Are you looking for some new irons to hit it closer and give yourself more opportunities to make birdies? While most golfers always upgrade their driver and fairway woods, irons are often missed out when upgrading equipment.
But with so much new technology, you are missing out by playing old and outdated irons. One specific upgrade for the 2019-2020 golf season is the Taylormade P790 irons.
They have gotten an incredible upgrade from the already wildly popular previous model. As Taylormade said on their website, “You don’t mess with what works, you make it better.”
Keep reading to learn how TaylorMade upgraded their latest irons for more distance, forgiveness, and playability in 2020.
TaylorMade P790 Irons Review
The TaylorMade P790 irons come in two full-set models – the standard P790 edition and the P790 TI edition. They also have a custom 2-iron version, the P790 UDI. So how do they differ from the 2017 model?
2017 vs. 2019 Model – How Are They Different?
The 2017 TaylorMade P790 irons were an incredibly solid set of irons. They had a powerful performance in a clean, classic design that are still loved by golfers worldwide.
With the P790 2019 update, TaylorMade’s engineers found a way to answer the challenge of creating a forged iron that delivers remarkable distance as well as enhanced playability and feel. Not to mention, they had to house all this amazing technology in a refined shape that is preferred by mid to low-handicap players. (HINT – these aren’t for golfer’s shooting in the 100s)
But the only downside to the 2017 model is that they only offered one model. Now, the 2019 model offers two models so that golfers who aren’t shooting in the 70s or 80s can still love this beautifully crafted iron.
Not to mention, the shafts are a tad bit shorter yet they don’t sacrifice distance. In fact, side-by-side comparisons showed that the 2019 model yielded higher distances and better accuracy, despite the shorter length.
Lastly, the 2019 model has a more rounded leading edge for a better look and more ball speed, despite a similar look and feel.
Here’s how the two sets differ to help you find the right one for your game:
2019-2020 TaylorMade P790 Irons
The TaylorMade P790 irons pack a very powerful performance into a clean, classic design to deliver breakthrough distance in a player’s iron. They were able to use a combination of forged construction and patented SpeedFoam technology to deliver increased feel, forgiveness, and workability unlike any iron of this caliber. Here’s how…
Low Profile Tungsten Weighting
Taylormade now has a new low profile tungsten weight that is designed for a lower center of gravity and a higher launch. If you struggle to get the ball airborne, these irons got you covered.
SpeedFoam
The 790s have ultra-light urethane foam injected inside the head engineered to push the design limits of face speed while simultaneously improving feel.
Thru Slot Speed Pocket
Another major upgrade from the 2017 model is TaylorMade unveiling its most flexible speed pocket design. This allows them to engineer maximum ball speed and even more forgiveness on shots that are hit low on the face. So even if you catch it a groove or two low, you will probably still hit it more solid than the 2017 version.
Progressive I.C.T.
TaylorMade’s latest irons also feature their patented “Inverted Cone Technology” (I.C.T) that are strategically located in each iron. This allowed them to create more accuracy for your off-center shots making your misses much more playable.
Who doesn’t want that?
Forged Hollow Body
The new 2019 TaylorMade P790 irons have a thin wrap around a 4140 face with a soft carbon steel body that is designed for maximum forgiveness and distance.
Upgraded Shafts
The P790 comes with a True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 VSS steel shaft in R, S, and X flex. While there are two graphite versions to give you even more off the rack customization.
They offer the UST Recoil 780 with SMACWRAP in S-flex and the UST Recoil 760 with SMACWRAP for R & A flex.
2019 P790TI Irons
The second version is the P790 TI irons. They are somewhat pricey, but offer a lot more forgiveness without sacrificing looks. The P790 TI irons have a lot of the same features as the standard model but also comes with:
Titanium Heads
The Titanium clubhead forms a super lightweight hollow-body iron that produces much more forgiveness and explosive distance. This is why these irons are better for higher handicappers with slower swing speeds.
Visible Tungsten Weighting
The P790TI irons have a visible tungsten weighting on the bottom part of the blade. Each is locked into the back bar of each iron to help you hit it high with a very low spin trajectory for maximum distance.
Different Shafts
The P790 TI edition comes with a Nippon NS PRO 950 GH NEO steel shaft and a Mitsubishi MMT graphite shaft. Both come stock with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip as well.
