Cleveland 588 Forged CB vs Cleveland 588 Forged MB
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | 588 Forged CB loft | 588 Forged MB loft | 588 Forged CB lie | 588 Forged MB lie | 588 Forged CB length | 588 Forged MB length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | — | 59 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 3 | 21 | 21 | 59.5 | 59.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 24 | 60 | 60 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 31 | 31 | 61 | 61 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 35 | 62 | 62 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 39 | 63 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 43 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 47 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.75 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- 588 Forged CB
- 588 Forged MB
What the differences mean
Every club the two sets share has exactly the same loft, starting with a 35° 7-iron. On paper there is no distance or trajectory difference: with the same swing, a 7-iron from either set should launch and carry about the same. The real differences are in how the heads are built, how they look at address and how they feel at impact, none of which a spec table can show.
The sets are built differently: the 588 Forged CB runs 2-iron to PW (9 clubs), the 588 Forged MB 3-iron to PW (8 clubs).
The 588 Forged CB is a players iron and the 588 Forged MB a blade iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The 588 Forged CB is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The 588 Forged MB trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The 588 Forged CB is listed as forged progressive cavity back and the 588 Forged MB as forged muscle back. The 588 Forged MB's muscle-back shape keeps mass directly behind the strike for feedback and control, where a cavity spreads it to the perimeter for forgiveness.
Both sets were introduced in 2013, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Cleveland designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The 588 Forged CB and 588 Forged MB share the same lofts on every club on file, so the difference is in head construction, feel and forgiveness rather than trajectory.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Cleveland 588 Forged CB specs and Cleveland 588 Forged MB specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cleveland 588 Forged CB stronger lofted than the 588 Forged MB?
No. Both have a 35° 7-iron and the same loft on every club they share, so neither is stronger lofted. The difference is in construction and feel.
What is the loft difference between the Cleveland 588 Forged CB and 588 Forged MB?
There is none. Every club both sets include has the same loft, including the 35° 7-iron.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Cleveland 588 Forged CB or the 588 Forged MB?
The Cleveland 588 Forged CB. As a players iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The 588 Forged MB is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Cleveland 588 Forged CB and 588 Forged MB have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 36.75 inches long.
Shop Cleveland 588 Forged CB
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.