Adams XTD vs Adams Blue
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | XTD loft | Blue loft | XTD lie | Blue lie | XTD length | Blue length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19 | — | 59.75 | — | 39.75 | — |
| 4 | 22 | — | 60.25 | — | 39.125 | — |
| 5 | 25 | 24 | 60.75 | 62 | 38.5 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 28 | 27 | 61.5 | 62.5 | 37.875 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 31 | 31.5 | 62 | 63 | 37.25 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 35 | 36 | 62.75 | 63.5 | 36.625 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 39 | 40 | 63.25 | 64 | 36 | 35.75 |
| PW | 44 | 45 | 63.5 | 64.5 | 35.75 | 35.5 |
| GW | 49 | — | 63.75 | — | 35.5 | — |
| AW | — | 50 | — | 64.5 | — | 35.5 |
| SW | 54 | 55 | 64 | 65 | 35.5 | 35.25 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- XTD
- Blue
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the XTD is 31° and the Blue is 31.5°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the XTD should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Blue. Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the Blue averages 0.4° weaker, with the largest gap at the 5-iron (25° vs 24°). The pitching wedges are 44° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the XTD 7-iron sits 1° flatter (62° vs 63°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the XTD 7-iron is 0.5 inches longer (37.25" vs 36.75").
The sets are built differently: the XTD runs 3-iron to SW (10 clubs), the Blue 5-iron to SW (8 clubs).
The XTD is a game improvement iron and the Blue a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Blue is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The XTD trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Both heads are listed as investment cast. 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 Blue came out 1 year after the XTD, 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 Blue is the weaker-lofted set — up to 1° weaker than the XTD. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Adams XTD specs and Adams Blue specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Adams XTD stronger lofted than the Blue?
Yes. The Adams XTD 7-iron is 31° against 31.5° for the Blue, 0.5° stronger, which is worth about 2 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Adams XTD and Blue?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (31° vs 31.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 5-iron, and all 7 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Adams XTD or the Blue?
The Blue. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Adams XTD is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Adams XTD and Blue have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Adams XTD is 62° lie and 37.25 inches, the Blue 63° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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