When it comes to golf clubs, TaylorMade is a brand that consistently delivers high-quality products. The P-790 and P-770 irons are two of their most popular models, each catering to a slightly different type of golfer. In this review, we will compare and contrast the TaylorMade P-790 and P-770 irons to help you determine which one might be the right choice for your game.
1. Design and Construction
TaylorMade P-790: The P-790 irons are known for their innovative design. They feature a hollow construction with a forged face made from soft 4140 carbon steel. This combination of materials enhances ball speed and provides excellent forgiveness. The SpeedFoam technology injected into the head improves sound and feel while maintaining a clean look.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons are designed for precision and control. They have a compact cavity back design with a forged 8620 carbon steel face. The smaller cavity enhances workability, making them ideal for players who want more shot-shaping capabilities. These irons also have a SpeedFoam cavity to improve feel and sound.
2. Performance
TaylorMade P-790: The P-790 irons are geared towards golfers who want distance and forgiveness. The hollow construction and SpeedFoam technology make them forgiving on mishits while providing impressive ball speed. They are suitable for mid to high handicappers who prioritize distance and forgiveness without sacrificing too much control.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons are more for players who value control and workability. The smaller head size and cavity design allow for shot shaping and precise ball placement. They offer less forgiveness than the P-790 but provide a higher level of control, making them a better fit for low to mid handicappers.
3. Feel and Sound
TaylorMade P-790: The P-790 irons are known for their soft and responsive feel, thanks to the forged face and the integration of SpeedFoam. The sound at impact is crisp and satisfying, providing the player with excellent feedback on their shots.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons also offer a great feel, though it’s slightly different from the P-790. The compact design and SpeedFoam cavity provide a solid and controlled feel, which is preferred by players who prioritize workability and precision.
4. Looks and Aesthetics
TaylorMade P-790: The P-790 irons have a modern and sleek appearance, with a slightly thicker topline and a larger clubhead compared to the P-770. They offer a clean, player-friendly look that appeals to a wide range of golfers.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons have a more traditional, compact appearance, with a thinner topline and less offset. They have a classic look that will appeal to golfers who prefer a more traditional clubhead design.
5. Price
TaylorMade P-790: Typically, the P-790 irons are priced higher than the P-770 irons due to their more advanced technology and forgiveness features. They are considered a premium iron set.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons are usually priced lower than the P-790, making them a more budget-friendly option for golfers looking for a TaylorMade iron with a focus on control.
6. Customization and Fitting
TaylorMade P-790: TaylorMade offers various custom shaft and grip options for the P-790 irons, allowing you to fine-tune the clubs to your swing and preferences. It’s advisable to get a professional fitting to optimize your set.
TaylorMade P-770: Similarly, the P-770 irons come with customization options, enabling you to select the shaft and grip that best suit your game. A fitting session can help you dial in the right specifications for your swing.
7. Forgiveness vs. Control
TaylorMade P-790: The P-790 irons prioritize forgiveness, making them more suitable for players who struggle with mishits or need extra distance. They are forgiving but still provide a good level of control.
TaylorMade P-770: The P-770 irons prioritize control and workability, making them ideal for players who are confident in their ball-striking ability and want to shape shots with precision.
8. Player Handicaps
TaylorMade P-790: Best suited for mid to high handicappers (8-20 handicap range) who need assistance with distance and forgiveness.
TaylorMade P-770: Better suited for low to mid handicappers (scratch to 15 handicap range) who prioritize control and precision in their iron play.
9. Transition Clubs
TaylorMade P-790: Some golfers choose to blend P-790 long irons (3-5) with P-770 mid and short irons (6-PW) to create a combo set that maximizes forgiveness and control where they need it most.
TaylorMade P-770: If you prefer a consistent look and feel throughout your set, you can use P-770 irons from 3-PW to maintain control and workability across your iron game.
10. Long-Term Investment
Consider your long-term golfing goals and how your game might evolve. The P-790 irons may offer more forgiveness as you improve, while the P-770 irons might provide better precision and control for experienced players.
Club Type Comparison
Club Type
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
3-Iron
Yes
Yes
4-Iron
Yes
Yes
5-Iron
Yes
Yes
6-Iron
Yes
Yes
7-Iron
Yes
Yes
8-Iron
Yes
Yes
9-Iron
Yes
Yes
PW
Yes
Yes
AW
Yes
Yes
SW
Yes
Yes
Material Comparison
Material
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Clubhead
Stainless Steel
Forged Carbon
Face Insert
SpeedFoam
Forged Carbon
Shaft Material
Steel or Graphite
Steel or Graphite
Grip Type
Rubber
Rubber
Hosel Type
Adjustable
Fixed
Loft and Lie Comparison
Loft (Degrees)
Lie (Degrees)
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
19
60
21
60
22
61
24
61
25
62
27
62
28
63
30
63
31
64
33
64
Shaft Flex Options
Shaft Flex
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Regular
Yes
Yes
Stiff
Yes
Yes
Senior
Yes
Yes
Ladies
Yes
No
Extra Stiff
Yes
Yes
Price Comparison
Set Configuration
TaylorMade P-790 Price (USD)
TaylorMade P-770 Price (USD)
3-PW
$1,199
$1,299
4-PW
$1,099
$1,199
5-PW
$999
$1,099
6-PW
$899
$999
Individual Irons
Varies
Varies
Forgiveness Comparison
Forgiveness Feature
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Perimeter Weighting
Yes
Yes
Low CG Design
Yes
Yes
SpeedFoam Technology
Yes
No
Inverted Cone Technology
Yes
Yes
Thinner Clubface
Yes
No
Distance and Control Comparison
Aspect
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Distance
High
High
Control
Good
Excellent
Workability
Moderate
Excellent
Shot Shaping
Moderate
Excellent
Ball Flight
Mid-High
Mid-High
Player Handicap Suitability
Handicap Level
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Low
Yes
Yes
Mid
Yes
Yes
High
No
Yes
Beginner
No
No
Tour Players
Yes
Yes
Customization Options
Customization Feature
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Custom Lie Angle
Yes
Yes
Adjustable Hosel
Yes
No
Custom Shaft Options
Yes
Yes
Grip Options
Yes
Yes
Custom Length
Yes
Yes
Pros and Cons
Aspect
TaylorMade P-790
TaylorMade P-770
Pros
– Provides distance and forgiveness
– Excellent control and workability
– Suitable for a wide range of players
– Well-suited for mid to high handicaps
– Good customization options
– Impressive distance and accuracy
Cons
– Less workability compared to P-770
– Slightly higher price point
– May not suit low handicappers
– Limited adjustability options
– Pricey compared to some competitors
– Not ideal for beginners
In conclusion, both the TaylorMade P-790 and P-770 irons have their own strengths and are designed to cater to different player profiles and preferences. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to test both sets on the range or during a fitting session to see which one feels the most comfortable and delivers the performance you desire. Ultimately, choosing between these two high-quality TaylorMade iron sets will depend on your individual game and what aspects of iron play are most important to you.
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