Equipment

Cleveland 588 MT and TT irons: Editor Review

Published

11 years ago

Jun 20, 2013

Pros: The higher-launching, more forgiving MT irons and lower-launching TT irons blend together nicely to allow a player to mix and match a set. Both sets have better performance on mishits than most players irons, and a solid feel on center strikes. There’s real springiness to the forged faces — especially the MT irons, which perform like mini hybrids.

Cons: Less workability than many players irons. Blade enthusiasts won’t love the thick top lines of the MTs, and the TTs are a bit bulky for a “tour” iron.

Bottom Line: The 588 TT irons are a legitimate step forward from the 588 Forged line, adding distance and performance on shots struck both on and off center. Most players will sacrifice the modicum of playability for irons which look and feel this good. The opportunity to add more forgiving hybrid-esque long irons (the MTs) is a significant advantage, as well.

Overview

Following up the 588 Forged CB and 588 Forged MB irons, and several years removed from the Black Pearl era of Cleveland Irons, Cleveland Golf released the 588 MT (medium trajectory) and TT (tour trajectory) irons for 2013.

The company intends for the irons (as well as the super game-improvement Altitude series) to be fully interchangeable with one another so golfers can, as Cleveland says, “build the perfect set.” Thus, I reviewed the 3 iron (19 degrees) and 4 irons (21 degrees) from the MT line, in conjunction with the 5 iron through pitching wedge (44 degrees) in the TT line.

The MT irons (above) are used by several of Cleveland Golf’s staff players, including Keegan Bradley, Charlie Beljan, David Toms and Graeme McDowell (Click each player’s name to see a WITB with full specs and photos).

Both the MT and TT models feature multi-material vibration-dampening inserts that are intended to provide a more consistent feel across the club face. Both models also are equipped with Cleveland’s Forged Face Technology, by which a forged face is essentially inserted into the golf club.

The MTs feature full-hollow construction, which creates “advanced internal weighting that adds forgiveness and promotes a lower, deeper center of gravity for optimal launch and … distance.” The line also features progressive blade heights, moving from shallower in the long irons to taller in the shorter clubs, while the TTs have a constant blade height and a variable blade length.

Performance

The club’s forged face insert is something of a trampoline, and initial ball speeds are quite high. However, the company has improved its way to a potential fault, as the pitching wedge is almost too hot to use around the green.

Between the hot face and the stronger lofts, players will likely be picking up a few yards with each iron. Happily, trajectories shouldn’t be markedly lower, due to the the CG and undercut design.

Both the MT and the TT are remarkably forgiving: Mishits fly father and straighter, and that isn’t just talk. Unless you need to work the ball like Bubba Watson, you’re not going to suffer from the decrease in playability compared to, say, previous 588 Forged models.

The 588 MT irons really get up in the air, which will be a benefit for the vast majority of golfers. However, better players will want to stick with the TTs as their long irons.

The TT’s rounded sole and compact design, in particular, make it a versatile and functional club from the rough, and it’s likely to outperform competitors from the territories outside the fairway due to both sole design and a face that ensures maximum distance on even the least convincing strikes of the golf ball.

Looks and feel

In the longer irons, the MTs are reminiscent of the old Mizuno Fli-Hi: long body and wide sole. Depending on playability and personal preference, this may be confidence-inspiring or annyoing. The TTs feature a substantial cavity, but it isn’t visible at address. As mentioned before, the top line of the clubs is wide, and is of comparable width to the TaylorMade RocketBladez irons.

The 588 MT irons have wider soles than the 588 TT irons, which lowers the center of gravity for a higher launch, but decreases versatility from the rough.

A similar aesthetic to the RTX CB wedge models is evident on the rear of the club, and there are suggestions of the 2008 Cleveland CG Golds/Reds in the design.

Click here to read a full review of the Cleveland 588 RTX CB and MB wedges.

Cleveland’s claims about the vibration dampening effect of the insert held true, almost to a fault, as there was (not surprisingly) less feedback at impact than with most traditional players, although off-center strikes didn’t come with their usual sting.

The models demoed featured Cleveland’s Traction 85 S flex shafts, but a variety of options are available.

Additionally, the loft and lie chart is below. Predictably, the lofts are 3 to 4 degrees stronger than in the 588 CB irons and reflect the industry imperative of strengthening club lofts.

The Takeaway

The elephant in the room with this year’s iron offerings for better players is Taylormade’s RocketBladez. So, this year, Cleveland moved away from the traditional look and construction of their 588 MB and 588 CB irons towards polymer and forged faced inserts.

The death nell of the forged iron may have sounded years ago, but with the adoption of the larger, longer-flyinh irons by the world’s best players, it seems that the “players iron” of today is a club that would have been positioned between players club and game improvement iron five years ago.

It is this spot that the Cleveland TT irons (and to a lesser degree, the MT irons) occupy. And if you’re anything other than the staunchest of blade purists, the Cleveland TT is worth your consideration. Likewise, if you aren’t contending for your club championship, a mixed set of the MT and TT irons will provide key benefits throughout the bag.

Another point of consideration in comparing Cleveland’s crop to their obvious competitor: the MT and TT lines both sell for $699, a price that’s below most of the competition.

Click here to see photos of Cleveland’s entire 2013 product line.

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Ben Alberstadt

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14 Comments

john

Jul 21, 2018 at 2:14 am

Great Clubs have been using the TT588 for a few years now very impressed has dropped my HC gone from 24 to 15 had my first even par over 9 with these brilliant clubs

Reply Report comment
Thomas F

Oct 23, 2014 at 6:03 am

I have just ordered the Tt irons ! I done a lot of research and went to my local range for a fitting ! It felt so good hitting these!! Cannot wait to get my hands on them !

