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




VS

Side by side comparison | ![]() ![]() Out of stock | ![]() ![]() Out of stock |
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Price | See Price and Details | See Price and Details |
User rating | 4.63(175) | 4.69(68) |
The Curated Take | Best for beginners and players with lower swing speeds seeking forgiveness and higher launch. | Best for high-handicap golfers seeking forgiveness, launch, and distance. |
Iron Set Type | Iron Set | Iron Set |
Player type | Super game improvement | Game improvement |
Used (Y/N) | No | No |
In the world of golf, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are two products that have been making waves. Both are designed to cater to golfers who are looking for a boost in their game, but they each have their unique features and strengths. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are designed for golfers who need help launching the ball higher and keeping it straight, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are geared towards mid-tier handicappers who want to add more distance to their mid-range game. Both sets of irons are praised for their forgiveness and distance, but the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons have a slight edge in terms of aesthetics and feel. However, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are noted for their consistency and ability to add distance. In the end, the choice between the two will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the golfer.
TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons summary
The TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are designed to meet the needs of golfers that weren't being met before. TaylorMade claims that this club will launch higher and, due to its weighting and sole design, it could actually slightly draw and keep the ball straight. It's not designed to be longer than anything out there, but it does offer impressive distance and workability.
The club continues to use echo-dampening material, which is inside the head behind the face, to absorb unwanted vibrations and also to help affect the sound. It also features a multi-tiered sole, which is supposed to glide through the turf and over it, as opposed to digging into it. This trailing edge relief also allows you to get that club upwards and get that higher trajectory.
The TaylorMade Stealth HD iron does look different compared to other irons. Its face is shallower, and the wider sole looks different than typical irons, especially considering that it's got two levels to it. At address, due to the wider sole, you can see some of the trailing edge from above. You see the top line and a bit of the tail. It’s not wholly distracting, but it’s visible.
The club is designed for people with slower to moderate swing speeds. If you're a player looking for a thicker sole or wanting to shape your shots or wanting more distance, this might not be the club for you. However, for the type of golfer this club is designed for, there are no drawbacks.
This club is for people who may have a lower swing speed and need help getting the ball airborne and having higher descent angles to hold greens. Players seeking help with keeping the ball more straight and even with a draw will benefit from the club design.
This club is for people who may have a lower swing speed and need help getting the ball airborne and having higher descent angles to hold greens. Players seeking help with keeping the ball more straight and even with a draw will benefit from the club design.
Cleveland Launcher XL Irons summary
The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are a solid option for those looking to gain more distance in the mid-range game. These irons are geared for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. The club head is wider than other irons, creating an impact zone that allows for more missed hit shots to find their target. They launch off the face differently than other irons but still create great distance and maintain good control.
The irons have a sleek silver head with a black and blue cavity with the Cleveland Launcher logo on the backside. The sound was a normal tinging that felt crisp to the ear. Cleveland irons and woods in the past were notorious for having loud pinging sounds, and this was far from that. The regular steel flex irons allowed the user to move through the ball and create solid, consistent contact.
The Cleveland Launcher XLs are one of the better irons on the market if someone wants to add distance to their game. However, the launch angle was higher than some would have liked. If a player were to play in windier conditions, the higher launch angle could be a struggle to combat.
The Cleveland Launcher XLs are great irons for someone in that mid to high handicap range who wants to add distance and not sacrifice control. The club head is wider than other irons, creating an impact zone that allows for more missed hit shots to find their target. They launch off the face differently than other irons but still create great distance and maintain good control.
The Cleveland Launcher XLs are great irons for someone in that mid to high handicap range who wants to add distance and not sacrifice control. The club head is wider than other irons, creating an impact zone that allows for more missed hit shots to find their target. They launch off the face differently than other irons but still create great distance and maintain good control.
Similarities
Both the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed with the goal of improving a golfer's game. They both offer impressive distance and workability, and are praised for their forgiveness. Both sets of irons are designed with a wider sole, which is intended to help golfers launch the ball higher and keep it straight. They both also feature unique design elements that set them apart from typical irons, such as the multi-tiered sole on the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons and the sleek silver head with a black and blue cavity on the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both sets of irons are designed to improve a golfer's game, they each cater to different types of golfers. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are designed for golfers who need help launching the ball higher and keeping it straight. They are not designed to be the longest iron out there, but they do offer impressive distance and workability. These irons are ideal for golfers with slower to moderate swing speeds who need help getting the ball airborne.
On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are geared towards mid-tier handicappers who want to add more distance to their mid-range game. These irons are noted for their consistency and ability to add distance. They are ideal for golfers who want to take their game to the next level and are looking for irons that offer both distance and control.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons, it's clear that both sets of irons have their strengths.
In terms of distance, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons have a slight edge. They are designed to add more distance to a golfer's mid-range game and are noted for their consistency in doing so.
In terms of forgiveness, both sets of irons are praised for their forgiving nature. However, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are designed with a wider sole and a multi-tiered sole, which could give them a slight edge in this category.
In terms of aesthetics, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are the clear winner. They feature a unique design with a shallower face and a wide sole, which sets them apart from typical irons.
Finally, in terms of suitability for different types of golfers, the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are ideal for golfers with slower to moderate swing speeds who need help getting the ball airborne, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are geared towards mid-tier handicappers who want to add more distance to their mid-range game.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are excellent choices for golfers looking to improve their game. The TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons are designed for golfers who need help launching the ball higher and keeping it straight, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are geared towards mid-tier handicappers who want to add more distance to their mid-range game. Both sets of irons offer impressive distance and workability, and are praised for their forgiveness. However, the choice between the two will ultimately depend on the specific needs and preferences of the golfer.