The Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS Driver Review

The Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver is one of several members of the company’s “Speedline” brand. Over the past few years there have been several Adams Speedline drivers, but this one is new for 2012 and it could be a great one. 

I’ve always had the impression that Adams doesn’t make new clubs as often as some golf equipment companies (TaylorMade holds the record for that, I think). I’m starting to change my mind, though, because it seems like Adams has produced a lot of new clubs over the last year or two. But based on some of the Adams clubs I’ve been reviewing, that development has been a good thing.

When I first heard about the Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver, it sounded very promising. After all, it’s a top-of-the-line driver, and it represents the most sophisticated technology Adams Golf offers.

This driver combines the company’s focus on aerodynamics with adjustability. In one meaningful way, this driver is more adjustable than any of its competitors – in addition to letting golfers adjust the club’s loft and lie angles, this driver offers adjustable length. Let me repeat that, because it’s important. This ground-breaking driver’s extensive adjustability allows golfers to do something they can’t do with any other driver – adjust the shaft length.

It’s terrific to have this degree of adjustability at your fingertips, and I’ll go into it a bit more shortly. It’s not the only advantage that this driver offers, though. The company says its aerodynamic head creates the least spin of any of its drivers. In fact, the “LS” in its name stands for “Low Spin.” Reduced spin generally translates into longer drives, so players looking to add distance might find this club appealing.

And, the aerodynamic shape of the club head is intended to reduce air drag and boost swing speed. Again, faster swings typically translate into more distance. Adams Golf is the industry leader in designing aerodynamic club heads. Nobody does it better, and the company has made aerodynamics part and parcel of the Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver. Between its low spin characteristics and its aerodynamic design, this promises to be a long club.

Still, though, the driver’s extreme adjustability is the real story here. It’s becoming pretty common to see drivers that enable golfers to adjust their loft and lie, and this driver certainly does that. It’s just that it goes a step beyond all those other adjustable drivers.

No other driver offers adjustable shaft length. Not one. This feature, combined with the adjustable loft and lie angles, the aerodynamic head shape and the low spin characteristics, means the club is almost sure to appeal to better players. And many average and higher-handicap golfers will also feel the allure of this club. The advertising tagline for the Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver is “Adjustability Meets Aerodynamics.” Based on my evaluation round, I’d call that truth in advertising.

The Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver is available in 8.5-, 9.5- and 10.5-degree lofts for righties and 9.5- and 10.5-degree lofts for lefties. I tested a 10.5-degree fitted with the stock Fubuki Alpha graphite shaft with Modulus Differential Technology (regular flex). I started on the driving range so I’d be able to find the right settings for my swing.

The club’s adjustable hosel lets golfers adjust the loft up or down by one degree, but I’m pretty comfortable with a 10.5 degree loft, so I left that one alone. Lie can be adjusted up to two degrees upright. In a hurry to get to the adjustable shaft, I left the club’s lie angle alone too.

Out of the box, the shaft length is 45 inches, but it can be lengthened to 45.5. Naturally, I did exactly that! As it turns out, lengthening the shaft alters the club’s D2 swing weight, but Adams takes care of that by letting golfers change the weight plug in the back. Switching to the lighter weight when you lengthen the shaft allows the swing weight to remain the same. Tweaking the club was quick and easy.

I quickly learned this baby is long. Even better, it was easy to swing and pretty forgiving. All that sophisticated technology seemed to come together, and I was very impressed with the Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver.

Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver: The Bottom Line

This is a super new driver. I know this review focuses a lot on the club’s adjustability and less than normal on my personal experiences from testing the club. But I have an excuse – the Adams Speedline Fast 12 LS driver is the world’s first (and only) driver that allows golfers to adjust the shaft length in addition to loft and lie angles.

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