Adams Idea a3 vs Adams Idea a4

Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.

Adams Idea a32007–2008 · Game Improvement Ironsinvestment cast · stainless steel with Boxer hybrids Adams Idea a42008–2009 · Players Distance Ironsforged · 8620 carbon steel

Specification comparison

Club	Idea a3 loft	Idea a4 loft	Idea a3 lie	Idea a4 lie	Idea a3 length	Idea a4 length
5	—	26	—	60.5	—	38.5
6	29	29	61.5	61.5	37.875	37.875
7	33	33	62	62	37.25	37.25
8	37	37	62.75	62.5	36.625	36.625
9	41	41	63.5	63	36	36
PW	45	45	63.75	63.5	35.75	35.75
GW	—	50	—	64	—	35.5
SW	—	55	—	64	—	35.25
LW	—	60	—	64	—	35

Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.

Lofts compared

Idea a3
Idea a4

Lofts match on every club the two sets share, so the markers sit on top of each other.

What the differences mean

Every club the two sets share has exactly the same loft, starting with a 33° 7-iron. On paper there is no distance or trajectory difference: with the same swing, a 7-iron from either set should launch and carry about the same. The real differences are in how the heads are built, how they look at address and how they feel at impact, none of which a spec table can show.

The sets are built differently: the Idea a3 runs 6-iron to PW (5 clubs), the Idea a4 5-iron to LW (9 clubs).

The Idea a3 is a game improvement iron and the Idea a4 a players distance iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Idea a3 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Idea a4 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.

The Idea a3 is listed as investment cast and the Idea a4 as forged. Forging, as in the Idea a4, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the Idea a3, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.

The Idea a4 came out 1 year after the Idea a3, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.

Which should you choose?

The Idea a3 and Idea a4 share the same lofts on every club on file, so the difference is in head construction, feel and forgiveness rather than trajectory.

Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Adams Idea a3 specs and Adams Idea a4 specs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Adams Idea a3 stronger lofted than the Idea a4?

No. Both have a 33° 7-iron and the same loft on every club they share, so neither is stronger lofted. The difference is in construction and feel.

What is the loft difference between the Adams Idea a3 and Idea a4?

There is none. Every club both sets include has the same loft, including the 33° 7-iron.

Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Adams Idea a3 or the Idea a4?

The Adams Idea a3. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Idea a4 is a players distance iron, better suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.

Do the Adams Idea a3 and Idea a4 have the same lie and length?

At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37.25 inches long.

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