Expert Comparison: Cleveland Launcher XL Irons vs Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons

Published on 02/06/2024 · 6 min readCompare Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons. Get expert insight below!
David L. Brown, Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Brady Maag, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert David L. Brown, Ari T, Brady Maag, Vincent P., Jacob Wetzel and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Best seller
Cleveland Launcher XL Irons
Out of stock
Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons
Price
$399.97
56% off
from:$457.12
27% off
User rating
4.69(68)
4.84(38)
The Curated Take

Best for high-handicap golfers seeking forgiveness, launch, and distance.

Best for players with slower swing speeds, including seniors and beginners; maximizing forgiveness and distance.

Iron Set Type
Iron Set
Iron Set
Player type
Game improvement
Super game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are two top-tier products that have been making waves. Both are designed to enhance your game, but they do so in different ways. The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are known for their impressive distance and forgiveness, making them a solid choice for mid-tier handicappers looking to level up. On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are designed for those seeking ultimate forgiveness in a lighter weight set, making them ideal for slower swingers. Both sets of irons are packed with innovative features and technology, but the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons edge out in terms of distance, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons shine in terms of forgiveness and ease of use.

The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are a game-changer for those looking to gain more distance in their mid-range game. These irons are designed with mid-tier handicappers in mind, offering a solid option for those wanting to take their game to the next level. The clubs tested were the 2021 model with a 1mm offset, a steel—True Temper 95 shaft, and a regular shaft flex.

The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are known for their impressive distance, often outperforming other irons on the market. They offer a consistent length that is an asset to any golfer. The forgiveness of these irons is also noteworthy, with off-centered hits still traveling a long way and rarely straying far from the target line.

The feel of these irons is another highlight. Golfers can easily tell where they made contact with the ball, whether it was hit off the toe, heel, or center. The sound is a normal tinging that feels crisp to the ear, a far cry from the loud pinging sounds notorious with past Cleveland irons and woods.

The aesthetic appeal of these irons is also worth mentioning. They feature a sleek silver head with a black and blue cavity and the Cleveland Launcher logo on the backside.

Despite their many strengths, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons do have a few issues. The launch angle is higher than some golfers might prefer, and the default Lamkin grips can feel slippery to some. However, these minor issues are easily outweighed by the many benefits these irons offer.

The Cleveland Launcher XL irons unlock a crazy amount of distance. If someone wants to increase their distance and consistency in their mid-range so they can attack more pins, these are the clubs to take a look at.

David L. Brown
Golf Expert
Best seller

The Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are designed for golfers seeking the ultimate in forgiveness in a lighter weight set. These irons are incredibly long and forgiving, and their lighter weight allows slower swingers to pick up a little more speed, making it easier to swing them over the course of a round.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are designed with a larger profile and greater offset to provide maximum forgiveness on shots low on the face and off-center. This makes them ideal for players who struggle with making consistent contact.

The 'Lite' aspect of these clubs means that lighter shafts and club weights will help players with lighter swing speeds produce a higher ball speed and higher launch angle. This makes these irons a great fit for senior players or those with injuries that need a lighter weight iron.

Despite their many strengths, the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are not ideal for fast swings or better players due to their lighter weight.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite is a great set for someone looking for the ultimate in a forgiving set of irons that is also lighter weight. This light weight allows slower swingers to pick up a little more speed and make it easier to swing them over the course of the round.

Ari T
Golf Expert

Similarities

Both the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are designed with the goal of improving a golfer's game. They both offer impressive forgiveness, making them ideal for players who struggle with off-center hits. Both sets of irons are also designed to increase distance, helping golfers to reach their targets more effectively.

In terms of aesthetics, both sets of irons have a sleek and modern design that is sure to appeal to many golfers. They both feature a larger club head for increased forgiveness and a larger sweet spot.

Both sets of irons also come with innovative features and technology. The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons feature a regular steel flex that allows for solid, consistent contact, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons feature lighter shafts and club weights for higher ball speed and launch angle.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both sets of irons have their strengths, they cater to different types of golfers. The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed for mid-tier handicappers looking to gain more distance in their mid-range game. They offer impressive distance and forgiveness, making them a solid choice for those wanting to take their game to the next level.

On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are designed for golfers seeking the ultimate in forgiveness in a lighter weight set. Their lighter weight allows slower swingers to pick up a little more speed, making it easier to swing them over the course of a round. This makes these irons a great fit for senior players or those with injuries that need a lighter weight iron.

In terms of differences, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons have a higher launch angle, which some golfers might not prefer. On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are not ideal for fast swings or better players due to their lighter weight.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons, it's clear that both sets of irons have their strengths. However, the winner in each of the four dimensions - distance, forgiveness, ease of use, and suitability for different types of players - varies.

  1. Distance: The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons take the win in this category. They are known for their impressive distance, often outperforming other irons on the market.

  2. Forgiveness: Both sets of irons offer impressive forgiveness, but the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons edge out due to their larger profile and greater offset, which provide maximum forgiveness on shots low on the face and off-center.

  3. Ease of Use: The Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons win in this category. Their lighter weight allows slower swingers to pick up a little more speed, making it easier to swing them over the course of a round.

  4. Suitability for Different Types of Players: The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed for mid-tier handicappers, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are a great fit for senior players or those with injuries that need a lighter weight iron. Therefore, the winner in this category depends on the specific needs and preferences of the golfer.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are top-tier products that can significantly enhance a golfer's game. The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are a solid choice for mid-tier handicappers looking to gain more distance, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are ideal for golfers seeking ultimate forgiveness in a lighter weight set.

While both sets of irons offer impressive forgiveness and distance, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons edge out in terms of distance, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons shine in terms of forgiveness and ease of use. Therefore, the best choice between the two will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the golfer.

Whether you're a mid-tier handicapper looking to level up your game or a senior player in need of a lighter weight iron, both the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons are worth considering. Happy golfing!

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Shop Golf on Curated

Cleveland Launcher XL Irons
$399.97$599.99
Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Irons
$457.12$628.56
Callaway 2024 Rogue ST Max Irons
$649.97$800.00

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