Expert Comparison: TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver vs Cleveland Launcher XL Driver

Published on 02/01/2024 · 6 min readCompare TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver and Cleveland Launcher XL Driver. Get expert insight below!
Victor Maldonado, Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Michael V, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Victor Maldonado, Ari T, Michael V, Jeremy Brown, Aaron Rogers and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver
Out of stock
Cleveland Launcher XL Driver
Price
$349.99
40% off
$199.99
50% off
User rating
4.9(100)
4.81(42)
The Curated Take

Best for golfers struggling with a slice, offering forgiveness and distance.

Best for golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and straight, long shots.

Gender
Men's
Men's
Club Type
Drivers
Drivers
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the right driver can make all the difference. Today, we're comparing two top-notch drivers: the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver and the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver. Both drivers are designed with the latest technology to enhance your game, but they each have their unique strengths. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is a slice-fighting powerhouse with a revolutionary carbon face, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is a forgiving beast that's easy to launch and hit long. Both drivers are ideal for golfers looking for forgiveness and distance, but the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is particularly suited for those struggling with a slice. On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is perfect for beginner and intermediate golfers wanting maximum forgiveness and a large clubhead that inspires confidence. In the end, the choice between these two drivers comes down to your specific needs and preferences on the golf course.

The TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is a game-changer for golfers struggling with a slice. This driver is designed with a revolutionary carbon face technology that takes performance to a new level. The carbon face is lighter than titanium, increasing club head speed and ball speeds, which ultimately helps golfers gain distance. The HD model stands for "High Draw", making this club perfect for golfers who struggle with a slice or a bad cut. The added face bias enhances forgiveness across the entire face, making it one of the most forgiving drivers by TaylorMade.

The Stealth HD Driver also features an adjustable hosel design for ultimate customization, allowing golfers to fine-tune their settings for optimal performance. The driver is also equipped with a Fujikura Air Speeder stock shaft, which is lighter in weight, making it easier to transition the club head through the ball. This driver is not only designed to help fix a slice but also to provide a premium feel, extra forgiveness, and distance. However, it's worth noting that this driver may not be ideal for golfers who have a natural draw or hook, or for those who like to shape their shots.

The TaylorMade Stealth driver is one of the greatest driver innovations of the past decade. The Carbon Fiber face is so much lighter than titanium and therefore increases club head speed and ball speeds. All of this will help any golfer gain distance. The HD model stands for "High Draw", which means that this club is perfect for the golfer that struggles with a slice or a bad cut. There is added face bias to enhance forgiveness across the entire face.

Victor Maldonado
Golf Expert

The Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is an excellent pick for beginner and intermediate golfers wanting maximum forgiveness, a large clubhead that inspires confidence, and a mid to lightweight feel. This driver is designed with a Rebound Frame that features two flex zones, alternating zones of flexibility and rigidity that direct more energy into the golf ball for increased ball speed and distance on every shot.

The XL Head Design of the driver is huge, providing a bigger sweet spot and an MOI of 5,200 g-cm2, making it the most forgiving driver Cleveland has ever made. This design, combined with a high launch from low-and-deep weighting, allows golfers to enjoy maximum distance with maximum fun. The driver also features an Action Mass CB, an 8g weight placed inside the end of the grip, which delivers better balance for more control without extra effort.

The Cleveland Launcher XL Driver also comes with an adjustable hosel, allowing golfers to adjust their loft from 9 to 12 degrees to optimize their launch angle, distance, and shot shape. However, some golfers may find the clubhead's size and shape to be a bit bulky or unconventional, and the sound to be a bit loud and metallic.

The Cleveland Launcher XL is a very forgiving driver that is easy to launch and hit long. Not the most workable, it just likes to go long and straight. Good adjustability from the hosel adapter so the loft and ball flight bias can be tweaked. Solid feel, the sound is a little on the louder side. It's easy to turn over and hit a draw. Very solid option for someone who wants to make it easy to hit it long and straight down the fairway.

Ari T
Golf Expert

Similarities

Both the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver and the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver are designed with the latest technology to enhance your game on the golf course. They both offer exceptional forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who struggle with inconsistent shots. Both drivers also feature adjustable hosels, allowing golfers to fine-tune their settings for optimal performance.

In terms of design, both drivers have a large clubhead that inspires confidence at address. They also both feature innovative face technologies - the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver with its carbon face and the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver with its Rebound Frame - that increase ball speed and distance on every shot.

Both drivers are also designed to help golfers achieve a high launch, with the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver featuring a lightweight Fujikura Air Speeder stock shaft and the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver featuring a low-and-deep weighting design.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both drivers offer exceptional performance, they cater to slightly different golfing personas. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is particularly suited for golfers struggling with a slice. Its "High Draw" design and added face bias make it a great investment for those who want to fix their slice without sacrificing performance. This driver is also ideal for golfers who prefer a premium feel and extra forgiveness. However, it may not be the best choice for golfers who have a natural draw or hook, or for those who like to shape their shots.

On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is perfect for beginner and intermediate golfers wanting maximum forgiveness and a large clubhead that inspires confidence. Its Rebound Frame and XL Head Design make it one of the most forgiving drivers on the market, and its adjustable hosel allows golfers to optimize their launch angle, distance, and shot shape. However, some golfers may find the clubhead's size and shape to be a bit bulky or unconventional, and the sound to be a bit loud and metallic.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

  1. Forgiveness: Both drivers offer exceptional forgiveness, but the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver edges out with its larger clubhead and higher MOI, making it the winner in this category.
  2. Distance: Both drivers are designed to increase ball speed and distance, but the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver's carbon face technology gives it a slight edge in this category.
  3. Adjustability: Both drivers feature adjustable hosels, but the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver offers a wider range of loft adjustments, making it the winner in this category.
  4. Sound and Feel: The TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is reported to have a premium feel, while some golfers have found the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver to sound a bit loud and metallic. Therefore, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver wins in this category.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver and the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver are top-notch drivers that can significantly enhance your game on the golf course. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is a slice-fighting powerhouse with a revolutionary carbon face, making it ideal for golfers struggling with a slice. On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is a forgiving beast that's easy to launch and hit long, making it perfect for beginner and intermediate golfers wanting maximum forgiveness and a large clubhead that inspires confidence.

While both drivers offer exceptional performance, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences on the golf course. If you're struggling with a slice and want a driver that offers a premium feel and extra forgiveness, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver is the way to go. But if you're a beginner or intermediate golfer looking for a driver that's easy to launch and hit long, the Cleveland Launcher XL Driver is a solid choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these drivers. Happy golfing!

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