Titleist DCI irons were the cast, cavity back iron line Titleist sold through most of the 1990s, built for golfers who wanted more forgiveness than the forged Tour Model blades offered. The line started with the DCI Black and DCI Gold around 1993 and grew into several versions, including the Oversize, Oversize +, 962, 981 and 990, before Titleist moved to its numbered 600 and 700 series irons in the early 2000s. Because so many were sold, DCI irons still turn up regularly as used single irons and sets.
How the DCI versions differ
The original DCI irons used a cast stainless steel head with a large rear cavity and a thicker topline than Titleist's blades, with the Black and Gold names referring to the color fill in the cavity. The Oversize and Oversize + models made the head larger for more help on off center hits. The 962 went the other way with a smaller, more compact head aimed at better players, and the 962B was the version with a black finish. The 981 used progressive offset, meaning more offset in the long irons and less in the short irons. The 990 had a compact head, a thinner topline and less offset, making it the most player oriented of the group. Later models like the 822 Oversize carried the DCI name into the early 2000s.
Are they still worth playing?
DCI irons are now 25 to 30 years old, so they do not have the stronger lofts, thin faces or tungsten weighting found in modern irons. What they do have is a simple, durable cast head and a shape many golfers still like. For a beginner, a junior, or a golfer who wants a cheap backup set or a single replacement iron, a used DCI can make sense. Check the grooves and grips, and expect that many have original steel shafts that may need a regrip.
Common questions
Are Titleist DCI irons forged?
No. DCI irons were cast from stainless steel. Titleist's forged irons of the same era were the Tour Model blades.
Which DCI model is the most forgiving?
The Oversize and Oversize + versions have the largest heads in the line and are the most forgiving. The 990 and 962 are the more compact, player oriented models.
You can browse used sets in our Titleist iron sets collection, or search single DCI irons here if you only need to replace one club. If you are comparing DCI to the cast irons Titleist made later, our post on how the Titleist AP1 game improvement line changed covers the next generation.
