Cleveland TA5 vs Cleveland TA3 Form Forged
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | TA5 loft | TA3 Form Forged loft | TA5 lie | TA3 Form Forged lie | TA5 length | TA3 Form Forged length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | 16 | 58.5 | 57 | 39.75 | 39.75 |
| 2 | 18 | 18 | 59 | 58 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 21 | 21 | 59.5 | 59 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 24 | 60 | 60 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 60.5 | 61 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30 | 30.5 | 61 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 33.5 | 34 | 61.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 37 | 38 | 62 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 41 | 42 | 62.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 45 | 46 | 63 | 65 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| DW | 50 | 50 | 63.5 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| SW | 55 | 56 | 64 | 64 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- TA5
- TA3 Form Forged
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the TA5 is 33.5° and the TA3 Form Forged is 34°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the TA5 should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the TA3 Form Forged. Across the 12 clubs both sets share, the TA3 Form Forged averages 0.4° weaker, with the largest gap at the 8-iron (37° vs 38°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the TA5 7-iron sits 1° flatter (61.5° vs 62.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The TA5 is a game improvement iron and the TA3 Form Forged a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The TA5 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The TA3 Form Forged trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The TA5 is listed as investment cast low-profile cavity back with VAS vibration damping and the TA3 Form Forged as forged shallow cavity back with VAS vibration damping. Forging, as in the TA3 Form Forged, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the TA5, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
The TA3 Form Forged came out 1 year after the TA5, 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?
The TA3 Form Forged is the weaker-lofted set — up to 1° weaker than the TA5. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Cleveland TA5 specs and Cleveland TA3 Form Forged specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cleveland TA5 stronger lofted than the TA3 Form Forged?
Yes. The Cleveland TA5 7-iron is 33.5° against 34° for the TA3 Form Forged, 0.5° stronger, which is worth about 2 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Cleveland TA5 and TA3 Form Forged?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (33.5° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 8-iron, and 6 of the 12 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Cleveland TA5 or the TA3 Form Forged?
The Cleveland TA5. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The TA3 Form Forged is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Cleveland TA5 and TA3 Form Forged have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cleveland TA5 is 61.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the TA3 Form Forged 62.5° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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