Back in August, we featured a new release from Cleveland Golf called the Launcher XL. As part of that line, the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood seemed to get a bit lost in the shuffle…Part hybrid, part fairway wood, where does it fit in the bag?

When we put it to the test in the THP Tech Studio however, it quickly became one of the favorites and something that could help a lot of golfers. Bridging the gap from woods to irons has never been easy. Be it through higher lofted fairway woods, hybrids, utility irons, etc.
This new breed is upon us, something that could offer the distance of those higher lofted fairway woods, in a package that might just be easier to hit. Rather than continue to extoll the benefits, we hopped into the hitting bay to tell you all about it.
We kick off the video below, with an overhead view discussing some of the technology that makes the Hy-Wood unique. From there, we take some swings in the hitting bay of the Tech Studio and show the data and of course finish it up with the table view breaking down what you just saw.
After watching the video above, is this a club that would fit into your bag? If so, where would it slot and what would it replace?
For more information on the Hy-Wood or any of the entire line of Cleveland Launcher XL, check out their website at www.clevelandgolf.com.




OK, got my Hywood as I was walking out the door to play a round yesterday. Got to hit it twice from very short light rough. Both times hit a low stinger about 180-185 yrds into the 10-15 mph wind. Just wondering if anyone had a “break in” time with the club before hitting it consistently? I got the club in stiff flex (driver -s, irons – s, fairway w and uw in MPF Pro R fllex)
[QUOTE=”Wantacigar, post: 11321232, member: 72175″]
OK, got my Hywood as I was walking out the door to play a round yesterday. Got to hit it twice from very short light rough. Both times hit a low stinger about 180-185 yrds into the 10-15 mph wind. Just wondering if anyone had a “break in” time with the club before hitting it consistently? I got the club in stiff flex (driver -s, irons – s, fairway w and uw in MPF Pro R fllex)
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No sir. First swing was a straight missile and hasn’t left the bag since.
Going to spend some range time with it this week. See if I can get any consistency with it. I have the Maltby Hywood 21* UW that I just love. This reminds me of it with a little more toe up lie.
Apologies if this has been answered within this thread, I have searched and not found anything definitive.
I have a g425 5w that I can’t hit to save my life and looking really hard at the hy-wood… It looks like the head is identical to the 3h and maybe the only difference is the shaft (both length and weight) and the counter weight, is that correct?
Is that where the “secret sauce” is or is there something different in the head? Anyone hit and own both that can speak to the difference?
I’m ready to pull the trigger on something to get in my bag to follow the driver, the 3w and 5w are failing me miserably. Thanks!
[QUOTE=”martybauer31, post: 11323773, member: 71339″]
Apologies if this has been answered within this thread, I have searched and not found anything definitive.
I have a g425 5w that I can’t hit to save my life and looking really hard at the hy-wood… It looks like the head is identical to the 3h and maybe the only difference is the shaft (both length and weight) and the counter weight, is that correct?
Is that where the “secret sauce” is or is there something different in the head? Anyone hit and own both that can speak to the difference?
I’m ready to pull the trigger on something to get in my bag to follow the driver, the 3w and 5w are failing me miserably. Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
No secret sauce. The Hywood and the 3 hybrid are the exact same club except the shaft of the Hywood is 1″ longer. But it costs $20 more and you can’t customize with different shafts. Doesn’t really make sense to me. Just get the 3 hybrid and order it with a 1″ longer shaft(for free). Plus you can order it with any other shaft that may fit you better.
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11323991, member: 44947″]
No secret sauce. The Hywood and the 3 hybrid are the exact same club except the shaft of the Hywood is 1″ longer. But it costs $20 more and you can’t customize with different shafts. Doesn’t really make sense to me. Just get the 3 hybrid and order it with a 1″ longer shaft(for free). Plus you can order it with any other shaft that may fit you better.
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I’d actually prefer it to be shorter to be honest, the longer clubs in my bag just get tougher and tougher to hit. It’s funny because I’m 6’3″ and all my irons are +1″, but I don’t extend the woods or hybrids as I seem to have WAY less control….
