Titleist DCI 981 vs Titleist DCI 990
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | DCI 981 loft | DCI 990 loft | DCI 981 lie | DCI 990 lie | DCI 981 length | DCI 990 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | 17 | 58 | 58 | 39.5 | 39.75 |
| 2 | 19.5 | 19 | 59 | 59 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 22 | 22 | 60 | 60 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 25 | 25 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 28 | 28 | 62 | 62 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 31 | 32 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 36 | 63 | 63 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 40 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 44.5 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 49 | 64 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| W | 51 | — | 64 | — | 35.25 | — |
| SW | 55 | — | 64 | — | 35.25 | — |
| LW | 59 | — | 64 | — | 35.25 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- DCI 981
- DCI 990
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the DCI 981 is 35° and the DCI 990 is 36°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the DCI 981 should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the DCI 990. Across the 10 clubs both sets share, the DCI 990 averages 0.6° weaker, with the largest gap at the PW (47° vs 49°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 49°; the stronger one leaves a 3° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the DCI 981 runs 1-iron to LW (13 clubs), the DCI 990 1-iron to PW (10 clubs).
The DCI 981 is a game improvement iron and the DCI 990 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The DCI 981 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The DCI 990 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The DCI 981 is listed as investment cast, perimeter weighted and the DCI 990 as investment cast. 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 DCI 990 came out 1 year after the DCI 981, 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 DCI 990 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the DCI 981. 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: Titleist DCI 981 specs and Titleist DCI 990 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Titleist DCI 981 stronger lofted than the DCI 990?
Yes. The Titleist DCI 981 7-iron is 35° against 36° for the DCI 990, 1° stronger, which is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Titleist DCI 981 and DCI 990?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (35° vs 36°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the PW, and 6 of the 10 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Titleist DCI 981 or the DCI 990?
The Titleist DCI 981. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The DCI 990 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Titleist DCI 981 and DCI 990 have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 63° lie and 36.75 inches long.
Shop Titleist DCI 981
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