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2012 Buyer's Guide Irons

These new sticks will help you hit the green

This Article Features Photo Zoom

POSTURE PERFECTION
By Andrew Getson, PGA

Better golfers know that to swing the club consistently on plane, the secret is to avoid having an address position that causes you to lift the club up at the top of your swing, only to then drop the club back down on the forwardswing. For instance, when golfers hunch down over the ball at address, they become more inclined to lift their entire body up vertically at the top of the swing. In fact, this is a common position for the beginner or high-handicapper to be in, since many of them feel that the golf swing isn't so much a circular move as it is an up-and-down motion. So what do they do? They lift straight up on the backswing, as you can see by these photos. And in case you're wondering, I don't have any chance of making a good swing from there.

The right way to swing is to always remember that the golf swing is, in fact, circular, and any instinct to dip or lift the body ought to be avoided. The key is in finding a neutral spine-angle position at address. (By the way, spine angle refers to how forward my upper body is leaning toward the ball.) As you can see by the lower photos, not only have I found a comfortable spine angle at address, but I'm also able to keep my angle the same at the top of my swing. No lifting, no dipping—just a steady rotation of the body led me there.

So practice your spine angle and see what angle is easiest for you to retain. Some golfers have greater spine angles than others, some less. Either way, the key is in staying consistent from the start of the swing to the top and, of course, at the impact position. Do that, and your ballstriking will improve in a hurry.

Adams Idea a12 OS Key Feature: This mixed set comes with three hybrids that have Velocity Slot Technology, two Trans-hybrids and three game-improvement short-iron designs. The "Truss Back" design of the Trans-hybrids stood out to us the most, helping to push the CG back low and deep. Who It's For: Seekers of maximum forgiveness! These clubs are primed to do two things: Hit straighter and longers shots with relative ease. Specs: Comes in 4-LW in a trio of designs (hybrid, Trans-hybrid, iron) with steel or graphite shafts. (LH available) adamsgolf.com | $599/$699	Adams Idea Pro a12 Key Feature: Forged of carbon steel, these irons are poised as a true player's set, so long as that player wants some added forgiveness in the mix. The heel-toe weighting is amplified in the longer irons for more forgiveness, and less differentiated in the shorter irons for more shotmaking capabilities. The face is triple-milled...whew! Who It's For: Good-to-better players who want the feel and look of forged irons with forgiveness in long irons. Specs: Available (4-GW) with KBS Smoke Tour Steel shafts or Mitsubishi JAVLN graphite shafts. adamsgolf.com | $799/$999	Adams Idea MB2 Key Feature: Who said muscle-back irons were dead? The new MB2 irons (already a hit with Aaron Baddeley) used brass weights for perfected CG locations and a unique, cold blue finish designed to rust over time. Who It's For: These babies scream Tour pro, but we suspect a few low-handicappers will appreciate the design and shaping of these irons for ultimate shotmaking capabilities. And frankly, they just look so darn cool. Specs: Available (3-GW) with KBS Smoke Tour Steel shafts or Mitsubishi JAVLN graphite shafts. adamsgolf.com | $999

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