Expert Review: TaylorMade P770 & P790 Irons

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Introduced in 2017, the TaylorMade P700 series irons incorporate technology into players irons with a touch of sophistication that is so tough to deliver. Make no mistake, the P700 series irons are designed to take better players’ games to the next level. Each one of the models feature different characteristics that produce varying levels of forgiveness while still retaining all the necessary requirements to call them players irons. This review features the TaylorMade P770 irons and TaylorMade P790 irons, the two sets I think will appeal to the widest range of players and abilities.

TaylorMade P770 Irons


TyalorMade P770 Irons
TyalorMade P770 Irons Address
TyalorMade P770 Irons Toe
TyalorMade P770 Irons Face

Club Tested: 7 Iron Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400; Flex: Stiff; Loft: 33°


The Takeaway

Forged of 1025 carbon steel, the TaylorMade P770 irons are a sleek looking players iron with a sneaky amount of technology packed into a compact clubhead. The long irons have a 70-gram tungsten bar and the scoring irons are a one-piece forged cavity back construction for greater MOI, lower center of gravity and higher launch angle. TaylorMade packed in a lot of other great features preferred by better players too, like a thin topline, a precision-milled face and grooves, and tight leading edge, all resulting in improved playability, sound and feel.

Who’s It For?

The TaylorMade P770 irons are for better players looking for forged feel with a mesh of workability and forgiveness. Plus to 12 handicaps.

Final Take

I really like these irons. Right away, the styling had a rich feel to it and utilized both satin and chrome nicely. The top line frames the smaller blade length well leading to a confident feel at address. Once in my hands the P770 irons continued to impress. The weighting of this clubhead is really solid and I could feel a low CG even before hitting a ball.

The ball flight suited my eye perfectly, and my natural swing produced a very controllable draw. I enjoyed the forged feel which provided excellent feedback to my hands and a pleasant sound. That strategic tungsten weighting led to fairly good forgiveness for a players iron on shots off of the toe. Trajectory, distance, feel and looks are all spot on with these irons. Do yourself a favor and add them to your list to test.

Shop TaylorMade P770 Irons


TaylorMade P790 Irons


TyalorMade P790 Irons
TyalorMade P790 Irons Sole
TyalorMade P790 Irons Toe
TyalorMade P790 Irons Face

Club Tested: 7 Iron Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400; Flex: Stiff; Loft: 30.5°


The Takeaway

The irons that sparked an ongoing legal controversy, the TaylorMade P790 are a combination of forged construction and SpeedFoam Technology. Made from 4140 Forged Carbon steel, this is a distance iron in a players iron package. The hollow cavity, filled with TaylorMade’s SpeedFoam, allows for optimally placed weight that generates exceptional distance and forgiveness from a forged iron. The Speed Pocket (3-7 irons) and mini inverted cone are designed to flex and rebound at impact giving players faster ball speeds and higher launch angles, even on mishits.

Who’s It For?

These irons are marketed as a distance iron for the better player, but I think these irons can be used by improving mid handicap players, as well.

Final Take

Every year the line between players irons and game improvement irons blurs even more, and the TaylorMade P790 irons do nothing to bring any clearer delineation to that line. With that said, there is a ton to like about these distance irons for better players. At address, the 79mm blade has a confidence inspiring look to it. These irons definitely have a larger footprint to them than traditional players irons, but I also didn’t feel like I was looking down at a super game improvement iron either. The satin chrome is a nice look for this stuffed blade.

Breaking down the actual shots, I had no complaints at all. One thing to note is the lofts of the P790 irons are a bit stronger than traditional players irons, and that can equate for some of the added distance. The feel was solid, the trajectory right in the slot I’m accustomed to seeing, they produced a slight draw and had good forgiveness on mishits off the toe. Due to the solid weighting, players should have no problem launching these irons. If you are looking for a step up in your game, but still need some forgiveness and distance from your irons, jump in line for the P790 irons.

Shop TaylorMade P790 Irons

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Keith Schneider

Web Content Manager at GolfDiscount.com
Keith SchneiderAge: 34 Handicap: 4.9 Introduction to golf: Age 14 Playing years: 20 Rounds per year: 75+ Hole in Ones: 1WITB Driver: Titleist TS2 10.5° Project X HZRDUS Smoke 65 6.5 3 Wood: Cobra King F9 Fairway Wood 3-Wood Project X HZRDUS Smoke 75 6.5 2-Iron: Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi KBS Tour C Taper Lite Stiff 1° weak 1.5° upright Irons: Mizuno MP-68 (4-PW) +1/2" Dynamic Gold X100 2° upright Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 51° 8° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 F Grind Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge Works 55° 14° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 F Grind Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge Works 60° 6° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 K Grind Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 35" Balls: Titleist ProV1x, TaylorMade Tour Preferred X or Callaway Chrome Soft X
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3 Comments

  1. Keith,

    I’m torn between these two, so, I’ve considered a combo — but does a 60 year old 7 HC really need a combo set? I’m thinking, let go of the rope and get the 790s, but I am all to familiar with hot irons that fly the green at precisely the wrong moment. But I like the distance! I currently game Vega VC-03s –deep cavity back… high launching (I think), but shovels I have grown tired of looking at. The size of the P790s does not bother me at all, but the 770s are obviously nicer to look at. What’s your advice?

    • Keith Schneider on

      Hi Tom,

      Great question. The visual aspect of clubs are important. If you don’t feel confident at address chances are you aren’t going to play your best golf with those irons, but in the end results is what we’re after.

      I agree that both of these iron sets are pleasing to look at and the 770s have a slight edge in appearance. I personally think they are the best looking player’s cavity back on the market.

      Since the looks of neither bother you at all, it comes down to playability, feel and results. If you can, try and hit both the P790 and P770 irons (lowest iron you can test would be best) and see which feels better in your hands and which produces the better results.

      Traditionally, “combo sets” are a mixture of hybrids and irons, but in the last few years even PGA Tour players have started to incorporate Game Improvement irons into their bag. They have found excellent results by keeping a long iron with added forgiveness in their hands as versus pulling a hybrid.

      I recently played in a Pro-Am with a Pro who had the P770 irons (5-PW) and had the P790 3 and 4 irons. And, while neither of these irons are Game Improvement Irons, there’s no reason adding some forgiveness to the lower end of the bag wouldn’t help you, as well.

      One adjustment you’ll probably want to make going this route is to adjust the lofts on the P790 irons a little weaker to keep consistent yardage gapping, but this is absolutely a great set up and both are really solid irons all around.

      I wouldn’t be too concerned with the P790 irons producing an inconsistent flier every now and again. In all my testing they were consistent from swing to swing, just longer than a traditional players iron. Once your gaps are figured out you’ll have no issue finding the target.

      When you’re ready to make the switch, we have all the custom options you need to get the set dialed in, from custom shafts and grips to length, loft and lie.

      Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions.

      Thanks for reaching out, hope this helps and best of luck out on the links.

      – Keith

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