The Cleveland 588 name started on a wedge in 1988, and it later spread to a family of irons, hybrids and woods that now show up used in large numbers. If you see a 588 iron listed, it is most likely a Tour Action, MB, MT, TT or Altitude model, and each one is aimed at a different kind of player.
Where the 588 name came from
Cleveland introduced the original 588 wedge in May 1988, three years after the 485 Tour Action. It had a traditional shape with a large face and high toe, a V-shaped sole that narrowed toward the heel, and U-shaped grooves made from 8620 soft carbon steel. Roger Cleveland has said the 588 was built around feedback from top players. The name stuck, and Cleveland kept using it as the brand grew. In May 2026 the company released a limited edition 588 Tour Action wedge set built to the original specifications, which shows how much the name still means to the brand.
The 588 irons
The iron models most people find used are the 588 Altitude, 588 MT, 588 TT and 588 MB. One reference lists the Altitude and the forged MB at 2012 and the MT and TT at 2013, although some retailers date the Altitude to 2013. The Altitude and MT used cavity shapes meant to let players tune trajectory in the short and mid irons differently than in the long irons. The MB is the muscle back option for better players, while the Altitude is the more forgiving choice and is often found with graphite shafts. Older Tour Action 588 irons also turn up, and these are a different, earlier design from the 2010s models.
Common questions
Are Cleveland 588 irons good for beginners?
The Altitude and MT are the easier models to hit. The MB is a muscle back and is better suited to players who strike the ball consistently.
Why do used 588 sets look so different from each other?
The 588 name covers several generations and designs across more than 30 years, so a Tour Action 588 and a 588 Altitude are very different clubs. Check the model name in the listing before you buy.
If you want to see what is in stock, browse our used Cleveland single irons. For more Cleveland history, read our post on how Cleveland CG wedges changed from the CG10 to the CG16.
