Almost two and a half years, that is how long it has been since we have seen the last Launcher driver from Cleveland Golf. In that time a lot has changed, but the Launcher name remains one of the most recognized in golf. The XL version was a rock-solid driver that lived up to the name.
Today, the brand is introducing the next Launcher driver, the XL2. Not only is THP bringing you all the design details for this release, but as we’ve had it in hand prior to today, a full performance breakdown is on the way as well.

Quick Take
The most evolved Cleveland Golf driver in years. The Launcher XL2 lives up to the name in both performance and size providing all the forgiveness you expect from the name, as well as a shocking level of speed potential. While the visuals and sound may not be everyone’s preference, make no mistake, this is one that can be played by all skill levels including the stronger swingers. This isn’t the same old Launcher.
Cleveland Launcher XL2 – Technology and Design
The Launcher has never been a release where Cleveland is trying to be tricky or trendy, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been far more innovative than the brand has often gotten credit for. That said, we haven’t seen a Cleveland Golf driver with this much technology packed into it for a very long time.
The goals here are simple, create driver options that are all about distance and accuracy. Now, you likely just said aloud something to the effect of “yeah, the goal for them and everyone else”, and while you aren’t wrong, Cleveland has historically delivered on their claims. So, when they say it, you should probably listen.

The XL2 moniker attached to this one signifies not only the next iteration, but also the technology packed within. Leading the way is, of course, the XL Head Design which is a reworked shape since last we saw a Launcher release. The goal was to get the weight in all the right places within an oversized shape/profile, but to do it in a more visually comfortable manner. Another part of the XL Head Design is a thinner crown with a lightweight frame underneath which allowed for the shifting of even more weight to move low and deep within the head. Most eye catching here is the claim of a 2% increase in heel/toe MOI as well as a gigantic 12% gain high/low.

Also here is MainFrame XL Face Technology which Cleveland believes to be the biggest difference maker. Yes, “AI” is part of the story here, but unlike many other brands just using the hot-button terminology, Cleveland is actually applying AI computer processes here to run thousands upon thousands of simulations using inputs from where real golfers are most likely to make impact. Then, they ran it again, and again. The results? An entirely unique variable thickness design which has not only enlarged, but reshaped the sweet spot for better energy transfer over a larger area, and that means more distance potential.
Don’t worry, Rebound Frame is alive and well, it is just XL. It also might still be one of the most underappreciated tech developments in metalwoods. The key here is the creation of dual flex zones within the clubhead, one being the face, and the other a second ring which sits just a bit behind the face. Both zones combined act like a spring within a spring to increase the energy and efficiency at impact.

Finally, there are two different heads in the Launcher release, the XL2 and the XL2 Draw. The standard head seeks to offer distance and forgiveness for all skill levels with a mid-spin and mid-high launch profile, while the draw is pointed towards beginners or high handicappers who need mid-high spin and high launch. Both offer full 9.0 to 12.0 adjustability (in 0.5 degree increments) and are using Action Mass CB. This is an 8g counter-balance weight in the butt end to improve weight feel in-hand and to encourage an in-to-out path.

Stock shafts are the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue 55 (R, S) or the Aldila Ascent PL 40 (A, R, S), but as always, Cleveland Golf offers a ton of shaft and grip upgrades, with many being no upcharge. It is also worth noting both drivers can be ordered in an “Accuracy Build” which is a 1/2” shorter than stock and without the counterbalance.
Cleveland Launcher XL2 – Performance Review
Even before unboxing, when I heard that a Cleveland Launcher driver would be arriving for review time, I had a visual expectation of what was about to show up. Honestly, I was right…and wrong. On one side, the XL2 driver lives up to both the Launcher and XL names, this is a large footprinted driver that is extremely deep from front to back. But on the other hand, what I didn’t see coming was just how well done that oversized shaping would be thought out, and how well finished it would be too.

