Equipment
Cleveland launches all-new Launcher XL irons
Cleveland Golf has launched its all-new Launcher XL irons: game improvement irons designed to give players a reliable ball flight and consistent control.
The Launcher XL irons feature a new XL head design with an MOI of 3,081 g-cm² in the 7-iron, the most ever in a Cleveland Golf game-improvement iron. This 15% increase in high-toe MOI (Moment of Inertia) over the previous generation is designed to give players maximum forgiveness.
The irons were designed using artificial intelligence, with MainFrame variable face technology designed to increase ball speed, while unique weight pad designs aim to ensure maximum forgiveness across the face. The variable thickness pattern behind each iron face aims to maximize COR and ball speed for more distance on every strike.
The 4i-7i lofts from the new irons contain wider, flatter grooves, while the 8i-DW have closely-spaced, deeper, and higher spinning wedge grooves. In addition, the higher lofts also feature laser-milled grooves for enhanced friction.
An 8g weight placed inside the end of the grip seeks to offer better balance for more control without extra effort, while the V-Shaped sole is designed to provide an elevated leading edge that glides through turf with less drag to maintain speed and power on heavy strikes.
Speaking on the new irons, Dustin Brekke, Director of Engineering at Cleveland Golf, said
“The new Cleveland Launcher XL Irons provide a new XL head design with a large high MOI and confidence inspiring shape that results in more greens in regulation.
“MainFrame technology faces are optimized with AI to guarantee shots all over the face maintain distance and precision, while Action Mass CB, with a counterbalance weight in the grip end, helps players get on the correct swing plane while increasing head speed for distance. All in all, Cleveland Launcher XL Irons deliver a pin seeking iron for shooting your lowest scores.”
Pricing & Availability
- Pricing: 7-piece steel ($799.99); 7-piece graphite set ($899.99)
- U.S. Retail Launch Date: September 17, 2021
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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ericsokp
Sep 10, 2021 at 12:51 pm
“… maximize COR and ball speed for more distance on every strike…”. Without going to the website to check the specs, I see from the photo that the 8 iron is lofted at 33*; that’s the same as my current 7 iron, so yeah, I guess these would be “longer”.