Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Fairway Wood & Hybrid: "Easy launch, very forgiving"
GolfMagic tests out the game-improvement Cleveland Launcher XL Halo fairway wnd hybrid.
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo FW and Hybrid - Key Features
- XL Head Design: The bigger head gives an MOI of 1,200 gcm2 - add that forgiveness to a high launch from low-and-deep weighting, and the Cleveland Launcher XL offers maximum distance with maximum fun.
- Gliderail: Twin rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact for optimal ball striking.
- Rebound Frame: Alternating zones of flexibility and rigidity direct more energy into the golf ball for increased ball speed and distance on every shot.
- Hi-Bore Crown Step: The stepped crown drops the center of gravity for high-launching shots.
- Action Mass CB: An 8g weight placed inside the end of the grip delivers better balanced for more control without extra effort.
If you are in the market for easy-to-hit, high-launching and forgiving fairway woods and hybrids for less than £200 this season, look no further than the Cleveland Golf Launcher XL Halo range.
Although the sound at impact is very loud and at times a bit off-putting, that was about the only fault we could find with this game-improvement line from Cleveland.
We were so impressed with the Cleveland Launcher XL Fairway Wood in fact that it found its way into our Best Fairway Woods buyer guide for 2023.
Slightly better players or those on the cusp of single figures will definitely want to check out the Srixon ZX MKII Fairway Wood that we recently tested.
Golf beginners will most certainly want to check out the Cleveland Golf Package Set.
Let's take a closer look at both the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo fairway wood and hybrid in a little more detail:
Player Level
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo FW and Hybrid - Looks and Feel
In terms of looks, both the fairway wood and hybrid sit lovely at address. They both instil plenty of confidence over the ball.
The heads are a little bigger than others but that will further add appeal for higher-handicap golfers. The 190cc head on the fairway wood is certainly the biggest we have tested this season. It possesses the look of a Mini Driver in that regard, similar to the TaylorMade BRNR Mini.
As we always say when it comes to fairways and hybrids, we much prefer a matte finish. It just makes things a whole lot easier out there in the sun. Thankfully that's exactly what you receive here with a beautiful darkened matte finish to the crown.
We also appreciate the nice alignment aid in the middle of the crown, as well as the classic Hibore crown step that was previously seen in the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver of several years ago.
In terms of feel and sound, the fairway wood is just far too loud for our liking. The hybrid felt pretty loud, too. This should be expected though given the extra size of the heads. The feel of these clubs lets them down, certainly compared to others like the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairway Wood.
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo FW and Hybrid - Performance and Forgiveness
Both the fairway wood and hybrid excel when it comes to getting the ball airborne. We received a consistently high ball flight, perhaps too high for our liking at times, but most game-improvement players who struggle to get their ball up in the air will really appreciate these clubs.
That's who they are aimed at the end of the day; higher handicap golfers who want to enjoy the game and improve their ball striking when it comes to the long game.
The spin rates were much too high for our liking, but the offline dispersion was great. We enjoyed consistently high, straight ball flights during our range and on-course testing with both of these clubs.
The fairway wood is down the pecking order when it comes to distance, especially when compared with the likes of the Cobra AeroJet Fairway Wood, but in terms of forgiveness it's right up there with it.
Should you buy the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo FW and Hybrid?
Game improvers will definitely want to take a closer look at these clubs from Cleveland.
The forgiveness and ease of launch is clear for all to see with both of these clubs. The ball pops up so easily off them without having to put a great deal of effort into the strike.
It's really just the feel and sound at impact that could put some of you off.
The spin rates are fairly high too, but game improvers likely won't care a great deal for that given the forgiveness is so good.
Both clubs look solid value for money with the FW just shy of £200 and the hybrid coming in at around the £169 mark.
