Cleveland 588 Altitude vs Cleveland CG Black (2015)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | 588 Altitude loft | CG Black (2015) loft | 588 Altitude lie | CG Black (2015) lie | 588 Altitude length | CG Black (2015) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19 | — | 60 | — | 39.75 | — |
| 4 | 21 | 22 | 60.75 | 60.5 | 39.125 | 39.5 |
| 5 | 24 | 24 | 61.5 | 61 | 38.5 | 38.75 |
| 6 | 27 | 27 | 62.25 | 61.5 | 37.875 | 38 |
| 7 | 31 | 30 | 63 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 8 | 35 | 34 | 63.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 9 | 39 | 39 | 64 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| PW | 44 | 44 | 64.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| GW | 49 | — | 64.5 | — | 35.5 | — |
| DW | — | 50 | — | 63.5 | — | 35.5 |
| SW | 54 | 56 | 64.5 | 63.5 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- 588 Altitude
- CG Black (2015)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the 588 Altitude is 31° and the CG Black (2015) is 30°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the CG Black (2015) should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the 588 Altitude. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the differences roughly cancel out, with the largest gap at the SW (54° vs 56°). Beyond loft, the CG Black (2015) 7-iron sits 1° flatter (63° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the 588 Altitude runs 3-iron to SW (10 clubs), the CG Black (2015) 4-iron to SW (9 clubs).
Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Perimeter-weighted cavity backs with wider soles, more offset and stronger lofts, aimed at mid handicaps. 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 588 Altitude is listed as full-hollow body with forged face and bendable hosel and the CG Black (2015) as investment cast ultralight cavity back. The 588 Altitude's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the CG Black (2015), at some cost in feel.
The CG Black (2015) came out 1 year after the 588 Altitude, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
Loft differences between the 588 Altitude and CG Black (2015) run in both directions rather than shifting the whole set one way, so the choice comes down to shaping, feel and gapping at the ends of the set rather than outright distance.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Cleveland 588 Altitude specs and Cleveland CG Black (2015) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cleveland 588 Altitude stronger lofted than the CG Black (2015)?
No. The CG Black (2015) is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 30° against 31° for the Cleveland 588 Altitude, 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Cleveland 588 Altitude and CG Black (2015)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (31° vs 30°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the SW, and 4 of the 8 shared clubs differ.
Are the Cleveland 588 Altitude and CG Black (2015) aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Cleveland 588 Altitude and CG Black (2015) have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cleveland 588 Altitude is 63° lie and 37.25 inches, the CG Black (2015) 62° and 37.25 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.