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Rate and review the Cleveland Launcher 400 and Cleveland Launcher 460 drivers here.

Cleveland Launcher Review

PREFACE: I've upgraded over the years from the VAS Titanium to a Launcher 330, to a Launcher 400. So.....I may be a little biased since I'm a big fan of the Launcher series, but here's my review:

APPEARANCE: This club is very traditional in appearance. Being a larger club (400cc), this clubhead appeared to have the normal traditional pear shape, and does not seem overly large to my eye. The Launcher 460 has a VERY big appearance, which seems a little intimidating at first, but truly is very easy to get used to. For some reason, the 460 is so big, it appears as if the shaft is shorter than normal, which must be an optical illusion!

One thing I like about the launchers is the polished soleplate/sides of the club - while you cannot see it at address, I think it adds a lot of beauty to the club, and looks GREAT when polished.

The Headcover is very unique - rather than a "sock" area, the headcover is large, cavern-like cover that the clubhead squeezes into. I discovered you MUST have the proper cover for your club - the 330 headcover will not allow the 400/460 clubheads to fit, and the 400/460 headcovers are much too loose for the 330. One problem with these headcovers is they are not long enough to protect your shafts from your other clubs in the bag. I believe for that reason, the headcover was changed in 2004 to a more traditional cover/sock combination for more protection.

SETUP: Very traditional setup, with slight offset. I believe the higher-loft launchers have more offset, and if I'm not mistaken, the Launcher 460 has more offset than the 400.

FEEL/PERFORMANCE: The Launchers have a good combination of Liveliness and Acceleration, with a solid "CROAOCCK" sound when you hit it flush. The feeling is one of acceleration and lightness, rather than a heavier, more solid feeling like a Titleist 983-series driver. Good swings are rewarded with a fairly forgiving clubface, and a nice, strong trajectory. This may have something to do with the shaft combinations, but of the Launcher 330/400/460 series, I like the 400 best, which also seems to be the most popular choice of their Tour players. I would note that it is a BIG improvement from the 330 to the 400 - these are two very different clubs, and the 400 performs much better to me, with better overall balance.

DISTANCE: The length of this driver seemed comparable to other premium drivers I've used, including Titleist 983K, Mizuno MP-001, TaylorMade 580-series, Cobra, etc. etc. I didn't notice much distance gain (or loss) from this club vs. any other premium drivers on the market.

CONTROL: I can't work my driver that easily, so it's hard to comment on this, but when I swing well, the club performed just right - a nice, medium-high ballflight, with some roll. My shot pattern is normally very straight, or a slight fade when my swingplane is off. The sweetspot seems larger than most clubs, and comparable with other premium clubheads. Some people claim that the 330 is more workeable than the newer clubheads, but my abilities did not allow me to take advantage of that.

SHAFT: My original shaft was a UST Proforce XL, R-flex, which is a lightweight, low-kick, softer-tip, medium-torque shaft. I enjoyed the feeling and performance on this shaft for 2 years, but I've recently upgraded to an Aldila NV S-flex shaft (lightweight, mid-kick, stiff-tip, low-torque), due to my faster swing now. At the time of this writing, I'm still getting used to the Aldila, but when struck well - it performs wonderfully with a powerful, piercing trajectory. Of course - the Aldila is a very popular shaft that will help the resale value, and it looks great, with it's metallic-green paint scheme.

I've hit other Launchers with various shafts installed (Grafalloy, Graphite Design YS-6, UST, etc.etc.), and the results are very dependent on your shaft preference. The clubhead will work for anyone, but your shaft choice will affect your happiness with this club (as it would for ANY clubhead).

SUMMARY: The Launcher 400/460 series should definitely be considered by anyone, whether you are a beginner or pro. They are relatively inexpensive compared to other brands, are easy to hit, look great, and perform very well. I feel that the 400 is the best combination of the Launchers - medium size, and a great balance that works very well off the teebox.

I can't add much to SamT's comprehensive examination of these great drivers. I prefer the 400 as well because of aesthetics and performance over the 460, which has a very high trajectory even with the 9.5° option.

