Specification comparison

Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.

Lofts compared

What the differences mean

At the 7-iron, the J40 Cavity Back is 35° and the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity is 34°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the J40 Cavity Back. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity averages 1° stronger, with the largest gap at the 3-iron (21° vs 20°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.

Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Small-to-mid cavity backs with traditional lofts, modest offset and workable shaping for low-handicap players. Because they target the same golfer, the decision comes down to the specific loft, feel and shaping differences rather than who the sets are made for.

The J40 Cavity Back is listed as forged and the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity as forged, dual pocket cavity. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.

Both sets were introduced in 2011, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Bridgestone designed them to sit side by side for different players.

Which should you choose?

The J40 Dual Pocket Cavity is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the J40 Cavity Back 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: Bridgestone J40 Cavity Back specs and Bridgestone J40 Dual Pocket Cavity specs.

Frequently asked questions