Actual Useful Driver Technology
Ever since the USGA rulings on things like limiting COR and head size years ago…there was a period of time where the technology in drivers was quite stagnant in regards to new technology (actual useful technology) being introduced in the driver market.
One of the reasons is because many of these drivers took years to develop from start to finish. So when these rulings came down it pushed back the current projects they were working on. This created a 3-4 year period where they were scrambling a little to come up with new ideas. And before the rulings were made the only real new technology being introduced was bigger heads and higher COR face for drivers. There was a major lack in the creative department across the board for driver designs.
Major Challenge For Golf Companies
It was a major challenge for OEM’s to come up with ideas that were not only truly unique and creative but also effective. Because up until this point they really didn’t need to. A few minor changes here or there and golfers would still buy their new designs. But over the past few years golfers have grown increasingly tired and immune to simple paint scheme changes and some additional moveable weights. Many golfers wised up…they no longer felt like every new driver design was a guarantee to out perfrom what they already owned. So the golfer that typically bought a new driver every 1-2 years now owned them for 3-4 years before buying new technology.
Today’s Drivers (vs) Drivers From 5-6 Years Ago
And still all these years later not many companies have stepped up to the challenge and delivered something truly greater then what they designed 4-5 years ago. There has been much more advance in ball and shaft technology compared to the driver category in this time span. We plan to bring you some reviews in the future that will prove our point. I think you guys would like to see some reviews of current drivers compared to some of the more popular designs from 5-6 years ago…sound like something you would be interested in seeing?
Adams Golf Thinking Outside The Box!
Well one of the companies that HAS actually been hard at work at pushing the technology envelope in drivers is Adams Golf. We have also noticed some interesting ideas coming down the pipeline from Nike Golf as well. Both these companies are not settling for their current design portfolio…they are both thinking outside the box which is great to see. Just when golfers on blogs and forums like MyGolfSpy say that drivers are maxed out and that there is no new technology that can be invented. Adams Golf comes out with something that makes you say, “Hey if this thing does what it claims to do then I would put it in my bag.” In this new design from Adams Golf that technology is called “Velocity Slot Technology” and it is actually used to make fairway woods perform more like a driver face. Odd looking design for sure…but like we said if it does what it claims this could be a truly effective design technology. Check out the video above to see the technology for yourself.
“Velocity Slot Technology” – EXPLAINED
FOR FAIRWAY WOODS
Definition = Slots weaken the crown therefore providing more spring in the face adding COR to a fairway wood similar to a driver. And evens out COR across face.
- Improves dead center hits by adding distance
- Improves forgiveness across entire face
- 21% increase in forgiveness
- Avg. of 5-12 more yards distance
- 36% Higher COR
- Ball speed increase by 5.2 MPH.
FOR DRIVERS
- “Velocity Slot Technology” 5th generation aerodynamic technology.
- The “slots’ lower the drag by 35% allowing larger footprint
- Making the head able to be more forgiving
- 3 Models – STD, DRAW, DFS
- Price $299
- Available 1/15/2011
Adams last driver the 9064LS that we reviewed was the best one we tested all year..and from what we hear from an Adams Golf insider this one is even better. This is hard to believe but we can’t wait to test it out for you guys to see if this claim is true.
Mike Shivley
13 years ago
I absolutley kill the 13.5 three wood-TI… I mean in the 240/250 range… I like to win and hitting par 5’s in two helps me WIN!!! My question to Anthony: which would you rather hit into a par 5… off the deck a driver or a 3-wood??? When I want to shorten it up off the deck I choke down and hit a low punch in the 220 range. It’s low profile and small head is perfect for fairway or rough… A little daunting off the tee (it’s a realy small head) but after a little range time I was smashing fades and draws at will. Although ball movement is a little muted you can still move it pretty good. This is one of the my favorite clubs… easy to work with…great results…very versatile! But I agree the Driver is fugly!