Adams A7OS vs Adams A7OS MAX

[cypressc]

Today I went out to demo some Adams A7OS irons. I took out an 8 iron and a 5 hybrid on the range, and was absolutely shocked at how ridiculously easy it was to hit the ball straight, and my distance was up 1-2 club lengths over my normal shots. I guess there's something to be said for modern club technology. After hitting a bucket of spine-tingling gorgeous shots, I realized that they were actually the Adams A7OS "Max" set. Returning to the pro shop, I compared the Max version to the regular OS version, and didn't find a huge difference. Both sets are super-game-improvement. But the MAX set is a set of all-hybrids, with hybrid-like short/mid irons in addition to the 3,4,5 hybrids, where there "standard" OS set has cavity back short irons, hybrid-esque 6/7 iron, and standard long hybrids.

My question: Does anyone have any experience demoing both sets (I ran out of time and didn't get to compare)? What should I be looking for in trying to make a decision?

Background: I've played golf 5-6 times a year for the past 25 years. I've finally had the chance to join a club and get a handicap and want to improve my game. My irons are circa-1990 Ping-knockoff cavity backs. They're rather heavy, plus I could probably use some upgraded technology. I'm not a bad ball striker, and I don't have a problem getting the ball in the air and my distance is fine.. but my good shots rarely come in a row (except on the range), I'm not a great putter on the fast greens of my new club, so my club handicap is at 30 (with about 10 strokes per round of penalties for out-of-bounds shots on a rather unforgiving, narrow course with slope 136.). This will be my first full season where I expect to get in 40-60 rounds.

Does anyone know how the hybrid short-irons perform vs. deep cavity super-game-improvement short irons? Or are they really hybrids at all? (they kinda look like cavity backs with a plastic wall covering the cavity to give a hybrid-like appearance) Clearly at my handicap level, I probably need one of these two sets, but I'm wondering how much difference there really is beyond appearance at address.

Any help appreciated.

For reference:

A7OSMAX:


A7OS: