TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) vs TaylorMade Tour Preferred MB (2011)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Tour Preferred CB (2011) loft | Tour Preferred MB (2011) loft | Tour Preferred CB (2011) lie | Tour Preferred MB (2011) lie | Tour Preferred CB (2011) length | Tour Preferred MB (2011) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | 18 | — | 60 | — | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20 | 21 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 23 | 24 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 26 | 27 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 29 | 31 | 62 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 33 | 35 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 37 | 39 | 63 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 41 | 43 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 46 | 47 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| AW | 50 | — | 64.5 | — | 35.25 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Tour Preferred CB (2011)
- Tour Preferred MB (2011)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Tour Preferred CB (2011) is 33° and the Tour Preferred MB (2011) is 35°, 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 MB (2011). Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the Tour Preferred MB (2011) averages 1.5° weaker, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (29° vs 31°). The pitching wedges are 46° and 47°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the Tour Preferred CB (2011) runs 3-iron to AW (9 clubs), the Tour Preferred MB (2011) 2-iron to PW (9 clubs).
The Tour Preferred CB (2011) is a players iron and the Tour Preferred MB (2011) a blade iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The Tour Preferred CB (2011) is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Tour Preferred MB (2011) trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The Tour Preferred CB (2011) is listed as cast/forged hybrid and the Tour Preferred MB (2011) as forged. Forging, as in the Tour Preferred MB (2011), is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the Tour Preferred CB (2011), allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
Both sets were introduced in 2010, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: TaylorMade designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The Tour Preferred MB (2011) is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the Tour Preferred CB (2011). 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: TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) specs and TaylorMade Tour Preferred MB (2011) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) stronger lofted than the Tour Preferred MB (2011)?
Yes. The TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) 7-iron is 33° against 35° for the Tour Preferred MB (2011), 2° stronger, which is worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) and Tour Preferred MB (2011)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (33° vs 35°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 6-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) or the Tour Preferred MB (2011)?
The TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011). As a players iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. The Tour Preferred MB (2011) is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) and Tour Preferred MB (2011) have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62.5° lie and 36.75 inches long.
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