Tested By You: Cleveland Launcher HB Irons

Expert fitting technician Martin Conner steers 27-handicap reader David Rousseau to the right Cleveland Launcher HB irons spec for his game

Tested By You: Cleveland Launcher HB Irons

Launcher was a popular franchise for Cleveland Golf for many years, and with the brand’s return to the woods and irons market this year, it’s no surprise the company should have turned once more to this particular sub-brand.

Among the new Launcher range are two very different-looking irons – the CBX and HB models – targeting golfers looking for varying levels of assistance in different areas.

The HB iron features a hollow design that promotes easy launch, combining hybrid-style long irons with short irons that retain a more classic look at address.

We asked Cleveland Golf Europe’s UK fitting technician, Martin Conner, to help 27-handicap reader David Rousseau find the right Launcher iron model and specification for his game in an in-depth custom fitting at West Hill Golf Club in Surrey...

Name: David Rousseau Handicap: 27 Club: Aldwickbury Park Golf Club Fitted for: Cleveland Launcher HB

Fitter Martin Conner's analysis David launched his 6-iron too low at 15˚ with spin down at 2,900rpm and a peak height of just 13 yards.

The Launcher HB is designed to launch it higher, and with a regular graphite shaft, launch angle increased to 16˚, spin to 4,100rpm, and peak height to 18 yards. Much better! Sidespin was halved, and carry distance jumped from 126 to 152 yards.

He was also striking it out of the heel and a 1˚ upright lie angle and shafts 1/4in shorter gave him a much more central strike.

David Rousseau’s feedback and custom-fitting evaluation "What an eye-opener! Technology has clearly come on leaps and bounds. The lie board and impact tape really tell you how you’re striking the ball, and for Martin to resolve my heel strike issues by altering length and lie really helped.

Fitted irons make a huge difference, and the Launcher HB gave me so much more height and distance - the improvements in strike and dispersion were night and day.

To see a 5-iron going nearly 160 yards was great news for me. I’m confident I now have the tools to get down to the low-20s or maybe even high teens."

David’s Stats 6-iron peak height - Before: 13 yards; After 18 yards - up 5 yards 6-iron backspin - Before: 2,900rpm; After: 4,100rpm - up 1,200 rpm