Club Test 2011: Adams Idea Black Super Hybrid

From Golf Magazine (May 2011)
Category: Better-Player Hybrids
We tested: 17° and 19° with Aldila Voodoo graphite shaft

Key Technologies: The large head provides a bigger effective hitting area, while the maraging steel face insert and heavy sole increase MOI by 17 percent, making the club more forgiving. The longer-than-standard shaft should help increase ball speed.

OUR TESTERS SAY: A good-looking club that produces adequate distance, forgiveness and shotmaking control.

PROS
PLAYABILITY: The medium-low ball flight is well suited to finding fairways when used as a tee club, particularly in the wind; straight ball flight is repeatable but easy to draw for many testers; a good performer on chips around the green.

ACCURACY/FORGIVENESS: The relatively large head provides good correction on slightly off-center hits; a straight-shooter off the tee.

DISTANCE: The same length as most testers’ current hybrids, although a few guys rate it above average off the tee.

FEEL: Fairly good stability through impact; many guys find that solid strikes relay a crisp sensation to the hands.

LOOK: The black clubhead and dark face combine to provide a high-quality, Tour-like look; nice and square at setup.

CONS
Impact feel is too dull for some testers; easy to hook on mis-hits; not great performers from the rough.

From Sports Illustrated Golf+ (February 7, 2011)
Featuring a nickel-chrome-plated surface for a striking dark look, the Idea Black Super delivers increased distance without a loss of versatility and playability. By combining a larger clubhead, a maraging steel face and a longer shaft, the Black Super delivers 21.2 mph more ball speed and seven yards more distance than the Idea a7 hybrid. A trilevel sole design reduces turf drag and the swing weight can be modified with an adjustable screw.

From Golf Magazine (June 2010)
The Adams Idea Black Super Hybrid is built for speed—and distance. It couples a longer-than-standard shaft (one-inch longer than the Adams Idea a7) with a hotter, thinner clubface. The maraging steel face is 11 percent thinner than a standard 17-4 stainless steel face, which results in a 2.5 mph faster ball speed. The larger head, with a more rearward center of gravity, launches higher shots (by 0.7 degrees) with less spin.

The Super Hybrid is forgiving, too, with 17 percent higher MOI than typical hybrids. The combination produces longer carry (7 yards farther than the Idea a7) and softer landings.

Clubfitters can use the plug (2 to 14 grams) to achieve the desired swingweight based on a specific shaft weight or shaft length.

Idea Black Super Hybrid is offered in 15°, 17°, 19°and 21° with Aldila's VooDoo NV graphite shaft. It is a good match for those who struggle with fairway woods, and for guys who desire a long-hitting hybrid as a long-iron replacement.

$199, graphite

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