TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) vs TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC (2011)
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Tour Preferred CB (2011) loft | Tour Preferred MC (2011) loft | Tour Preferred CB (2011) lie | Tour Preferred MC (2011) lie | Tour Preferred CB (2011) length | Tour Preferred MC (2011) length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | 17 | — | 60 | — | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20 | 20 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 23 | 23 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 26 | 26 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 29 | 30 | 62 | 62 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 33 | 34 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 37 | 38 | 63 | 63 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 41 | 42 | 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 MC (2011)
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Tour Preferred CB (2011) is 33° 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 CB (2011) should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Tour Preferred MC (2011). Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the Tour Preferred MC (2011) averages 0.6° weaker, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (29° vs 30°). 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 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 CB (2011) is listed as cast/forged hybrid 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 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 MC (2011) is the weaker-lofted set — up to 1° 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 MC (2011) specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) stronger lofted than the Tour Preferred MC (2011)?
Yes. The TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) 7-iron is 33° against 34° for the Tour Preferred MC (2011), 1° stronger, which is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) and Tour Preferred MC (2011)?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (33° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 6-iron, and 5 of the 8 shared clubs differ.
Are the TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB (2011) 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 CB (2011) and Tour Preferred MC (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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