Cleveland TA7 vs Cleveland 588 Forged CB
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | TA7 loft | 588 Forged CB loft | TA7 lie | 588 Forged CB lie | TA7 length | 588 Forged CB length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | — | 58 | — | 39.75 | — |
| 2 | 18 | 18 | 59 | 59 | 39.25 | 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 | 61 | 60.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30 | 31 | 62 | 61 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 33.5 | 35 | 62.5 | 62 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 37 | 39 | 63 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 41 | 43 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 45 | 47 | 64.5 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| GW | 50 | — | 65 | — | 35.25 | — |
| SW | 55 | — | 65 | — | 35 | — |
| LW | 60 | — | 65 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- TA7
- 588 Forged CB
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the TA7 is 33.5° and the 588 Forged CB is 35°, a 1.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the TA7 should carry roughly 4 to 6 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the 588 Forged CB. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the 588 Forged CB averages 0.9° weaker, with the largest gap at the 8-iron (37° vs 39°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 47°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the 588 Forged CB 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (62.5° vs 62°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the TA7 runs 1-iron to LW (13 clubs), the 588 Forged CB 2-iron to PW (9 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 TA7 is listed as cavity back with micro-cavity topline and the 588 Forged CB as forged progressive cavity back. 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 11 years between these sets (2002 and 2013), 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 33.5° to 35°.
Which should you choose?
The 588 Forged CB is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the TA7. 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 TA7 specs and Cleveland 588 Forged CB specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cleveland TA7 stronger lofted than the 588 Forged CB?
Yes. The Cleveland TA7 7-iron is 33.5° against 35° for the 588 Forged CB, 1.5° stronger, which is worth roughly 4 to 6 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Cleveland TA7 and 588 Forged CB?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1.5° (33.5° vs 35°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 8-iron, and 5 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Are the Cleveland TA7 and 588 Forged CB aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Cleveland TA7 and 588 Forged CB have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Cleveland TA7 is 62.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the 588 Forged CB 62° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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