Hippo extends Hex2 to putters, fairway woods, utility clubs

Earlier this year, Hippo Golf made a unique entry into the realm of "geometric" clubmaking when it introduced the Hex2 driver. Unlike other new geometric drivers that were utilizing mostly square designs, the big Hippo club featured a hexagonal shaped head.

Now, as it heads into 2008, Hippo -- a value-priced brand based in Carlsbad, Calif. -- is extending it s Hex2 lineup to include fairway woods, utility clubs and a putter.

Hex2 putter

"The idea behind the hex shape is to maximize energy transfer and forgiveness, and cut down on sidespin," explained a Hippo Golf spokesperson.

All the clubs have multimaterial construction and a high Moment of Inertia, a stability factor commonly called MOI.

In early testing, the new Hippo clubs received very positive reviews from a variety of golfers assembled by CBSSports.com. In combination with the value pricing of the equipment, many of our testers rated the value/quality proposition "outstanding."

Reviewers specifically praised the new Hippo clubs, which -- like the driver -- also have a copper, chrome and black color scheme, for looks and setup at address. Overall, the testers labeled the introductions "should consider," especially for those golfers seeking a blend of performance and value.

The clubs would suit a wide range of skill levels, and would be particularly helpful for mid- to higher-handicap players, as well as new golfers.

Here's a closer look at the latest from Hippo Golf.

Putter

The Hex2 putter is an oversized mallet style with the head in the shape of a hexagon.

The construction includes a milled aluminum face backed with a soft polymer to enhance feel and roll. The hex shaping, along with extra weight in the rear corners, produces a high MOI so that the putter is extra stable on off-center hits. Square at address, the putter stays on plane through impact.

On the top of the putter, three hexagonal shapes are the key to Hippo's alignment system. The hex shapes are easy to line up behind the ball and maintain through impact.

"MOI is very important with a putter," said Dave Gast, Hippo Golf vice president of sales. "The principle is the same for all clubs with heightened MOI: when struck off-center, the clubhead has less of a tendency to twist off line, resulting in a straighter shot. This is particularly true with a putter. The new Hex putter has an extremely high MOI."