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 Dual Pocket Cavity is 34° and the Tour B X-CBP is 31°, a 3° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Tour B X-CBP should carry roughly 9 to 12 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity. Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the Tour B X-CBP averages 2.6° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (30° vs 27°). The pitching wedges are 46° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Tour B X-CBP 7-iron sits 1° flatter (63° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the Tour B X-CBP 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (36.75" vs 37").

The sets are built differently: the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity runs 3-iron to PW (8 clubs), the Tour B X-CBP 4-iron to PW (7 clubs).

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 Dual Pocket Cavity is listed as forged, dual pocket cavity and the Tour B X-CBP as forged body with press-formed high-strength steel face, 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.

There are 7 years between these sets (2011 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. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 34° to 31°.

Which should you choose?

The Tour B X-CBP is the stronger-lofted set — up to 3° stronger than the J40 Dual Pocket Cavity 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 Dual Pocket Cavity specs and Bridgestone Tour B X-CBP specs.

Frequently asked questions