HYBRID IRONS

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER HB TURBO

7-iron loft: 30° Forgiveness rating: 5

Verdict: We’ve tested the Launcher HB Turbo a few times now, and each session has ended with our pro smiling from ear to ear. Hybrid irons are really fun to use as they’re so easy to hit. The difference between the Turbo and Wilson’s Launch Pad is how the Cleveland is likely to be more at home in the hands of golfers who already like hybrids. They look more like a traditional hybrid, whereas the Launch Pad has the appearance of an iron with the addition of a body on the back. The numbers speak for themselves. If you need any confirmation hybrid irons are more forgiving than traditional cavity back irons, the Launcher gave the smallest drop-off in ball speed (3.4mph) and carry (5.6%) on mishits, with the Wilson Launch Pad coming in a very close second. If you want the most fun and enjoyment when you play, Launcher HB Turbo gets a big thumbs up from us.

WILSON LAUNCH PAD

7-iron loft: 30° Forgiveness rating: 5

Verdict: We’re really impressed with the thinking behind the Launch Pad, which is based on lots of shots from ordinary golfers. It goes without saying that to play hybrid irons you have to turn a blind eye to bulging backs and wide bodies, and focus instead on the Launch Pad’s shiny chrome face and topline, which really is very much like a traditional oversized Wilson iron. Our data has the Launch Pad down as our third longest SGI iron (182 yards) of 2020, but it’s how the wide body delivers that distance that’s really impressive. Shots launched high (among our highest), peaked out higher than any other SGI iron and descended on to the green at a very steep angle, all without giving up backspin, making them extremely playable.