Adams Golf is known for having the number one hybrid club, and deservedly earned that reputation. My first set of golf clubs I bought when took up golf again after a 4 year hiatus, were a set of Adams Idea A2 OS Hybrid irons. So when I heard that the new Adams Golf Speedline driver had been designed using wind tunnel technology for superior aerodynamics, I was automatically intrigued.
Look and Feel
The Adams Speedline driver looks like your typical 460cc pear shaped driver, but don’t let its traditional shape fool you. The Speedline driver is packed with three aerodynamic shaping features that reduce the amount of drag for more clubhead speed, and increased driving distance. When you look at the profile of the Speedline driver’s crown you’ll notice that it has dome like shape/appearance, which is what Adams Golf calls its Aero-shaped crown. The next feature is the optimized clubface with more radius that improves the transition from the face-to-body. And the final feature is the aerodynamic heel-to-toe scoops on the sole of the club, similar to those found on race cars and jet engines. I liked the blue color and and graphics used on the sole of the Speedline driver, which give the club a unique look. The Adams Speedline driver feature the high performance 46″ 60- gram Grafalloy Prolaunch AXIS Blue shaft with SmartPly Technology and Lamkin Crossline Tour grip.
The Benefits of Wind Tunnel Testing and Aerodynamic Design
I think its important to talk about the testing and design process Adams Golf conducted in order to develop the Speedline driver and how it benefits the average golfer. In a nutshell, the main benefit of utilizing wind tunnel technology and aerodynamics is to reduce the amount of drag on the golf club to create faster swing speeds and more distance off the tee. What golfer wouldn’t want those characteristics in a driver? I know I do.
But in order to achieve this Adams Golf engineers, worked with an expert in the field of aerodynamics, Michael Mendenhall of President and CEO of Neilsan Engineering & Research of Santa Clara, California. Through a series of wind tunnel tests, Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) simulations, and player testing, Adams Golf was able to develop the patent pending design for the Speedline driver. That includes an aero-shaped crown, heel and toe scoops, and improved face-to-body transition, all of which reduces the amount of drag on the clubhead and makes it more aerodynamic.
What is Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)? CFD is the solution to mathematical equations of fluid flow around a body. In this case its the amount pressure that is placed on the body of the driver that create drag and lift. Adams Golf engineers discovered through this process that large geometry shaped driver designs with sloping crowns had increased amounts of drag and lift, resulting in slower clubhead speeds.
“We saw an opportunity when the extreme geometry drivers continually tested with higher drag and lower clubhead speed,” said Scott Burnett, Director of Advanced Product Development. “By changing the aerodynamic properties of the face and crown in order to keep the airflow attached, we were able to deliver a significant distance advantage for the average player and tour pro alike.”
Performance
The big question is can the Adams Speedline driver really add 3-4 MPH to your swing speed and increase your driving distance by 3-9 yards? The answer is yes and yes. From my playing several rounds of golf using the Adams Speedline driver, I did notice that my drives were 3-5 yards longer than they typically are. This can be attributed to a couple of factors, one the low drag in the clubhead did increase the amount of club speed and thereby increasing my overall drives and the other is the high launch of the Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue shaft. The regular flex Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue shaft seemed to whip the clubhead into the ball resulting in my drives launching very high into the air with a nice trajectory. The other nice feature about the Speedline is that Adams Golf engineers placed the MOI low in the heel of the driver, so the Speedline is very forgiving driver, as well as being aerodynamic. In terms of being able to work the ball with the Speedline driver, I found it very easy to shape your shots.
Overall, the Adams Speedline driver is a great golf club that features an aerodynamic body and wind tunneled tested design for increased clubhead speed and longer drives.
Adams Golf Speedline Driver retails for $299
Model Tested 10.5* Loft, Regular Flex
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Just picked up Speedline 9.5 driver and just picked up another 5 mph. I thought if it was good enough for the worlds long drive champ then I guess I should at least give it a test drive and boy was I suprised.
My Burner was giving me about 155 ball speed on a good day and I had no problem pushing 160 average with the new Adams. This thing is a cannon ,it came with the stock prolaunch stiff shaft. The only thing I had to modify was the grip because they come with a standard no wrap width
I just bought a Speedline 10.5 driver with a stiff shaft. My old driver and I never got along – it was always a crap shoot, usually resulting in a slice. With the Speedline I anticipated slicing the first few balls, just because it was new to me. I was shocked. In the middle of March, 50 degree weather, having not swung a club in five months and using some old shag balls at our public driving range (which hasn’t officially opened yet) I hit the first half dozen balls straight down the middle, about 250 yards. In total I hit about 2 dozen balls, and only 3 were sliced. The club is easy to use and very forgiving. I’m looking forward to playing as soon as these northern golf courses open up.