Compare Cleveland Golf Drivers

By Matt Manco
Cleveland Golf has established itself as a premier golf club manufacturer.
Cleveland Golf has established itself as a premier golf club manufacturer.

Cleveland Golf makes some of the most recognizable drivers on the market. A constantly evolving manufacturer, Cleveland has moved from "Distance Driven Geometry" into 2010's "Lighter is Longer" believing a lighter clubhead can increase swing speed, resulting in longer drives. As of 2010, PGA Tour professionals Vijay Singh, Boo Weekly and Woody Austin play Cleveland drivers.

Types

Cleveland Golf has two flagship drivers, the Launcher and the HiBore, each with unique designs and technology to aid specific golfers. The HiBore features a scooped crown meant to lower the clubhead's center of gravity; the lower CG helps slower swingers get the ball airborne. The Launcher has a more traditional shape, which hides the progressive weighting technology used by Cleveland in its 2009 and 2010 models.

Features

The HiBore Monster XLS was updated in 2009 with three external weights at the rear of the club to lower the center of gravity, max out the moment of inertia and create more uniform ball speed across the clubface. The nontraditional head shape can take some getting used to, but despite all the radical looks, the Monster XLS has a natural weighting and a square face angle. The Launcher DST weighs less than 300g, which the company claims increases swing speed 3 to 5mph. The 2009 Launcher is a mid-launch, mid-spin 460cc driver with a horseshoe-shaped weight in the sole for more stability.

Benefits

The shallow face and low CG of the HiBore series promote a higher ball flight.

The HiBore is a square driver but has a natural weighting and a square face angle so it is not strictly a "hacker's driver." The Launcher DST removed 30g from the previous year's model through a lighter clubhead and a stock shaft weighing less than 45g. The Launcher DST is still a mid-launch driver with enough workability to please better players.

Function

The square head, scooped crown and shallow face of the HiBore promotes a high and straight ball flight, which will help high handicap players and slow swingers find more fairways. Cleveland offers every driver in its line in both Tour and Draw models. Tour models have a slightly open face angle with fade-biased weighting, while Draw models are heel weighted with a slightly closed face.

Considerations

While Cleveland has only two drivers in its line, the company makes both models versatile enough for players of all skill levels. Players needing forgiveness and a distance boost off the tee can still benefit from a Launcher DST Draw. Elite players might find the HiBore fits their game better because of the consistent high launch and straight ball flight.

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