Equipment Review:
HiPPO HEX2 Putter, Driver
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

You’ve no doubt heard of HiPPO Golf, the Vista, California-based golf equipment company which manufactures Europe’s No. 1 brand of golf gear. That’s right: No. 1 in Europe, including the HiPPO-mad UK. Flip through any of the Brit golf magazines, and you’re sure to acknowledge how big HiPPO Golf is across the pond.

HiPPO Golf gear is known for its value. Now, with the addition of the new HEX2 line of equipment, HiPPO is making even more waves here in North America. We’re glad, because the new HEX2 Putter has crossed our desk, and quite frankly it’s one of the best flat sticks we’ve ever reviewed. Add the HEX2 driver to the mix, and you have a winner from tee to green.

HEX2 Putter 

In an industry which can sometimes overwhelm the consumer, it’s refreshing to stumble across a club which may not have the star power of, say, Titleist or TaylorMade, yet performs just as admirably – and one which won’t break the bank. Enter the HiPPO HEX2 putter. A mallet-style putter extraordinaire, the HEX2 is clearly one of the best putters I’ve ever tested. In fact, it may well be the best mallet-style putter ever reviewed here at London Ontario Golf. Here’s why.

The HEX2 putter features the hexagonal shape made popular by the HEX2 driver. Three highly visible hexagons on top of the putter head create a unique alignment system for allowing straighter putts. The CNC milled aluminum face is backed with polymer to create a soft yet firm feel. The hexagonal shape of the putter, along with 3g of weight in each of the back corners gives it a high MOI and gigantic sweet spot. It also sets square at address, and stays on plane through impact.

The moment I gripped the HEX2 putter, it gripped me. That is, it felt so comfortable, you would never know that I’ve been a blade man all my golfing career. And here’s a great thing about the HEX2 putter: unlike many mallet-style putters, it was just as accurate with long putts as it was with short putts. The hexagonal shape and alignment aids make for a smooth, accurate stroke unlike any other mallet putter I’ve tested. And while the face is soft, it’s not mushy: there’s plenty of positive feedback.

Hands down, the HiPPO HEX2 putter gets two thumbs up – and more. If you’re in the market for a new mallet-style putter, then give this one a try first. At just $99 US, it’s a steal.

HEX2 Driver

Here’s the club that started it all: the HiPPO HEX2 driver. When this club debuted in January 2007, it quickly jumped from cult status to mainstream favourite. I tested the 9-deg. model, with Mitsubishi Rayon 65g Quad Pure shaft. What a dynamic duo: the clubhead and shaft were made for each other. Best hit with a sweeping stroke, the HiPPO HEX2 driver almost drives the ball off the tee while on automatic pilot.

The unique hexagonal shape of the HEX2 driver allows optimum weight distribution to reduce the effect of side spin, providing more energy transfer – maximum COR – from club face to ball. The result? The longest, straightest driver from a company known for its big dogs. The hex shape really does reduce drag on the backswing, and help generate higher head speed at impact.

HiPPO’s patented Integrated Technology marries ultra-light woven 3K carbon fibre radius rails to a 6-4 titanium crown and sole with a super hard forged Beta Ti face, allowing the thinnest face possible. And, of course, the unique head shape allows for increased additional weight distribution for a high MOI. Talk about a stable club head. Even mis hits turned into missiles.

HiPPO CEO David Dixon says, “The response to the HEX2 driver has been phenomenal with both our retail partners and consumers. Because of this, our engineers began working immediately to utilize the same proven criteria with hard to hit fairway woods, hybrids, and even the putter. The HEX2 design with its high MOI and extra back weighting just makes clubs easier to hit and be more forgiving on miss hits, and we believe all golfers want that.”

Watch for the new HiPPO HEX2 irons, slated for release soon. If you haven’t tested a HiPPO HEX2 product as of yet, then you’ll want to visit the HiPPO web site at www.hippo-golf.com. It may be hip to be square, but at HiPPO, it’s hipper to be hexagonal.