Review: Cleveland Launcher HB driver
Our Cleveland Launcher HB driver review took place at the Golf Shack at Moor Allerton in Leeds.
We gathered data using the Foresight GC Quad thanks to PGA professional James Whitaker.
Cleveland Launcher HB driver review – First impressions
We saw and tested the Launcher HB at Cleveland’s launch event earlier this year.
This is a range that many people will remember from years ago but it has been brought back with a new design philosophy.
It’s very friendly at address due to it’s size and has a fairly rounded shape.
There are no alignment aids on the crown but there’s a grey curve which does help frame the ball quite nicely.
There’s no adjustability at all and it just feels light and easy to swing. Feels like a no-nonsense sort of a driver.
Cleveland Launcher HB driver review – The technology
We caught up with senior product manager Brian Schielke at the launch event who explained that removing adjustable features meant every effort could be put into improving the performance.
Cleveland say the ‘launcher cup face technology’ helps increase forgiveness on off centre hits by creating a larger sweet spot, and the lightweight hosel design helps to push the weight lower and deeper in the club.
They have also added something they are calling Flex-Fin technology which acts as a spring on low centre strikes and should still result in good distance.
Cleveland Launcher HB driver review – The results
This driver was fun to use. After a few hits you kind of knew what you were getting from it – nice easy launch and good distance.
It is not the sweetest sounding driver we have tested this year but some of the numbers were up there with the Ping, TaylorMade and Callaway drivers I have tested.
Ball speeds of 149mph and 240 yards of carry are about the best I can get out of my 100mph swing speed.
The dispersion wasn’t the tightest but I wouldn’t expect it to be on a non-fitted driver. This was just and off-the-shelf product in a stock stiff shaft.
Cleveland Launcher HB driver review – NCG verdict
It’s fair to say this driver does what it says on the tin. It launches the ball really easily and goes far.
I could easily take this driver out on the course.
The sound and feel may put some people off as it was a little bit ‘tinny’ but this was amplified by the fact we we hitting from an indoor bay.
Some people wont give two hoots about this though if they are hitting it good distances like I was.
For £279, this is a solid package as the numbers are up there with some of the premium drivers on the market and the lack of adjustability will appeal to those who want to keep things simple.
More information can be found on the Cleveland website.
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James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
