If we could only recommend one iron to every golfer, this would be it

We tested 69 irons across every category and ability level. One stood out above the rest – not just for its performance, but for the number of golfers it could suit.

We put a lot of time and energy into not just testing golf clubs, but explaining the different types, because we want readers to find the equipment that performs best for them.

There’s no one-size-fits-all perfect club for everyone, as we all have different ability levels, golf swings, and performance needs. A low-spin driver that works well for a fast-swing player might be a nightmare for a golfer who struggles with speed and launch. The most forgiving putter available might be a godsend for one player, but no good at all for a golfer who lives and dies by a blade.

Nowhere is the importance of picking the right category more obvious than with irons. Most brands offer more iron models than drivers, wedges, or putters – and the performance gaps can be huge. If you’ve ever gone from hitting a blade to a super game-improvement iron, you’ll know it’s like chalk and cheese.

We’ve broken down every category and highlighted the best models within each in our Best Golf Irons guide. But there’s one model that transcends those categories better than anything else we’ve tested…

Why the 2025 TaylorMade P790 is so versatile

Strictly speaking, the TaylorMade P790 sits in the Players’ Distance category. I say “sits in” – it stood up and stood out, winning that category in our test. But its performance was so impressive it can’t be pigeonholed.

Brands love to say that an iron can be played by anyone from a high handicapper to a plus-figure golfer – because keeping your target market broad can mean more sales – but, in the case of the P790, it’s absolutely true.

The P790 delivered an unmatched blend of spin, distance, and control within its category. It produced one of the steepest landing angles and had by far the tightest left-to-right dispersion of any Players’ Distance iron we tested.

But it also outperformed irons across all categories.

Compared to the average across all 69 irons we tested, the P790 delivered:

• +4.7mph ball speed
• +4.4 yards carry distance
• +529rpm spin
• +2 yards peak height
• 1.5° steeper landing angle
• 7 yards tighter left-to-right dispersion

That’s not just better – it’s dominant.

Best Golf Irons 2025: Full Comparison Table

Could the P790 be for you?

If you’re an accomplished player who wants some forgiveness on off days… the P790 gives you that support while still looking and feeling like a players’ iron.

If you’re a newer or improving golfer… it’s a smart investment. You might not want to shell out $1,500 on a set of beginner-friendly irons if you feel you’ll outgrow them within a year or two. You’ll find the P790 playable now, but you won’t need to replace them for something sleeker and sexier the moment you start breaking 90 regularly.

If you’re a skilled golfer whose speed is dropping… the P790 can help claw back some of that lost distance – without having to settle for a chunky, hollow-feeling game-improvement iron that launches like a rocket and stops like an oil tanker.

If you’re a decent ball-striker who doesn’t play as often as you’d like… you don’t want to spend your Saturday mornings grinding through clunky mis-hits until your find your groove. The P790 gives you that buttery, satisfying feel when you catch it pure – but with the forgiveness to keep your card in shape on the days when your timing’s off.

If you’ve been playing cast irons for years and want something sleeker… making the move to forged irons can feel like a leap – but the P790 makes it an easy one. You get the premium feel, a cleaner look, and much better feedback, without giving up the help you’re used to.

If you’re a lifelong mid-handicapper who just wants something reliable… you’re not chasing speed or shaping shots like a tour pro. You want an iron that looks great, flies consistently, and doesn’t punish you unduly for less-than-perfect every now and then. The P790 nails that brief.

If you play a mix of courses and conditions… the P790’s flight control and clean turf interaction make it equally at home on firm links turf and softer parkland fairways. It’s the kind of iron you can take anywhere without having to adapt your swing or your expectations.

If you’re tempted by blades but not quite ready to commit… you love the compact shape and thin topline, but deep down you know you’re not flushing every shot. The P790 gives you the look of a blade, with hidden tech that saves you when your strike wanders.

If you’re switching from game-improvement irons and want more feel… you’ve had your fill of thick toplines and firm, clicky impact. The P790 offers a huge upgrade in looks, acoustics, and feedback – without making your life any harder.

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TaylorMade P790 Irons

Best Players Distance Iron & Best Players Distance Iron for Max Control 2025

Price: £1,069.00

Clubhouse Golf

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Price: £1,069.00

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What we say:
Another TaylorMade iron and another category winner!

It just goes to show that TaylorMade know their stuff when it comes to improving the games of everyday golfers – they’re at the forefront of technology in this regard.

The latest generation of the P790 have been refined in their technology but also in their sole design, with a wider camber across the whole base helping to improve the club-ground interaction from multiple different lies that will be encountered.
 
What our tester says:
You can immediately see TaylorMade’s point about this iron being one you can fit to a massive range of golfers. It looks good, oozes class despite the power under the hood, and it feels even better than ever when you make contact. I didn’t think they’d improve on the previous version, but they’ve surprised me.
 
Data:
Loft 30º | Clubhead Speed 92.3 MPH | Ball Speed 124.9 MPH | Carry 179.5 Yards | Spin 5,856 RPM | Launch 16.8º | Height 33.9 Yards | Descent Angle 47.9º | L-R Dispersion 2.7 Yards

Specs

Set Options	4-PW, AW
Stock Shaft	Nippon NS Pro Modus Tour 105
Stock Grip	Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus2
Left Handed	Yes

But… the P790 isn’t for everyone

If you’re a blade purist chasing total control and workability… the P790 offers some workability, but it’s not a traditional players’ iron in the classic sense. If you live for shaping every shot and want maximum feedback (even on the bad ones), something like the P7MB might be more up your street.

If you want max forgiveness with zero effort… the P790 is forgiving – but not in the way a super game-improvement iron is. If you need all the help you can get launching the ball and keeping it straight, a super-forgiving option like the TaylorMade Qi10 or Cleveland Zipcore XL might be a better fit for now.

Summing up the TaylorMade P790

Let’s be real – no club is truly perfect for every golfer. But if there’s one iron that comes close, it’s the TaylorMade P790. It blends distance, forgiveness, and feel in a way that no other iron we’ve tested manages. It looks the part, performs across a wide range of swing speeds and skill levels, and offers a long-term solution whether you’re breaking 100 or flirting with par.

If you’re unsure where to start with choosing irons, or overwhelmed by the breadth of choice available, the P790 is the safest – and smartest – bet in golf irons today.

• 2025 TaylorMade P790 iron review

• Best Players’ Distance irons