WHAT IT DOES: The set uses two constructions: a hollow-body-iron design in the long irons (4- through 7-iron) and a more traditional cavity-back construction in the 8-iron through gap wedge. The irons also borrow the “mainframe” technology first used by affiliated brand Srixon in which the backside of each iron face is milled in a variable-thickness pattern made up of various indentations to provide extra ball speed and remove mass. The V-shaped sole has an elevated leading edge, producing less drag than a typical flat sole, allowing shots hit fat to still go a respectable distance.

WHY WE LIKE IT: For several years Cleveland has approached its design of clubs with the everyman in mind. That’s because golfers who fall into the game-improvement-iron category approach golf and their choice of equipment from a pair of standpoints. Yes, they want to maximize the results from their good shots, but they also want help reducing the effect of less-than-perfect swings. To help with the latter, the Launcher XL irons use an eight-gram weight in the butt end of each grip that counterbalances the iron and helps promote a smoother swing that better squares the club at impact. Read more >>