Guerin Rife to Adams possible...

cuinthecreek · February 1, 2006

Hey guys, I was chatting with the local Adams rep on his motorhome today. He brought a 2-Bar for a demo in our proshop. When I asked kind if Rife was with Adams, he said they were "talking". So I'm figuring they are trying to work out a deal. I don't know if it's been discussed before or not, but if not here you go and if so, sorry. Also he did have a new Tour Prototype 3 wood on there with the weight in the sole. Sets up pretty nice. He might be getting us one...

GLL · February 1, 2006

I'd hate to see that happen, then they'd be known as an old man's putter. Adams has made some good products in their day and some horrible products, problem is the good ones seldom make it to the public. Exceptions may be 460 dual driver & Pugleilly wedge, but if you buy em you better like em, cause they aren't worth anything to anybody else, resale is horrible. They have made a reputation for themselves lately for tour version fairways and utility clubs, but when they come with one retail, like their new low profile tour prototype fairway, it's nothing like the real tour versions, it's a closed faced hook machine with a little weight moved forward to lower the trajectory of your hooks. Now, as I read in another thread here, they,ve come out with a player's iron, but the only place you can get them is from another internet sight that's not even one of their franchised dealers. Barny and his boys have hung in there and you have to admire them for it, but if they don't improve their products to the public and give something that'll sell to the retail outlets, I don't see much of a future for them and can't believe that an up and comer like Guerin Rife would climb on a sinking ship.

cuinthecreek · February 1, 2006

I think pretty much that new Tour Prototype fairway wood is whichever head of the 20/80 40/60 and the 50/50 models was the best recieved. I would imagine it would be the 40/60. They have a whole new way of constructing the head. If you go from the hosel down the leading edge, to the toe of the head on normal clubs it is longer than going from the hosel to the top of the face/crown, to the toe. Adams changed it and made it longer on top and patented it. Suppsedly supposed to make it a better head. I guess we'll see

GLL · February 1, 2006

Regular playing partner of mine is an exec for Ford, and he has a 4060 tour he got from a sr. tour player that does endorsement work for them. Combined with a Graphite Design 9.1+ shaft, it is one of the better fwy woods I have hit, but when I recently contacted Adams to see if their new tour proto would be the same, they said it would not, I asked if I could buy a 4060 through a retail outlet, and was told that was not possible? Maybe its a 50 -50, but if I had to bet, I'd say if it resembled any it would be the 20-80, hence "low profile."Less versitle, but easier for older and less accomplished players to get airborn.

cuinthecreek · February 1, 2006

That could be, but he acted like it was going to be something more for the stronger player. I think they are going to have 3 models, offset, a more standard version, and a more of a "players" club which is what the Tour Proto will evolve into I believe.

utopiapga · February 1, 2006

Adams is making a huge comback IMO, there hybrid clubs are #1 on the Nationwide Tour and #3 right now on the PGA Tour and growing. Yes it is true everyone associates Adams as the "Old Man Club" but I am here to tell you that that is not so. There new line the A2"s have been one of our best sellers for the seniors but also the player looking for the game improvement clubs.

There Hybrid

s are awsume and have turned many a player on to them no matter what there handicap. I have one in my bag and love it, best looking IMO and feel and workability is great.

There is a reason that more players on the senior tour are using Adams and those guys out there can play no matter what the age.

Just try and tell Tom Watson that he is playing an old man's club and I rest assure you he would laugh in your face.

Remember this is just MO and look out for more and bigger things to come from Adams.........

dpwrx · February 1, 2006

It seems to be the trend that these small puttermakers latch on with big companies and both benefit. The little fish gets more R&D and budget to back it, and the big company gets some press and a hot product to draw attention the overall product line. It takes money to put out clubs . . . Cameron, Bettinardi, TP Mills, the list goes on and on.

For Adams it makes a lot of sense, since they have never really had any type of putter presence. But I do find it interesting that GR would pick Adams to partner with . . . maybe it's a sign that Adams is being taken more seriously in equipment circles?

Adams has never shelled out the money to sponsor and get noticed by PGA players, but they've quietly produced some really solid stuff over the years. I'd love to see Adams finally get their due in the mainstream market.

As for low resale value, well, I don't mind so much . . . helped me put together a decent set for relative pennies.

GLL · February 2, 2006

I don't dispute that Adam's can make a good club, obviously Sr. tour players are very good and can play any club, but you and I don't have access to the clubs they play. My point is their retail stuff and tour stuff are 2 different stories, night & day IMO. They have never offered their good equipment to the brick & mortor accounts. I live 15 miles from their headquarters, and you can hardly find a golf shop that stocks their stuff around here, why? It doesn't sell. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see that change.

cmarkmyers · February 2, 2006

Adams new a2 OS set looks like it is going to be a big seller. My guess is they are going to have a good year. And if they do acquire Guerin Rife or strike up a partnership then a good putter is going to get some great exposure.

Will there be a stigma attached to using senior equipment? Perhaps, but I think most serious golfers can overlook that, especially when it comes to putters.