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.
1st swing with the Hy-Wood:View attachment 9035941
From the tee box:
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What yardage are you looking for this club to go?
I’m looking for 180ish if I was being honest with myself. I’m not going to get that now with the temps and the wet conditions.
We’re unbelievably similar. Almost exactly the same, lol. I was in PGASS today and averaged 86/128.
I went in looking to try the HyWood but the only demo shaft they had was stiff flex. I hit the 425, Mizuno, Sim Max2, and TSi. I ordered the Titleist 18* and 21* it looked good to my eye, and the adjustability really helped me with these.
I almost ordered a 24* also but stopped myself. I was in there to cancel a G425 Max driver I ordered the end of June which just got pushed back again until December, so the two hybrids were just about a wash $$$ wise. I didn’t want to go out of pocket for the 24*until I see how these perform out on the grass In real conditions.
I liked it so much that I picked up a 21* and 23* HyWay from Golfworks. They are very much the same idea – feel a little more tinny but play the same. I found the 23* (with the shaft at 40" as the head is 9 wood weight) gave me me the proper gapping from the HyWood and my 25* hybrid (which is 38.5").
I’m excited to hear all of the people that have tried this club are liking it…
My Hy-wood replaced my 5-wood. The distance for me was identical, but Hy-wood was much more consistent for me…. especially off the deck.
The top of my bag is driver, hy-wood, 4-hybrid.
I’m not carrying a 5W, the HyWood went head to head with the Epic Super Hybrid for a spot in my bag… The HyWood won. Better numbers at a lower price point…
For me and my bag make up, I attempt not to carry two club with the same yardage profile. But it is interesting how you are using those two clubs.
I have the 5w and 7w. They are both outstanding. I like fairway woods as opposed to hybrids. The 5w is 18 degrees and it is easy to launch.
I go 3+/Hy-Wood/5i
This is what i have done as well. Although I have the 16 degree SH. The gapping is not a problem between the two at all.
Well they carry the same but, in most conditions, the Super Hybrid ends up 10-15 yards farther due to roll. Plus the Super Hybrid is pretty much immune to wind. HyWood is 205 and Super Hybrid 215-220 (I have hit in the 240-250 range on hard fairways).
I currently live vicariously through you.
The man has convictions. Swung it twice in tech studio and went home and ordered it that day.
I feel like I too would need a shaft change haha
They only had R shafts when I placed my order, had to rebuild ????…
damn straight, what’s a man to do…
Put the driver in timeout on 14 and the hywood hit every fairway down the stretch.
It makes me wonder if the Cleveland Launcher XL driver has the same magic.
The driver is really good.
lol! Not what I needed to hear! The driver (G425) issue seems to be shaft related. I threw a Rogue White into it the last couple of rounds and it’s just not a good fit for me. I had a major hook/block issue with it. I threw the Alta back in it and took it to the range. It was back to a 5-10 yard draw and a fairway finder. But the Hy-wood was so dead straight and performed with whatever swing I put on it that I’m curious about the other Cleveland woods.
There is a demo day next Saturday. I’m going to check it out then.
Talk to me about the hybrid…..
Sorry. Like the whole set so much I couldn’t help it. As for the halo hybrid. It is a solid club that gets off the ground effortlessly. It hits crisp and the distance is amazing. I have the 3 hybrid and hit it 215 – 230 yards with a nice and smooth swing. Really easy to hit. Hope this helps.
Hmm, it’s on my list. I have the G425 4H that’s still under the PGATourSS playability guarantee. I like it, but not as much as the old G410. It was an impulse purchase I made when the G410 got a loose head the day before a tournament. I like the Hywood so much that it’s making me wonder..
I’m on such a Cleveland kick. CBX2 wedges, Frontline putter, UHX 5-iron…Hy-wood. The Srixon 6-P are set in the bag. But PING driver and hybrid are looking at all the bag invaders.
One of my shots from Saturday – 1 hour delay because of Frost and 50* when I hit this shot
So Wet and Cold:
View attachment 9038223
In the mid summer when it’s hotter and dryer, this is I’d guess 190ish or more.
Exactly what I want from this club – Eat Yards.
One of my playing partners was so impressed with the HyWood, he went straight to Edwin Watts to test it out after the round.
fwiw I thought the G425 4H was a great club (mine had Tensei Orange stiff). I ended up selling it because…well….new stuff. I now have the Halo 5H w/stiff, then go to my F9 3H. The Halo 5H took a bit to dial in – it swings a bit heavier than the G425. I still have G425 6H and 7H. I’ve sorted the 5H but if I still had the G425 5H I wouldn’t be that sad. Both are solid clubs.
Would the general census be that these are being used to replace 4/5 woods. i doubt you could get close to 3 wood numbers/distance with these.
I have the hywood and a 16* degree ESH. The Hywood is a great 5W replacement. The SH can easily touch 3W length for me. From what I’ve seen in the UW thread people are seeing the same.
Well-we’re-waiting.gif
View attachment 9041981
Not getting the height @JDax is getting however like the distance (Wanted it to be a 200 yard club) and the smash factor. Tried a couple shafts and we agreed that the stock option was just fine for me.
You went for a single club fitting there? If so how much is that?
seems like a solid option. How high do you normally hit the ball these days, esp with something like a 3H or 5w?
A bit tied up with THP Travel to our Experiences.
More coming soon though.
Looked like a few bullets there. Is that normal with a 5w for you?
@Vortex was a witness to the greatness of this club.
Here is from the beginning of the year with a Mavrik 4 Wood:
View attachment 9042153
I’m averaging more club speed, ball speed and SF with the Hy-Wood. Looks like my attack angle just isn’t as good yesterday than it was in January.