I've really got the itch to try out some Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons - and I'm a 9 handicap trending lower

[BigEx44]

Iron play has always been the weakest part of my game.

I don't hit as many GIR's as I feel I should.

I don't struggle with fat shots.

A few occasional "thins"

I just generally don't hit my irons as solid and consistently as I'd like.

I'm already playing "game improvement" irons (Callaway DCB's)

But really thinking about trying some "Super Game Improvement" irons and seeing if they'd help me go even lower with my handicap.

I've had my eye on the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons.

Ego is not a thing for me relative to golf. 

I'll hit anything that helps lower my scores (heck, I already putt "sidesaddle")

And I don't typically try to shape shots.  

I just try to hit my irons solid and straight.

Any thoughts?

 

BTW, I'm 65 with some still decent swing speed for my age (at least relative to most of my golfing buddies - my driver swing speed is mid-90's)

 

 

[596]

I'm 68 and a 9 handicap.

 

I play 2 sets of irons. PXG 0211dc or Cobra T Rails. 0211 are in my remote cart bag and the T Rails are in my carry/practice bag. The T Rails are very much like the Halos.  I love playing the T Rails was they go high and straight. Very easy to launch. I play 8 through SW in the T Rails. Anything longer then the 8 are hybrids. Playing up the 5 iron in the T Rails would be very doable. 

[mvvraz]

Have you tried any players irons? Something like T100, TC201, MC502, 790s or that general category?

 

I play the MC502, which is basically a blade, and I hit that way better than any game improvement iron. Beginner sets just have so much weight in the head, and the sole is so enormous that I don't feel like I can get a correct impact at all. 

 

Considering that you aren't having many mishits or chunks, I don't really see any reason for you to play game improvement irons? What's your reasoning? 

[toc]

I’d try like ping G series before I went to the Cleveland’s but good luck

[BigEx44]

14 minutes ago, mvvraz said:

Have you tried any players irons? Something like T100, TC201, MC502, 790s or that general category?

 

I play the MC502, which is basically a blade, and I hit that way better than any game improvement iron. Beginner sets just have so much weight in the head, and the sole is so enormous that I don't feel like I can get a correct impact at all. 

 

Considering that you aren't having many mishits or chunks, I don't really see any reason for you to play game improvement irons? What's your reasoning? 

 

Never tried players irons.  My last set of irons before the Callaway DCB's was Titleist T200's

 

My reasoning for Super Game Improvement irons is that I would generally expect to get better/more consistent results from my poorer iron strikes.  Not fats or thins (which I don't struggle with) but just with those poorer contact shots that either don't go as long or as straight as I would hope.

[mvvraz]

Just now, BigEx44 said:

 

Never tried players irons.  My last set of irons before the Callaway DCB's was Titleist T200's

 

My reasoning for Super Game Improvement irons is that I would generally expect to get better/more consistent results from my poorer iron strikes.  Not fats or thins (which I don't struggle with) but just with those poorer contact shots that either don't go as long or as straight as I would hope.

I think it's definitely worth trying something closer to the T100 or T100s (or equivalent clubs from other brands). There's a very good chance that the irons are holding back your swing because of sheer weight and bounce way more than they're helping mitigate your misshits 

 

I am also biased here because my brain does not function with anything with a high bounce. It makes my swing get way too steep in something that resembles an attempt to get the contact right

 

Also, when you mention strikes that don't go as straight as you hope - many game improvement irons are aimed at getting as much distance as possible. I went from a TC201, which is a sort of mid handicapper iron (7-18ish AFAIK) to a blade, and my shots were going so much straigher it was frightening. I only have an issue when I chunk/thin the ball, since the blade is much less forgiving to this type of strike

[BigEx44]

2 minutes ago, mvvraz said:

I think it's definitely worth trying something closer to the T100 or T100s (or equivalent clubs from other brands). There's a very good chance that the irons are holding back your swing because of sheer weight and bounce way more than they're helping mitigate your misshits 

 

I am also biased here because my brain does not function with anything with a high bounce. It makes my swing get way too steep in something that resembles an attempt to get the contact right

 

Also, when you mention strikes that don't go as straight as you hope - many game improvement irons are aimed at getting as much distance as possible. I went from a TC201, which is a sort of mid handicapper iron (7-18ish AFAIK) to a blade, and my shots were going so much straigher it was frightening. I only have an issue when I chunk/thin the ball, since the blade is much less forgiving to this type of strike

 

Interesting.  I'm not sure I have the courage to go to a blade.  Maybe I'll get a single club and see what happens.

