2018 Official Forum Member Review - Cleveland Launcher HB/CBX Irons

[Golfspy_CG2]

2 hours ago, Wedgie said:

Went to True Spec and this will serve as my 6 month update:

Grant,

Thank you for coming into our studio this afternoon. I hope you enjoyed the experience of a True Spec iron fitting and felt like we identified beyond a shadow of a doubt your Cleveland Launcher HB irons were the best overall solution for what you're looking for at this stage in your game.

While you originally had some concerns about the lie angles of your current irons, the GC Quad report (attached) show that you're consistently delivering a neutral lie angle at impact. Additionally, you were hoping to find a setup that was more forgiving, and while certain combinations changed the dynamics of the ball flight, I feel confident that the numbers you're producing are optimal for your swing signature.

Sure, the Callaway Rogue Irons gave you 3 more mph of ball speed, but they also launched 4 degrees lower and had a whopping 8.5-9.0 degrees lower dynamic loft at impact. While they fly almost 10 yards farther, they are coming in so shallow (38-39 degrees) with about 600 rpm of spin less that you won't have any luck stopping the ball coming into the green. The best combination of forgiveness, launch, speed, and consistency was achieved using your Cleveland gamers. Best of all, you got them from MyGolfSpy!!

I'm really interested to have you back and get fit for a Driver. The XXIO line is notoriously very easy to hit, so I'm up for the challenge of trying to beat it and find a more permanent solution for your tee ball. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Bunch of new gear is coming out soon so next time you're in we should have some new toys!

Thanks,
SF


True Spec Golf
Shaun Fagan
Master Club Fitter

413-454-2726

TrueSpecGolf.com

The guys there were great and I would highly recommend them to anyone. I’m sure I will build a relationship with them as I round out other parts of my bag. I can provide monitor data if anyone is still paying attention to this thread.




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That is an awesome email from a quality and high integrity fitter.   You know how they say, you can make numbers say whatever you want.   I'm sure he could have presented a case for the Rogues and more distance.   But he gave you an honest assesment even though it meant no sale.  

I bet I know where you will go for a driver fitting/purchase !!

Make sure and let us know how that fitting goes. 

 

 

[joen]

Ok. I am a low handicapper and I have always wondered about game improvement clubs; however, I have always been leary because of the lack of spin that they create. I saw the Cleveland Launcher HB won the category for SGI. I saw Mark Crossfields review. I read this post from start to finish. Yet, I was hesitant to buy them as an experiment to see if they could help a low handicapper. Then, I realized that with my rewards program through our office credit card, I could get this set for FREE. That is my kind of price. Lol. 

So, I just unboxed them and proceeded to test them on my Skytrak at home against my Mizuno JPX 850 forged irons. Yeah....the Mizunos feel a little more like butter when I hit them....but I can get over that if my iron play improves. I am a club longer with the HBs. I am not sure if the lofts are jacked or not....so that may not be a good comparison. Spin was about 300 rpm less with the HBs....but the HBs flew higher and had very similar stopping power to my Mizunos. 

The BIGGEST thing I noticed.....about one out of every ten swings for me will be a little on the dicey side....is that I am BLOWN away by the forgiveness of the HBs compared to the Mizunos. I hit one on the heel which felt like it should go nowhere. It flew about five yards shorter than my standard ball with just a baby fade on it that ended up four yards off line. 

I am looking forward to getting these out on my Florida trip in March. I will keep everyone updated. These could be a game changer......

[Wedgie]

Yeah, keep us posted. I tried to describe them to the True Spec guys yesterday and the best I can come up with is they get me consistently closer to my target than any other iron I have ever played. I gamed the Mizuno JPX 825 Pros about 5-6 years ago and loved them. When my eyes started to go I struggled with them.

Enjoy the clubs and enjoy your trip to Florida. I’ll be there in March as well.


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[joen]

Will let you know how the trip goes.  You know...the clubs don’t look that bad at address.  

[Wedgie]

I agree they don’t look bad at all. I still think it plays like an iron although some will argue they are hybrids. Did you order a stock setup? I’m on mobile so can’t see your handicap but I’m curious what it is?

Also thanks for the heads up on Amex points. I just went to the rewards site and they are offering 25% off everything until the end of the month. 125 pages of golf stuff to look thru.


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[joen]

Handicap finished the year at 1.8. I have been trying to get to scratch so I purchased a year subscription to shot by shot strokes gained tracking program to see where I was bleeding strokes. It converts your strokes gained number into a handicap for you. 

Driving:  3 handicap

Short  game:  3 handicap

Putting:  Scratch

Approach:  NINE handicap

it was clear to me that my iron game was holding me back. I really wanted to try something that would help....and this just may be the ticket. 

I got the 4-PW. I am going to the fitter on Monday to see if they need to be bent 2 degrees flat like my irons. 

