Late last year we unveiled Adams new XTD Forged irons, showcasing what Adams could do with extra time and dollars (hence XTD). This year, they have spent their time and money producing another XTD set for mid to high handicap players.
The Adams XTD Cross Cavity irons feature Adams Cut-Thru Velocity Slot technology located behind the thinnest cast-iron face the company has ever produced. Golfalot were one of the first to get hands-on with the new design, when Adams launched the irons at the PGA Show in Orlando.
"As opposed to the standard practice of strengthening irons lofts, we're providing distance while retaining optimal ball flight. And by integrating thinner faces and Cut-Thru Slot Technology into irons, we're making it much easier for players to produce higher, longer, straighter and more consistent shots." - Justin Honea, Senior Director of R&D at Adams Golf.
From one Justin to another, I met with Justin Girard on the range at the PGA Show to find out more about the new XTD design.
So Justin, we saw the XTD Forged late last year, what can people expect from these new XTD irons?
"Well these new XTD irons are for the players that are looking for a little bit more performance. It is a very technology-rich iron, but it is costmetically and subtly created so that even better players can enjoy the look and performance."
What are the main features of the new design?
"One of the main features it the Velocity Slot technology in the sole. It is the first cut-thru slot we have ever put into an iron and it will help increase the launch and the balls speeds, which will in turn help produce more distance."
"The face in front of the slot is very thin. In fact it is the thinnest cast iron face we've ever made. It is made from a 450 cast, stainless steel which is 14% thinner than our previous generation of irons. That thin, but strong, construction will again help to increase the ball speeds and launch."
What is the idea behind the eye-catching cavity design?
"Because this is a high-CT (Characteristic Time) iron with a very thin face, we had to produce a vibration-dampening system that allowed the sound to be tuned correctly to create the sound and feel a golfer would expect from this type of iron. We’ve done that with the new pressure-piston in the back of the clubhead. It is designed to actually compresses onto the centre of the face at impact."
"Because the centre of gravity has been moved off the face and further back, much like a hybrid, we needed to create something in the design that would dramatically dampen the vibrations, making the XTD irons produce a sound like that of a forged iron."
What are some of the other features people will benefit from?
"There is a lot for people to enjoy in this design. The XTD features a nice, dark finish that we believe players will like and will help them align at address. We've added some new scorelines on either side of the face to help frame the frame the face and make it easier for players to get set before they swing."
We see a lot of new distance irons that claim to hit it a lot further, but perhaps just have stronger lofts. How are the lofts in these irons?
"The lofts are pretty consistent with what you’d expect. Over the past four or five years we actually haven’t strengthened lofts all that much. The reason we are able to do that is down the technology we’re incorporating improving speeds and CT but not requiring a change in loft."
So there you have it, one new set of irons, input from two Justins and three new design features that have Adams very excited about the XTD irons. Look out for them in shops from April.