Equipment
Cleveland 588 MT and TT irons: Editor Review
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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- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
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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
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 !
Garrick S
Nov 1, 2014 at 9:09 am
You will not be disappointed. I got mine two months ago. They are fantastic!!
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
metrybill
Nov 7, 2013 at 6:13 pm
What shaft for the TT irons? Thanks.
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!!
wes
Jun 24, 2013 at 12:23 pm
jpx-825 pro seem to have this category flushed
Fabin Sarley
Jun 23, 2013 at 8:06 pm
those look like a straight rip-off of the diablo forged
Sabin Farley
Jun 22, 2013 at 11:07 am
Callaway X-Tour from 2005 maybe?