Quick Take: Cleveland Launcher Drivers
Andrew Penner
Posted 2003-03-28
Understatement of the year: drivers are getting somewhat large. In some cases, perhaps too large. Fifteen years ago, if someone would have put a 400 cc driver in your hands you would have scoffed and then erupted in uncontrollable laughter. Comments would have included, but wouldn’t have been limited to: “Neat. A weather balloon on a stick.” “What’s it for?” And, “Cool. Didn’t realize Paul Bunyon played golf.”
One of the newest oversized drivers that’s been squeezed through golf’s resilient birthing canal comes from Cleveland. It’s called the Launcher 400.
Cleveland actually came out with the Launcher back in 2000. Since then, Cleveland - and almost every other golf equipment manufacturer to world over - has been feeding their titanium drivers anabolic steriods in mass quantities. The original Launcher was a mere 330 cc. (Was this supposed to be for junior golfers?). Now the Launcher totals a much more adulterated 400 ccs. Probably why they call it the Launcher 400.
Besides pushing this weapon to the maximum C.O.R. (Co-efficient of Restitution, or “trampoline-like effect) allowable, which is .830, Cleveland has also designed this club with an incredibly high M.O.I, which, in my case, means “Me Outhit Ivan.” In other cases, it means “Moment of Inertia.” The high M.O.I is due to the clubs exceptional stability and lack of twisting on impact. Basically, what this means for all you hackers out there is more pleasure – and longer, straighter drives – with the Launcher 400.
My test run with the Launcher 400 was pretty decent. Naturally, the first thing that one takes stock of when trying a club is its appearance. I love the ultra clean head design (there are no visible markings) and the traditional metalwood color and deep, deep, face. However, the Fujikara designed shaft (gold with bronze tones) was difficult to warm to and felt a bit soft. From that point on, though, the higher launch angle and super-solid clubface-on-ball sensations made this one “weather balloon” I’d like to take some more high altitude data with.
Andrew Penner is a 12-year member of the Canadian PGA. He has won five professional golf tournaments in Canada and narrowly, I mean narrowly, missed qualifying for the US Open last year. Well, OK, it was a few shots. Andrew writes for a number of golf magazines in Canada, the US, and Europe. His new book, titled "One Flew Over The Caddyshack," can be ordered at www.falconpress.ca. He can be reached at andpenner@shaw.ca.
Click Here To Give Feedback Or Talk About This Article
NEWS
FORUMS
EQUIPMENT
COURSES
PRO SHOP
DIRECTORY
CONTACT US
GIVEAWAYS
ADVERTISING
