As you may now, a month or so ago, I was selected to receive a set of Cleveland Launcher UHX irons thanks to @JB and Noelle from Cleveland golf. I just got them shipped in yesterday day so I wanted to create this thread to give my thoughts on them.
**Disclaimer**: I'm nowhere as good of a reviewer as @Jman @Canadan or @ddec but going to give it my best. I do use my T200's as a comparison even though they really are different categories of irons because....well....this is what I got. Oh and ignore the feet in the unboxing video.
My goal is to give you guys 3 different opinions: First impressions ( including an unboxing video ), hitting impressions after I hit them on my hitting mat/net, and playing impressions as I plan to play a couple of rounds with them to get a feel for them on course. So without much further ado, let's get going.
First Impressions
Onboxing video.
The irons themselves look really good. They use 3 different finishes: shiny polished, matte brushed, and a dimpled/hammered looking finish. Together, they really work for me. Has very classic lines from the back as you can see from the 6i and PW comparisons below. And as much as I didn't realize it, I am really digging having the degree stamped and filled in red against the sole. Looks amazing in person.
The size of the heads are a bit on the larger side but nothing out of the norm. I did notice a lot more heel height on the blade with the UHX irons than as comparison to my T200's. Also has a much more rounded topline. Topline is also much thicker which not sure I like visually. Have to wait to see it behind the ball and hit them to see how I react to it. The sole however, is damn nice. I can't want to see how it gets the clubs through the fake turf on my matt ( have 2 textures to try) as well as through natural grass. Looks way more like a nice wedge sole than a standard iron sole.
The irons come in a modified blended set. From the 4 thru the 7, you get the same hollow body look and feel you see in the 6i pictures below. From the 8i down, you get the semi-cavity back setup which is really interesting the closer you look at it. The entire upper face almost looks like its an add on to a full cavity back setup. See the detailed picture of the back of the PW to see what I mean. I'll be spending some time between the 7 and 8 to see what difference I can tell on strikes. The offsets in them are really pleasing but I prefer less offset in the irons than most people.
The small details in the irons are pretty impressive. I;ve taken a few pictures below to show the ones I've picked up on so far. The 8i down cavity section and the sole shape really stand out. The sole shape intrigues me the most because I consider the T-series ( including my T200 ) as some of the best turf interaction I have ever had in an iron. I could see these being as good if not better depending on how well the v-sole shape works on these irons.
6 iron comparisons
Left picture shows the different surface textures. Right picture shows the faces and the UHX ( right ) having a more rounded top line and more heel height in the face. Topline is below ( UHX is on the left ) and shows the biggest difference. Very thick topline.
Pitching Wedge comparisons
Left picture shows the different surface textures on the lower irons. Right picture shows the faces and the UHX ( right ) having a not as much of a difference but still a very nice wide face. Almost reminds me of pictures of the RTX wedges in the shape. Topline is below ( UHX is on the left ) and looks a lot less thick at the higher angles.
Detailed Pictures
Detailed back of the Pitching Wedge. The entire "Launcher UHX" section from the 8i down to the D wedge has a cut around it which isolates it from the main body of the iron. Also gives you a good view of the hammered finish on the back as it matches up with the polished and matte setions.
Picture of the vsole on the PW against the T200 PW.
Summary of first impressions
Things I like:
Thinks I don't like/not sure of yet:
I'll report back once I have a chance to hit them and get some impressions there.
**Disclaimer**: I'm nowhere as good of a reviewer as @Jman @Canadan or @ddec but going to give it my best. I do use my T200's as a comparison even though they really are different categories of irons because....well....this is what I got. Oh and ignore the feet in the unboxing video.
My goal is to give you guys 3 different opinions: First impressions ( including an unboxing video ), hitting impressions after I hit them on my hitting mat/net, and playing impressions as I plan to play a couple of rounds with them to get a feel for them on course. So without much further ado, let's get going.
First Impressions
Onboxing video.
The irons themselves look really good. They use 3 different finishes: shiny polished, matte brushed, and a dimpled/hammered looking finish. Together, they really work for me. Has very classic lines from the back as you can see from the 6i and PW comparisons below. And as much as I didn't realize it, I am really digging having the degree stamped and filled in red against the sole. Looks amazing in person.
The size of the heads are a bit on the larger side but nothing out of the norm. I did notice a lot more heel height on the blade with the UHX irons than as comparison to my T200's. Also has a much more rounded topline. Topline is also much thicker which not sure I like visually. Have to wait to see it behind the ball and hit them to see how I react to it. The sole however, is damn nice. I can't want to see how it gets the clubs through the fake turf on my matt ( have 2 textures to try) as well as through natural grass. Looks way more like a nice wedge sole than a standard iron sole.
The irons come in a modified blended set. From the 4 thru the 7, you get the same hollow body look and feel you see in the 6i pictures below. From the 8i down, you get the semi-cavity back setup which is really interesting the closer you look at it. The entire upper face almost looks like its an add on to a full cavity back setup. See the detailed picture of the back of the PW to see what I mean. I'll be spending some time between the 7 and 8 to see what difference I can tell on strikes. The offsets in them are really pleasing but I prefer less offset in the irons than most people.
The small details in the irons are pretty impressive. I;ve taken a few pictures below to show the ones I've picked up on so far. The 8i down cavity section and the sole shape really stand out. The sole shape intrigues me the most because I consider the T-series ( including my T200 ) as some of the best turf interaction I have ever had in an iron. I could see these being as good if not better depending on how well the v-sole shape works on these irons.
6 iron comparisons
Left picture shows the different surface textures. Right picture shows the faces and the UHX ( right ) having a more rounded top line and more heel height in the face. Topline is below ( UHX is on the left ) and shows the biggest difference. Very thick topline.
Pitching Wedge comparisons
Left picture shows the different surface textures on the lower irons. Right picture shows the faces and the UHX ( right ) having a not as much of a difference but still a very nice wide face. Almost reminds me of pictures of the RTX wedges in the shape. Topline is below ( UHX is on the left ) and looks a lot less thick at the higher angles.
Detailed Pictures
Detailed back of the Pitching Wedge. The entire "Launcher UHX" section from the 8i down to the D wedge has a cut around it which isolates it from the main body of the iron. Also gives you a good view of the hammered finish on the back as it matches up with the polished and matte setions.
Picture of the vsole on the PW against the T200 PW.
Summary of first impressions
Things I like:
- Visually appealing - really pretty irons. Great use of different textures
- V-sole looks like its going to go through the turf like a hot knife through butter
- Blended set between the hollow body and semi cavity back lower irons
- Love the stamping
- Size of the face is really confidence inspiring from a "miss protection" perspective.
Thinks I don't like/not sure of yet:
- Topline - visually its to thick for me. Might change as I hit it but hard to get over as it draws the eye.
- Small nit pick but with the splash of color they used int he degree stamping, I would have liked to see maybe that same red highlight the back of the irons somewhere.
- On the upper irons ( 4i and 5i ), the booty pokes out quite a bit ( back of the iron ). Its a bit distracting on the eye for me.
I'll report back once I have a chance to hit them and get some impressions there.