The Launcher XL2 is as expected a big and elongated head, but Cleveland absolutely went through every nuance of the shape to ensure that it flows in its size. It doesn’t feel like it is pointed or angular at the back, it simply looks like a bigger version of a nearly symmetrical headshape. However, little tricks like the way the toe section curve is handled makes it much cleaner than I have seen in others. The polished metallic smoke grey paint also ties it together letting the graphics and Hi-Bore Step seem less in-your-face.

At setup, the XL2 sat slightly closed for me at 10.5 where Cleveland states it should be neutral, however, when I turned it down to 9.0 (where I did all of this testing) the setup did move neutral to slightly open which I enjoyed seeing. The ability to put one head out there and have it go from 9.0 to 12.0 in half-degree increments will go overlooked because of how daunting the Cleveland/Srixon adapters can be, but the fact is they are highly efficient.

Along with playing the XL2 at 9.0, the club I worked with for this was paired with the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue 55S. I immediately knew this one was counterbalanced, as despite the head size profile, the overall club felt very nimble in hand. I was concerned about how that would work for me fit wise, but on the course and monitor I realized that the amount of forgiveness here would make up for most of any issues there.

This club wants to be swung. I mean it, this is a driver that the more I went at it, the more it gave back, even if I missed, especially vertically, it seemed to respond with results that made me shake my head. Not only that, I saw as much speed potential here as I have with any other major driver release, and all with spin rates that were vastly lower than I have experienced with this same shaft setup in other heads. Sure, directionally the fit showed issues for me on course and monitor, but for the target audience of the stock setup I think they nailed it.

