ADAMS A7 OS Chipper

All of the golf experts say that the fastest way for an amateur to lower his scores is to improve play around the greens. That said, I’ve wondered about the average player’s obsession with newer, faster, “longer” drivers. It might make more sense (both score wise and financially) to spend a small fraction of that money on a club that could help you from 20 yards in.

The Adams A7 OS Chipper tries to do just that. A cross between a wedge and a putter, the Adams Chipper has a 37 degree loft to get the ball up quickly, and rolling. The sole is designed to cut through turf.

I have a chipper that I built years ago from a GolfWorks kit and I pull it out of storage when I hit one of those streaks where I’ve completely lost my short-game feel. I use a putting grip and stroke and it usually works wonders from 50 yards in.

The difficulty of using one is, of course, trying to figure out what club to drop in its place. For me, its usually the three or four iron. I can’t hit those consistently anyway.

CLEVELAND CG15 Oil Quench Wedge

I’ve got a Cleveland “Oil Can” wedge from a few years ago, and really like the finish.

I like its play, too.

CALLAWAY X Series Jaws Chrome Wedge with Steel Shaft

New from Callaway is the X Series Jaws Chrome Wedge. Designed by Roger Cleveland, it incorporates Callaway’s Mac Daddy grooves, which are set at the maximum conforming width and depth. That’s going to be a big issue as the new grooves rules from the USGA come into effect. Manufacturers are going to advertise that their grooves are at the “legal” limit, just as drivers are advertised as being at the maximum permissible COR.

The wedges are constructed from 1020 carbon steel with a triple forging process. The C-Grind sole is designed to offer great shots from a variety of lies. The heel, toe and trailing edge are shaped so that the club has a “‘C’ shape on the sole. The shape, along with a tighter heel-toe radius and ideal bounce, improves turf interaction and enables golfers to lay the face open while keeping the leading edge down. I need that. My big miss around the green is a skulled shot as I send one off the knife’s edge.

Pursuit s510 True Forged

Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: A classic wedge

Even as my distances off the tee and from the fairway deteriorate, my short game has stepped up to help me keep my fifteen handicap. Get me anywhere within a hundred yards of the green, and I’ll get up and down in short order. It’s the thing I find most fun about the game.

So I’ve become a connoisseur of wedges. I carry five in my bag (pitching, gap, lob and two sand wedges, for different lies). A dozen more live in my shed. Each has its season and place.

One that’s found its way into my bag this spring is a 52 degree (Gap) Pursuit s510 True Forged from GigaGolf. Designed with a classic teardrop shape, it’s as easy to look at as it is to play.

And it’s versatile. Playing from the fairway, from tight lies, bunkers, thick grass and all manner of positions, the Pursuit s510 has proved its worth. I found it especially useful in playing from hard, tight lies. The six degrees of bounce and the ability to lay the leading edge flush with the ground minimizes for me the chance of a skull, and allows me to play those shots as high and soft as out of fluffy grass.

GigaGolf manufactured the club from 1035 carbon steel with a five step forging process. This, they say, packs the molecules densely for greater feel and control. In fact, the feel of the club is what you might expect from a forging. When struck cleanly, it’s as soft and pure as any club I’ve played.

The finish on the club is chrome, with the classic dark region framing the striking area. I haven’t noticed any wear on the finish or rust, but I’ve only had the club for a month or so. The logo and lettering on the back are understated, and not in the least distracting.

Workmanship on the club is excellent. The grip is properly aligned, and the ferrule flush with the hosel, with no gaps. That last is a sure sign of care in manufacture. As a semi-pro clubmaker, I know how easy it is to just shove a ferrule on with no regard for proper fitting.

You can get the Pursuit s510 made with a variety of shaft brands and flexes, as well as various grip types. You can also get the shaft length cut to custom lengths, and a lie adjustment.

The best part is that you can get all for as little as $45. That’s about half the price of a forged wedge from one of the big names.

Recommended.

Adams Idea A30S Chipper

Yes, it’s a one trick pony, but I honestly believe that clubs like this Adams chipper could help some players score.

Case in point: The team of players my partner and I beat in the last league match had two guys who out rove us by 50 to 100 yards on every hole. On the par 4s, they often were just a pitching wedge away after the drive. And then six shots later they were in the hole.

Neither of them could effectively wield a wedge, or chip. And yet, there they were, trying to flop with a 60 degree wedge. If I had a game like that, I’d drop a wedge or a wood and put one of these into the bag. The chipper I have (and put into use when my short game falls apart) is good from 50 yards out in the fairway, from around the green, and even out of traps.

I hope neither of our opponents is reading this, in case we have to play them again later this season.