I’ve spent weeks testing the latest TaylorMade P770 and P7CB irons, and let me tell you these clubs are pushing the boundaries of iron design. In this TaylorMade P770 vs P7CB iron comparison guide, I’ll break down each club in full detail.
Did you know that the P770s use a revolutionary Speedfoam Air technology? Or that the P7CBs are forged with 2,000 tons of pressure for an incredibly tight grain structure. I’ll dig into these and other cool details below.
Keep reading to find out which golf irons are perfect for you!
TaylorMade P770 Irons Overview
The 2024 TaylorMade P770 irons represent a refined look in the brand’s lineup, targeting lower handicap players with enhanced looks and performance. With several improvements from the last variation, TaylorMade has built on one of its most popular iron sets. The stock grips on the P770 irons include the Golf Pride Z-Grip +2, known for its improved durability due to a new rubber compound.
TaylorMade included Speedfoam Air, which features an improved feel and acoustics. Speedfoam Air is found on all modern TaylorMade clubs.
A speed slot on the irons also boosts ball speed, especially on low-face strikes. TaylorMade included tungsten weighting for an optimized moment of inertia (MOI) and center of gravity (CG) adjustments, which help you achieve better launch angles in longer irons and enhanced control in shorter ones. This is consistent throughout the set of irons.
With a thinner top line and shorter blade length, these irons cater more to better golfers who have a low or medium handicap.
Key Features
Hollow Body Construction: Provides a blend of distance and forgiveness in a compact head shape.
Speedfoam Air: Enhances feel and acoustics while supporting the face for improved performance.
FLTD CG Technology: Positions the center of gravity (CG) lower in long irons for easier launch and progressively shifts higher in shorter irons to optimize trajectory and spin.
Thinner Topline and Shorter Blade Length: Designed for better players, offering a more traditional look and feel.
Tungsten Weighting: Strategically placed in longer irons to aid in getting shots airborne and improving moment of inertia (MOI).
Thru-Slot Speed Pocket: Increases ball speed and forgiveness, especially on low-face strikes.
Inverted Cone Technology: Enhances ball speed across the face for consistent performance.
Better Turf Interaction: A redesigned sole with a lower leading edge for better playability in various conditions.
Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) Material: Used in the P770 irons to optimize weight distribution and enhance forgiveness.
Pros
Here are what I think are the biggest wins in the new P770 irons.
Enhanced Forgiveness: The hollow body construction and internal tungsten weight provide a higher level of forgiveness, making it easier for golfers to achieve consistent results, especially on off-center hits.
Optimized Launch Conditions: The new FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity) technology progressively changes the center of gravity throughout the irons for the ideal ball flight and launch.
Versatile Performance: Suitable for a range of players, particularly those with handicaps between 0 and 10.
Cons
Price Point: The P770 irons are positioned at the higher end of the market, making them a significant investment that aren’t suitable for all golfers.
Suitability for High Handicappers: While the P770s offer some forgiveness, these irons are primarily designed for low to mid-handicappers. High handicappers will find them less forgiving compared to game improvement irons, which could hinder their performance.
Adjustment Period: Golfers transitioning from larger, more forgiving irons require time to adapt to the P770s, as their compact size and precision demand a higher skill level and consistency.
TaylorMade P7CB Irons Overview
The TaylorMade P7CB irons, a type of CB irons, are designed for skilled golfers and modern players who want a traditional look with modern performance. These irons feature Compact Grain Forging, which ensures a tight grain structure for enhanced feel and consistency. The Metal-T design adds to their visual appeal while contributing to overall performance.
The P7CB irons are characterized by their mid-launch and mid-spin characteristics, making them suitable for players who prefer a penetrating ball flight and controlled spin rates. They are also considered some of the shortest players’ irons on the market, meaning they are more tailored toward golfers who prioritize accuracy over pure distance.
In my testing, the P7CB irons were 5 to 10 yards shorter than the P770s.
The P7CB irons are a significant investment and should only be considered by very good ball-strikers who want more workability with their irons.
Key Features
Compact Grain Forging: Utilizes a 2,000-ton press to create a tighter grain structure, enhancing feel and consistency across the iron set.
Mid-Launch and Mid-Spin Characteristics: Designed for golfers who prefer a penetrating ball flight with controlled spin rates, ideal for shot shaping.
Aggressive Grooves: Machined faces and grooves enhance spin and control, allowing precise shot-making.
Tour-Inspired Shaping: Features a thin topline, progressive offset, and a narrow sole for a clean look at address and improved turf interaction.
Custom Fitting Options: Available in various lofts and lie angles to accommodate individual golfer preferences.
Constant CG: The design feature in the P7CB irons ensures consistent ball performance and predictable ball flight, providing confidence to golfers that their shots will maintain the desired trajectory and spin.
Pros
Workability: The P7CB irons are designed for shot shaping, allowing skilled golfers to manipulate their ball flight effectively, for those who prioritize precision and control.
Exceptional Feel: The new Compact Grain Forging process provides a tight grain structure across the face of each iron, enhancing the overall feel and consistency at impact.
Respectable Forgiveness: While primarily a player’s iron, the P7CB offers a reasonable level of forgiveness, helping to maintain performance on off-center hits.
Cons
Distance Limitations: The P7CB irons are noted for being the shortest player’s iron in their category.