Reply Report comment
- Garrick S
  
  Nov 1, 2014 at 9:09 am
  
  You will not be disappointed. I got mine two months ago. They are fantastic!!
  
  Reply Report comment
Jeff

Sep 21, 2014 at 10:46 am

So does this mean I can buy (if I want) only 4-7 of MT and 8-GW of TT?

Reply Report comment
Jon S.

May 23, 2014 at 11:47 am

I bought the 588 MT’s after careful consideration of Callaway and Taylormade and I am glad I made the purchase. I have the 4 – DW in my bag now and could not be happier. It took a little while to get used to the higher irons and getting them to fly like my past clubs that I played for 10 years but after a few slight adjustments, I can always count on the yardage and flight pattern that is now a slight draw rather than a constant fade.
The workability on these clubs is also surprising as it is a forged face rather than a full forged club and when properly hit, it will do what you intended it to do. I have never owned Cleveland clubs before but these have me sold for many years to come.

Reply Report comment
John Davis

Sep 19, 2013 at 3:06 am

Hi all, I have just purchased these clubs. They’re bloody brilliant!! I have just come back to golf four months ago after not playing much other than the odd social game for near on 20 years. Got the wife into it, joined a club here in Sydney Australia and back in the week to week competition.

Issue was I had old clubs, Bridgestone Rexceeds in fact. I found I had clubs that were not performing, very unforgiving and just not cutting anymore. I was being outhit by golfer I thought were worse golfer than me for distance. I researched the internet until could not do so anymore. Too much information but I did learn that I would benefit from new stick regardless and get better distances and for sure better control, two things I needed to improve my handicap.

My handicap was given back to me was 20. Disappointing considering in the heady days as a teenager I played off 13 so not hitting my irons was frustration.

I went to buy new clubs and I listened to current golfers who said, YOU MUST go and hit them, DO NOT buy them off the rack or internet. Thankfully I listened. First I bought a driver, a Callway Razer Fit 9.5 with stiff shaft. Great driver, hitting it miles. Bought a new Callway bag for it and my old clubs.

Now, being a little OCD I wanted everything to match so when I went to try the different irons, I wanted to buy the Callaways but tried them , the Clevelands which I ended up buying and the Pings and the Mizuno’s which came second. I rated Pings third and Callaways 4th. Still does my head in as an old school golfer I wanted everything to match but now realise that it’s not important.

What I did learn though from Cleveland was that not only do they feel incredibly nice to hit and they have great feel, but you can match the TT and MT clubs, I bought 4-6 in MT and 7-S in TT. Took some convincing but I am one of the converted. I also though that ad was a complete embarrassment when I saw it and I had even made up my mind I wasn’t going to buy those clubs because of the ad but when I tried them, I was sold. BTW, the ad is actually right on the money.

I now have the clubs, they are great for OCD people too because they look the same yet you get the forgiving MT’s on the long irons and TT’s on the short irons.

Seriously since having these clubs a month, I am heat seeking the pins on par 3’s and getting incredible accuracy and distance on long irons.Now I am hitting past those guys I thought I should have been hitting past all along. I also noticed that these clubs are incredible for forginess becaseu on the shots I have hit badly, I am astonished how they ended up. Already shot a 44 point game and my handicap is down from 20 to 17 already in one month! I swear by these clubs if you are interested to know and if you compare, you will see the difference between their peers, especially the feel off the club and I would say they are going to great for me as I lower my handicap because I will not need to replace them. When I asked why they felt so much better I was told it was because fo teh forged face. Now don’t take my word for it nor necessarily believe this, but there is something that makes these clubs that bit better, and maybe this is why.

Next challange………….. need some more wedges in the bag!! Question is, which brand? 🙂 back to shops we go for more road testing I think.

Reply Report comment
- metrybill
  
  Nov 7, 2013 at 6:12 pm
  
  Terrific and enjoyable comment from John Davis. Thanks, and welcome back to The Game. I am curious. What shafts were recommended for you and which model did you choose. Standard Traction 85 shaft seems awfully light and with a high launch profile.
  
  Has anyone else demo’d, bought or custom ordered the TT and MT irons with a different shaft than the off the rack shaft?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - David W
    
    Jun 20, 2014 at 3:26 am
    
    Hi…bought a custom set of Mt 4,5 and TT 6-D wedge in KBS Tour shaft plus 588 forged in 54 and 58…fantastic combo..better control and distance. I chose the KBS as I had them in my old TM R9s. Lovely soft, crisp feel when hit on the sweet spot.
    
    Reply Report comment
Matthew Carter

Sep 7, 2013 at 1:51 pm

Completed iron fitting at Cleveland Golf. Can’t wait to get my 588 TT’s. I agree with previous comment: CG is all about quality product without over the top marketing. Thanks Rueben! Best club fitters in the business. Next up…. Woods.

Reply Report comment
- metrybill
  
  Nov 7, 2013 at 6:13 pm
  
  What shaft for the TT irons? Thanks.
  
  Reply Report comment
TIM DAVIS

Jul 28, 2013 at 12:21 am

people are like sheep.they follow the crowd.i don’t go for all the marketing,i go for what is quality,the cleveland 588 is quality.i don’t need a tv commercial to know that!!

Reply Report comment
wes

Jun 24, 2013 at 12:23 pm

jpx-825 pro seem to have this category flushed

Reply Report comment
Fabin Sarley

Jun 23, 2013 at 8:06 pm

those look like a straight rip-off of the diablo forged

Reply Report comment
Sabin Farley

Jun 22, 2013 at 11:07 am

Callaway X-Tour from 2005 maybe?

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

4 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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