Gateway Devil Hawk Review - Disc Golf Puttheads

Many disc stores categorize the Devil Hawk as a midrange disc rather than a putt and approach disc, though Gateway has it in the putter section. Does it perform like a midrange or a putter?

Manufacturer’s Notes

“The Devil Hawk is a low profile putt and approach disc with a bullet shaped nose and a bead on the wing for stability. It also has a Thumb Track design for added control and feel. This disc is basically a Wizard with 1/4′ of rim depth taken out of the middle. This is our most over-stable putter in our Putt & Approach line.”

http://www.gdstour.com/devil-hawk/

Available plastics: S, SS, SSS

Flight Rating: 3 speed, 2 glide, 0 turn, 2.5 fade
Gateway doesn’t list official ratings, the Devil Hawk ratings are estimated by the Putt Heads

Initial Reactions

I have a Soft plastic edition, which certainly doesn’t mean floppy. This is a firm disc that feels great. Read more about Gateway plastics: http://www.gdstour.com/resources/disc-golf-articles/plastic-types/. I really like the thumb track, which actually seems like it is for a thumb as opposed to the Scale and Serpent. I received this specific disc in the first Chain Cutter’s Union Box.

By the Numbers

Gateway Devil Hawk

Disc Specifications:

Diameter

21.2

Height

2.1

Rim Depth

1.3

Rim Width

Max Weight

175.96

Approval Date

02/06/15

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Putting Notes

Wow is this thing overstable! From 20’ with a push putt I notice significant fade and the disc looks like it is tipping over from 30’ and out. For that reason, I’m not overly fond of putting with the Devil Hawk in normal conditions. For spin putting with the Devil Hawk, I think I’d prefer a softer plastic to avoid some chain-outs.

In high winds, an overstable putter is necessary to mitigate the effects of nature. In this regard, the Devil Hawk offers a great choice for putting in the wind.

Upshots

The Devil Hawk is more overstable than the Berg we reviewed recently. It reminds me of a reduced distance Spirit by Gateway or Viper by Innova. Those discs are so overstable that the turn rating is positive meaning they turn in the same direction as they fade.

With some practice, this disc can give a big advantage. Just like the Berg, it tends to stall out and drop even on maximum power throws. Shorter approaches land almost like a lawn dart which makes the disc easy to park next to the basket. It also handles a forehand throw very well for a putter.

Final Verdict

I like the concept of the Devil Hawk as there are often times when a shorter shot needs to fade immediately. It isn’t going to go in my bag yet, however I plan to keep practicing with the Devil Hawk because I feel like it may eventually fill a void for short hyzers, controllable approaches, longer flex shots, and even wind putting.

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