Adams Pro Irons Vs. Callaway Tour Irons

The Adams Pro irons come in two forms, Gold and Black. Pro Gold iron sets are a mixed set of a hybrid 3 and 4 irons with oversized traditional irons 5-pw. Pro Black irons are forged, muscle-back irons with a small button weight behind the sweet spot to keep the ball trajectory low. Both offer heightened feel and workability for more skilled players, with the Gold offering slightly more forgiveness.

The Callaway X-22 Tour irons are a midsize, cast iron with a player's iron look at address. The X-22 Tour irons focus on forgiveness more than any other player's iron. Because of their cast construction and large perimeter weighting system, Callaway delivers a mid to high ball flight.

The Callaway brand has made its name with forgiveness and control throughout their irons, and some better players consider the X-22 Tours too forgiving for a player's iron. The Adams are certainly harder to control, but are much more rewarding for players seeking a low trajectory and maximum workability.

Callaway has a more traditional forged iron in its X-Forged model, or the Tour Authentic X-Prototype Irons used by Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els on the PGA Tour in 2009. The X-Prototypes are a traditional muscle-back design and give the low workable trajectory that better players prefer. Adams counters with the Idea Pro Black, a rear-weighted muscle back used by Aaron Baddeley.

Both sets are designed for highly skilled players, but the lines target a different segment among these players. The number of players playing true muscle-back irons is shrinking even at the highest levels of play. Callaway takes advantage of this by offering the control of a cavity back with a player's iron look and feel.