TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) vs TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC (2011)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Tour Preferred (2009) loft | Tour Preferred MC (2011) loft | Tour Preferred (2009) lie | Tour Preferred MC (2011) lie | Tour Preferred (2009) length | Tour Preferred MC (2011) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | 17 | 58 | 60 | 39.25 | 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 | 30 | 61 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 34 | 61.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 38 | 62 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 42 | 62.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 47 | 63 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 51 | — | 63 | — | 35.5 | — |
| 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 MC (2011)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Tour Preferred (2009) is 35° and the Tour Preferred MC (2011) is 34°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Tour Preferred MC (2011) should carry roughly 3 to 4 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 MC (2011) averages 0.9° stronger, with the largest gap at the 2-iron (18° vs 17°). 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 MC (2011) 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 Tour Preferred (2009) is listed as investment cast and the Tour Preferred MC (2011) as forged. Forging, as in the Tour Preferred MC (2011), is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the Tour Preferred (2009), allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
The Tour Preferred MC (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 MC (2011) is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° 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 MC (2011) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) stronger lofted than the Tour Preferred MC (2011)?
No. The Tour Preferred MC (2011) is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 35° for the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009), 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) and Tour Preferred MC (2011)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (35° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 2-iron, and 8 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Are the TaylorMade Tour Preferred (2009) and Tour Preferred MC (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 MC (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 MC (2011) 62.5° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
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