Shouldn’t we all strive to make the game easier on ourselves? The answer is obviously a resounding yes, but as we all know, golfers are great at making a mess of such a simple concept. That is exactly what Cleveland Golf is hoping to help with as they introduce their new Halo XL lineup. With three different clubs the goal is to get golfers to create a setup which offers more consistency, and to rid themselves of clubs they carry despite being fearful of them.
That is what makes the new Halo XL fairway woods so intriguing. Historically, the fairway has been the most daunting club for amateurs to hit consistently, but by putting the XL in Halo XL, Cleveland Golf aims to change that. While there is a lot to break down on the technology side of things, THP has also had the Halo XL 3-Wood in hand prior to this release so we are most certainly going all in on performance as well.

Quick Take
An absolute wolf in sheep’s clothing, subtle and comforting to look at with its generous profile and look, but a performance monster when the niceties are whittled away. The Halo XL 3-Wood is one of the most surprising releases for me in some time, offering the belief that you can hit it anywhere on the face to still get effortless launch and then following it up with the reality of unexpected speed.
Cleveland Halo XL Fairway – Technology and Design
In the past, the Halo releases have always come along with the Launcher name, now it appears as if Cleveland is trying to let it stand on its own more, even if it is releasing at the same time as their latest Launcher driver. My initial reaction to that when we found out about this release was that it is a very intelligent move by the company. After hitting the lineup, I think that even more, as these deserve a spotlight of their own with the re-worked concept.
The Halo XL spectrum of clubs is all in on simplifying and streamlining the top of the bag. This is important because so many of us are carrying harder to hit clubs than need be, or simply have no concept of proper gapping. With the three different club types in the Halo XL release, Cleveland thinks they can help golfers crack that code.

However, within that is something that needs to be made very clear, this is not just a rehash of a driver pasted into and onto a smaller club. Removing the Launcher name was the first step to getting that point across by Cleveland Golf, and the second was packing it full of technology specifically tailored for these clubs instead of just to finish out a lineup.
First off, MainFrame XL is here with Cleveland not simply using the AI term because it is popular, rather because they are literally applying knowledge and testing feedback provided by the thousands of simulations at their fingertips. Within the fairways, the MainFrame XL is uniquely shaped from any other Cleveland club, extending the sweet spot to a larger area which reaches more heel side and high. Around that, the variable thickness is extended further to the perimeter to increase the ability of the club to respond to the types of misses golfers have rather than robots.

The club itself is an XL Head Design coming in at 185cc compared to the average 3-Wood on the market at 175cc. It may not read like much, but it is an impressive footprint. The goal was bigger and confidence inspiring, while not being cumbersome. The fairways also feature Rebound Frame and its dual flex zone system of the face and area behind the crown acting like a spring in a spring. By stiffening the rear of the clubhead, that allows these two regions to flex simultaneously to maximize not just the efficiency of energy coming back to the ball, but the amount of it.

Not to be undersold, all the Halo XL clubs this year from Cleveland have Gliderails as well. Though the hybrids use three, the fairways have just two due to the way which they are typically swung (sweeping) in comparison. That is also why the rails here are more shallow than in the other applications. By aiding in the club gliding rather than digging or dragging regardless of the lie, the ability to square the face is improved.

Finally, the Halo XL fairways have the same Action Mass CB system under the grip. By placing 8g of weight there the overall clubhead feels lighter in the swing which for many golfers also makes it easier to get inside-out. The fairways are bonded hosel clubs available in 3, 5, 7, and 9 with the 3 and 5 woods being available in LH. They are paired with either the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue 55 (R, S) or Aldila Ascent PL 40 (A, R, S) as standard but there are a plethora of custom options available through Cleveland Golf.
Cleveland Halo XL 3-Wood – Performance Review
Shock and awe. That is what I walked away with after spending a few weeks with the Halo XL 3-Wood prior to its release. I am one who is absolutely a fairway wood geek, it is historically my favorite club in the bag outside of putter to buy and change. However, the Halo XL fairways are not the type I would historically seek out.

