The Best of Both Worlds – completing and complementing an already existing proven product line.

It was just four short years ago, that Adams Golf both revolutionized and took the golf equipment industry by storm with their upside down technology of the shallow faced fairway wood – the original Tight Lies(R) fairway woods. Through the use of infomercials, a great product and timing, Adams Golf carved their name as the leaders of the fairway woods now so prevalent in the industry. Since then, as in most businesses, Adams Golf market share has been eroded by the competition, and like so many of the current manufacturers, has struggled to regain revenue and profits since going public.

Now Adams Golf is bringing to market a completely new multi-material shaft technology in a new line of irons, the Tight Lies GT irons. At this point in time, Adams Golf’s Tight Lies GT irons are the only irons to offer multi-material steel and graphite shaft technology.

Adams Golf is already producing wins on the Tours. In fact, after shooting a tournament-record, 18-under-par total of 270 on November 7, 2000, Adams Golf Staff Professional Tom Watson, using the Tight Lies GT irons (R), won the IR Senior Tour Championship at the Tournament Players Club of Myrtle Beach in November, one shot ahead of Adams Staff Professional John Jacobs and a blistering eight strokes in front of the rest of the field. Watson dominated one of the strongest fields ever in Senior PGA Tour golf, hitting 86.1% greens in regulation  #1 in the tournament  and recording a total of 18 birdies over the three-day event. An exceptional introduction and testimonial to these irons introduced on October 26, 2000!

The irons are sleek and elegant and available in two models:

The GT shaft is a patented, proprietary Adams Golf design that is engineered and manufactured by True Temper. The high strength graphite tip is built into every shaft and into every clubhead using a proprietary bonding process from True Temper for maximum durability. In fact, the bond is so strong; it can withstand 5,000 pounds of force.

The specially designed graphite tip is extremely strong because it has up to 50% thicker walls than conventional graphite. The result is a low torque shaft that’s designed to square the clubhead at impact for greater accuracy.

Adams Golf analyzed and concluded that previously, golfers have had to make a sacrifice by choosing either steel or graphite shafts for their irons. Supposedly, steel shafts were more accurate, graphite longer and less vibration prone. According to Adams Golf, these golfers can get the best of both worlds in a completely new multi-material shaft design that combines a proprietary steel shaft with a specially designed graphite tip. Their USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is that the new Tight Lies GT irons are the only irons that deliver straighter shots, better feel and the easy-to-hit performance of Tight Lies woods.

“We gave ourselves a goal of the highest magnitude,” states Barney Adams, Chairman and CEO of Adams Golf, “to create a new technology product that delivers as much shot making enhancement and as much fun as we did with the Tight Lies fairway woods. It’s cliché time, but how else do I say we’ve surpassed our objective? I’ll make no other claim, just one request: try them for yourself.”

The other benefits to the golfer that Adams extols are that the Tight Lies GT irons will offer:

Our testers felt that these irons did in fact offer both accuracy and distance. Response was lively, the eye appeal exceptional

Eight of the ten pros testing the irons rated them higher than 7.5 out of ten  an excellent response by any standard.

The general consensus by the pro testers was that the long irons were very easy to hit and extremely forgiving and the shorter irons generated some serious spin firing shots into the greens, especially with a softer ball.

As for our mid-high handicapper testers, responses were extremely complimentary:

“Surprisingly forgiving. If you’re willing to invest the time and money this is a great set for you. Feels like heaven when hit flush, makes you want to hit more. As good an iron as any on the market.”

“These are by far the best clubs out for mid- high handicappers. They have a great buttery feel and the cosmetics are superb”.

“I can’t get enough of these clubs. They are just great.”

“These clubs are great looking and are about one club longer than my Callaway X14s. Great clubs for this price.”

Several of our high handicap testers said the same thing, “This is the way I want a golf club to feel”. All of our testers hit the irons well. Two of our testers have rated them as their current favorite set of irons. All the testers loved the feel when the ball struck the middle of the face.

Adams Golf began shipping the new Tight Lies GT irons to its authorized retailers this past December with a suggested retail price of $799.95 per set, consisting of 3-iron through pitching wedge. The Tight Lies GT irons, which come with a five-year limited warranty, will be available in both right-hand and left-hand models.

For the Tight Lies aficionados out there, these irons are well worth the wait and bring the Tight Lies product circle together in one of the most playable set of clubs currently available on the market.

Additionally, visiting Adams Golf’s web site, www.adamsgolf.com, is extremely informational as it is functionally pleasing and navigable. Well worth a visit!

For the Statistically Orientated Golf Fanatic: Tom Watson’s bag included a total of 13 Adams Golf clubs, including a set of Tight Lies GT irons (2-iron through pitching wedge) with Adams’ exclusive graphite tipped GT shaft; an Adams prototype sand wedge; an Adams prototype driver; and Tight Lies Tour 13° and 17° fairway woods.

Following the win, Tom Watson stated, “I came in second four times until I switched to the new Tight Lies GT irons. And then I won.”

Finishing just one stroke behind Watson and seven strokes ahead of the third place finishers, John Jacobs, who used Tight Lies irons, ranked #2 in the tournament for greens in regulation at 80.6%, making 17 birdies. Jacobs used Adams’ Tight Lies irons (2-iron through PW) with conventional steel shafts; a 9° SC Series(R) Spin Control driver and a Tight Lies Tour 22° 5-wood.

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his current book, “How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf” is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s best seller list.

He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net