Adams Idea Pro Black vs Adams Idea Pro Black CB1
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Idea Pro Black loft | Idea Pro Black CB1 loft | Idea Pro Black lie | Idea Pro Black CB1 lie | Idea Pro Black length | Idea Pro Black CB1 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 21 | — | 60.5 | — | 39 | — |
| 4 | 24 | 24 | 61 | 60.75 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 61.5 | 61.25 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 31 | 30 | 62 | 61.75 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 35 | 34 | 62.5 | 62.25 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 39 | 38 | 63 | 62.75 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 43 | 42 | 63.5 | 63.25 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 47 | 46 | 64 | 63.5 | 35.5 | 35.75 |
| GW | 52 | 51 | 64 | 63.75 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Idea Pro Black
- Idea Pro Black CB1
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Idea Pro Black is 35° and the Idea Pro Black CB1 is 34°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Idea Pro Black CB1 should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Idea Pro Black. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the Idea Pro Black CB1 averages 0.8° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (31° vs 30°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Idea Pro Black CB1 7-iron sits 0.2° flatter (62.5° vs 62.25°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the Idea Pro Black runs 3-iron to GW (9 clubs), the Idea Pro Black CB1 4-iron to GW (8 clubs).
The Idea Pro Black is a blade iron and the Idea Pro Black CB1 a players iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Idea Pro Black CB1 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Idea Pro Black trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Both heads are listed as forged. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
The Idea Pro Black CB1 came out 1 year after the Idea Pro Black, 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 Pro Black CB1 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the Idea Pro Black on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Adams Idea Pro Black specs and Adams Idea Pro Black CB1 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Adams Idea Pro Black stronger lofted than the Idea Pro Black CB1?
No. The Idea Pro Black CB1 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 35° for the Adams Idea Pro Black, 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Adams Idea Pro Black and Idea Pro Black CB1?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (35° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 6-iron, and 6 of the 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Adams Idea Pro Black or the Idea Pro Black CB1?
The Idea Pro Black CB1. As a players iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Adams Idea Pro Black is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Adams Idea Pro Black and Idea Pro Black CB1 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Adams Idea Pro Black is 62.5° lie and 37 inches, the Idea Pro Black CB1 62.25° and 37 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.