In this comparison guide, we go over the 2024 TaylorMade P770 and the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons to help you decide which irons are perfect for you. Both of these TaylorMade irons are highly touted, but I’ll show you small details to look at between the P770 vs P790 iron sets.
This guide has been updated for the brand-new 2024 P770 irons.
We will review the changes and new technology below between the two different irons and outline which will work best for your golf game.
Use the buttons below to check out the store page for each iron:
Key Takeaways
- Both TaylorMade P770 and P790 irons feature Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and SpeedFoam Air technology for increased ball speed and distance.
- P770 irons have a shorter blade length, less offset, and a thinner top line, while P790 irons have a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness.
- P790 irons have a larger sweet spot and club head, while P770 irons offer better feel and workability.
- The new P770 released in 2023 are much easier to hit than the 2020 version, despite having more compact heads.
TaylorMade P770 Irons Overview
Key Features
Key Features
- FLTD CG Technology: Tungsten weighting places a low center of gravity in the long irons. The center of gravity progressively shifts higher throughout the set for improved launch and playability.
- Precision Milled Face and Grooves: Designed to deliver optimal launch and spin characteristics.
- Thinner Topline: One major difference in the new P770 irons is their newer, smaller head shape, which helps inspire more confidence at address.
- Modified Leading Edge Design: Improves turf interaction and consistency in shot-making.
Pros
Distance and Forgiveness
Distance and forgiveness are the standout features of the new 2024 P770 irons. TaylorMade re-added FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity) technology to improve these irons’ launch and spin control, particularly the long ones. This technology should help you get more distance.
Combined with a forged hollow-body construction, I think the P770 irons are more suited for all kinds of golfers.
Aesthetic Appeal
TaylorMade has made some subtle yet great tweaks to the aesthetics of the new P770 irons. With a sleek, compact design, reduced offset, and a thinner topline, I think these irons look great.
The blade-like appearance gives me confidence, allowing me to focus on my game without being distracted by bulky clubheads.
Performance
The P770 iron has been one of TaylorMade’s most popular iron sets, and this new set is no different. The P770 irons deliver a reliable mid-high ball flight, making them versatile for different playing conditions.
Players can expect solid turf interaction and a responsive feel, which enhance shot-making capabilities and overall enjoyment on the course. This distance, aesthetics, and consistency combination make the P770 irons a compelling choice for lower-handicap golfers.
Cons
Price
The new 2024 P770 irons are positioned at the higher end of the market, making them a substantial investment for many golfers. The advanced technology and materials used in their construction contribute to this cost, which may deter budget-conscious players from purchasing.
It may also be difficult to justify an upgrade when the older P770 model was only released two years earlier.
Not Suitable For High Handicap Golfers
The P770 irons are not suitable for high handicappers. Although they offer some forgiveness, they are primarily designed for low-to-mid handicappers.
These golf irons are less forgiving than game improvement irons, which could negatively impact your performance and confidence on the course.
Steel Shaft Only
It’s not a huge deal, but the new P770 irons are only available with steel shafts rather than graphite shafts. If you rely on graphite shafts for your irons, consider looking elsewhere.
P770 Iron Specs
TaylorMade P790 Irons Overview
Key Features
- Speedfoam Air: TaylorMade injects SpeedFoam technology into the iron head, which helps dampen vibration while offering a premium sound at impact.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket: Increases flexibility on the face of the iron while keeping ball speeds and distance up.
- Intelligent Sweet Spot: Sweet spot size has been increased by 60% compared to the original P790 irons to provide even better contact.
- Ultimate Forgiveness: New construction method allows for 31g of tungsten weighting in the toe, offering even more forgiveness on every shot.
Pros
Ease of Use
The best thing about the TaylorMade P790 irons is that they are a player’s forged iron that performs like a game improvement iron. Mid-to-high-handicap golfers don’t always want to play with big cavity back irons, so TaylorMade wanted to change that by creating premium irons that play elite for these specific golfers.
At first glance, the P790s have a massive sweet spot and inspire confidence at address. They include TaylorMade’s patented speed foam technology, which helps the ball launch off the face and offers excellent ball control.
Club Head Size
Although they are considered a player’s game improvement iron, they feature compact heads and make it feel like the iron is smooth during your swing.
Launch
The P790 irons also feature perimeter weighting, which helps keep the center of gravity low and helps you get good ball flight. If you have a slow swing speed, the P790 irons will improve ball speed and keep your ball straight, even on mis-hits.
Hitting these irons will give you maximum distance on every shot, which we, as golfers, are looking for.
Steel and graphite
Another pro about the TaylorMade P790 irons is that they are available in steel and graphite shaft options. This gives more options, especially for beginner golfers who may be used to hitting graphite shafts.
Cons
Price
The biggest downside to the TaylorMade P790 irons is the price tag. These irons are marketed towards mid-high handicappers, which includes beginners in the game of golf. If you are starting, this may seem like a lot of money to drop on a set of irons.
You have to ask yourself what you want to get out of the game of golf and whether it is worth spending that money on clubs.
Thick Top Line
Another small con about the TaylorMade P790 is that the top line of the irons is quite thick compared to other irons on the market. This wouldn’t make a massive difference to most golfers, but it depends on who uses the club and what you prefer.
