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A year ago, TaylorMade released an update to the P·790 irons, one of its most popular clubs. Two months ago, the Carlsbad, California-based equipment maker announced that it has a new version of its P·770 iron, a club that is very similar to the P·790. They are so similar, in fact, that many golfers with a handicap between five and 12 might be confused about what separates the new P·770 and the P·790.
The P·770 and P·790 cater to different types of golfers, so here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand the similarities and differences between them, and then decide which set might be the best fit for you.
Construction and Technology
The 2024 P·770 irons feature a hollow body construction with the inner chambers in the heads filled with SpeedFoam Air, a material that debuted in the 2021 version of the P·770. It is a lighter version of the original SpeedFoam and enhances the feel and acoustics while maintaining a solid, forged feel.
The P·770 irons have L-shaped faces that are forged using 4041 stainless steel. The face plate wraps under the leading edge and into the sole, which TaylorMade claims helps to broaden the sweet spot. The 3-iron through 7-iron have also been designed with a Speed Pocket slot that is positioned directly behind the leading edge, along with tungsten weighs in the heel and toe to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) and provide stability on off-center hits. The center of gravity (CG) is low in the long irons and elevates through the set to optimize the launch angle for each club, making it easier to hit the long irons higher and flight the scoring clubs down for enhanced distance control.
The 2023 P·790 irons also utilize a hollow body construction and feature an inner chamber filled with SpeedFoam Air, which contributes to a softer feel and improved sound. The P·790s also feature a progressive center of gravity, with the CG being lower in the long irons for higher launch and higher in the short irons for better control. The P·790s also have a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to enhance ball speed, particularly on low-face strikes in the 4- through 7-iron.
Who are the P·770 and P·790 for?
While the construction of the P·770 and the P·790 irons is similar, they were made to appeal to different types of players.
The 2024 P·770 irons are better-player distance irons made for golfers who seek a blend of control and forgiveness. These irons are ideal for low to mid-handicap golfers who want a compact look in the address position but who still want some level of forgiveness on off-center hits. The P·770s feature a shorter blade length, thinner top line, and less offset compared to the P·790 irons.
The 2023 P·790 irons, on the other hand, are aimed at a broader range of golfers, from mid- to high-handicappers. These irons should provide golfers with more forgiveness than the P·770 because they are larger, and they should produce more distance and a higher ball flight.
The P·790 should create less spin than the P·770, so if a golfer wants to shape shots from left-to-right or right-to-left, it will be easier to do with the P·770.
The P·790s also have a bit more offset and a thicker top line, which can instill confidence in less consistent ball strikers.
The Takeawy
The best way to find the irons that are right for you is to work with a custom fitter who has a launch monitor and hit shots with lots of different head and shaft combinations. That said, when comparing the P·770 and the P·790, golfers who want a more compact look in the address position, a shorter blade length, more spin and a slightly lower flight might be happier with the P·770.
Golfers who want more forgiveness, more distance and a higher ball flight may get more of what they are seeking from the P·790.
Working with a custom fitter, golfers can easily create a blended set of P·790 and P·770 irons to get the benefits of both clubs in one set, including the forgiveness of the P·790 in the long irons and the control of the P·770 irons in the scoring clubs.