Putting a Hex on Ugly Drivers
Square drivers are ugly. There, I said it. I might have said it already but just to be clear - I think they're unappealing, unnatural and good old fashioned icky. But I guess square drivers weren't different enough for one manufacturer. HiPPO Golf has a new offering that makes the square drivers look like pageant queens (I'll let you decide if that's a compliment or not).
HiPPO decided to take a hacksaw to the square design and came up with this six-sided gem set for introduction at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show:
But wait - it's called the Hex squared. Are there thirty sides on there I'm missing?Can I just say... Blech! 460 cc's of nasty. [Say something nice, Kristen] The background colors in the photo go nicely with my blog design.
Aside from the aesthetics, what about performance? Maybe the extra wind resistance cuts down the swing speed ever so slightly and channels that power into a more aligned path. Right. Wait... what did their PR person say?
The HEX² features a unique hexagonal shape that allows optimum weight distribution to reduce the effect of side spin and provide more energy transfer from club face to ball resulting in the straightest and longest driver ever designed. The aerodynamically shaped 460cc club head is designed to reduce drag on the backswing and generate higher head speed at impact.
-citation
I'm no engineer but something about that doesn't make sense to me. If the shape causes weight distribution, wouldn't that be accomplished via wind resistance, thus slowing down the driver? I guess technically that's still aerodynamic, just a different dynamic of the aero than is usually associated with the word. Or maybe I'm just full of wind myself and should stick to the aesthetics.
On the brighter side (and I mean that literally), HiPPO released a bunch of new full club sets not too long ago, including this prize just for the ladies:
Maybe I'm harshing on HiPPO, but it sure seems like their new marketing strategy is going for shock value with all this ugly. Maybe they thought their older product lines were getting lost in a sea of sameness? At least it was a calm sea that didn't induce vomiting.
Next post.
Aside from the aesthetics, what about performance? Maybe the extra wind resistance cuts down the swing speed ever so slightly and channels that power into a more aligned path. Right. Wait... what did their PR person say?
The HEX² features a unique hexagonal shape that allows optimum weight distribution to reduce the effect of side spin and provide more energy transfer from club face to ball resulting in the straightest and longest driver ever designed. The aerodynamically shaped 460cc club head is designed to reduce drag on the backswing and generate higher head speed at impact.
-citation
I'm no engineer but something about that doesn't make sense to me. If the shape causes weight distribution, wouldn't that be accomplished via wind resistance, thus slowing down the driver? I guess technically that's still aerodynamic, just a different dynamic of the aero than is usually associated with the word. Or maybe I'm just full of wind myself and should stick to the aesthetics.
On the brighter side (and I mean that literally), HiPPO released a bunch of new full club sets not too long ago, including this prize just for the ladies:
Maybe I'm harshing on HiPPO, but it sure seems like their new marketing strategy is going for shock value with all this ugly. Maybe they thought their older product lines were getting lost in a sea of sameness? At least it was a calm sea that didn't induce vomiting.Next post.
4 comments:
Well soon it will return to the round shaped drivers. The club is only as good as the player!
I really love Hippo, but you are right, that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.
Good piece, great pun.
Jay
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you lot a beholden to boring tradition. Move into this century. I was lucky enough to see all the square drivers in Orlando and this was hot, hot, hot in comparison. Don't know how well it plays yet but for sure I'm going to try it.
Since Paula began draping herself in pink, there does seem to be a race to see how many club makers can produce equipment the color of peptobismol. I find it a bit insulting--"why yes ma'am, we do have some nice clubs just for you over in our pink section. Don't forget your pink balls, pink tees, pink glove, and pink visor."
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