Equipment Review: Adams Insight Drivers
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

We’ve raved before about how Adams Golf is an industry leader in game-improvement technology. In fact, Adams also offers top-notch, high-tech players’ clubs. A closer look at Adams’ latest driver – the Insight driver – reveals this company’s expertise in both game-improvement and better players’ equipment.

In this scribe’s humble opinion, the Insight driver is the smartest looking driver ever produced by Adams. Previously, we tested the Redline RPM 460Dual, golf’s first 460cc driver with two moveable weights. Well before the buzz about square drivers, Adams’ Redline driver maxed out with a huge oval-shaped head and sole that dwarfed most of its competition. This is still a solid offering, but the Insight is an improvement over its predecessor, and here’s why.

One thing I really admire about Adams Golf is its trend-setting research and development sector. Quite simply, they know how to design a club so it offers both performance and solid aesthetics. And despite the mammoth size of the Insight driver duo, both models don’t stray very far from a classic-looking club.

The Insight is available in two models: the larger Insight BUL; and the better player’s Insight BTY. Both are 460cc drivers oozing with features.

The Insight BUL is billed as boasting “a distinctly different geometric shape.” Offering maximum forgiveness and increased distance, the Insight BUL boasts a huge MOI of 5,000. What does this mean? Less clubhead twist for greater stability at impact, reduced sidespin and increased ball speed. Mis-hits? Forget it with this goliath. The sole is shaped like a giant saucer – it’s an extremely low-profile driver. The face is long yet more shallow than a traditional driver, but the results are outstanding. Even in the hands of a high-handicap golfer, using the right loft and shaft, this club should deliver positive results.

The key to the Insight BUL, as with the Tour-type Insight BTY, is a very low CG. The face of both drivers is also very hot – but totally legal under USGA rules. And when the pill pops off the face of these big dogs? Forget it. They sound great, and offer controllable, explosive distance.

We tested the Insight BUL with “player” specs – 8.5-degree loft, and custom shaft – Grafalloy ProLaunch Red. While the large saucer-shaped sole is certainly non-traditional (at least, not yet – give it a week or so, because the golf industry is quick-changing), the clubhead is not at all overwhelming. In fact, I could still work the ball with a fade or a baby draw. This low CG design is a real technological breakthrough. The ball flies off the face with authority, and peaks with a flight even Chuck Yeager would adore. My advice: if you really want to take advantage of Adams’ latest driver technology, then no matter what your handicap, at least give the Insight BUL a shot.

The Insight BTY is still a behemoth but more traditional in stature than the BUL. It offers more control than its big brother, yet still offers more than enough forgiveness. You can customize your swing weight, too, with an adjustable weight port positioned in the sole. Ultra-thin .4 mm rolled titanium transfers weight from the crown to the adjustable weight port. Combined with Grafalloy’s ProLaunch Red shaft with a tip stiff and offering a more Tour-type trajectory, this club combines power and penetration off the tee.

The Insight BUL is available in lofts of 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 12.5 and 15 degrees. Stock shaft is the Adams 65 g Speedline by Aldila. There’s a senior’s version, too, in lofts of 10.5, 12.5 and 15 degrees. The Insight BTY comes in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees.

MSRP for the Insight Bul: $399 US; Insight BTY, $429 US.

For more information on this dynamic duo, visit www.adamsgolf.com.