Adams Golf created the Speedline line to showcase their aerodynamic technology and add distance and forgiveness to the world of golf drivers. The clubs were hits with many of our readers and now they are releasing their 3rd generation of Speedline technology with the Fast 10. These drivers are designed to increase club head speed, resulting in up to 15 more yards in carry distance. Is it marketing or is it fact? By the time you finish this review, we should all know the answer to that question.
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From the Company
As with the entire Speedline brand, the patent-pending aerodynamic shaping of the third-generation FAST 10 driver refines the technology to create 10 percent less drag and airflow turbulence than previous models, resulting in up to 15 yards more yards of carry distance. Design improvements include a 100 percent increase in toe curvature and a 300 percent decrease in the heel curvature for even more efficient and stable airflow attachment around the club head. The new features reduce drag throughout the swing for a faster club head speed that generates more distance than previous models, all with 10 percent higher MOI.
“The success of the Speedline series clearly shows that the benefits of a driver head with aerodynamic shaping which delivers increased distance has resonated with golfers of all playing abilities,” said Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Adams Golf. “Now, with the launch of Speedline FAST 10 as the third-generation of this technology, we have furthered our lead in this exciting new category of drivers.”
Tech & Specs
*3rd generation of advanced aerodynamic shaping for more speed and more distance.
*Toe curvature increased 100% and heel curvature reduced 300% for even more efficient and stable airflow around the club head.
*Stable airflow translates to 10 % less drag and 10% more distance.
*Faster club head speed results in faster ball speed for up to 15 more yards in carry distance.
*With eight tour wins on the major professionsl tours and three RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship trophies, Speedline drivers have quickly earned much success among the professional ranks.
Both of the men’s versions of the driver and the fairway wood will debut with a choice of high-performance shafts: the mid-high launch Aldila Wasabi or the mid-low launch Matrix HD. The suggested retail price for the Speedline FAST 10 drivers is $399.99.
Available lofts are as follows:
Speedline FAST 10 Driver: RH – 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, & 12.5 LH – 9.5° and 10.5°
Speedline FAST 10 Draw Driver: RH – 9.5° and 10.5°
Looks
After removing the Speedline Fast 10 from the box, we took off the headcover to get to the actual product. The headcover certainly worked, but we would have liked to see a little more creativity go into it similar to the club head. The club head has an all black crown and at setup appears to be very traditional looking and something everybody in our office was kind of excited about. Similar to previous Speedline models, the traditional looks end there. The sole of the club is done in a great blue color with green and white accents. There also is some sort of scientific formula on the sole under the name and to be perfectly honest, while I thought it was odd looking, I never really looked at it again to see what exactly it was. So if it is a treasure map, please forgive me. The version we received from Adams featured the bright green Aldila Wasabi shaft, which when it comes to looks really shines and pairs up well with unique driver head. Another stock version is available as mentioned above. The entire club really has a great overall look to it and something we were excited to put into play.
Testing
Since the Adams Fast 10 driver had just gone through the 2010 Driver Shoot Out, THP did not feel it was necessary to do a separate range testing. During the DSO, the Adams fared extremely well picking up a top 5 in distance and was well liked by the majority of the participants. However since the results had been posted, I had been eager to take this one out on the course for personal testing and I have been able to get 6 rounds of golf and countless range sessions in with the Speedline Fast 10.
This driver delivers and was one of my favorites in recent memory with distance and forgiveness. The ball flight I saw on the course was a “get up quick” rather than a penetrating flight, but I saw no loss of distance (more on that later). The Wasabi shaft is geared towards hitting it high and it delivered, as these balls were sailing in the air. The forgiveness was something slightly unexpected and extremely nice to find. When missing the sweet spot (I know you don’t do it, but I do sometimes), we still got the same high ball flight and really lost very little distance. In fact when missing the sweet spot on the toe side, we were seeing almost no distance lost. Something we had not seen before and was a pleasant surprise.
The Feel is where I think that Adams really delivers their best attributes in the Fast 10. While distance and forgiveness is what someone wants to get out of performance, if the club feels “clunky”, it just will not work for many golfers out there. In my opinion it was the one thing that has always helped the Speedline drivers and the Fast 10 is no different. Tremendous feel at impact and despite its incredible forgiveness, you still get great feedback. The sound of the new Adams driver is one most will like as well, with no loud car crash, windows breaking, or tin can getting beat with a hammer. The Fast 10 actually sounds like a golf club and was “music to my ears”.
Overall
When testing out drivers, THP has certain criteria that it looks for which is Looks, Feel, Sound, Distance, and Accuracy and this driver fared well in every category. Did the Adams Speedline Fast 10 add 15 yards of distance to my drives? No, it did not, but I was getting about 4 yards more distance than I have normally been getting on the course (according to GPS), and that is no laughing matter. During the course of this review I was able to add 4.1 yards of distance without any sacrifice in fairways hit (accuracy), something that was not expected and was very much enjoyed. Adams Golf seems to have hit their stride in the Speedline driver line and THP thinks that they have a winner on their hands. For more information on this driver or any of the other products that Adams Golf has out, check out their website at www.adamsgolf.com.
Till Next Time
Josh B.
