Hippo Energy XS Game Improvement Irons Review

One of the things you soon notice about cheaper sets is that they often owe key design features to existing clubs from major manufacturers – and the Energy XS irons from Hippo clearly share the ‘vibration-dampening cartridge’ idea with TaylorMade’s rac irons. But when a concept works so well and is available at such a fraction of the big boys’ prices, who’s complaining?

These Hippos are remarkable for their solid, sweet feel at impact, almost regardless of the quality of strike you make. We tested them on a cold day in October and even the thinnest of thins felt relatively chunky, whereas the same shots with some of the other sets caused fingers to sting the elbows to rattle. The shock-absorbers really do just that.

Amazing.

That feature was just one of a whole list of things to admire about the Energy XS irons: the grips are just right, the True Temper Dynalite shafts work a treat, the heads sit nicely behind the ball, and so forth. There will be those, particularly higher handicappers, who prefer bigger heads, but this neat mid-size, with no more than a hint offset, will suit most golfers just fine.

In fact, these irons are unobtrusive enough to make an excellent second set for travelling serious golfers not wishing to risk their Mizunos or Titleist in the hold of a plane.

Verdict: £200 shouldn’t buy you irons that look this smart and work this well. Highly recommended.

Price: £249 (steel) £349 (graphite)

Contact: 01283 515944
Website: www.hippo-golf.com

Left Handed: No
Ladies Sizes: No