The Launcher 400 provides plenty of distance and accuracy for the money. Even mis-hits produce very respectable drives; in fact, I'll often hit what feels and appears to be a very poor drive only to find when I get down the fairway that the ball has actually gone much, much farther than I expected. What a nice experience to find a ball farther out than expected! I've had to stop saying "I mis-hit that one" because my playing partners got upset when my mis-hits outdrove them!

Great review SamT. Thanks a lot! . I got to try a friend's new Cleveland Launcher 400. However, before I explain how I hit it, you must understand that I am a short hitter who averages about 250 yards. Of course, I'm 17 and I only weigh about 125 lbs, so actually that is pretty good.
Ah, but back to the review! I was swinging pretty poorly with it, but I was still putting about 250. Then, on one swing my swing came together. I socked that ball about 310 yards. I hardly ever hit the ball that far, even on my best days. This was on a bad day. I saw my friend hit it. It was putting his Taylormade 580 about 300 yards. He hits this club on an average of about 330. If I ever get the money, I'll buy one. Plus it has incredible balance.
Great club!

I have a Launcher 460 and I love it.
The 460 is great for distance(I am 5'5 105 lbs), forgiveness, and accuracy.
However, the workability is terrible and the large head gets wipped around in the wind.
If you can't crack the 250 yard barrieron average i would go with the 460 for the distance, but if distance isnt your problem i would go with the 400 or maybe an even smaller model like the 983k or R7

I play the 460 10.5 degree with a Fujikura Vista Pro 90 shaft. I really like the looks of the club and it gives me confidence. I used to spray the ball but now most are accurate and much longer. I usually hit it 270. I think the shaft is the most important element of a driver. Mine is 90 grams and I am in play in the fairway most of the time.
When I hit it in the sweet spot the ball soars and carrys longer than anyone I play with.

I bought the Launcher 460 9.5* with the Aldila NV 65-S shaft. I hit every shot sweet, and far.

One par 4 I was 5 feet from the green (365 yards)...granted the hole was downhill and I did have a little wind at my back, but I've never hit one that far before. I usually average 290 or so. Even when I mishit one, it still felt sweet and still went straight. To be honest I didn't mis a fairway with it that I can remember (used it about 6 times.)

I tried the Launcher 460 at my local Dick's Sporting Goods and I hit it straight every time. Love it.

I have the Cleveland W launcher 13.5*(400)...... I did love it when I was on a higher handicap, but now that I'm on a 9 I find that it is going to high . It's a great driver tho, very easy to hit.

i found that the Launcher is just that!!! tee shots take off like the space shuttle, but for anyone who is not getting their tee shots up and scores down, this is a viable option

I had a Launcher 400 9.5* aldila nv 65-s. I cracked that think long and straight. Added about 10-15 yards. I got rid of it cuz I was hitting it so high that I think I hit planes and birds with that driver. I wouldnt mind having it back as an extra stick. I'm playing with a 983k now which allows me to work the ball a lot better with a lower ball flight. If it's distance and higher ball flight you need, pick yourself up a Launcher.

Does anybody find that the Cleveland Launcher 460 goes higher than other brands?
Today I was using my mens regular 10.5* today, and I was getting good distance(240 yards) But it was going so high Does anybody else find that it goes pretty high?

I decided against purchasing the 460 last spring because the ball flight with the stock shaft was exceptionally high. I mean, really high!

But the deciding factor for me was that I was hitting the 400 very straight, but for some reason the 460 always produced shots to the right--high, straight shots to the right. In retrospect, maybe I should have bought the 460 because now I'm hooking my 400 if I'm not careful.

well this is my first post on this forum. and first of all i want to say hi to everyone-

i was hitting different drivers at a shop about a week ago and i hit the 460. my first impression was that it looked like a caveman club. its huge! i hit it and it hit awesome. every drive was in between 300 and 320 yards. i was thinking of getting it but i think its just to big. i might still pick it up. but i think im first going to look into a mizuno mp001 , or a 983E first. but if you like clobbering the ball a long way the 460 is for you!

Welcome to Golf Rewind! You hit the ball that far.....and you're considering using something else?