TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) vs TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Tour Preferred (2009) loft | Tour Preferred CB (2011) loft | Tour Preferred (2009) lie | Tour Preferred CB (2011) lie | Tour Preferred (2009) length | Tour Preferred CB (2011) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | — | 58 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 3 | 21 | 20 | 59 | 60.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 23 | 60 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 26 | 60.5 | 61.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 31 | 29 | 61 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 33 | 61.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 37 | 62 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 41 | 62.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 46 | 63 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 51 | 50 | 63 | 64.5 | 35.5 | 35.25 |
| SW | 55 | — | 63 | — | 35.25 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Tour Preferred (2009)
- Tour Preferred CB (2011)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Tour Preferred (2009) is 35° and the Tour Preferred CB (2011) is 33°, a 2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Tour Preferred CB (2011) should carry roughly 6 to 8 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Tour Preferred (2009). Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the Tour Preferred CB (2011) averages 1.4° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (31° vs 29°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Tour Preferred (2009) 7-iron sits 1° flatter (61.5° vs 62.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the Tour Preferred (2009) runs 2-iron to SW (11 clubs), the Tour Preferred CB (2011) 3-iron to AW (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 Tour Preferred (2009) is listed as investment cast and the Tour Preferred CB (2011) as cast/forged hybrid. 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.
The Tour Preferred CB (2011) came out 2 years after the Tour Preferred (2009), 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 Tour Preferred CB (2011) is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the Tour Preferred (2009) 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 Tour Preferred (2009) specs and TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) stronger lofted than the Tour Preferred CB (2011)?
No. The Tour Preferred CB (2011) is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 33° against 35° for the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009), 2° stronger and worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) and Tour Preferred CB (2011)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (35° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 6-iron, and all 9 shared clubs differ.
Are the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) and Tour Preferred CB (2011) 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 TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) and Tour Preferred CB (2011) have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) is 61.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the Tour Preferred CB (2011) 62.5° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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