Adams XTD Driver Review
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
Powerful feel from a wide area on the face. High-launch head will help many.
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Cons
Slot on top will divide opinion.
What we say...
Technology
The XTD driver, which stands for “Extra Distance”, is the first with the company’s “Cut-Through Velocity Slot”. There are two of them, and coupled with progressive-face thickness it pushes the R&A spring-like effect limit – so much so that every XTD driver will be checked four times during the construction process to ensure it meets the rules.
“Velocity Slots” on the sole and the crown are similar to the designs used by Adams in its fairway woods and hybrids. They are meant to increase ball speed off the face. The shaft length of the XTD is 45 inches, shorter than many recent Adams drivers.
As expected, the driver and woods are adjustable too. Loft and lie can be altered up and down via the hosel by up to 1.5° either way.
Watch our Adams XTD Driver first hit video above.
See how the Adams XTD Driver got on in TG’s 2015 Drivers Test!
Contact: www.adamsgolf.com
TG Tester Reviews:
James Ridyard, Professional:
Nice profile and matt finish. The slot isn’t off-putting, if anything it helps with alignment. It was noticeable how heel and toe impacts helped bring misses back online with minimal loss of ball speed.
Joel Tadman, Equipment Editor:
The slot didn’t suit my eye and the face looks rounded. It’s loud at impact, but felt hot from a wide area. Not as much distance as I was expecting despite a strong flight.
Your Reviews
Adams Golf Drivers User Reviews
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Slots galore, but look at the distance!
Pros - consistent distance, with a good amount of roll (which is unusual for me) - fairly consistent in dispersion, probably a decent swing day, but I didn't hoot anything that left the range either side :) - nice matte black colour, no shiny sun spots - not super low launch, but low spin head made it through the wind well enough. - real deal matrix shafts, with TM shaft adaptor ? Cons - slot in the top, whilst it's a little distraction you quickly ignore it. - not sure about the iomic grip, maybe get used to it but felt different to me. - hard to find the damn thing, so you may not get a full selection to test. Caveat ... Finally managed a range session from the demo bag, and couldn't get onto the course for full testing. First thing is first the aesthetics of the club are gonna be a bit marmite for some, the slot on the crown is quite obvious and some may be put off quickly from that, personally I forgot about quite quickly (was that because I was hitting well?!?). The matte coloured crown is reminiscent of the i20 I once had. Solid impact is probably the best I can describe, I assume it's the fancy crown that causes the slightly different noise for impact, not a bad sound but if your used to the recent clubs sound then it'll make the eyebrows raise when you flush it. Performance wise I couldn't really fault it, not sure if it was mega long but looked to be beyond my own driver, and felt easier to hit too (I wonder if the slightly shorter shaft was a bigger help). Mishits felt just as good, and sounded the same too ! Will be interesting to see what the actual ball speed and spin numbers were because it seems better than my driver, and I thought mine was pretty well speced for me.
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Surprisingly good
Easy to hit and very kind to mishits. If your course tends to run this could be the one for you. My not great ones fly low and straight and run for ever. Older golfers, who are more interested in overall performance not looks or the name, definitely one to consider.
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TG Tester Review
Once you get past the look, it’s quite easy to get on with. Powerful feel at impact with lots of help on poor strikes.
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TG Tester Review
I got a mid-to-high flight without too much spin. The slot does help alignment, but maybe future versions could add in the Ghost Slot we see in Adams’ hybrids.
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Adams xtd driver
I finally decided to get fitted for a new driver, I went to my local American golf with a completely open mind. I previously had the Taylormade rocketballzs driver, which had been getting me into a lot of trouble off the tee. After hitting almost every driver in the shop I finally hit the Adams xtd driver and gained 20 yards straight away. The launch and spin rate of this driver is perfect for my swing and the crisp noise and feel of the ball coming out of the middle of the club is fantastic. Plus the red tie stiff shaft makes all the difference. If you are serious about golf like myself, then I would recommend giving this driver a try as most people go for the obvious names when it comes to clubs. Never judge a book.
