Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons Review

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the iron set, which I purchased with my own money in July 2022.

The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Iron Set is designed to help golfers looking for extra distance and a higher launch. Known for their game-improvement features, these irons aim to deliver solid performance for players who struggle with getting the ball in the air or maximizing yardage. While Cleveland is well-regarded for producing forgiving and user-friendly clubs, this particular set comes with its own pros and cons. In this review, I’ll dive into my personal experience with these irons, how they performed on the course, and whether they lived up to my expectations. If you’re on the hunt for new irons, read on to see if these are the right fit for your game.

My Experience

As a scratch golfer, my experience with the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Iron Set was mixed. These irons provided decent distance and accuracy, but they lacked the forgiveness I expected. Every shot required precise ball contact to achieve a solid result, which added pressure to my game. The club head’s weight also made it difficult for me to generate the swing speed I was aiming for, which further limited my performance. While the high launch angle helped with distance, the lack of workability and the loud, hollow sound on impact detracted from the overall feel. Ultimately, these irons didn’t meet my needs for consistency or shot-shaping ability.

About the club I tested

Model: 2021 Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons
Loft Configuration: Set from 4-iron through sand wedge
Shaft: Project X Cypher
Shaft Flex: True Temper XP 90, Regular Flex

About Me

Average Score: 85
Handicap: 13
Years of Experience: 7
Handedness: Right
Typical Ball Flight: High arc
Golf Ball Used: Pro V1
Club Swing Speed: 85 mph

Test conditions

Purchase Date: June 2021
Testing Duration: 45 days
Where Tested: Greene County Country Club, Cortland and Ithaca Golf Courses, simulators
Weather Conditions: Played in both calm and windy conditions

How They Perform:

Launch: 5/5
The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons excel in producing a high, consistent launch, making them great for maximizing distance.
Distance: 4/5
These irons deliver solid distance, with the lightweight shaft adding a bit of extra yardage, though not significantly more than competitors.
Feel: 3/5
While the clubs feel premium, they lack the soft, responsive feedback many golfers seek. The hollow head design affects overall feel.
Forgiveness: 2/5
These irons are not very forgiving. Clean, centered strikes are necessary to get a good result, and mishits can lead to poor outcomes.
Sound: 2/5
The hollow head design produces a loud, almost metallic sound, which can be distracting.
Workability: 2/5
The clubs are limited in shot-shaping flexibility, making it difficult to execute creative or advanced plays.

What I Was Looking For

When I decided to test the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons, my primary goal was to increase both swing speed and accuracy. I was aiming to reduce the number of shots it took me to reach the green by improving distance and control. At the time, I was using a set that didn’t quite meet my performance expectations, and I wanted something that could give me a little more edge. A friend had recommended these irons, and since I was intrigued by Cleveland’s reputation and the lightweight shaft, I figured they might offer the extra distance and speed I needed. Additionally, I was hoping for a more forgiving club that would help me hit cleaner shots consistently, particularly on those off-center strikes that are all too common. Ultimately, I was searching for a set that could elevate my game without sacrificing playability or comfort.

Why I chose to test this club

I wanted to see if the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons could help me gain more distance. I had previously tested the Callaway Rogue irons and opted to try Cleveland due to its reputation and the lighter shaft.

What I love about them

Distance: The lightweight shaft slightly boosted my swing speed, adding about two extra yards.
Shaft Feel: The shaft construction promotes fast swing speeds and performs well in various conditions.
Launch Angle: These irons generate a high launch, maximizing distance potential.

Issues I’ve encountered

Forgiveness: These irons are unforgiving; I needed to make solid contact for a good shot, often drawing the ball when I missed the sweet spot.
Feel: While the clubs feel premium, they don’t offer the versatility I was hoping for.
Sound: The hollow design results in a loud, bell-like sound at impact.
Workability: These irons lacked shot-shaping flexibility, limiting creativity on the course.
Adjustability: No adjustable features on this set.
Grip Durability: The grip wore out quickly and detached during testing.
Spin Control: These irons produced excessive spin, making it difficult for me to control the ball.

Best shot with this club

The best shot I had with the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons came on a par 5. I was around 160 yards from the green, facing a slight crosswind. I pulled out the 9-iron, expecting to lay up, but instead, I made a perfect connection with the ball. The shot took off with a high, piercing trajectory, cutting through the wind effortlessly. The ball landed softly on the green and rolled just a few feet from the pin. It was one of those moments where everything clicked—the distance, accuracy, and high launch all came together for a fantastic result.

Value Comparison

In my opinion, the Callaway Rogue irons offer better value. They are more versatile and affordable while supporting a golfer’s growth. The Cleveland set’s price felt steep for what it offers.

Pros:

High Launch: Provides a consistently high ball flight, perfect for maximizing distance.
Lightweight Shaft: Helps increase swing speed for those looking to gain a few extra yards.
Distance: Offers solid distance, with a slight boost in yardage due to the high launch.
Premium Feel: The clubs have a premium feel and are built to last, with quality materials.
Consistency in Conditions: Performs well in various weather conditions, whether windy or calm.

Cons:

Lack of Forgiveness: Off-center hits result in poor performance, making them less forgiving for casual players.
Limited Workability: The irons don’t offer much flexibility for shaping shots.
Loud Sound: The hollow club head creates a loud, metallic sound on impact, which can be distracting.
Grip Durability: The grip wears out quickly, reducing long-term comfort.
Spin Control: Generates too much spin for some players, affecting ball control and accuracy.

Final verdict

In conclusion, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Iron Set offers solid distance and a high launch, it didn’t quite meet my expectations overall. The clubs deliver impressive height on shots and a bit of extra distance, but they come with significant drawbacks. The lack of forgiveness makes them challenging for golfers who don’t consistently hit the sweet spot, and the hollow, loud sound during impact detracts from the playing experience. Additionally, their limited workability restricts shot-shaping, making it difficult to be creative on the course. Though the lightweight shaft helps with swing speed, the weight of the club head feels cumbersome at times. For me, the Callaway Rogue irons offer better overall value and performance. In the end, while this set might suit some golfers looking for high-launch, distance-oriented irons, they didn’t help me improve my game as I had hoped.

FAQ

Q1. Are the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons suitable for beginners?

While these irons offer a high launch and good distance, their lack of forgiveness may make them difficult for beginners to use. Clean strikes are necessary for consistent performance, which can be challenging for new golfers.

Q2. How do these irons compare to the Callaway Rogue irons?

The Callaway Rogue irons offer more forgiveness, better workability, and overall value. The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons are strong in launch and distance but lack versatility and forgiveness.

Q3. What is the sound like at impact?

These irons have a hollow head, producing a loud, metallic sound upon impact, which may be distracting for some players.

Q4. Can these irons help improve swing speed?

Yes, the lightweight shaft can help increase swing speed, but the heavy club head might offset those gains for some golfers.

Q5. Are the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons adjustable?

No, this set does not offer any adjustability features such as adjustable loft or lie angles.