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11323991, member: 44947″]
No secret sauce. The Hywood and the 3 hybrid are the exact same club except the shaft of the Hywood is 1″ longer. But it costs $20 more and you can’t customize with different shafts. Doesn’t really make sense to me. Just get the 3 hybrid and order it with a 1″ longer shaft(for free). Plus you can order it with any other shaft that may fit you better.
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The faces on the Hy-wood and the hybrids are different.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11324007, member: 50607″]
The faces on the Hy-wood and the hybrids are different.
[/QUOTE]
Seems like I had read that somewhere before, maybe that the Hy-Wood face is a little deeper than the Hybrid?
The HyWood has a much lower COG than the hybrids or the woods. If I tee off with it I can’t use a tee because it gets up in the air so quickly and effortlessly.
[QUOTE=”Hacker67, post: 11324033, member: 71565″]
The HyWood has a much lower COG than the hybrids or the woods. If I tee off with it I can’t use a tee because it gets up in the air so quickly and effortlessly.
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Welp, Hy-Wood it is then, it’s shorter than my G425 5W by 1″ so should feel a bit more manageable, thanks!
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11326921, member: 46311″]
I wonder if they will keep the Hy-Wood in rotation when they update the Halo line. The recent price drop makes me wonder if we are going to see a new one in the near future.
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Interesting. I’m not sure how they can improve it, but sure they will say a new one is even better than before….
Welp… I ordered one, this is all your fault…. ????
The worst part is it will show up while I’m out of town next week. ?
[QUOTE=”mantan, post: 11327421, member: 51648″]
Interesting. I’m not sure how they can improve it, but sure they will say a new one is even better than before….
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It’s a little spiny, the whole line is but they’re meant to be easy to hit and get airborne and not optimized for distance. They’ll keep tinkering
[QUOTE=”Wantacigar, post: 11321232, member: 72175″]
OK, got my Hywood as I was walking out the door to play a round yesterday. Got to hit it twice from very short light rough. Both times hit a low stinger about 180-185 yrds into the 10-15 mph wind. Just wondering if anyone had a “break in” time with the club before hitting it consistently? I got the club in stiff flex (driver -s, irons – s, fairway w and uw in MPF Pro R fllex)
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Not really, but I ordered mine just for the head and reshafted it right away.
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331469, member: 46311″]
Has anybody changed shafts in their Hy-Wood? I have an extra hy-wood and I am considering putting a smoke red in at the same length.
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Remember I got mine and pulled the head the same day I got it.
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11323991, member: 44947″]
No secret sauce. The Hywood and the 3 hybrid are the exact same club except the shaft of the Hywood is 1″ longer. But it costs $20 more and you can’t customize with different shafts. Doesn’t really make sense to me. Just get the 3 hybrid and order it with a 1″ longer shaft(for free). Plus you can order it with any other shaft that may fit you better.
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This isn’t exactly accurate, but you do you.
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331683, member: 46311″]
What did you put in?
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[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11331648, member: 22002″]
This isn’t exactly accurate, but you do you.
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I am going by Clevelands website. Can you show me what is different? Someone said the faces are different but I can’t find any info to confirm that.
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11331694, member: 44947″]
I am going by Clevelands website. Can you show me what is different? Someone said the faces are different but I can’t find any info to confirm that.
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I read that the HyWood had the same face as the Launcher XL FW and the Halo Hybrid was a different face. If I’m wrong, I stand corrected.
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11331721, member: 22002″]
I read that the HyWood had the same face as the Launcher XL FW and the Halo Hybrid was a different fave. If I’m wrong, I stand corrected.
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I am not 100%. I was just going by what I have read on Clevelands website and comparing the photos. If you can find info as to the face or any other differences, I would be genuinely interested in knowing as well.
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331722, member: 46311″]
Hy-Wood 18* and 3H. Face is definitely different.
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Interesting. The pictures on Clevelands website look the same when overlayed(except for the lines). The Hy-Wood is the top and the Halo is the bottom.[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”1677434941585.png”]9160293[/ATTACH]
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[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331744, member: 46311″]
So you don’t think that makes it different? Ok.