Forgiveness: Although they offer a respectable level of forgiveness, the P7CB irons are more forgiving than some game improvement irons, making them less suitable for high handicappers.
Not Ideal for High Handicappers: These irons are primarily designed for skilled players who value workability and control, and they don’t suit less experienced golfers well.
TaylorMade P770 vs P7CB: Head-to-Head Comparison
Design
Although both are considered players’ irons, some design differences exist between the P770 irons and the P7CB irons.
The P770 irons have a compact blade length and a thin topline, which I think gives them a more sleek and modern look. They also feature a hollow body construction with a forged face, which promotes higher ball speeds and forgiveness.
The tungsten weighting progressively changes throughout the irons, which optimizes the center of gravity for the perfect launch angle.
The P7CB irons also boast a traditional aesthetic with a muscle cavity design that appeals to many golfers. Compared to previous models, they have a slightly shorter blade length and a narrower sole.
The P7CB irons feature a solid body construction, which contrasts with the modern hollow body designs. This solid body design, along with a more traditional weight distribution, focuses on shot shaping and control, making them ideal for skilled players who can consistently strike the ball.
Forgiveness
The P770s feature a more prominent sweet spot due to the hollow body design, which allows for better performance on mis-hits, resulting in higher ball speeds and longer carry distances even when the ball is struck off-center. They also aim at a broader range of golfers, including mid-handicappers, as they offer a solid balance between distance and forgiveness. The pitching wedge in the P770 irons, in particular, offers enhanced performance features compared to the P7CB irons, making it a valuable addition for improved shot-making and control.
Even if you are a high handicapper, you will find the P770s incredibly easy to hit as the tungsten weighting changes throughout each iron to give you the perfect launch.
The P7CB irons feature a solid sweet spot but are not nearly as big as the P770s. Although the P7CB irons offer a respectable amount of forgiveness, they are made for scratch to low-handicap golfers looking for the most workability with exceptional ball striking.
Bottom line:
You will get less distance on your P7CB shots than the P770s.
Feel and Compact Grain Forging
The P770 features a hollow body construction with a forged 4140 face and Speedfoam Air technology. This combination enhances the feel by providing a softer impact sensation while maintaining high ball speeds. Insights from Matt Bovee, the Global Category Director, highlight the exceptional feel and performance of the P770 irons, emphasizing their appeal to elite golfers.
The P770 irons feature a responsive and lively feel off the face, even on off-center strikes, enhancing the overall experience for every golfer that uses them.
The P7CB is crafted using a new process called compact grain forging from 1025 soft carbon steel, which creates a tighter grain structure. This results in a softer feel and excellent feedback on shots. These irons feel incredibly pure, especially on direct-center hits. Insights from Matt Bovee, the Global Category Director, also underscore the P7CB irons’ superior feel and consistency, making them a top choice for performance-focused golfers.
On off-center strikes, the P7CB irons don’t feel nearly as pure, which is a turn-off if you can’t strike the center of the club face consistently.
Distance
The P770 irons are designed to deliver mid-high launch and increased distance. They also provide excellent control on the short irons. Each shot seems to rocket off the face, and the added distance, even on mis-hits, will surprise you.
The P7CB irons focus on precision and control, not so much distance, offering a more penetrating flight with lower launch and high spin. This is ideal for skilled players who can consistently strike the ball well. Tommy Fleetwood’s usage of the P7CB irons in high-profile tournaments highlights their performance characteristics and appeal among professional golfers.
The lessened distance on the P7CB irons should not be an issue if you are an excellent golfer and can strike the ball well.
Price and Value
The 2024 P770 and P7CB irons are both priced at $1,550, making the choice between the two a little tougher. Both irons offer something a little bit different in terms of performance benefits, so my recommendation would be to hit both and see which one you play with better.
The P770 irons offer added forgiveness and an incredible feel. The distance control is also great, and the progressive center of gravity between the irons ensures you get a higher launch with all the clubs.
The P7CB irons are crafted using compact grain forging and are meant for golfers who can consistently strike the ball well and are looking for added workability around the golf course. TaylorMade took tons of tour feedback when designing these irons, and the compact shape bodes well for better golfers.
Which TaylorMade Irons Are Better?
For Beginners
The 2024 TaylorMade P770 irons are the better choice for beginners due to their forgiveness, responsive feel, and overall playability. They are designed to help new golfers improve their game without the added challenge of consistently striking the ball perfectly.
For Low Handicappers
The P7CB irons are better for low handicappers and PGA tour golfers, with superior feel, control, and workability for skilled golfers.
For Golfers With a High Swing Speed
Overall, the P7CB irons are better for high-speed golfers as long as they can consistently hit the center of the club face. The performance benefits from the added workability play a huge part in this.
For Women
The P770 irons will work better for women golfers, offering added forgiveness and more distance, even on off-center hits.
Conclusion
After extensive testing, I’ve come to some clear conclusions about the TaylorMade P770 and P7CB irons. The P770s shine in forgiveness and distance, making them ideal for a wider range of players. On the flip side, the P7CBs offer unparalleled feel and workability for skilled golfers.
Your choice ultimately depends on your skill level and playing style. Remember, the best iron for you is the one that consistently performs on the course.
I recommend getting fitted to truly optimize your game with either of these impressive iron sets.
