Fast, long, and forgiving? TaylorMade P790 Irons (2023) Review

By , Today's Golfer Equipment Editor
  • At a glance

  • TG Rating 5 out of 5
  • Owner Rating Not yet rated
  • Pros
    • Having the option of trying stronger and weaker lofts during a fitting is genius thinking.
    • The players' distance iron that has more proven pedigree than all of its competitors.
    • A slightly lighter regular flex shaft opens the model up to more average swing speed players.
  • Cons
    • A truly difficult iron to fault.

What we say...

Everything you need to know about the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons, with their larger sweet spot and enhanced launch and playability.

Since its launch in 2017, there’s been no bigger iron than the TaylorMade P790. This single iron model has utterly transformed TaylorMade’s iron business. The franchise has confidently become known as one of the best golf irons available, and it’s also seen as the benchmark for what club golfers want within the players’ distance iron market. As the model enters its 4th generation, sales show no sign of slowing up and the P790 remains the iron other brands want to knock off its pedestal.

With the previous P790 having been in the market since 2021, TaylorMade has sensitively looked at how they can rinse additional performance from the model without spoiling the equity the best players’ distance iron of its generation has built over the last six years.  

For the 2023 P790, TaylorMade has focused on optimization by looking at each iron within the set as an individual. Through some hefty reengineering, their team has created a new Flighted Centre of Gravity which enhances launch and playability in the long irons and improves control with the scoring irons – an idea the brand first used in the 2022 TaylorMade P770. There’s also a new larger sweet spot that protects the ball speed of more off-center hits than previous models.

Here’s everything else you need to know about the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons.

The 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 TaylorMade iron models

An ideal blend of external elegance and internal power

Pros

  • Having the option of trying stronger and weaker lofts during a fitting is genius thinking.
  • The players' distance iron that has more proven pedigree than all of its competitors.
  • A slightly lighter regular flex shaft opens the model up to more average swing speed players.

Cons

  • A truly difficult iron to fault.
Stock grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip
Category: Players’ Distance Iron
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
7-iron loft: 30.5°

Everything you need to know about the TaylorMade P790 (2023) iron

There’s a flighted CG

Moving lots of weight inside the head of a hollow body iron is a tough task, as the walls are incredibly thin. But, by taking an individualistic approach to each iron in the set TaylorMade has created a progressive center of gravity, which essentially runs upwards in a line from the longest to shortest iron, which isn’t always the case with other irons on the market. The results may not be too noticeable through ball flight to all golfers, but essentially it means shots launch progressively higher as the iron lofts get stronger, and shafts get longer.  

Inside that means each iron needs its own unique shape, which hasn’t been the case with previous P790 models. Thanks to this mass optimization helping reduce vibration we reckon the impact sound is improved too.

An image showing the inside construction of the whole set of TaylorMade P790 (2023) irons

Finding the sweet spot       

Improving what is already an iconic iron model is a tall task for even the most brilliant engineers, but thanks to the new mass optimization idea golfers can expect a slight swelling of the size of the sweet spot in the new P790 model.

There are no massive claims from TaylorMade on how much the idea improves performance apart from the brand saying more off-center shots will be captured, which helps deliver improved ball speed and accuracy consistencies.

Forged face

With previous versions of the P790 being such a winning combination, TaylorMade felt zero need to look at new construction methods for this new head. So, like many hollow body players irons the new P790 has a forged face (4140 steel) and 8620 steel cast body.

Inside injected SpeedFoam supports the face, so less ball speed is lost at impact, the material also dampens vibration and tunes sound.    

An image showing the internal weight and SpeedFoam construction inside the TaylorMade P790 (2023) iron

Lighter regular flex shaft

Undoubtedly TaylorMade wants the P790 to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and we love how like the previous model the regular flex shaft option comes in at a slightly lighter 95g weight (where the stiff runs to 105g). We’re absolutely not saying this opens the model up to very moderate swing-speed players. But, if you generate average levels of speed this is going to be more friendly and attractive, plus a better feeling option.  

Weight a minute

Tungsten has always played a role in the TaylorMade P790 irons, but where the original 2017 model had 8 – 13g inside this new model has up to 38g across the set (which is also 7g more than the previous 2021 model). The weight is positioned predominantly in the toe which helps hold the face square when shots don’t impact the center face.

Extra discretionary weight has also been freed up by creating a thick/thin pattern on the back wall of the iron.

