Taylormade P790 Irons Review, Our 30 Day Test Results
Taylormade p790 Review: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: few brands have managed to embed itself among golfers and the golf industry as a whole the way TaylorMade has. [no_toc]
This golf equipment manufacturer can be seen in every golf course in any part of the world, and with good reason too.
The brand has manufactured some of the most beloved irons the sport has ever known and many professions still prefer to use only TaylorMade products (though it’s worth noting that when most golfers get used to a certain brand, they tend to stick with it rather adjusting to a new brand with widely different lofts, materials, length, etc.)
Why Listen To Me?
My name is Linda Parker, my mom was a LPGA pro before my parents met, and I’ve been around golf since before I could walk.
I used the Taylormade P790 Irons for 30 days in beautiful San Diego, California.
In this article, we will be discussing the TaylorMade P790 Irons, weigh in on their notable features, and tell you our thoughts after testing them out for 30 days on the golf course.
As an avid golfer and someone who has tried and tested numerous golf clubs, I have gained extensive knowledge about the intricacies of golf equipment. This experience enables me to provide you with a thorough and unbiased review of the TaylorMade P790 Irons.
If you have plans of getting the Taylormade P790 irons set yourself, or you just dont know what golf irons you're interested in, stick around and know all you need to know about it below!
P790 Features:
Here's what makes the Taylormade p790 irons tick.
More than simply being made of Iron, the Taylormade P790 Irons are advertised as being the result of years of research and testing.
The SpeedFoam Air material used in the clubs is 69% lighter than the material used in the previous version.
Speedfoam Air provides an average of 3.5g of weight savings that has been redistributed to further optimize mass properties for better launch conditions.
Considering the vast resources of technology and exports that the brand has at its disposal, it’s not a stretch to assume that this iron set has all the modern bells and whistles.
From the clubface design up to the grip and speedfoam air, it claims to have all the advancements one can think of for golf clubs.
The stock grip is a Golf Pride Z-Grip (+2).
The P790 also comes in a sleek and elegant black chrome finish which makes it look modern and stylish, a good addition to any player’s bag.
The sweet spot of a golf club is the area in the club head the ball is supposed to make contact with.
This spot allows for the most launch and speed, hence, it’s known as the intelligent sweet spot.
With this irons set, the creators have repositioned the sweet spot lower on the face to naturally capture more shots and provide performance where golfers need it most.
Something of a new trend among the newer models of clubs, the Tungsten Energy Core is a counterweight embedded in the toe of the clubhead.
The 31g of tungsten helps to create a massive amount of stability and forgiveness, guiding the club through the downswing.
Flexibility is a trait of a golf club that cannot be overlooked. With the right flexibility, the ball’s launch and speed benefits. It also compliments the golfers swing speed and strength.
With a new 8620 carbon steel construction, the head of the Taylormade p790 is thinner by up to 37.5% in strategic locations, allowing for a significantly lower CG placement.
On top of this, it also has a responsive 1.5mm forged 4140 steel L-Face to promote supreme flexibility, faster ball speed, and improved distance. All this while still upholding a premium forged feel.
What We Experienced Using This:
This is what you're here for!
Upon receiving the Taylormade p790 set in the mail, what first struck me about them is how unassuming they are.
If you were to look up stock photos of golf clubs, this is something very similar to what might appear.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it makes the Taylormade P790 iron quite timeless.
There are only two things about its look and feel that rubbed me the wrong way.
Firstly, despite looking new, it seems the P790 Iron set are going with the brushed steel aesthetic that makes them look like they were forged by a blacksmith.
If you’re into that kind of thing then that’s great but there were times when I forgot that this Irons set was new and not second-hand.
My golf partner and I were able to work the ball both ways with ease and felt in complete control throughout the entire set.
The launch angle and spin rate were both very consistent, which is a testament to the quality of craftsmanship that went into these irons.
The sweet spot on these clubs is definitely larger than most, which was greatly appreciated by our testers.
The irons felt comfortable and well-balanced in my hands. They provided a good amount of feedback on every shot, which is crucial for a golfer to understand and improve their swing.
In terms of forgiveness, these clubs performed exceptionally well - miss-hits still managed to travel a good distance and stay relatively straight.
We found ourselves hitting the ball further than we usually do with other irons, and more often than not, the ball would find the green even if our shots weren’t perfectly straight. And when we did hit them dead center, oh boy!
Solid in feeling, being built more for speed and distance than anything else, the clubs produce a baritone sound upon impact. Around medium range in volume.
Upon initial testing on the course, I found little distance in the average speed when compared to previous models. The height and carry were all the same.
Aesthetically, I love the brushed steel look but it might not be for everyone.
The feel of the club is where it shines. The grip and weighting are both perfect.
The ball speed was rather impressive, considering the head size.