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What makes a difference?
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11331750, member: 44947″]
What makes a difference?
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[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331722, member: 46311″]
Hy-Wood 18* and 3H. Face is definitely different.
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The HyWood has the FW face, so I was correct on that.
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Pictured is the FW face shot from Cleveland’s website.
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11331759, member: 22002″]
The HyWood has the FW face, so I was correct on that.
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”B9DCCFFF-6C1F-4993-93B3-03E7679F57C2.jpeg”]9160295[/ATTACH]
Pictured is the FW face shot from Cleveland’s website.
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I guess I’m not understanding the difference. How can you tell the face is made differently? To me the face seems exactly the same shape/size. The only difference I see is the lines.
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11331762, member: 46311″]
Does that make it……different?
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In the interest of full disclosure what I built when I pulled the head and reshafted the HyWood was an “Accuracy Build” with mine playing at 40”. So I can’t really comment on the standard stock build. But this club has worked for me and keeps finding it’s way back in my bag as a 5W replacement.
[QUOTE=”rlb4, post: 11331769, member: 44947″]
I guess I’m not understanding the difference. How can you tell the face is made differently? To me the face seems exactly the same shape/size. The only difference I see is the lines.
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I think the material is the same but the design & sound are different.
Like I said, what I built is like a FrankenHyWood, it’s playing at 40” (1.5 inches short of stock) and has an 80 gram Hybrid shaft (Stock is a 40 gram Cypher Hybrid shaft). I’m not exactly playing the same exact club as everyone else in this thread.
But [USER=46311]@Danimal[/USER] has a HyWood spare head and is thinking about a Franken Build of his own, so I’m throwing my thoughts out there.
OK, so, I’ve played 2 rounds with the HyWood. I like it. I’m getting more of a mid-trajectory like a FW flight. I have to set up like a hybrid with the ball just forward of center stance. Make sure I don’t over swing. Even with the stiff shaft I get about 190-205 yds. 230 yd drive to the left side of fairway and Hywood uphill into a 10-15 mph wind to within 63 yds dead center fairway on a 480 yd par 5. Felt really nice coming off the face. Made a 22 ft. putt for the birdie:D. This club stays in the bag. It was about 41 degrees also
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11342821, member: 46311″]
Franken HyWood is ready for pick up. I will get it out this weekend. RDX Smoke Red @ 41“.
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So you took 1/2 inch off and counter weight out?
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11342901, member: 46311″]
Yep. We will see how it goes.
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Can’t wait to hear your feedback.
[QUOTE=”Danimal, post: 11347248, member: 46311″]
Played 18 today with the new and improved Hy-Wood. So glad I tried the new shaft, trajectory came back into the mid range and I was able to bomb a few down range. 215-225 with a lot more accuracy than I was getting before. He will remain in the bag the rest of the year for sure. I think that Cypher shaft is fine, but I was getting a lot of drifting, spinny shots with it.
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The FrankenHyWood!!!
Think I will be joining this cult soon…
[QUOTE=”smellysell, post: 11350459, member: 41947″]
Think I will be joining this cult soon…
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[media=giphy]KvV2HCFTvpepO[/media]
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11350467, member: 22002″]
[media=giphy]KvV2HCFTvpepO[/media]
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Trying to resist the urge to buy this and a UW! ?
Very tempted as well :unsure:
[QUOTE=”jbb2388, post: 11350612, member: 67726″]
Very tempted as well :unsure:
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We should do it
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11331806, member: 22002″]
I think the material is the same but the design & sound are different.
Like I said, what I built is like a FrankenHyWood, it’s playing at 40” (1.5 inches short of stock) and has an 80 gram Hybrid shaft (Stock is a 40 gram Cypher Hybrid shaft). I’m not exactly playing the same exact club as everyone else in this thread.
But [USER=46311]@Danimal[/USER] has a HyWood spare head and is thinking about a Franken Build of his own, so I’m throwing my thoughts out there.
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Sounds like something I would do.
[QUOTE=”Karl, post: 11350917, member: 22697″]
Sounds like something I would do.