You see, I prefer a more compact look from my fairways, and the Halo XL with its 185cc size in the 3-Wood is the exact opposite of that. It has all sorts of things going on with the Hi-Bore Crown Step too, but from the moment I unboxed this one I was taken aback by it. The metallic smoke grey gloss finish combined with the most balanced shape of a larger sized fairway that I have tested in some time just makes it set up so well. The curves flow and even the step as well as the crown graphics seem to improve that rather than take away from it.

This is definitely one of those clubs that you feel like you can just swing hard at, even paired with the Tensie AV Series Blue 55 and 8g Action Mass CB, it feels “all there” in the hands. Like the shape, that is a setup which I would not choose for myself, but after working with it I see the validity to it being a stock option for the fairways.

I won’t lie and neither will the numbers in the Foresight data, fit wasn’t ideal, but even within that the potential is what shines through. Seeing consistent 150’s ball speeds with 120+ foot peak heights shows that this head is packed full of power, spin, and effortless launch, not to mention a pleasing impact sound to boot.

On the course, I saw the same, just the ability to hit towering shots without having to work at it, and not giving up near the distance I expected. The Rebound Frame just makes things feel fast and efficient regardless of how well struck the shot. However, it is the MainFrame XL face design that I saw the most impressive boon from on the course as my slightly heel-side and high miss that absolutely dies on a lot of fairways I have played was met with the feeling of getting away with murder in the Halo XL.
The Details
The reality is this is an excellent fairway wood from Cleveland Golf. Will it appeal to everyone? Of course not. Will it fit everyone? Also no. But does it bring to the table a much wider potential audience than people will expect and is it just flat out fun to hit? Absolutely!
Cleveland Golf’s new Halo XL fairway woods will officially be at retail on 1/19/24 and comes in priced at $249.99.
Again, this looks like a reasonable option for a guy like me based on your numbers. Historically I haven’t loved fairway woods period, but the shallower face and sole seem like they’d help elevate the ball.
Probably the club of the line I’m most impressed with overall. Maybe that is because of where I placed my expectations, and shame on me for that, but I do believe the look and shaping is SO much better for Cleveland here than in the past, and that helps.
This much peak height potential is exciting to see from ANY fairway. Sure, the 55g shaft probably added to the spin and flight for me, but the head itself made it feel easy, ESPECIALLY on my slightly high heel of center tendency in a 3W.
Nice article, definitely seems like a fairway wood to try out this season.
Cleveland appears to be bringing lots of performance at a great price with these current releases. There is a lot to potentially like here for me. I have struggled at time with fairway woods. The bigger head is no problem. Easy to launch is a positive.
[QUOTE=”Bernoulli, post: 12057933, member: 42734″]
Cleveland appears to be bringing lots of performance at a great price with these current releases. There is a lot to potentially like here for me. I have struggled at time with fairway woods. The bigger head is no problem. Easy to launch is a positive.
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What is interesting to me now having also written a couple other soon to come release articles on fairways, the size isn’t actually that big. One of the big “fairway” brands actually has 2 of their 3 options at 200cc and 190cc to this one’s 185 cc in 3w.
That surprised me a little.
Nice article [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] . When the previous gen came out I went to a Cleveland demo day and found the fairway woods much easier to hit and launch than the Hy Wood. Which seems to be reverse opposite of what others find.
So I am curious to test these this year. Not really in the market to replace my fairway woods but Cleveland always seems to put out fw that works for the slower swingers out there.
Great article as always [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] , not in the market for a 3W but seems like Cleveland has a potentially great line on their hands here. Really isn’t anyone making bad clubs these days.
Enjoyed reading about the details and the performance review. Cleveland fairway woods were always typically solid performers for me. To be honest, the larger footprint of this one is something that I have typically stayed away from in fairway woods.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12057901, member: 1579″]