The fact that I managed to put up multiple 160 MPH balls speed shots on the monitor keeping spin in the upper to mid 2,000’s throughout is a testament to what is going on internally as well in my opinion. The new MainFrame XL face played extremely well with my vertical miss while the Rebound Frame continues to be extremely underrated in generating speed. Honestly, the only drawback I found isn’t even a performance thing, it is a sound/feel one. The Launcher XL2 is loud, now, it isn’t clunky in its sound, it is just loud. Honestly, I don’t know that the golf world would know what to do with a muted Launcher driver, so in the end it might just keep with traditions. Overall, the performance trumps the sound/feel in my opinion, and should put this on many golfers of all skill levels ‘go try it’ list.
The Details – Cleveland Launcher XL2 Drivers
I have been critical of Cleveland at times for their driver releases, in the past several have simply felt like afterthoughts or a brand unsure of where it wants to go. This Launcher XL2, however, is a complete driver release, there is an audience, there is as much technology as anything out there, and there is a message.
The Cleveland Launcher XL2 and XL2 Draw drivers are both priced at $449.99 and are set to hit retailers worldwide on 1/19/24.
I ended up playing this for all my rounds at Briggs Ranch last week and will be putting in the bag for an extended period of time it looks like. Hats off to [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] for spreading the love!
I played some very mediocre golf after my first round, which is nothing new, but the first round I played this was downright magical. I hit most fairways and was regularly keeping up distance wise with the people that hit it normal distance. Coincidentally, I want to say I didn’t actually hit the center of the face until the back nice. Really, really impressive forgiveness, especially on the upper half of the face and toe.
I can hit the ball pretty low sometimes if I shut the face down enough, and that did happen, but when I executed I hit some very high (for me) drives that carried and rolled impressively. I think I officially fell in love on the 12th hole when I hit it over a tree I was convinced I would just slam a ball into. I know my game very well, but the driver wasn’t having it.
Sound is loud. Not the loudest, but it’s not a quiet driver. It’s very stretched out front to back. Both things I can and will live with if it continues to do what it did.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12255135, member: 50607″]
I sent this driver to [USER=24169]@pumbaa[/USER] to test. Looking forward to what his results will be.
[/QUOTE]
So tried it a couple of holes this past weekend. Will need some more testing and to try some of the settings on the adapter to dial it in.
Initial thoughts it has some pop, won’t beat any records but it won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing distance. I like the look of it, very confident standing over the ball and the face looks huge compared to my c723. As said previously it’s loud, it reminds me of my bio cell driver from years ago in sound almost like a baseball bat but not as loud and not a ringing. It has a sharp sound but it doesn’t blow your ear drums out or anything.
Where I was most impress is on off center strikes and on what I call “swippy” shots where I come very over the top and almost swipe at the ball. Usually that swippy shot is about 2 counties right, with the Cleveland i kept it in play both times I did it with this driver. It was not in a great place but finding the ball was impressive enough for me. I will say we played a more forgiving course so that could have added to the findability as I didn’t lose a ball all round. I tend to hit the ball off the high side of the face when I get steep and this driver just did it’s thing went straight and didn’t kill the distance of the drive.
I will put this and my gamer c723 in the bag this weekend coming up and will see what it can do on a tougher track. Also [USER=75462]@Nick Kane[/USER] might get a couple of swings with it too and compare it to his g425.
Thanks [USER=50607]@Thrillbilly Jim[/USER] for letting me try it out.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12297763, member: 1193″]
I ended up playing this for all my rounds at Briggs Ranch last week and will be putting in the bag for an extended period of time it looks like. Hats off to [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] for spreading the love!
I played some very mediocre golf after my first round, which is nothing new, but the first round I played this was downright magical. I hit most fairways and was regularly keeping up distance wise with the people that hit it normal distance. Coincidentally, I want to say I didn’t actually hit the center of the face until the back nice. Really, really impressive forgiveness, especially on the upper half of the face and toe.
I can hit the ball pretty low sometimes if I shut the face down enough, and that did happen, but when I executed I hit some very high (for me) drives that carried and rolled impressively. I think I officially fell in love on the 12th hole when I hit it over a tree I was convinced I would just slam a ball into. I know my game very well, but the driver wasn’t having it.
Sound is loud. Not the loudest, but it’s not a quiet driver. It’s very stretched out front to back. Both things I can and will live with if it continues to do what it did.
[/QUOTE]
You hit a driver over a big ass tree. I’ve never been so happy for a Hawk drive in my life.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12297849, member: 1579″]
You hit a driver over a big ass tree. I’ve never been so happy for a Hawk drive in my life.
[/QUOTE]
It was a thing of beauty. Maybe I should try a little tilt in my setup my often.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12297976, member: 1193″]
It was a thing of beauty. Maybe I should try a little tilt in my setup my often.
[/QUOTE]
It was awesome. Absolutely awesome.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12297976, member: 1193″]
It was a thing of beauty. Maybe I should try a little tilt in my setup my often.
[/QUOTE]
We need video of this glorious shot.
