588 MT irons
Key technology:
The MT (Mid Trajectory) set
sits in the middle of Cleveland’s 588 iron range. Each head features a hollow construction and internal weighting to improve forgiveness and lower the centre of gravity. The long irons are designed to be easy to hit and are blended with more traditional short irons to provide better feel and control. A forged face offers a consistent feel.
Will suit: anyone looking to straighten up their iron play.
Verdict
GM verdict: In a very competitive area of the market, this set doesn’t initially stand out from the crowd. After thorough testing, though, it’s clear that they offer fantastic forgiveness and plenty of control. The flight through the whole set is extremely straight, even on shots that don’t find the middle of the club. The performance will appeal to golfers who want a set that they know they can rely on to offer consistency from every club in the bag. The ability to combine the 588 MTs with other irons in the range is a handy option when putting a set together. But... the top line is thicker than some in this category. PGA pro verdict: The 588 MT irons look set to be a winner for Cleveland. Not only do they look really well finished, they’re also a pleasure to use. The strike is sweet, trajectory is consistent and the yardage is longer than other models I compared them to. The heads had a long, slightly boxy face at address, but these features are there to enhance performance. These bridge the gap between rescue and traditional irons, and I’m sure it won’t be long before the consumer realises that these irons outperform the more traditional look by a country mile! Test Team rating: Performance: 5/5 Visual appeal: 3.5/5 Innovation: 4/5 Value: 4.5/5 Overall: 4/5