[mvvraz]

34 minutes ago, BigEx44 said:

 

Interesting.  I'm not sure I have the courage to go to a blade.  Maybe I'll get a single club and see what happens.

I wouldn't say go all the way to a blade from a game improvement iron, but definitely a player's iron before you get anything else Imo. Are there no golf stores nearby that can let you try one out? 

 

A lot of clubs here in Europe also offer clubs so you might be able to test one there

[gdb99]

I remember when the original Cleveland Hibore irons came out. I was hitting them at the local golf shop, and the salesman said I have too a good swing to be hitting those.

They felt good and were super easy to hit.

I still haven't bought a set, but I think I'm getting closer.

Why not make the game as easy as you can?

[bird_4_3]

I have a set of the XL Launcher irons, I am not playing them at the moment, the Srixon ZX5s are a better fit for me, but those Launcher irons are extremely under the radar.  

[xkilgorextroutx]

I struggle with iron height as it is, and I'm getting older and my back is getting worse. I often think about doing the same thing as the OP.

[NoTalentLefty]

I use hybrid and woods for 7 iron and below. I’m an 11 though. Go for it. 

[MattC555]

I'd go get a proper fitting if I were you.  There are a lot of excellent game improvement irons out there to try. 

[Milfordlefty]

5 hours ago, BigEx44 said:

Iron play has always been the weakest part of my game.

I don't hit as many GIR's as I feel I should.

I don't struggle with fat shots.

A few occasional "thins"

I just generally don't hit my irons as solid and consistently as I'd like.

I'm already playing "game improvement" irons (Callaway DCB's)

But really thinking about trying some "Super Game Improvement" irons and seeing if they'd help me go even lower with my handicap.

I've had my eye on the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons.

Ego is not a thing for me relative to golf. 

I'll hit anything that helps lower my scores (heck, I already putt "sidesaddle")

And I don't typically try to shape shots.  

I just try to hit my irons solid and straight.

Any thoughts?

 

BTW, I'm 65 with some still decent swing speed for my age (at least relative to most of my golfing buddies - my driver swing speed is mid-90's)

 

 

I tried the Launcher HB Turbos (model just before Halo), bought used, with graphite. Coming from Launcher UHX with 98 gram steel. The graphite shafts were too lite for me, I could not 'feel' the club in the back swing. Moved to a heavier graphite in more traditional GI component. Much better strikes for me.

See if you can try out with various shafts to find the right weight for you swing, I think you will like them for their forgiveness.

[Garlando]

Not a direct comparison but I went from playing Mizuno blades (MP-67) to PXG Gen 3 XP irons which are game improvement/super game improvement irons. Like the OP, iron play was/is the worst part of my game but after adjusting to the extra thickness and offset, I’ve definitely become more consistent going to a more forgiving option. It simplified my game, made me more point and shoot which is nice.

[boyscout]

I would ask how well do you strike your fairways and hybrids versus your irons. If you hit them well then your on the right track, if not you are probably going the wrong direction. 

 

Then there is the ubiquitous get a lesson and practice plan. Moving your handicap 2 strokes down when your in the single digits means real improvement in probably two parts of your game.

[Stevens24]

I am 56 and have had back fusion surgery. Play Cleveland UHX and love them. Not sure I could go Halo but could do Launcher XL. 

 

[fairway_bandit]

Get a set if you like playing hybrids. These definitely do not feel like regular irons. More like space alien technology irons. Indeed very easy to hit.

