Cleveland 588 forged CB and MB irons

[Moonnerd]

I had a chance to test these irons today, and they felt great.  I was hitting them side by side with a Bridgestone J40 and J38.  I expected the Bridgestones to feel better, but the 588s held their own.  Have any of you tried them yet?

I was talking to someone about them, and he thought the 588s may have been forged for Cleveland by Srixon, which if it is true, would explain why they felt so good.  Is there any truth to that story?

[Elmer Fudd]

Yes, I have a brand new set of M/B and I love them. I waited five months to get them, but well worth the wait. Cleveland has sent the CB and MB 6 irons out to their staff dealer golf pros for demonstration. You should be able to find a place to try them out now. I ordered mine on blind faith and on looks alone and they are worth every penny. I also needed extra length and a few degrees upright so impulse buying was not a factor. I'm almost scared to use them their so pretty. Despite all of the warnings I got from golfers about the difficulty of hitting blades, I find them straighter and longer than my previous CB set. I think this is mainly due to better contact with the correct fit and 1/2 inch of additional length. Also I should add that I didn't really test other clubs. I initially decided to purchase a set of  Titleist MB based on their reputation and the number of sets being played by the big boys. During the long wait I second guessed myself many times, but I am completely sold on them and would be shocked if they don't gobble up some of the forged market.

[Moonnerd]

Thanks!  That is very helpful.  Thats interesting that you said that about the blades.  I was hitting the 588 blades compared to the Bridgestone cavity backs.  I went to the store to try out full cavity back sets, but the pro showed me the 588s.  He had only put a grip on a blade, so I tried that and loved it.  It felt just as good as the J38 and J40.  I'm really thinking about getting the 588 3-6 CB and 7-W MB combo.

The more I read, the more it sounds like they were forged by Srixon, which suddenly puts Cleveland on my radar.  It has been a long time since I've seen Cleveland irons that I was interested in.

[Elmer Fudd]

Man I have checked the internet for any information about the 588 irons for the past few months and Cleveland just hasn't talked about them very much. I saw a post where someone suggested they were Endo forged, which could mean either Japan or Thailand. Either way they have excellent reputations and quality control standards. I also saw a video on Srixon forging and I think I saw the 588 wedges being done there. I gave serious consideration to ordering the split set myself and would probably be just as happy. I really don't think it would make a bit of difference and the 588 CB irons are about the best looking cavities I have ever seen. Good luck and either way you go you win.

[GolferDewd]

The Cleveland 588 CB forged irons are simply put... excellent in every way. I was gaming 2009 Taylormade Tour Preferred irons and wasn't getting any distance or consistency. I'm still pretty new to golf as I didn't start playing until April, 2015, so I thought it was me until I swung the 588 CB's. I instantly felt and saw a huge difference. I went through the whole set hitting each loft and just couldn't believe I was the one sailing these shots with near perfect trajectory, and easily a club longer. So I thought, well they're just new, that's why I'm hitting them so well, the true test will be tomorrow on the course and it was and they PASSED! I've since played with them more than a dozen times and I like them better each time. Everyone would have you believe that if you aren't a low handicap and been playing since age 5, that somehow you aren't allowed to hit forged, blade-like clubs. I can't speak for other brands/models, but I can fully recommend and absolutely encourage people to give these a try. I can tell you for sure, I've definitely dropped 5 - 7 strokes, not just writing that, it's the truth.   

[vangator]

Here's the Maltby Playability Factor chart.  http://www.golfworks.com/images/art/MPFRatingsChart.pdf

 

The Cleveland 588 CB is 454 and the Cleveland 588 MB is 556.  Those numbers mean they are pretty non forgiving.  But if you like them, you like them.