Choose your loft

With irons lofts being such a hot topic of debate it’s worth remembering TaylorMade has developed a SelectFit system that allows you to try each of the brand’s irons at either stronger or weaker lofts. So if you’re swing speed is on the cusp of not being enough to launch the P790 (or any other of the brand’s irons for that matter) high enough to stop shots on the dancefloor it’s completely possible to weaken lofts by 1 or 2° to optimize ball flight for your game.   

The TaylorMade P790 (2023) iron back and at address

Details: TaylorMade P790 (2023) iron

RRP: £172 (s), £200 (g) per club

Stock steel shafts: Dynamic Gold 105 (X,S), Dynamic Gold 95 (R)

Stock graphite shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical MMT

Category: Players’ Distance Iron

Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

7-iron loft: 30.5°

Where does the P790 (2023) sit within the TaylorMade irons family?   

The new 2023 P790 sits in exactly the same place within the TaylorMade iron line-up as it’s always been, this is a players’ distance iron. The model is highly likely to suit mid to high single-digit handicappers, plus possibly up to 12 or 14 handicappers, so long as your ball striking prowess is better than your handicap suggests.

A table showing where the P790 (2023) irons sits within the TaylorMade iron family

Lots of golfers get drawn into thinking the smaller, more player-focused P770 is their bag, just be aware this model has a 7-iron that’s 2.5° weaker in loft, so if not giving up distance is important to you the slightly more forgiving P790 is likely to be a better option.

Any decision between the P790 and Stealth comes down to whether you want the feel and sound of a forged face hollow body iron, which inevitably costs more. Or, if you’re happy accepting the cast Stealth. Both are good irons, but if you play each at their stock loft, so long as you have decent levels of speed, the Stealth should be fractionally longer as the lofts are stronger (1.5° in the 7-iron).

Video: How does the TaylorMade P790 compare to other leading 2024 Players’ Distance irons?

Verdict: TaylorMade P790 irons (2023)

The P790 is the gift that keeps on giving for TaylorMade. Now into its 4th generation since launching in 2017 the model continues to go from strength to strength and remains the model other brands most want knocked from its pedestal. Every generation of P790 has been an award winner here at TG and the latest iteration hasn’t let the side down.

Our test pro reckons the model is a stunning choice for a wide audience of reasonable-ability golfers and I’m in no doubt the P790 warrants a berth among my five best-performing Players Distance Irons of 2024.

The TaylorMade P790 2023 Iron sole, face and hosel offset

There’s a real beauty in how the model from day one has been designed to be a timeless classic. The idea means there aren’t huge changes from generation to generation and if you happen to own a set of the original 2017 P790 they’re just as good today as what they were when golfers went nuts for the marquee seven years ago.

The untrained eye will likely look at our data chart and wonder why thanks to being in a ‘distance category’ the P790 which posted almost bang-on average carry warrants such praise. Let me explain.

At 30.5° in the 7-iron the P790 is nowhere near the strongest loft players’ distance iron we tested this year, in fact, it’s 2° weaker than the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro that also produced the fastest ball speed and longest carry distance.

The TaylorMade P790 2023 Iron with a Today's Golfer Best of 2024 badge

But look more closely and you’ll see how the P790 produced a ball speed above our test average while flighting shots higher, spinning more and hitting the green at a steeper angle so shots will stop when they hit the dancefloor.

When I add the P790 is one of the best shaped, nicest sounding/feeling, and most desirable irons in the category into the mix along with a tied 2nd performance for carry distance drop-off and shot area 45.4% tighter than our test average (2nd best) you really can’t question this models credentials. Players’ Distance Irons just don’t come any better.   

Data comparison: How does the TaylorMade P790 compare to leading competitor Players’ Distance Irons?

