TaylorMade r7 vs TaylorMade r7 CGB Max
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | r7 loft | r7 CGB Max loft | r7 lie | r7 CGB Max lie | r7 length | r7 CGB Max length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | — | 60 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 3 | 20 | 19 | 61 | 61 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 22 | 21 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 25 | 23 | 62 | 62 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 28 | 26 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 32 | 30 | 63 | 63 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 36 | 34 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 40 | 39 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 45 | 44 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 50 | 49 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 55 | 54 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 60 | 59 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- r7
- r7 CGB Max
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the r7 is 32° and the r7 CGB Max is 30°, a 2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the r7 CGB Max should carry roughly 6 to 8 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the r7. Across the 11 clubs both sets share, the r7 CGB Max averages 1.4° stronger, with the largest gap at the 5-iron (25° vs 23°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the r7 runs 2-iron to LW (12 clubs), the r7 CGB Max 3-iron to LW (11 clubs).
The r7 is a game improvement iron and the r7 CGB Max a super game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The r7 CGB Max is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The r7 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
The r7 is listed as investment cast and the r7 CGB Max as investment cast, multi-material. The r7 CGB Max adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
The r7 CGB Max arrived 1 year after the r7, a typical one-generation refresh. Changes over that span are usually incremental: refined face thickness, revised weighting, updated looks and small loft tweaks rather than a new concept. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 32° to 30°.
Which should you choose?
The r7 CGB Max is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the r7 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: TaylorMade r7 specs and TaylorMade r7 CGB Max specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade r7 stronger lofted than the r7 CGB Max?
No. The r7 CGB Max is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 30° against 32° for the TaylorMade r7, 2° stronger and worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade r7 and r7 CGB Max?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (32° vs 30°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 5-iron, and all 11 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the TaylorMade r7 or the r7 CGB Max?
The r7 CGB Max. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The TaylorMade r7 is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the TaylorMade r7 and r7 CGB Max have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 63° lie and 36.75 inches long.
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