If you’re a traditional golfer — the kind who prefers the classic look of the rounded clubhead — you’ll appreciate the latest release in Cleveland’s successful Launcher series. Most notable in this year’s Launcher is the increased size of the clubface — a full 21 percent larger than the original Launcher 460. That extra surface area allows for greater forgiveness on mis-hits, while a slimmer crown and perimeter weighting on the sole mitigates the additional weight factor and lowers the center of gravity for a lower launch trajectory and greater distance. Cleveland has also applied the same technology to its Launcher fairway woods and hybrids, creating a whole line of high-MOI clubs that are a worthy addition to the company’s respected brand. From a purely technological standpoint, the basic updates to the Launcher series mirror those in the other clubs we’ve seen for ’09  — moving the center of gravity down and back, redistributing weight on the face to increase forgiveness, etc. But while many manufacturers have shifted towards more unconventional head shapes, designers at Cleveland have preserved the classic look, and maintained a lower price point that appeals to the budget-conscious golfer. Really, it comes down to personal preference — the new Launcher may not have the same impact on your buddies as the square-shaped drivers when the headcover comes off, but they’ll be oohing and aahing plenty as your ball sails down the fairway.