The objective is simple but compelling for Cleveland: “We’re trying to make easy-to-hit long irons blending into easy-to-control short irons,” said Cleveland’s Senior Product Manager Brian Schielke.
This statement will excite golfers as Cleveland launch their first iron sets in over two years.
This month, eGolf Megastore’s technical whiz kid, Jason Ashley, reviews the Cleveland CBX which has a classic shape, but blends forgiveness and performance through combining some of their wedge technology into an iron, and the Cleveland Launcher HB iron which is an ultra-forgiving alternative. Here’s what he had to say…
“I’ve got many fond memories of Cleveland irons. I had a set of TA3s when I first started out as a youngster and played some pretty good golf with them.
“Cleveland haven’t released a set of irons for a while so I’m intrigued to see how the CBX and the HB irons perform.”
CLEVELAND CBX IRONS
With this club, they’ve taken what they have learned with their new wedges and moved that technology into a set of irons.
This is unique and interesting. It’s got the V-shaped sole as you can see in the RTX wedges to help with turf interaction and launch.
In addition, if you catch the ball slightly heavier, the V-sole will help the club maintain speed through impact as well as maintaining speed through a variety of lies.
It’s a progressive V-sole, with the longer irons the V-sole is not as pronounced, having a slightly flatter, more traditional sole to match the shallower angle of attack for those clubs. It progresses to a more pronounced V -shape in the sole, for the short irons that match the steeper angle of attack for those clubs.
Cleveland have also used the same groove pattern as the RTX 3 wedges, which are the Tour Zip Grooves. This, combined with the double laser milling in the CBX irons, will help you achieve consistent spin from a variety of different lies, promoting good distance control and flight.
Furthermore, weight is saved in the hosel and is moved towards the impact zone for better feel and distance control. This is called Feel Balancing Technology.
First impressions
- Nice looking golf club with thicker top line at address which inspires confidence.
- It’s so easy to hit straight even on off-centred hits.
- Unbelievable results with consistent spin rates.
CLEVELAND LAUNCHER HB IRONS
The Launcher is all about forgiveness and without being too cliché, the launch! It’s got a distinctive look about it with a hollow body construction in a large head size that allows Cleveland to shift the centre of gravity as far back from the face as possible. This will assist with your launch and forgiveness.
Weight is also distributed into the perimeter of the golf club to stabilise the club on off-centered hits, increasing the MOI of the club. Higher MOI means more forgiveness. The Launcher also has a High Strength Steel face to maximise ball speed. This club is all about forgiveness and high launch and aimed at the golfer who needs help in those areas.
First impressions
- It’s got a thick top line and you can really notice that HiBore crown sticking out at the back.
- Feels and performs well and is incredibly forgiving.
- Surprising how good it felt off the face.
ALL IN ALL
I’m really impressed by both of these new Cleveland clubs. The CBX is ideal for a mid-handicapper to a low handicapper and you’ll soon notice that when you test it out. The performance is exceptional and it’s very easy to hit. It has consistent spin rates and goes very straight so I see it doing particularly well in the market. The HB is a club that lots of players should be using because of the amount of forgiveness it has. If you are struggling with consistency, hit it low or use two or three hybrids, theses may well be the irons your game needs and it will make your game much easier. Don’t be put off trying them just because they don’t look classical. If you’re interested, come down and give these clubs a hit – head to eGolf Megastore where you can test them out and compare them to your own set.