[boggyman]

Don’t let these folks talk you out of at LEAST trying a set of SGI style irons or hybrid on set. I’ve played several sets of the Cleveland’s, W/S Launch Pads, and the 2023 T Rails, which are currently in the bag. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done. I have an old set of 80s blades that see regular action as well, but the T Rails are becoming my go to set. With the rails they just seem to glide through the turf. It CAN be done. I’m not at your age yet, 54, but due to some old MX injuries I suffer dearly sometimes. I say go for it. 
I have in my bag currently a 5-GW and plan on possibly adding even the 4 & SW. Current 4h is a leftover from a set of Launch Pads. They’re stupid easy to hit, not just high and straight either.  Find you maybe a single used hybrid iron to tinker with before you buy a whole set if you so choose to do. 

 

Edited June 19, 2023 by boggyman

[boggyman]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:47 AM, BigEx44 said:

 

Interesting.  I'm not sure I have the courage to go to a blade.  Maybe I'll get a single club and see what happens.

Get a single hybrid style irons as well. 

[RDSChicago]

Thinking about the Halo’s as well. Was a single digit 10 years ago, but now age 61, weaker after abdominal surgery, etc. Ball speed with a 7 iron is around 85 mph. Definitely regular shaft and graphite. Which graphite shaft would be best? There are several options: Project X Catalyst 60 are standard; different weight Aerotech, FST and UST, Mitsubishi, etc. 

 

Thanks. 

Edited August 12, 2023 by RDSChicago

[Carolina Golfer 2]

45 minutes ago, RDSChicago said:

Thinking about the Halo’s as well. Was a single digit 10 years ago, but now age 61, weaker after abdominal surgery, etc. Ball speed with a 7 iron is around 85 mph. Definitely regular shaft and graphite. Which graphite shaft would be best? There are several options: Project X Catalyst 60 are standard; different weight Aerotech, FST and UST, Mitsubishi, etc. 

 

Thanks. 

I should ne seeing the new lineup (Cleveland) next week.  If so I’ll let you know what’s coming.  Assuming no embargo restrictions. 

[Roejye]

On 8/12/2023 at 12:26 PM, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

I should ne seeing the new lineup (Cleveland) next week.  If so I’ll let you know what’s coming.  Assuming no embargo restrictions. 

Not to derail the thread, but as a Cleveland fan 

 

[RDSChicago]

On 8/12/2023 at 11:26 AM, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

I should ne seeing the new lineup (Cleveland) next week.  If so I’ll let you know what’s coming.  Assuming no embargo restrictions. 

Did you see the new Cleveland lineup? Anything replacing the XL Halo irons lineup?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

2 hours ago, RDSChicago said:

Did you see the new Cleveland lineup? Anything replacing the XL Halo irons lineup?

Not replacing them.  But a new version of them. 
 

New Zipcore XL Irons 👍

 

New XL Driver and FW 👍 with upgrade to Tensei as the stock shafts up from the Cypher   Driver looks good at address 

 

New CBX 6 Wedges 👍

 

 

[rlb4]

21 minutes ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Not replacing them.  But a new version of them. 
 

New Zipcore XL Irons 👍

 

New XL Driver and FW 👍 with upgrade to Tensei as the stock shafts up from the Cypher   Driver looks good at address 

 

New CBX 6 Wedges 👍

 

 

So will the Halos carry over to next year? Are the Zipcore XL irons more a replacement of the Launcher XL irons?

[RDSChicago]

Just bought Halo XL irons so hoping I didn’t pull the trigger prematurely! Love them, by the way. 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

7 hours ago, rlb4 said:

So will the Halos carry over to next year? Are the Zipcore XL irons more a replacement of the Launcher XL irons?

Halos carry over in name. But it’s a updates version of then. They are embargoed until November.   So can’t say too much about them. 
 

yes tbr Zipcore XL replaces the Launcher XL irons as Cleveland’s staple Iron.   I told someone. To me they are the nicest looking Cleveland iron since the CG4 days.  

[belh22]

Recently went to SGI irons. Was at callaway fitting and hit apex pros and Apex and even Paradym. And just weren’t right. Guy handed me a big Bertha 23 shovel and I laughed at him. Had true temper elevate 115 and I laughed again. 
 

I’ll be laughing all the time now since they’re in my bag. 
 

I needed help with the launch of my irons especially the longer ones. They’re great and make golf fun.