Cleveland CG Black (2015) vs Cleveland Launcher HB
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | CG Black (2015) loft | Launcher HB loft | CG Black (2015) lie | Launcher HB lie | CG Black (2015) length | Launcher HB length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 22 | 21 | 60.5 | 61 | 39.5 | 38.875 |
| 5 | 24 | 24 | 61 | 61.5 | 38.75 | 38.25 |
| 6 | 27 | 27 | 61.5 | 62 | 38 | 37.625 |
| 7 | 30 | 30 | 62 | 62.5 | 37.25 | 37 |
| 8 | 34 | 34 | 62.5 | 63 | 36.75 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 39 | 39 | 63 | 63.5 | 36.25 | 36 |
| PW | 44 | 44 | 63.5 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| DW | 50 | 50 | 63.5 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 56 | 56 | 63.5 | 64.5 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- CG Black (2015)
- Launcher HB
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the CG Black (2015) is 30° and the Launcher HB is 30°, identical at the club most golfers compare on, although other clubs in the sets differ. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the differences roughly cancel out, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (22° vs 21°). Beyond loft, the CG Black (2015) 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (62° vs 62.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the CG Black (2015) 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37.25" vs 37").
The CG Black (2015) is a game improvement iron and the Launcher HB a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Launcher HB is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The CG Black (2015) trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
The CG Black (2015) is listed as investment cast ultralight cavity back and the Launcher HB as hollow body. The Launcher HB's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the CG Black (2015), at some cost in feel.
There are 4 years between these sets (2014 and 2018), more than one design generation. Over that time irons moved toward stronger lofts, thinner and faster faces, hollow and multi-material heads and wider use of tungsten, so the newer set is not simply a better version of the older one: it may launch and spin quite differently.
Which should you choose?
The Launcher HB is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the CG Black (2015) on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Cleveland CG Black (2015) specs and Cleveland Launcher HB specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cleveland CG Black (2015) stronger lofted than the Launcher HB?
Not at the 7-iron, where both are 30°. Other clubs in the sets differ, so compare the full table above.
What is the loft difference between the Cleveland CG Black (2015) and Launcher HB?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0° (30° vs 30°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 4-iron, and 1 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Cleveland CG Black (2015) or the Launcher HB?
The Launcher HB. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The Cleveland CG Black (2015) is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Cleveland CG Black (2015) and Launcher HB have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cleveland CG Black (2015) is 62° lie and 37.25 inches, the Launcher HB 62.5° and 37 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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