Adams Idea A12 Hybrid Review

Tested by David Connor, 10 hcp.

Like most modern golfers I have now succumbed to pressure and decided to ditch a long iron or two in favour of a hybrid.

However, the one issue I still have with hybrids is their sheer size. To my eye, many are far too bulbous with too much offset.

That is why I was looking forward to trying the new Adams a12. The head size is aimed squarely at the mid-handicapper. It is big enough that it inspires more confidence than a long iron but not too big that it looks unwieldy.

Its design also features ‘velocity slot’ technology in the sole and in the crown of the club which sees small pocket cavities cut behind the face to allow it to flex more and deliver faster ball speeds. Add to that Adams’ reputation as the leading hybrid brand in the US and it should be a potent combination.

But, unfortunately, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed. Not so much in performance terms where it proved to be forgiving as well as delivering a high ball flight and more than respectable distance. It was in the feel stakes where it lacked oomph.

Feel in a golf club is difficult to quantify and hugely personal but I’ve hit hybrids recently where I’ve instantly felt as though the ball was coming off the face with real power and I didn’t get that here.

It also felt very light in the hands and during the backswing that meant I lost a sense of where the clubhead was during the swing and my ball-striking suffered.

Of course it wasn’t all bad – the head size offered that perfect blend of sleek looks and forgiveness and a vast array of loft options mean you can get excellent yardage gaps at the longend of the bag, while a good custom-fitting session could help in the feel stakes. But it didn’t leave me wanting to hit it again and again so I wouldn’t place it
in my bag.

The Adams Idea A12 hybrid has a head size aimed squarely at the mid-handicapper.

Its design features 'velocity slot' technology in the sole and in the crown of the club which sees small pocket cavities cut behind the face to allow it to flex more and deliver faster ball speeds.