Probably the club of the line I’m most impressed with overall. Maybe that is because of where I placed my expectations, and shame on me for that, but I do believe the look and shaping is SO much better for Cleveland here than in the past, and that helps.
This much peak height potential is exciting to see from ANY fairway. Sure, the 55g shaft probably added to the spin and flight for me, but the head itself made it feel easy, ESPECIALLY on my slightly high heel of center tendency in a 3W.
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Always know that we’re going to get a great [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] Fairway review and this one doesn’t disapoint
You mentioned in the article:
You see, I prefer a more compact look from my fairways, and the Halo XL with its 185cc size in the 3-Wood is the exact opposite of that. It[B] has all sorts of things going on with the Hi-Bore Crown Step[/B] too, but from the moment I unboxed this one I was taken aback by it
Would you have a close up shot of it? I’m wondering if it’s like the XXIO X Black.
This one may be the most exciting of the Cleveland releases for me, that XL 3W that actually launches high is exactly what I look for in a 3W.
The CB in these releases is quite intriguing, as well.
The Launcher fairway woods caught me by surprise last year. Straight rocket launchers on a budget. These might be the biggest secret in golf. Super forgiving, easy to hit, gets through the ground, and long!
This club will fly under most peoples radar but will be an awesome option for likely 90% of golfers (me included)
Can this be a good choice for a tee shot? I find most clubs today are too shallow and not large at all. I’m looking for a driver alternative.
Gotta say it again, but the price and performance seems like a home run. The profile does look larger, like mentioned, but it doesn’t look massive
What’s not to like about gliderails and big launch! Looks like another game helper that many of us should consider trying
Again, I love the tech they are pushing to their fairway woods. Not to mention the price point is aggressively good.
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] the one thing I struggled with on the previous version was hitting the 3 wood off the turf. I don’t know what the mental hurdle was. It was a large head and seemed a little tall. What do you think of it behind the ball, height wise?
I plan on grabbing and testing a 9W. Will follow up here once I’ve played a few rounds with it.
I was hoping maybe I could get through another season with the long side of the bag intact but I’m not sure that’s going to happen.
Fortunately these look sharp, appear to offer plenty of performance, and aren’t too hateful toward the wallet.
Ordered a custom 9W with a Fujikura Ventus Red (went non-velocore given chance this club wouldn’t stay in the bag). After hitting range balls and playing some holes on the course, my initial impression is this will have a permanent spot. The club is extremely easy to hit – much more forgiving than the traditional iron it replaces and the effortless launch inspires a ton of confidence. My much-too-early conclusion is that I’m a huge fan.
I came away, very impressed with the feel and performance of the five wood this evening
I thought the top of my bag was pretty set, but this gave me something to think about. It just seemed so easy to hit.
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I would love to give this a try as well as the XL2 driver. The last XL driver I got cheap on the used rack has knocked the G425 out of my bag. I’d love to know if the either this version or the last one could knock the PING 3W out of my bag. If the fairway is as easy to hit as the driver it’s a winner for sure.
[QUOTE=”gmiller598, post: 12132976, member: 24338″]
I would love to give this a try as well as the XL2 driver. The last XL driver I got cheap on the used rack has knocked the G425 out of my bag. I’d love to know if the either this version or the last one could knock the PING 3W out of my bag. If the fairway is as easy to hit as the driver it’s a winner for sure.
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The fit and finish was really good on these and the drivers in hand. Very impressive.
Any other opinions?
How does the new Mitsubishi Av shaft compare to the project x cypher in last years model? I see they are both in the 55gm range.
I have the Tensei Blue 55g in my HyWood and I like it a lot. Also was fit into driver with the same shaft, and have an XL 6H (and TSR2 7W coming) with the 65g version. Fwiw I have never cared for any Cypher I’ve hit. For whatever reason the blue profile works for me, totally ymmv
I found the 3 and 5 wood as demo clubs. Tried them and put them in the bag along with a full set of halo hybrid irons. Each club is about 10 yeards shorter than usual, but it just doesn’t matter. The ball gets up quickly and shots are very straight. Been playing for decades and this is the lowest stress golf I’ve played.
swing speed = 90