Titleist DCI 981SL vs Titleist DCI 762
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | DCI 981SL loft | DCI 762 loft | DCI 981SL lie | DCI 762 lie | DCI 981SL length | DCI 762 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | 17 | — | 58 | — | 40 |
| 2 | 21 | 19 | 59 | 59 | 39.25 | 39.5 |
| 3 | 23 | 21.5 | 60 | 60 | 38.75 | 39 |
| 4 | 25 | 24 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 62 | 62 | 37.75 | 38 |
| 6 | 30 | 30 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.25 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 33 | 34 | 63 | 63 | 36.75 | 37 |
| 8 | 37 | 38 | 63.5 | 64 | 36.25 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 41 | 42 | 64 | 64 | 35.75 | 36 |
| PW | 45 | 46 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.75 |
| W | 49 | 50 | 64 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| SW | 52 | — | 64 | — | 35.25 | — |
| LW | 57 | — | 64 | — | 35.25 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- DCI 981SL
- DCI 762
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the DCI 981SL is 33° and the DCI 762 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 DCI 981SL should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the DCI 762. Across the 10 clubs both sets share, the differences roughly cancel out, with the largest gap at the 2-iron (21° vs 19°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the DCI 762 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (36.75" vs 37").
The sets are built differently: the DCI 981SL runs 2-iron to LW (12 clubs), the DCI 762 1-iron to W (11 clubs).
The DCI 981SL is a super game improvement iron and the DCI 762 a game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The DCI 981SL is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The DCI 762 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
The DCI 981SL is listed as investment cast, progressive cavity back and the DCI 762 as investment cast, dual cavity. 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 762 came out 3 years after the DCI 981SL, 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 762 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the DCI 981SL. 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 981SL specs and Titleist DCI 762 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Titleist DCI 981SL stronger lofted than the DCI 762?
Yes. The Titleist DCI 981SL 7-iron is 33° against 34° for the DCI 762, 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 981SL and DCI 762?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (33° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 2-iron, and 8 of the 10 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Titleist DCI 981SL or the DCI 762?
The Titleist DCI 981SL. As a super game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to high handicaps, beginners and slower swing speeds. The DCI 762 is a game improvement iron, better suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps.
Do the Titleist DCI 981SL and DCI 762 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Titleist DCI 981SL is 63° lie and 36.75 inches, the DCI 762 63° and 37 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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