Shouldn’t we all strive to make the game easier on ourselves? The answer is obviously a resounding yes, but as we all know, golfers are great at making a mess of such a simple concept. That is exactly what Cleveland Golf is hoping to help with as they introduce their new Halo XL lineup. With three different clubs the goal is to get golfers to create a setup which offers more consistency, and to rid themselves of clubs they carry despite being fearful of them.
That is what makes the new Halo XL fairway woods so intriguing. Historically, the fairway has been the most daunting club for amateurs to hit consistently, but by putting the XL in Halo XL, Cleveland Golf aims to change that. While there is a lot to break down on the technology side of things, THP has also had the Halo XL 3-Wood in hand prior to this release so we are most certainly going all in on performance as well.
Quick Take
An absolute wolf in sheep’s clothing, subtle and comforting to look at with its generous profile and look, but a performance monster when the niceties are whittled away. The Halo XL 3-Wood is one of the most surprising releases for me in some time, offering the belief that you can hit it anywhere on the face to still get effortless launch and then following it up with the reality of unexpected speed.
Cleveland Halo XL Fairway – Technology and Design
In the past, the Halo releases have always come along with the Launcher name, now it appears as if Cleveland is trying to let it stand on its own more, even if it is releasing at the same time as their latest Launcher driver. My initial reaction to that when we found out about this release was that it is a very intelligent move by the company. After hitting the lineup, I think that even more, as these deserve a spotlight of their own with the re-worked concept.
The Halo XL spectrum of clubs is all in on simplifying and streamlining the top of the bag. This is important because so many of us are carrying harder to hit clubs than need be, or simply have no concept of proper gapping. With the three different club types in the Halo XL release, Cleveland thinks they can help golfers crack that code.
However, within that is something that needs to be made very clear, this is not just a rehash of a driver pasted into and onto a smaller club. Removing the Launcher name was the first step to getting that point across by Cleveland Golf, and the second was packing it full of technology specifically tailored for these clubs instead of just to finish out a lineup.
First off, MainFrame XL is here with Cleveland not simply using the AI term because it is popular, rather because they are literally applying knowledge and testing feedback provided by the thousands of simulations at their fingertips. Within the fairways, the MainFrame XL is uniquely shaped from any other Cleveland club, extending the sweet spot to a larger area which reaches more heel side and high. Around that, the variable thickness is extended further to the perimeter to increase the ability of the club to respond to the types of misses golfers have rather than robots.
The club itself is an XL Head Design coming in at 185cc compared to the average 3-Wood on the market at 175cc. It may not read like much, but it is an impressive footprint. The goal was bigger and confidence inspiring, while not being cumbersome. The fairways also feature Rebound Frame and its dual flex zone system of the face and area behind the crown acting like a spring in a spring. By stiffening the rear of the clubhead, that allows these two regions to flex simultaneously to maximize not just the efficiency of energy coming back to the ball, but the amount of it.
Not to be undersold, all the Halo XL clubs this year from Cleveland have Gliderails as well. Though the hybrids use three, the fairways have just two due to the way which they are typically swung (sweeping) in comparison. That is also why the rails here are more shallow than in the other applications. By aiding in the club gliding rather than digging or dragging regardless of the lie, the ability to square the face is improved.
Finally, the Halo XL fairways have the same Action Mass CB system under the grip. By placing 8g of weight there the overall clubhead feels lighter in the swing which for many golfers also makes it easier to get inside-out. The fairways are bonded hosel clubs available in 3, 5, 7, and 9 with the 3 and 5 woods being available in LH. They are paired with either the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue 55 (R, S) or Aldila Ascent PL 40 (A, R, S) as standard but there are a plethora of custom options available through Cleveland Golf.
Cleveland Halo XL 3-Wood – Performance Review
Shock and awe. That is what I walked away with after spending a few weeks with the Halo XL 3-Wood prior to its release. I am one who is absolutely a fairway wood geek, it is historically my favorite club in the bag outside of putter to buy and change. However, the Halo XL fairways are not the type I would historically seek out.
You see, I prefer a more compact look from my fairways, and the Halo XL with its 185cc size in the 3-Wood is the exact opposite of that. It has all sorts of things going on with the Hi-Bore Crown Step too, but from the moment I unboxed this one I was taken aback by it. The metallic smoke grey gloss finish combined with the most balanced shape of a larger sized fairway that I have tested in some time just makes it set up so well. The curves flow and even the step as well as the crown graphics seem to improve that rather than take away from it.
This is definitely one of those clubs that you feel like you can just swing hard at, even paired with the Tensie AV Series Blue 55 and 8g Action Mass CB, it feels “all there” in the hands. Like the shape, that is a setup which I would not choose for myself, but after working with it I see the validity to it being a stock option for the fairways.
I won’t lie and neither will the numbers in the Foresight data, fit wasn’t ideal, but even within that the potential is what shines through. Seeing consistent 150’s ball speeds with 120+ foot peak heights shows that this head is packed full of power, spin, and effortless launch, not to mention a pleasing impact sound to boot.
On the course, I saw the same, just the ability to hit towering shots without having to work at it, and not giving up near the distance I expected. The Rebound Frame just makes things feel fast and efficient regardless of how well struck the shot. However, it is the MainFrame XL face design that I saw the most impressive boon from on the course as my slightly heel-side and high miss that absolutely dies on a lot of fairways I have played was met with the feeling of getting away with murder in the Halo XL.
The Details
The reality is this is an excellent fairway wood from Cleveland Golf. Will it appeal to everyone? Of course not. Will it fit everyone? Also no. But does it bring to the table a much wider potential audience than people will expect and is it just flat out fun to hit? Absolutely!
Cleveland Golf’s new Halo XL fairway woods will officially be at retail on 1/19/24 and comes in priced at $249.99.
