If one were to come up with a list of the greatest club designs of all time, chances are good it would include the Adams Tight Lies fairway wood.
The upside-down profile was the brainchild of founder Barney Adams, who sketched out the club on a legal pad in roughly 20 minutes more than two decades ago. The company sold more than $30 million worth of the clubs in 1997, and they instantly became a favorite for pros and recreational golfers alike; getting the ball airborne was no longer a painstaking process.
To this day, the original Tight Lies fairway woods can still be found in golf bags across the globe.
Of course, updated versions of the design have been released over the years, including the all-new reimagined Tight Lies fairway wood and hybrid that were created with the help of TaylorMade’s engineering team. (TaylorMade acquired Adams Golf in 2012.)
Modifications were made to the overall look and profile, but the classic Tri-Sole design remains. Designed to help get the head efficiently through the ground, the sole works in tandem with a “Velocity Slot” situated directly behind the face that increases flex on the lower portion of the structure for ball speed and launch purposes, particularly on off-center hits.
The head itself features a shallow, low-profile look that helps push the center of gravity lower for a higher launch. The upper section of the face was also extended slightly to make it easier for golfers to use the clubs off the tee.
Adams Golf’s Tight Lies comes in multiple packages, including a “Fairway Package” ($329.98; 3- and 5-wood), “Hybrid Package” ($289.98; 3- and 4-hybrid) and “Easy Launch Combo #1” ($299.98; any fairway wood and hybrid). The fairway wood is priced at $179.99 (available now) while the hybrid retails for $149.99 (available Oct. 1).
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