I already catch grief for the ugly putter that I use....,why not catch some flak for my irons as well?

[Sluggo42]

Have you guys seen your handicaps falling at all with these in the bag for a while now?

[ole gray]

On 1/16/2019 at 9:08 AM, Sluggo42 said:

Have you guys seen your handicaps falling at all with these in the bag for a while now?

Not this time of year!  I've had some really good rounds and I've had some that would make a skunk embarrassed!   I'm not a good mudder and we've had plenty of rain and mush so no, my game is in the outhouse.  With that said, spring is near and I'm ready for some sunshine and firm ground to see my consistency back up.  I don't keep a handicap however if I did, it would be up a couple of notches. With that said, I still LOVE my HBs! 

[Wedgie]

On 1/16/2019 at 9:08 AM, Sluggo42 said:

Have you guys seen your handicaps falling at all with these in the bag for a while now?

My handicap was 12.1 when I got these and got as low as 8.3 this summer.  I ended the year at a 9.  I honestly think with my game and that I don't practice this is about as low as I can go and no other clubs I've played have gotten me to this point.  I was buying regular old game improvement irons and hovered between a 12-15 for years.  Only change was the clubs and BOOM!

[ole gray]

9 hours ago, Wedgie said:

My handicap was 12.1 when I got these and got as low as 8.3 this summer.  I ended the year at a 9.  I honestly think with my game and that I don't practice this is about as low as I can go and no other clubs I've played have gotten me to this point.  I was buying regular old game improvement irons and hovered between a 12-15 for years.  Only change was the clubs and BOOM!

 
These dawgs will hunt huh partner!?   Love em 

[3putter]

Sitting here waiting for the first monster storm of 2019 to hit the NE. November, most of December and all of January have either been extremely wet or cold. Was just getting really used to the HB Launchers in the few nice days we had in December. Waiting for some warm 35+* weather.

They do have wide bottoms but are definitely not hybrids. Although not the longest irons out there they do what I wanted, very forgiving eliminating many of the thins and the fats. 

 

[3putter]

Played 9 yesterday close to 40* and windy. If straight is your primary goal, these are your irons. Took me a while to get used to the face alignment, but other than that they were a good choice for me.

[Wedgie]

Played 9 yesterday close to 40* and windy. If straight is your primary goal, these are your irons. Took me a while to get used to the face alignment, but other than that they were a good choice for me.

I am happy to hear they are working for you.


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[revkev]

Thanks for the reviews guys! As a lower cap who games GI irons I’ve started to wonder about the SGI category also - I like the look of the D7 but was drawn to these also.

Great help here!

I’ve got my thinking cap on for this upcoming season - really wondering if an SGI 4 and 5 iron might be a way to go

Harder to hook than hybrid -


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[Wedgie]

Thanks for the reviews guys! As a lower cap who games GI irons I’ve started to wonder about the SGI category also - I like the look of the D7 but was drawn to these also.

Great help here!

I’ve got my thinking cap on for this upcoming season - really wondering if an SGI 4 and 5 iron might be a way to go

Harder to hook than hybrid -


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I think you are spot on Rev. The 4 and 5 have always been the clubs I start to struggle with in GI irons. With the Launchers the long irons are very easy to hit and hit high. I think my ideal set up would be Launchers 4-6 and single length the rest of the way down. I hit the new F9 one lengths today and there would be a gapping issue for sure if I went that route. The F9s are very long.


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[StrokerAce]

hard to beat a 5 iron that is the length of an 8 iron but goes as far as a 5 iron...   

[Wedgie]

hard to beat a 5 iron that is the length of an 8 iron but goes as far as a 5 iron...   

I know right. The F9s were 15 yards longer than the Launchers. I even pulled a Launcher off the rack and hit it to verify what I was seeing. I should have never walked into the store today.


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[joen]

2 hours ago, revkev said:

Thanks for the reviews guys! As a lower cap who games GI irons I’ve started to wonder about the SGI category also - I like the look of the D7 but was drawn to these also.

Great help here!

I’ve got my thinking cap on for this upcoming season - really wondering if an SGI 4 and 5 iron might be a way to go

Harder to hook than hybrid -


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Easiest 4 and 5 iron I have ever hit. I have only hit them on my Skytrak and at the local golf dome....but they are stupid easy to hit....with height.  You are right...,they are harder to hook than a hybrid.  Hit these clubs if you can. You won’t be disappointed. 

[joen]

Golf Digest Hot List

Gold for Cleveland Launcher HB irons

[joen]

77 with the HBs at a course in Ocean City MD on Friday. Love them!  Hit a 185 yard 4 iron high draw to an elevated green. Beautiful!

Also, I have found with the wide flange that these clubs are a chipping monster with a simple putting stroke!  Will not DIG on that chipping stroke!

Looking to Florida trip next month with multiple rounds.