If you are looking for a steal in the driver category check out the Cleveland Launcher HB driver released in 2017. The original retail price was only $299 and consistently performed well against other competitors. In 2019, Cleveland launched the next generation Launcher HB Turbo driver. Let’s take a look at Cleveland’s latest driver entry.
Technology
Cleveland includes proprietary technology in the Launcher HB Turbo driver including Turbocharged Cup Face, HiBore Crown and Ultralight Hosel, Deep Weighting and Counter Balanced Shaft Design. The Turbocharged Cup Face is meant to provide a larger sweet spot, higher COR for faster ball speeds and more distance. Cleveland redesigned the HiBore Crown and lowered the center of Center of Gravity. Designing the Ultralight Hosel allows a lower and deeper weight position to improve launch and forgiveness. Deep Weighting in the head helps create more speed and increase MOI. The proprietary Counter Balance Shaft Design Mizayaki C. Kua places the center of gravity higher toward the grip for additional head mass and more speed at impact.
Appearance
First glance of the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo you notice the club head is glued, therefore, no adjustments are available. The flat black color scheme, sole and weight on the sole appears similar to the Ping G410.
The top front of the crown resembles the appearance of recent TaylorMade drivers while the back of the crown features what looks like the turbulators found on the recent Ping drivers. The crown of the driver appears aerodynamically designed for speed.
The white and red groove lines highlight the outer edges of the club face while the middle is flat without grooves. The sole again is reminiscent of the Ping with red trim lines and aerodynamically shaped weight perpendicular from the face.
In addition, there is a channel cut from behind the club face. The clubhead frames the ball at address and looks solid with plenty of technology visible.
Performance
I tested the Cleveland HB Launcher driver with stock Miyazaki C. Kua 50 shaft, standard length and Lamkin 360 Grip. All testing uses TaylorMade TP5 golf ball and Foresight GC2-HMT to reduce additional variables.
I hit a few shots with my driver, 12* Callaway Epic Flash with Blue Tensie stiff ($549.99 retail), to establish a baseline. I know my best hits reach around 260 yards carry distance.
The first few swings were accidently with the 10.5* regular flex. The first swing actually startled me, contact sounded like a gunshot, it was extremely loud and the sound echoed. Definitely one of the loudest drivers on the market. The results were fantastic.
I included the first few unintended swings (10.5 reg) because results were so unexpected. Ball speed equaled my personal driver while launching slightly lower. The carry distance was fantastic, the Launcher is loud and travels far. Shots also traveled very straight with minimal side spin. Balls typically rolled out another 25-30 yards, so my overall distance exceeded 280 yards.
Then I looked at the club face and realized I hit a few shots with the wrong club, I meant to test the 9* Launcher with Miyazaki stiff shaft. I was already impressed.
Switching to the 9* continued to yield favorable results. Launch angle was 12.2* and achieved a maximum 153 ball speed, the fastest ball speed of any driver I tested, including my own driver. Backspin remained very low at 1986 RPM and 288 RPM side spin. Shots traveled very straight with a slight draw. If I could have launched a little higher with the same backspin I would pick up additional carry distance. Probably a 10.5* stiff would be a slightly more optimal match for my swing.
Specifications
The Launcher HB Turbo is available in 9*, 10.5*, 10.5* Draw and 12* lofts. The 10.5* Draw is a great option for the players who struggle with an unwanted fade or slice. Left handers might be disappointed, it’s only available in the 10.5* option. Head size is the standard 460cc with a D3 swing weight. The stock shaft is lightweight Miyazaki C. Kua 50 gram shaft available in lite flex through stiff. If you need an X-Stiff you might need to look at a custom shaft option or even look at parent company Srixon, which offers several shaft options in the z585 or z785 drivers. The stock grip is Lamkin 360.
Better Value Alternative
We can’t justify buying the latest releases. Instead, we like to buy better value golf clubs that were released 2-5 years ago. They are far more affordable, and the difference in performance is negligible at best.
If you are looking to save some money, stick with the original Cleveland Launcher HB driver. Practically the same club but with a different paint job – let’s be real. We think the difference in price between the two warrants sticking with the original Launcher HB.
Conclusion
Cleveland Golf might just be the most underrated company in the golf industry. They are consistently overshadowed by the bigger companies like Callaway and Taylormade, however, Cleveland continues to develop products that equal their competitors at a fraction of the price.
The Cleveland HB Launcher Turbo driver retails at $349.99, a full $200 less than some of the other current top rated drivers. Launcher Turbo driver does not offer any adjustments and still performed comparable to my own driver. The club performs great with the stock shaft and is a great option for someone on a budget or that truly sees the combination of value and performance. The Launcher HB Turbo might just be the best value driver available.
I played my frist 9 hole round with a new Cleveland Hybore Turbo. I hit the frist drive terribly. The next was decent. After that I typically out drove my old driver by about 20 yards. I usually shoot from 42 – 46. Today I shot 41 and was extremely pleased. I highly recommend this driver. My playing partner said I hit the best drive on a par he has ever seen me hit. He was impressed as I out drove him by 30 yards. I was driving around 180 yards before today. Today I consistently drove 200 – 230 yards. I am 70 years old and play once or twice a week.