Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood and Hybrid Review
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
– Hy-Wood could make more holes reachable for amateurs
– Cleveland's most forgiving hybrids ever
– Great value for tech-packed clubs
– Full left-handed options
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Cons
– No women's models
– Counterbalancing in the grip won't suit everyone and removal only available through custom-fitting
What we say...
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood is designed to set up like a hybrid and perform like a fairway wood, while XL Halo Hybrids are brand’s most forgiving ever.
The XL family sees the introduction of an all-new club – the Halo Hy-Wood – which Cleveland feel is a match for the best hybrid golf clubs from any brand. It has been designed to set-up like a hybrid and deliver the speed and distance of a fairway wood.
Cleveland believe the club will inspire confidence and become the go-to club for players seeking distance and control on their second shots into long par 4s and par 5s.
The new hybrids are Cleveland’s most forgiving ever with an MOI of 2,961 g-cm², while the three rails along the sole to help keep the face straight through impact from any lie.
The Rebound Frame found in the driver, fairways and hy-wood continues into the hybrids, with flex zones in the face and body working in sequence to help increase ball speed and distance.
The ‘HiBore Crown Step’ reduces the height of the crown, which helps lower the centre of gravity and increase launch.
An eight-gram weight in the end of the grip produces a counter-balance effect for more control but, as with the drivers and fairway, the hy-wood and hybrid will be offered in a half-inch shorter version without the counter-balancing as a custom-fitting option.
| Launched: | February 18, 2022 |
| Lofts: | 18º, 21º, 24º, 27º |
| Adjustable? | No |
| Women's? | No |
| Left hand? | Yes |
| Stock shaft: | Project X Cypher 40 (48g A, 48g R, 50g S) |
| Stock Grip: | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 52g, 58 round |
RELATED: Cleveland Launcher XL Drivers
WATCH: Best 2023 Hybrid video
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood and Hybrids: Key Technologies
XL Head Design
The Launcher XL Hybrids features an MOI of 2,961 g-cm² – the most ever in a Cleveland Golf hybrid.
Gliderail
Three rails along the sole of the club help keep the face straight through impact for optimal ball striking regardless of the lie.
Rebound Frame
A flex zone in the face and a second flex zone in the body of the club work in sequence to direct more impact energy into the golf ball, increasing ball speed and distance on every shot.
Action Mass CB
An 8g weight placed inside the end of the grip delivers better balance for more control without added effort.
HiBore Crown Step
The stepped crown shape brings the height of the crown down, dropping the center of gravity and raising the launch in the process.
What Cleveland Golf say about the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood
“Designed to set up like a hybrid for confidence inspiring precision but built closer to a fairway wood for better swing speed and distance, the Launcher XL HALO Hy-Wood is the perfect go to club for maximum second shot distance and control,” said Joe Miller.
Pros
- Hy-Wood could make more holes reachable for amateurs
- Cleveland's most forgiving hybrids ever
- Great value for tech-packed clubs
- Full left-handed options
Cons
- No women's models
- Counterbalancing in the grip won't suit everyone and removal only available through custom-fitting
| Launched: | February 18 |
| Loft: | 18º |
| Adjustable? | No |
| Women's? | No |
| Left hand? | Yes |
| Stock shaft: | Project X Cypher 40 (48g A, 48g R, 50g S) |
| Stock Grip: | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 52g, 58 round |
Verdict: Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hybrid
The Launcher was an award winner here at TG last year, we thought it was a really easy to use and friendly hybrid for average club golfers, and our thinking hasn’t changed in 2023. We like the lightweight and lively feel of the Cypher shaft, the railed sole helps cut through knarly lies, and the oversized head is really comforting and reassuring sat at address.
From an 18° loft, 2° stronger than our test loft, the Halo spun and flighted shots higher, than our test average, shots also decended onto the green at bang on the test average. This is just the sort of data which spells out how easy launch the model is in the hands of every day golfers, and how once shots hit the green they will stop quicker than a long iron.
A brilliant hybrid for average speed players that aren’t too fussed about optimising their equipment through a fitting session.
Data comparison: How does the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo hybrid compare to competitor hybrids?
READ NEXT: Cleveland’s new XL and XL Halo irons
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rob Jerram is the Digital Editor of todaysgolfer.co.uk
He has been a journalist for more than 20 years, starting his career with Johnston Press where he covered local and regional news and sport in a variety of editorial roles across ten years.
Rob joined Bauer Media in 2010 and worked as the Senior Production Editor of Today’s Golfer and Golf World magazines for ten years before moving into the Digital Editor’s role in July 2020.
He has been playing golf for almost three decades and has been a member at Greetham Valley Golf Club in Rutland for eight years, playing off 12.
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood
RRP £219
Launched February 18
Loft 18º
Adjustable? No
Women's? No
Left hand? Yes
Stock shaft Project X Cypher 40 (48g A, 48g R, 50g S)
Stock Grip Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 52g, 58 round
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hybrid
RRP £189
Launched February 18, 2022
Lofts 18º, 21º, 24º, 27º
Adjustable? No
Women's? No
Left hand? Yes
Stock shaft Project X Cypher 40 (48g A, 48g R, 50g S)
Stock Grip Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 52g, 58 round
