While clubs like the TaylorMade Qi irons and Stealth irons offered mid- and higher-handicap players more distance and forgiveness, within the TaylorMade stable, P Series irons have always been for more-accomplished golfers, players who want enhanced control and more feel. The P·7MB is a modern muscleback blade and the P·7MC is a solid muscle-cavity, while the P·770 and P·790 are hollow-bodied clubs designed as better-player distance offerings.
Starting about two years ago, TaylorMade began hearing from players who wanted something between the P·7MC and the P·770. Now, after both Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa tested and started using prototypes of the TaylorMade P·7CB, the Carlsbad, California-based equipment maker is releasing it to everyone.
Who are the TaylorMade P·7CB irons for?
The TaylorMade P·7CB irons are designed for consistent ballstrikers and elite golfers who want a touch of forgiveness to go along with a compact, control-oriented iron.
What you should know about the P·7CB irons
Each of P·7CB head is forged using 1025 carbon steel, but TaylorMade mills two pockets into the sole of the heads. A longer pocket extends from the heel through the middle of the sole, and it is filled with a metal matrix composite (MMC) material that is one-seventh the weight of stainless steel. A small pocket near the toe is filled with up to 11 grams of tungsten.
By removing the 1025 carbon steel and replacing it with a lighter metal, then concentrating extra weight in the toe, TaylorMade designers can counteract the weight of the hosel, pull the ideal hitting area into the center of the face and in the long irons, lower the center of gravity (CG) location.
You can not see either of the pockets because TaylorMade adds a co-forged steel sole plate over both areas before the whole head is re-forged.
TaylorMade has machined the hitting area and grooves in the P·7CB irons to ensure the face is perfectly flat. Good players will be able to generate the spin needed to hit draws, cut shots and work the ball up and down as needed.
Visually, the TaylorMade P·7CB, with an anti-glare Tour Satin finish, fits in with the other P Series irons. The topline is slightly thicker than the topline of the P·7MC, and the blade length is slightly longer, too, but in the address position, it would take a very sharp eye to notice those things. The P·7CB has marginally less offset than the P·7MC.
Turf interaction is critical for good iron players, and with a sole that is slightly wider than the bottom of the P·7MC, the P·7CB should work in and out of the ground quickly and easily for low-handicap golfers.
As you would expect, the lofts of the P·7CB irons are traditional, with a 3-iron at 20 degrees, 6-iron at 29 degrees and the pitching wedge at 46 degrees of loft. An attack wedge is also available at 51 degrees, so players and fitters should be able to use the P·7CB with other TaylorMade irons to create a blended set.
How much do the TaylorMade P·7CB irons cost?
The TaylorMade P·7CB irons cost $1,399.99 (seven clubs) and come standard with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115 steel shafts and Golf Price Z grips.
When will the TaylorMade P·7CB irons become available?
The TaylorMade P·7CB irons will be available for pre-order starting July 31 and should be in stores starting September 6.