Tested By You: Cleveland Launcher CBX Irons

Expert fitting technician Martin Conner helps 18-handicap reader Ian Trevers find the right Cleveland Launcher CBX iron spec for his game

(Image credit: chris catchpole)

Expert fitting technician Martin Conner fits 18-handicap reader Ian Trevers into the new Cleveland Launcher CBX irons with impressive results

Tested By You: Cleveland Launcher CBX Irons

Launcher was a popular franchise for Cleveland Golf for many years, and with the brand’s return to the woods and irons market this year, it’s no surprise the company should have turned once more to this particular sub-brand.

Among the new Launcher range are two very different-looking irons – the CBX and HB models – targeting golfers looking for varying levels of assistance in different areas.

Cleveland CBX-iron

The new Cleveland Launcher CBX iron

The CBX set boasts a forgiving cavity back with larger, easier-to-hit long irons and a V-shaped sole for improved turf interaction; HB features a hollow design that promotes easy launch, combining hybrid-style long irons with short irons that retain a more classic look at address.

We asked Cleveland Golf Europe’s UK fitting technician, Martin Conner, to help 18-handicap reader Ian Trevers find the right Launcher iron model and specification for his game in an in-depth custom fitting at West Hill Golf Club in Surrey...

Name: Ian Trevers Handicap: 18 Club: West Hill GC Fitted for: Cleveland Launcher CBX

Fitter Martin Conner's analysis Ian struggles for consistency with his current S300 shafts, with 6-iron spin too low at 5,300rpm.

An R300 shaft in our CBX iron didn’t help much, but the Miyazaki C Kua graphite shaft in stiff not only got spin rates up to 5,700rpm, but also reduced sidespin, improved dispersion and increased ball speed from 110mph to 120mph, meaning 14 yards more carry.

Ian Trevers made lots of gains in his Cleveland Launcher CBX iron fittin

Switching to the Launcher HB model in the 4-iron helped him launch it better. We went 2˚ upright and 1/4in longer to iron out Ian’s toe strikes.

Ian Trever’s feedback and custom-fitting evaluation "I learned a lot from my first custom-fitting. I’ve always thought I’m a fairly regular build, so standard clubs would be fine, but it seems my irons don’t fit me very well – I had no idea I was consistently striking the ball from the toe.

Going 2˚ upright and 1/4in longer improved Ian's striking no end

I was hoping for improved accuracy, but 14 yards more 6-iron carry was a surprising bonus. I’ve generally struggled with longer irons, but the HB 4-iron was great.

My home course is quite tight, so I need a reliable longer iron to just get it in play sometimes. I’m really looking forward to trying my new irons."

Ian’s Stats 6-iron ball speed - Before: 110mph, After: 120mph - up 10mph 6-iron carry - Before: 154 yards; After: 170 yards - up 16 yards

Jeremy Ellwood
Contributing Editor

Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is now a freelance journalist writing mainly for Golf Monthly. He is an expert on the Rules of Golf having qualified through an R&A course to become a golf referee. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all of the Top 100 plus 91 of the Next 100, making him well-qualified when it comes to assessing and comparing our premier golf courses. He has now played 1,000 golf courses worldwide in 35 countries, from the humblest of nine-holers in the Scottish Highlands to the very grandest of international golf resorts. He reached the 1,000 mark on his 60th birthday in October 2023 on Vale do Lobo's Ocean course. Put him on a links course anywhere and he will be blissfully content.

Jezz can be contacted via Twitter - @JezzEllwoodGolf


Jeremy is currently playing...

Driver: Ping G425 LST 10.5˚ (draw setting), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55 S shaft

3 wood: Ping G425 Max 15˚ (set to flat +1), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65 S shaft

Hybrid: Ping G425 17˚, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 S shaft

Irons 3-PW: Ping i525, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 50˚ and 54˚, 12˚ bounce, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts

Putter: Ping Fetch 2021 model, 33in shaft (set flat 2)

Ball: Varies but mostly now TaylorMade Tour Response