P790 Iron Specs
TaylorMade P770 vs P790: Head-to-Head Comparison
After hitting both irons for a while, here is my head-to-head comparison between the 2023 P770 vs 2021 P790.
Design
The P770 and P790 share a similar structure, utilizing the same materials and construction techniques. The major difference is that the P770 is more compact, making them better if you are a low to mid-handicapper who prefers a smaller clubhead.
The P770 features a thinner topline and less offset, contributing to its sleek appearance and appealing to players looking for a more traditional iron look. This compact design enhances workability and precision.
The P790 has a larger head size, which provides a more forgiving look, making it suitable for a wider range of handicaps. Its thicker topline offers a more substantial feel at the address, which can be reassuring for many golfers.
Winner: P770
Forgiveness
The P790 irons have a larger clubhead and a thicker topline, which makes them more forgiving. This design allows for a larger sweet spot, which allows for better distance on off-center hits. The P790’s low-profile tungsten weighting further enhances forgiveness by lowering the center of gravity, resulting in an easier launch angle.
The P770 irons feature a more compact design with a thinner topline and less offset, which appeals to lower-handicap golfers. While I found that the P770 was forgiving enough, it was noticeably less than the P790.
This design choice by TaylorMade allows for better shot shaping and precision but may result in a more noticeable distance loss on mishits than the P790.
Winner: P790
Feel
The P790 irons have a more premium feel, thanks to their forged hollow-body construction and the incorporation of SpeedFoam Air technology. The irons feel softer at impact and give you that ‘buttery smooth’ sensation you might hear your snobby golf friend talk about.
The combination of a larger clubhead and a thicker topline makes the P790 particularly appealing for players who want better responsiveness on their shots.
The P770 irons offer a different feel that caters to players seeking precision and control. While still providing good feedback, the P770’s smaller head size and thinner topline create a more compact feel at impact, which lower handicap golfers can prefer. The FLTD CG technology in the P770 helps maintain a consistent feel across the set, allowing for better shot shaping and workability.
The thin top line of the P770 inspires a lot of confidence at the address, and a perfectly struck golf ball off the sweet spot feels great.
Winner: P770
Distance
How far can you hit each iron?
The P770 and P790 are constructed with the same forged face and technology. However, one significant change applies to these irons.
The P790 irons are considered more game-improvement and have slightly different lofts than the P770. This results in hitting your golf shots further with the P790 than the P770. If you want pure distance over workability, you will enjoy using the P790 irons more.
The weaker lofts help inspire a little more confidence in mid-handicappers, and confidence is king on the golf course!
Winner: P790
Price and Value
When you purchase new golf clubs, the price is one of the main factors that come into play. Due to the P770 and P790 irons essentially being the same, the price will also be the same.
Winner: TIE
Which Irons Are Better?
For Beginners
If you are starting golf, we recommend the TaylorMade P790 iron set. They feature a giant club head and a more prominent sweet spot, which should work better for a beginner.
These distance irons will help you get fast ball speeds, all while keeping the ball in play. These irons also have slightly lower lofts which should help you launch the ball and keep your shots under control.
For Low Handicappers
For low-handicap golfers, we recommend the TaylorMade P770 iron set. The P770 irons have a slightly shorter blade length, less offset, and a thin club face.
This helps workability and allows for a better feel. With the smaller club head, you should be able to control your shot shape easier and get more spin on the ball. The P770 are great players irons for a low handicap golfer.
For Golfers With a High Swing Speed
You can choose whichever of the two irons you want if you have a high swing speed. If you are solely looking for maximum distance, you will likely find more success with the P790s due to the lower lofts and larger club heads.
The P770s will allow for a better feel and workability around the golf course. You will roll off less greens with the P770s.
For Women
For women, it depends on their skill level and preference while out on the golf course. The P790s will offer a little more forgiveness and distance. They are also available with graphite shafts, which some may prefer.
Video Comparison
Want to see these two irons in action against each other? Check out this video below:
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the TaylorMade P770 vs P790 irons are packed with technology to help you succeed on the golf course. The pricing is the same due to the similar characteristics, with slight differences.
If you want more forgiveness and distance, we recommend trying out the P790s.
If you want a better feel and more workability around the golf course, we recommend the P770s.
You can go right with either option. Use the buttons below to check out each iron set in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between the P770 and P790 irons?
The main difference between the two is the P770 has a shorter blade length, less offset, and a thinner top line when lined up to the ball. The P770 is considered more of a player’s iron, whereas the P790 is more of a game improvement iron.
Can beginners use either of the TaylorMade P770 vs P790 irons?
They could use either one and see success on the golf course. Even mid-handicappers may succeed more with the smaller head of the P770. This is why we always recommend heading into a golf retailer and hitting both to see how your swing fits and which works better for you.
Are TaylorMade P770s more forgiving than P790?
The TaylorMade P770 irons offer impressive forgiveness for a player’s iron, but the P790 irons have a larger sweet spot and are considered more forgiving due to their slightly longer blade length and bigger club head. The 2023 P770 irons are much more forgiving than the 2021 P770s.
What handicap should play TaylorMade P770 irons?
Low-handicap golfers would benefit from playing TaylorMade P770 irons, as these irons offer better feel, workability, and control, which are desirable traits for skilled players.
Will there be a new P790 iron in 2023?
No, all rumors indicate that an update to the TaylorMade P790 irons will be coming out in early 2024.