Big thing for me is [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] playing it with a totally different swing than mine confirmed that this is a damn good driver head.
It’s incredibly forgiving, but, the design offers surprising speed.
Yes, it’s a little loud imo, but, I don’t know what I would do with a muted Cleveland golf driver haha
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12298232, member: 1579″]
Big thing for me is [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] playing it with a totally different swing than mine confirmed that this is a damn good driver head.
It’s incredibly forgiving, but, the design offers surprising speed.
Yes, it’s a little loud imo, but, I don’t know what I would do with a muted Cleveland golf driver haha
[/QUOTE]
I have auditory hallucinations of a Launcher Turbo HB Driver. That was a loud one . ?
[QUOTE=”Bernoulli, post: 12298260, member: 42734″]
I have auditory hallucinations of a Launcher Turbo HB Driver. That was a loud one . ?
[/QUOTE]
Hahaha! Yes, yes it was. This isn’t near that loud.
[QUOTE=”pumbaa, post: 12298188, member: 24169″]
We need video of this glorious shot.
[/QUOTE]
I wish. I keep playing it back in my head lol.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12298232, member: 1579″]
Big thing for me is [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] playing it with a totally different swing than mine confirmed that this is a damn good driver head.
It’s incredibly forgiving, but, the design offers surprising speed.
Yes, it’s a little loud imo, but, I don’t know what I would do with a muted Cleveland golf driver haha
[/QUOTE]
I thought it was pretty dang long. I was neck and neck with all but the long bombers on Tuesday morning and that’s a big deal for me.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12298295, member: 1579″]
Hahaha! Yes, yes it was. This isn’t near that loud.
[/QUOTE]
A smidge more than the ZX5 MKII. Nowhere near the E723. It’s definitely not in the offensive category.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12298335, member: 1193″]
I wish. I keep playing it back in my head lol.
I thought it was pretty dang long. I was neck and neck with all but the long bombers on Tuesday morning and that’s a big deal for me.
A smidge more than the ZX5 MKII. Nowhere near the E723. It’s definitely not in the offensive category.
[/QUOTE]
Absolutely agree on the sound thing
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12298335, member: 1193″]
I wish. I keep playing it back in my head lol.
I thought it was pretty dang long. I was neck and neck with all but the long bombers on Tuesday morning and that’s a big deal for me.
A smidge more than the ZX5 MKII. Nowhere near the E723. It’s definitely not in the offensive category.
[/QUOTE]
I have the c723 and I think the Cleveland os louder but different. The c723 definitely let’s you know when you hit off center makes some different sounds. The Cleveland has that aluminum baseball bat sound for sure.
[QUOTE=”pumbaa, post: 12298427, member: 24169″]
I have the c723 and I think the Cleveland os louder but different. The c723 definitely let’s you know when you hit off center makes some different sounds. The Cleveland has that aluminum baseball bat sound for sure.
[/QUOTE]
I’ve not heard the C. The E will make people turn their heads from a couple holes over for sure.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12298446, member: 1193″]
I’ve not heard the C. The E will make people turn their heads from a couple holes over for sure.
[/QUOTE]
C is definitely more muted than the E. I think the E is a more apt comparison here, though this is waaaaaaaay less boisterous
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12298450, member: 1579″]
C is definitely more muted than the E. I think the E is a more apt comparison here, though this is waaaaaaaay less boisterous
[/QUOTE]
Much less so for sure.
This thing loved it when I teed the ball way up and just let it go. I suspect, just based off personal experience with monitors. that I was in the 15-16 degree range with spin in the mid to low 2000’s. I swiped a couple into the spin zone, but really had to put a terrible swing on it to do that.
[QUOTE=”pumbaa, post: 12297789, member: 24169″]
So tried it a couple of holes this past weekend. Will need some more testing and to try some of the settings on the adapter to dial it in.
Initial thoughts it has some pop, won’t beat any records but it won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing distance. I like the look of it, very confident standing over the ball and the face looks huge compared to my c723. As said previously it’s loud, it reminds me of my bio cell driver from years ago in sound almost like a baseball bat but not as loud and not a ringing. It has a sharp sound but it doesn’t blow your ear drums out or anything.
Where I was most impress is on off center strikes and on what I call “swippy” shots where I come very over the top and almost swipe at the ball. Usually that swippy shot is about 2 counties right, with the Cleveland i kept it in play both times I did it with this driver. It was not in a great place but finding the ball was impressive enough for me. I will say we played a more forgiving course so that could have added to the findability as I didn’t lose a ball all round. I tend to hit the ball off the high side of the face when I get steep and this driver just did it’s thing went straight and didn’t kill the distance of the drive.
I will put this and my gamer c723 in the bag this weekend coming up and will see what it can do on a tougher track. Also [USER=75462]@Nick Kane[/USER] might get a couple of swings with it too and compare it to his g425.
Thanks [USER=50607]@Thrillbilly Jim[/USER] for letting me try it out.
[/QUOTE]
I will definitely try anything for testing. The sound does almost sound like a version of a baseball bat. It sounds unique and is not super loud, but will get your attention.
The fact you can interchange shafts between this and the Srixon line is such a wonderful thing in my world. I can think of a number of guys from the Srixon Experience that might find this one a winner. While the ZX5 MKII is very forgiving in its own right, this one seems to edge it out.