As for accuracy, they were very solid on average but there were some shots that just didn’t seem to want to cooperate.
While they may not be the most innovative clubs out there, they get the job done and then some.
If you’re looking for a new set of irons that will improve your game without breaking the bank, then these are definitely worth checking out.
We found a ball speed that averages around 110 mph and a carry distance of 150-155 yards.
Compared to other irons we've tested, the P790s produced 5% more ball speed and an additional 7-10 yards of carry distance on average. This extra distance can be crucial in reaching those tricky par-5 greens in two shots or clearing a well-placed bunker.
Where it diverges is in the forgiveness and ease of use. The intelligent sweet spot and low CG advertised are quite evident here. You could feel the difference even with mishits.
It also has a great look, much cleaner and more attractive than the P770.
The brushed metal does make it appear to be forged which can be a little misleading since they are not.
The only thing that might sway you is the updated look and feel of the Taylormade p790 Iron set which gives off an air of sophistication your old set might be lacking.
During our testing sessions, we took photographs and recorded videos of our swings and the resulting ball flights. This allowed us to analyze the performance of the P790 Irons in detail and compare them to other clubs we have tested in the past.
After 30 days of use on the golf course, we found that the Taylormade P790 could get you a bit more yardage but not by much.
In terms of overall forgiveness, the clubs served as well as to be expected by not vastly different from previous iterations.
There were shots though that performed less stunningly than predecessors. In a few instances, the clubs hit a distance of around 10-12 yards shorter than the previous P790 version or even the SIM 2 irons.
This means that the Taylormade P790 could benefit from a little club fitting before professional use, or better served as an intermediate golfer’s set.
The second thing I was on the fence about was the striking similarity ithe p790 irons had with the previous model, the Taylormade P770 Irons.
If they were in your golf bag together, you could hardly tell the Taylormade P790 and P770 apart.
The sound they make is also identical.
Again, not a bad thing since the Taylormade P770 is a decent set but one has to think: If you already have the previous model, the Taylormade P770 set, would the new model, the Taylormade P790 set still be necessary?
Probably Not... For a more detailed review, see our comparison at Taylormade P770 vs P790 Irons.
That being said, when comparing the P790 to its competitors, such as the Callaway Apex Irons and Titleist T200 Irons, we found that the P790 offers similar levels of forgiveness and distance.
However, the TaylorMade P790 stands out with its intelligent sweet spot design and lower center of gravity, which provide golfers with better launch conditions and improved shot shaping capabilities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Taylormade P790 Final Verdict (4.4/5)
All in all, the TaylorMade P790 Irons are a serviceable set. While the P790 irons have many improvements over the previous models, it is essential to recognize that some golfers may not see a significant difference in performance.
Nevertheless, the potential for enhanced play is there with the right fit and in the right hands.
The Taylormade P790 Irons are a great set of clubs that offer forgiveness, distance, and solid accuracy.
They have a timeless look and feel to them that will appeal to golfers of all skill levels.
Although they may not be the most innovative clubs on the market, they get the job done and then some.
Who Are They Ideal For?
The Taylormade P790 iron set is a great choice for intermediate golfers or those looking to upgrade from an older model.
With its solid feel dand forgiving design, it is perfect for those just starting out or those who need a little help with their game.
They are forgiving enough to make mishits count without doing all the job for you. If you're a high handicapper or a beginner, these clubs may not be the most suitable choice.
The Taylormade P790 Set offers fast ball speeds with plenty of distance. Had there been more palpable improvements when comparing it with the older models, we would have championed it more.
As it stands, the Taylormade P790 is a good set of irons that will serve you well but might need a little help to reach its full potential.
But with all that said, if you're an intermediate golfer looking for a set of clubs that provide a balance between performance and forgiveness, then this fits the bill perfectly.
With the right fit and in the right hands, we think that the Taylormade P790 could be a solid 4.5/5 set of clubs.
For now, we’ll have to settle for a 4.4/5
The P770 is not the predecessor to the P790. They have existed in parallel for years. The 2021 version of the P790 is the 3rd iteration. A new P770 is due out early in 2023.
This is the first review I've read that recommended these irons for beginners. Others I've read recommend for mid to low handicappers. Now I'm really confused.
Hey Dan,
Thanks for pointing out the difference between the P770 and P790 iron sets. I’m sorry for the confusion in my review. You were right that these two sets run parallel to each other and aren’t predecessors.
About my recommendation for beginners, I realize it may have caused some confusion. After taking a closer look, I’ve updated my review to clarify that the Taylormade P790 Irons are better suited for intermediate golfers and those upgrading from an older model. These clubs give you a nice balance of performance and forgiveness, so they’re perfect for mid to low handicappers.
I hope this clears things up, and I appreciate your feedback. If you have any questions or concerns, just give me a holler.
Cheers,
Linda