I got to try both this and the 3 wood out last week and loved the 3 wood. It is an absolute rocket off the tee and the deck. The driver was good for me, but not great. Still prefer the original Speedline that I am playing now. But the 3 wood will be mine.
Good review JB. I would agree with everything you said in the review as well. My experience with the Fast 10 at a Demo Day was almost identical. My only complaint was the high launch, since I feel that I already hit the ball too high normally. I was able to hit a Speedline 9032LS equipped with the optional Matrix Ozik HD shaft, and think that the Fast 10 fitted with that shaft would be a better match for my game.
I would definitely recommend that anyone on the lookout for a new driver definitely give this one a try!
Thanks for the review. I tried last years offering and it made my final 3, before going a different direction based simply on wanting the adjustable head technology. However, I’ll have to re-evaluate these again this season. The higher ball flight and swing speed is just what the doctor ordered for my game.
Thanks for the review! Believe it or not, most people actually do miss the sweet spot just like you! I know I do and I would love to be able to still recover with the distance and accuracy accordingly.
This club is definitely on my list of drivers to try this year and this review has made me even more eager to get to testing.
Thanks!
Sounds good. I like my Adams products (Puglielli wedges) and it’s good to know thier drivers seem to be pretty decent as well.
Great Review!
I bought the Fast 10 with the 8.5 loft and the Matrix shaft (stiff). Have only hit about 20 balls at the heated range (live next to Stricker) but the feel and flight were great. Its too cold and snowy to know how far it really traveled but will report back in 3-4 weeks.
Sounds good. What loft was used for the testing? I currently have an 9032LS 10.5 which has a pretty high ball flight. Do you need to drop a degree with the Fast 10?
Mike,
It was a 9.5. But dropping a degree in a driver will do little for trajectory. It will really come down to the shaft. The Wasabi is a very high ball flight shaft.
Good review. My only problem with the new drivers today is that the longer shaft equals a weaker shaft, thus fast swingers tend to loose the ball to the right (me). I am a 0 handicap and currently play a Ping I15 with UST AxivCore Red X-stiff. I also just picked up an Adams Fast 10 8.5 degree head that I will put the same shaft in. If it’s anything like the Ping, it will be long and straight. When I miss a fairway it’s a shock to my buddy’s. I am VERY straight. Everyone should remember that all the new heads can do something. Get the right shaft and that $50 head from Costco may be the longest you have ever hit!
Any of you hear about consistant quality issues, i.e. the head coming off?? I want a speedline 10, but im getting mixed signals.
I have the Origanal Speedline Driver, I’ve never had a quality issue with my driver. I’ve order the Fast 10 3wood with the matrix HD. If it preforms anything like my driver I’ll be more than happy. I play blades so like the driver this new 3wood has a more traditional look and a nice neutral look at address.
Good review. My only problem with the new drivers today is that the longer shaft equals a weaker shaft, thus fast swingers tend to loose the ball to the right (me). I am a 0 handicap and currently play a Ping I15 with UST AxivCore Red X-stiff. I also just picked up an Adams Fast 10 8.5 degree head that I will put the same shaft in. If it’s anything like the Ping, it will be long and straight. When I miss a fairway it’s a shock to my buddy’s. I am VERY straight. Everyone should remember that all the new heads can do something. Get the right shaft and that $50 head from Costco may be the longest you have ever hit!
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Did you get the head only from costco?
My buddy was demoing a fast 10 today on the course. It has the matrix shaft. I hit it all day. It is now replacing my I 15 ping that I thought I liked alot. I hit it very long and straight. I guess every once in awhile you luck up on the right combo. It is a legitimate 10 yards longer than my ping. It may be the longer shaft but the club felt great
I hit the Taylormade r9 tp and the r9 today and really wasn’t that impressed. 499-599$ I asked if there was anything else out right now that I should try and he gave me the new speedline 10 and it felt so good I bought it. I wanted to like the r9 so I could have a matching set but this driver felt like it was made for me.
In my opinion these drivers launch higher than their stated loft, so definitely go for the 9.5 if you normally hit a 10.5. The second important thing is to do with the length of the shaft which comes in just over 46″ The extra ball speed would be partly due to the increase in shaft length, however at this length the club actually flexes more. My club fitter checked it and it was playing like a senior flex. much less than the stated 247 cpms (or so) (to give an example long drivers play 50″ shafts but in XXX flex to make up for the loss in stiffness due to the length. I had the Matrix pulled and replaced with a Voodoo SV6 at 45.5″ and this was the best thing i could have done. The ball flight changed so much it was amazing. Flattened the ball flight (as you expect with this shaft) Incidentally this is the same setup Tom Watson uses. GET THE VOODOO!!!
I have been hitting the new Speedline 10 and the 3 wood and I gained about 20 yards on my drives and can control it off the ground better now too. Hottest driver I have ever swung.
Used Demo for 2 days and was averaging 295 off the tee, used gps every drive to tack it out longest was 317. 8 handicap and this driver is going to make it drop since ill have wedge to 9 iron into par 4’s and definately shortens par 5’s would recommend this club to anyone. This was the first Adams club I ever hit might check out some more.
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