Iron7-Iron LoftBall SpeedLaunch AngleBackspinHeightDescent AngleCarry DistanceCarry Distance Drop OffShot Area
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro28.5°124.1 MPH (1)14.6°4881 RPM28 YDS41.8°186 YDS (1)22 YDS741.4 SQ YDS
Srixon ZX5 MK II31°122.8 MPH (3)15.8°5292 RPM30 YDS44°181 YDS (T2)18 YDS392.4 SQ YDS
Callaway Paradym29°123 MPH (2)14.2°5120 RPM27 YDS41.5°181 YDS (T2)15 YDS360 SQ YDS
Mizuno JPX923 Forged30°122.4 MPH14.5°5117 RPM27 YDS41.8°180 YDS7 YDS (1)210 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 P GEN 6 30°122.2 MPH14.6°5520 RPM28 YDS42.6°178 YDS10 YDS199 SQ YDS
Vega Mizar Tour30°122.3 MPH13.5°5381 RPM26 YDS40.8°178 YDS13 YDS360.1 SQ YDS
Sub 70 699 Pro30°121.8 MPH14.9°5349 RPM28 YDS42.6°178 YDS10 YDS166 SQ YDS (1)
Yonex Ezone CB70231°122.6 MPH15.6°5820 RPM30 YDS44.4°177 YDS23 YDS533.6 SQ YDS
TaylorMade P79030.5°121.6 MPH15.1°5932 RPM29 YDS43.7°175 YDS8 YDS (T2)180.8 SQ YDS (2)
Wilson Dynapower Forged30.5°120.8 MPH13.9°5482 RPM26 YDS41.1°175 YDS9 YDS188.1 SQ YDS (3)
Ping i52530.5°120 MPH15°5666 RPM28 YDS42.7°173 YDS11 YDS217.8 SQ YDS
Titleist T20030.5°119.7 MPH15.4°5760 RPM28 YDS43.3°173 YDS13 YDS331.5 SQ YDS
Cobra Forged Tec29.5°119.4 MPH14.7°5558 RPM27 YDS41.9°173 YDS20 YDS612 SQ YDS
Mizuno Pro 24530°119.3 MPH16.1°5481 RPM29 YDS43.6°173 YDS14 YDS271.6 SQ YDS
Takomo 101 T32°116.7 MPH16°6383 RPM28 YDS43.9°165 YDS8 YDS (T2)203.2 SQ YDS
Average121.2 MPH14.9°5516.1 RPM27.9 YDS42.6°176.4 YDS13.4 YDS331.2 SQ YDS

TaylorMade on the P790 irons (2023)

“P790 is a collision of art and engineering,” said Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation for Irons. “The allure lies not only in the clean design and visual appeal but also in the high-performance machine that lives within. It’s the total package, an ideal blend of external elegance and internal power.”

Specifications: TaylorMade P790 irons (2023)

CLUB3456789PWAW
Loft19º21º23.5º26.5º30.5º35º40º45º50º
Lie60.5º61º61.5º62º62.5º63º63.5º64º64º
Offset3.5mm3.4mm3.1mm2.9mm2.7mm2.4mm2.1mm1.8mm1.6mm
Length men’s39″38.5″38″37.5″37″36.5″36″35.75″35.5″
Swing weight men’s (ST/GR)D2/DOD2/DOD2/DOD2/DOD2/DOD2/DOD2/DOD3/D1D3/D1
Length women’s38″37.5″37″36.5″36″35.5″35″34.75″34.5″
HandRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LHRH/LH

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About the Author

Simon Daddow

Simon Daddow – Equipment Editor

Simon Daddow is the Equipment Editor for Today’s Golfer. Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what he doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.

He’s a specialist in all things metal having spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. Starting out as trainee professional at Downes Crediton GC where he learned the art of golf club making, he went onto work for Clubhaus Plc and Tony Charles Ltd as a golf club maker, and running Product Development at Benross Golf.

Simon also spent time working as a Sales Executive in Harrods’ golf department, even helping supply Sir Nick Faldo with personalized shirts in a last-minute emergency ahead of a flight to a tournament.

He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World. Working alongside our test pro Neil Wain, Simon has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.

Despite his youthful looks, Simon has played golf for more than 40 years and plays to a handicap of 10. A lack of club speed means he’s short off the tee, but very handy from 125 yards and in.

He enjoys excellent relationships with the biggest names in the golf equipment industry, including PXG boss Bob Parsons and TaylorMade’s Tomo Bystedt and Adrian Rietveld.

Away from the course, Simon is a season-ticket holder at Peterborough United Football Club, attending games with his young son. He’s also a keen cyclist and enjoys working (and relaxing) at his allotment.

His favorite ever piece of golf equipment is the Callaway Warbird fairway wood and he considers the biggest technological advancement in the game to have been titanium driver heads.

Simon’s job means he plays regularly around the world, and rates Kingsbarns as his favorite course. He uses a PXG 0311 GEN6 XF driverTaylorMade Stealth 2 HL (15º), Ping G400 (20.5º), PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybridPXG 0311 GEN6 P irons (6–PW), Cleveland CBX2 wedges (52°, 58°), Ping 21 Fetch putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.

You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.

  

Product Information

TaylorMade P790 (2023) iron

RRP: £172 (s) £200 (g) per club / $1,399 (steel) $1,499 (graphite) for a seven-club set

Stock steel shafts: Dynamic Gold 105 (X,S), Dynamic Gold 95 (R)

Stock graphite shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical MMT

Custom order steel shaft: KBS Tour Lite (S, R)

Stock grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip

Category: Players’ Distance Iron

Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

7-iron loft: 30.5°

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