Adams IDEA Tech a4 vs. IDEA Tech a4R Irons (cast vs. forged)

sk33tr · March 18, 2012

Need Help Deciding.....

Need some help deciding on some new irons and a post from LBlack14 was a lot of help - My link

It's down between the Adams IDEA Tech a4 and IDEA Tech a4R Irons. Apparently, the a4R was a reissue of the a4 irons. Same exact specs and several have said both play similar. Only difference is the a4R is cast and the a4 is forged. So its down between cast vs. forged. Forged = Feel...Right?

Then I read this in another post: "Feel is a product of head design and sound not forged vs cast. So most will like the feel of a forged blade over a cast cavity, but when it is the same head design the difference is negligible. Forged is often times softer, however, so people associate a softer club with one that has more or better feel. Forged clubs do generally take to change better than cast (changing of loft and lie)."

What do I need to know to make an informed decision? Any suggestions/recommendations?

BTW, I'm a 18 with a 87 SS.

wmblake2000 · March 18, 2012

[quote name='skeeter33' timestamp='1332086266' post='4529537']
Need some help deciding on some new irons and a post from LBlack14 was a lot of help - [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/514644-the-search-is-over-adams-a4r-it-is/page__hl__adams+idea+tech+a4r+irons"]My link[/url]

It's down between the Adams IDEA Tech a4 and IDEA Tech a4R Irons. Apparently, the a4R was a reissue of the a4 irons. Same exact specs and several have said both play similar. Only difference is the a4R is cast and the a4 is forged. So its down between cast vs. forged. Forged = Feel...Right?

Then I read this in another post: "Feel is a product of head design and sound not forged vs cast. So most will like the feel of a forged blade over a cast cavity, but when it is the same head design the difference is negligible. Forged is often times softer, however, so people associate a softer club with one that has more or better feel. Forged clubs do generally take to change better than cast (changing of loft and lie)."

What do I need to know to make an informed decision? Any suggestions/recommendations?

BTW, I'm a 18 with a 87 SS.
[/quote]

Feel is also a product of the shaft... just to muddy the waters even farther.

I have the a4's with Steelfiber shafts. Great, great feel and performance. I also had them with some steel shafts, and the feel wasn't nearly as sweet. Don't know anything about the A4R's.

Nessism · March 18, 2012

That other thread is pretty extensive. What are your concerns with the clubs that the other thread doesn't answer?

sk33tr · March 18, 2012

Also, if you've played them, someone mentioned the grooves were shallow - any issues with spin/getting shots out of the rough? Thanks in advance.

sk33tr · March 18, 2012

[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1332089120' post='4529747']
That other thread is pretty extensive. What are your concerns with the clubs that the other thread doesn't answer?
[/quote]

I can get both sets at the same price. Didn't know if I was missing anything by not getting a forged set [u]or[/u] should I realize where my game is at right now and just get the a4R's.

It would be different if I could hit both first but none of the shops in my area (Louisville) have them so I'm going by the advice of others.

wmblake2000 · March 18, 2012

[quote name='skeeter33' timestamp='1332090644' post='4529863']
Also, if you've played them, someone mentioned the grooves were shallow - any issues with spin/getting shots out of the rough? Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

I have not had any concerns about this. Sometimes, I think we get too wrapped up on issues that are truly peripheral. It had never occurred to me to wonder about the grooves and how deep they are. The type ball plays a bigger role than the grooves with spin on most shots.

I am a 10, have played many, many years, had many, many, many iron sets, and the A4's are probably my favorite of them all. Look great, great feel, great performance, good distance and forgiveness. If I were you, I'd buy the set that was in the best shape, had shafts that are right for you (probably an R, maybe graphite), and were closest to what you need as a lie (flat, upright, etc).

dxdgenert · March 18, 2012

[quote name='skeeter33' timestamp='1332090998' post='4529887']
[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1332089120' post='4529747']
That other thread is pretty extensive. What are your concerns with the clubs that the other thread doesn't answer?
[/quote]

I can get both sets at the same price. Didn't know if I was missing anything by not getting a forged set [u]or[/u] should I realize where my game is at right now and just get the a4R's.

It would be different if I could hit both first but none of the shops in my area (Louisville) have them so I'm going by the advice of others.
[/quote]
You answered your own question there... If they are both the same price, then why wouldn't you get the forged? I love mine and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. In my opinion, the A4 Boxer hybrids leave a bit to be desired, however. I'm replacing my 3h this season.

sk33tr · March 18, 2012

[quote name='wmblake2000' timestamp='1332093410' post='4530023']
[quote name='skeeter33' timestamp='1332090644' post='4529863']
Also, if you've played them, someone mentioned the grooves were shallow - any issues with spin/getting shots out of the rough? Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

I have not had any concerns about this. Sometimes, I think we get too wrapped up on issues that are truly peripheral. It had never occurred to me to wonder about the grooves and how deep they are. The type ball plays a bigger role than the grooves with spin on most shots.

I am a 10, have played many, many years, had many, many, many iron sets, and the A4's are probably my favorite of them all. Look great, great feel, great performance, good distance and forgiveness. If I were you, I'd buy the set that was in the best shape, had shafts that are right for you (probably an R, maybe graphite), and were closest to what you need as a lie (flat, upright, etc).
[/quote]

That's exactly what I plan on doing. I have a set of TM 360 with S-90 shafts. I know I need an R. I realized I can get a new set of irons for near the same cost to have my 11-year old set re-shafted, re-gripped and fitted.

Nessism · March 18, 2012

[quote name='dxdgenert' timestamp='1332094594' post='4530079']
[quote name='skeeter33' timestamp='1332090998' post='4529887']
[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1332089120' post='4529747']
That other thread is pretty extensive. What are your concerns with the clubs that the other thread doesn't answer?
[/quote]

I can get both sets at the same price. Didn't know if I was missing anything by not getting a forged set [u]or[/u] should I realize where my game is at right now and just get the a4R's.

It would be different if I could hit both first but none of the shops in my area (Louisville) have them so I'm going by the advice of others.
[/quote]
You answered your own question there... If they are both the same price, then why wouldn't you get the forged? I love mine and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. In my opinion, the A4 Boxer hybrids leave a bit to be desired, however. I'm replacing my 3h this season.
[/quote]

Agree! I suspect the "forged" set are actually "form forged", but regardless, that seems like the obvious choice all things being equal.