2009 GOLF Buyer's Guide: Irons

$799, steel; $899, graphite

adamsgolf.com

It's for: High handicappers

Michael Vrska, Director of product development:

"This stick is all about
giving you maximum distance and extreme
forgiveness. The long-hitting set is a mixture
of the best materials and construction
methods that you'll find in a set of clubs."

How it works: These big ol' irons (6-PW) are hollow, like
hybrids, to maximize perimeter weighting. They have
milled grooves to optimize spin, extra sole weighting
and a thermoplastic insert across the back cavity that
reduces shock by 30 percent. The shafts increase by
0.75-inch increments (rather than 0.50-inch) to create
discernible distance gaps from club to club.

Add Idea Tech a4OS hybrids (3-5) for a bona fide
max-game-improvement design. The magnesium crown
(77 percent lighter than stainless steel) pushes more
weight to the sole. The club's low CG (4 percent lower
than Tech OS) should improve launch. A geometric
"Boxer" shape plus two tungsten sole weights (totaling
16 grams) fortify head stability (MOI is 15 percent higher
than Tech OS). The draw-bias head has a maraging
steel face to augment ball speed on off-center hits.

Compare and Buy These Irons