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It’s a great build, I love it.
The FrankenHywood is an interesting concept. My club builder was talking about my bag and things I liked, didn’t like. The Hywood has been one of the better clubs in my bag. The one minor change i’d like is a shorter shaft.
I was hoping the accuracy build was still available as an option as they blowing them out for $159, but they aren’t. I don’t want to mess with the original, but am considering taking a flier on a backup to tinker with.
Does anyone know what the face angle is supposed to be? Square?
[USER=22002]@JDax[/USER] what shaft did you put into your build?
[QUOTE=”Scooby45, post: 11351674, member: 62865″]
[USER=22002]@JDax[/USER] what shaft did you put into your build?
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[ATTACH type=”full”]9162151[/ATTACH]
Matrix Altus Tour H8 Stiff
I bought this club last fall when I saw a deal on it, and it has been fantastic for me. As a person who got back into golf during Covid, this has been an absolute dream for my second shot on par 5s where I play. I personally wish they had a 22/23 degree version.
I have a question on the grip and counterbalance. It could just be QC issue with mine, but the end of the grip on mine has movement for the last inch or so. Is this normal with the counter-balance or is it an issue with the grip installation? I passed it off last fall playing and just choked up a bit, but as I’m regripping a few of my clubs, I figured I’d address this now if there was an issue.
[QUOTE=”JDax, post: 11351704, member: 22002″]
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”481B9578-2F06-456E-A9AF-5221DA90035B.jpeg”]9162151[/ATTACH]
Matrix Altus Tour H8 Stiff
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Good old matrix shafts ?.
The hywood has lower COG than the regular Halo hybrid. But neither Hywood or Halo hybrid is hot off the face.
I wish the made a 15* hywood. Because the Halo 3 wood is horrible off the deck.
[QUOTE=”henchman24, post: 11352218, member: 74814″]I have a question on the grip and counterbalance. It could just be QC issue with mine, but the end of the grip on mine has movement for the last inch or so. Is this normal with the counter-balance or is it an issue with the grip installation? I passed it off last fall playing and just choked up a bit, but as I’m regripping a few of my clubs, I figured I’d address this now if there was an issue.
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To anybody experiencing this, pure quality control issue. Regripped it and all is good now.
I had a grip, re-gripped and the GG person said there was no counter balance weight. I re-gripped the next one and I saw the CB weight. So, maybe he didn’t notice it was there or only some of them had the weight? I’ll know more as I regrip them. I think the CB weight was pure marketing and doesn’t affect it much.
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 11367654, member: 44136″]
I had a grip, re-gripped and the GG person said there was no counter balance weight. I re-gripped the next one and I saw the CB weight. So, maybe he didn’t notice it was there or only some of them had the weight? I’ll know more as I regrip them. I think the CB weight was pure marketing and doesn’t affect it much.
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The ‘accuracy’ build trims an inch off the shaft (must resist joke) and pulls out the weight. Mine had the weight as a little blue 8g insert.
[QUOTE=”henchman24, post: 11367779, member: 74814″]
The ‘accuracy’ build trims an inch off the shaft (must resist joke) and pulls out the weight. Mine had the weight as a little blue 8g insert.
[/QUOTE]
8 grams isn’t much in a grip too. There’s bigger differences in grip sizes and styles.
[QUOTE=”Karl, post: 11367892, member: 22697″]
8 grams isn’t much in a grip too. There’s bigger differences in grip sizes and styles.
[/QUOTE]
It’s one swing weight.
Finally broke out the hywood today on the course… I wasn’t going to because I hadn’t spent any time hitting it in my sim and so wanted to practice with it a bit first.
Needless to say, a horrible day with my driver forced me to put it away and break it out on the back 9. I hit it 6 times… duffed a couple short, topped one and hit one fat, straight ahead (108 and 140 or so yards, trying to figure out where to tee them up)… the other 4 straight as an arrow and in the fairway, went slightly over 200 (zero roll, fairways are soggy). Needless to say, super happy with 4 of 6 and right where I wanted them to be! 🙂