximize scoring potential. Each individual club has been tuned and optimized to fit in seamlessly with the other clubs in the set, making for smooth transitions between each club, as well as from hybrid to iron. Let's take a look at the new sticks, starting from the top.

The Hybrids
The three- and four-hybrids, which can also be purchased individually (SRP $199.99), combine some of the best features of their predecessors in the Idea line. The A7s are designed to optimize distance as well as forgiveness.

Improved sole camber makes the new Idea hybrids easier to hit from a variety of lies, while the 41-gram rear weighing improves launch and carry distance. The hybrids come with UST Mamiya ProForce AXIVCore Black 85 gram shafts, which are available in four flex options (A, R, S, X). Adams Golf Tour Traction grips are standard on all clubs in the set.

The Irons
Just as the hybrids are optimized to be forgiving and long, the short irons are optimized to maximize scoring potential. They start out with a transition 5-iron. Intended to smooth the transition between Hybrids and Irons, the 5-iron has a patented hollow-back design that allows it to play much like a hybrid, while offering many of the characteristics of the set's short irons. A 13% thinner face also helps improve distance with the 5-iron.

The rest of the irons feature a dual-cavity design with a stabilizer bar that helps give the player feedback as well as forgiveness. Thinner top lines and soles give these clubs a touch of workability and allows the player to continue to use the clubs as he or she improve their game. The irons are available in the same graphite shafts as the hybrids, or True Temper Performance Lite Steel 95 gram shafts. Again, these all come with the standard Adams Golf Tour Traction grips installed.

The Next Generation
From the Adams press release:

By advancing the theories in club design through individual engineering and integration of each club into the next, we are proud to be offering what we believe to be the future of irons sets and a better alternative to anything currently on the market," said Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Adams Golf. "This new approach to designing iron sets should further strengthen our leadership positions in the hybrid iron category."

"With Idea hybrids ranking as the most-played on the 2008 and 2009 PGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours, the Idea a7 hybrids continue a tradition of our tour-tested designs being brought to all golfers," said Tim Reed, Vice President of Research and Development at Adams Golf. "When we heard the tremendous positive feedback and saw the great results from Tour players on the prototype Idea 'Peanut' hybrid, we knew we had to use the best attributes of that design in the new Idea a7 hybrids.

The Idea A7 hybrids and irons are the most recent in the Idea line. Their predecessors, the Idea Tech A4 and Idea Tech A4OS hybrids and irons were very highly praised, winning a few awards and Gold ratings from Golf Digest on their 2009 Hot List. The A4 and A4OS were named top hybrids, the A4 irons won best game improvement irons, and the A4OS Irons took home a gold rating in the Super Game Improvement category. The Speedline Driver also took home gold, it was rated as the best driver priced under $350.

Final Thoughts
Adams Golf continues to lead the way when it comes to product development for the average golfer. Mid to high handicappers will benefit greatly from the work that Adams has put into its hybrid and game improvement club development. It seems like many companies are busy focusing on products that are intended to be used by low handicappers and us average folks sometimes feel a tad left out.

What Adams does goes beyond just making easy-to-use clubs. It gives players tools that they can use to improve their game and develop into better players, which in turn helps grow the sport and turn many more new players on to golf.

Adams also continues to get their name out there. The Golf Channel's Big Break series is sponsored by Adams Golf and has made many, myself included, take a harder loot at what Adams has to offer. Adams had the number one Hybrids on The PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Nationwide Tour in 2008 and 2009. Hybrids, largely thanks to Adams, are becoming more and more popular on tour. This leaves the masses feeling more like they are playing exactly what their favorite pros play, giving them both the desire to get out and play, and confidence in themselves and their equipment. Keep up the good work, Adams.

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