Hit it longer, straighter with new Launcher Turbo woods

With the exception of its always-popular wedges, Cleveland took a hiatus from the golf equipment game for a few years before returning in 2017 with new woods and irons and a clearer picture of the market it wanted to go after.

And the goal for Cleveland was simple when it introduced its new Launcher irons and woods two years ago: to make the game easier for the average player or the golfer who maybe only plays a handful of times each year.

The entire lineup of new Launcher HB clubs enjoyed great commercial success upon their release in 2017, especially among the golfers who were being targeted. While some might view that as surprising given that Cleveland had been out of the spotlight in those categories for several years, it’s an indication of just how loyal Cleveland enthusiasts are.

That being the case, fans of the original Launcher HB woods, and Cleveland fans in general, have been anxiously awaiting the release of the new Launcher HB Turbo woods, and that wait is just about over.

One of the reasons for the anticipation is that Cleveland believes the new Turbo woods are a significant upgrade in every way when compared to the Launcher HB woods that were released in 2017.

“Reintroducing Cleveland Golf woods and irons two years ago has been very successful,” said Cleveland Marketing Director Brian Schielke. “However, the new Launcher HB Turbo woods represent a huge step up from the previous generation. They’re sleeker, faster, and more forgiving – exactly what all of us are looking for off the tee.”

While the ultimate goals between Launcher HB and Launcher HB Turbo remain the same, that being to give players effortless launch, fast ball speeds, and high MOI, the technology implemented to get there has shifted quite significantly, with the result being improved performance.

One key design approach that has not changed, however, is the decision to use lightweight, bonded hosels as opposed to adjustable loft sleeves in both the drivers and fairway woods.

Through its research, Cleveland found that the target players for Launcher HB Turbo drivers and fairway woods typically weren’t overly concerned with adjustability and that many would be unlikely to make any change from the standard setting even if an adjustable hosel were available.

Therefore, by using lightweight, bonded hosels, Cleveland engineers had the freedom to move significant weight that would have otherwise been necessary in the hosel region low and deep in the clubhead to promote high launch and impressive stability at impact.

Also making a low, deep CG placement possible is a redesigned HiBore Crown, which features a more prominent crown step. The crown design combined with the weight that was saved in the hosel region allowed designers to utilize a Deep Weighting sole pad internally, which moved the CG 4.4mm deeper and 2.2mm lower in the clubhead. The result is a high-launch, low-spin profile that maximizes both carry and total distance.

Launcher HB Turbo drivers and fairway woods also feature a new Turbocharged Face Cup design, which is creating higher COR from a larger portion of the clubface, meaning more ball speed out of the center of the face and also on off-center strikes.

Also noteworthy is that the clubheads in the Launcher HB Turbo line are slightly heavier than was the case in the previous generation models. But while more mass can equate to more speed, other changes must also be made to accommodate that mass, which is why Cleveland opted to use a counterbalanced Miyazaki C. Kua shaft as the stock option in the Turbo drivers and fairways.

By removing weight from the length of the shaft and positioning it instead near the grip end, players can still swing the heavier clubhead with ease, which helps make distance gains possible, especially off the tee.

“The Launcher HB Turbo is engineered to help you hit long, straight drives,” said Cleveland Vice President of Research and Development Jeff Brunski. “We’ve squeezed discretionary weight out of every corner of the clubhead to produce one of the most forgiving drivers we’ve ever made.”

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo drivers are available in lofts of 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees, with the 10-5-degree model being available in a left-handed version. They come at a stock length of 45.5 inches and at a swingweight of D3.

Additionally, there is a 10-5 degree “Draw” version available that was created to help right-handed players who struggle with a slice or a block square the clubface more easily at impact to straighten out that miss.

As for the Launcher HB Turbo fairway woods, they are available in a 15-degree 3-wood and an 18-degree 5-wood.

The entire lineup of Launcher HB Turbo woods is available for pre-order now and will begin shipping and be available at retail on October 4.