P790 UDI
The final P790 model is the TaylorMade P790 UDI and only comes in a 2-iron. This is primarily designed to be a driving iron. So if you’re skipping the long irons for more forgiving hybrids and fairway woods, don’t worry about this club too much.
The P790 UDI has minimal offset and TaylorMade worked directly with their tour staff to create this beast of a club. It has a straight topline and super clean look at address.
The 2-iron comes stock with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke shaft. The X-flex is 100 grams while the S flex weighs in at 90 grams.
Alternatives to the Taylormade P790 Irons
Mizuno MP-20 Irons
If you’re not sure if the P790 standard model is right for you, a great alternative is the Mizuno MP-20 irons. They are sleeker than the TaylorMade but still have tons of new tech in 2019.
While they aren’t as forgiving, they are an iron that is Tour proven. With the MP-20 MB, they have a tapered blade design which means the topline changes depending on the angle you look at it from. There is a smooth transition from 3-PW making it ideal for each club and typical shot.
Mizuno MPC-20 MMC Irons
The MMC model has a thinner topline which makes them much more playable for the average golfer. These are very similar to the P790 TI model.
While it still has strong fundamentals in iron technology, it has some key differences from the MB-20 to make them much more forgiving. Plus, it also comes in a lighter shaft making it easier to swing for the average golfer.
Read the full Mizuno MP-20 review here.
Callaway Apex Pro 19 Irons
Another great alternative to the TaylorMade P790 irons is the Callaway Apex 19. The Callaway Apex 19 Pro set is played by guys on Tour and they look the part!
The latest irons from Callaway have a classic look with a straight leading edge, higher toe, smooth hosel transition and thin top line, especially in your scoring clubs. PGA Tour players themselves helped shape these irons so you can count on them looking sleek at setup.
Plus, they are crazy long and forgiving yet still highly playable. These are much more forgiving than the Mizuno models and are about the same price as the 790s.
Read the full 2019 Callaway Apex Pro irons review here.
Top FAQs about the Taylormade P790 Irons
Are the TaylorMade P790 blades?
They aren’t blades compared to other clubs like the Mizuno or Titleist irons. But the standard P790 is a less forgiving iron and is played by top players like Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.
Are TaylorMade P790 forgiving?
If you’re looking for more forgiveness, make sure to buy the Taylormade 790 TI iron set. This is a major perk of the 2019 version.
Are TaylorMade P790 forged?
Yes, both of these sets of irons are forged.
What degree loft is the TaylorMade pitching wedge?
The pitching wedge loft for the P790 is 45.0 while the loft for the p790 TI is 43.5 degrees. Keep that in mind when trying to find the correct gap to blend your wedges with these irons.
Summary of the Taylormade P790 Irons
As you can tell, TaylorMade had their hands full when creating this new update for 2020. Since the 2017 model received so many awards and loved by pros and amateurs, they didn’t make any crazy updates.
TaylorMade didn’t want to upset their biggest fans but instead made subtle tweaks for more forgiveness and accuracy. It’s good to see a manufacturer not try to reinvent the wheel and simply upgrade what golfers worldwide are loving.
The biggest update comes in the form of offering two different models so less skilled golfers can still reap the rewards. If you like the P790 but aren’t sure your game is quite ready for them, the P790 TI is an awesome alternative. Either model, you can’t go wrong with these clubs.
Buy the TaylorMade P790 irons here.
With the low spin of the P790 irons, would you recommend combining with the TP5 ball or TP5X?
Cole,
Thank you so much for the question. I’ve been playing the P790s for the last couple of months and they are a great set of irons. I am hitting my irons the best I have in a while, and I give all the credit to the P790s. My only complaint, and it is not a huge problem, is that the mid-irons have a little more roll out on the greens than I prefer. For that exact reason, I play either a TP5 or a ProV1. The TP5 will normally spin more than the TP5X.
But in golf, everything is about trade-offs. If you struggle with too much spin off your driver, the TP5X works wonders to reduce spin and you’ll notice a pick up in distance.
If you are like me and high spin off the driver is not an issue for you, my advice would be to play the TP5.
If you are a high spin player, I would recommend you go with the TP5x. The added distance off the tee would have you hitting a shorter iron into the green. That shorter iron should launch higher and land softer, minimizing any roll-out issues.
Enjoy those P790s if you decide to get them!
I’m playing Apex CF16 now, love these but I’m so eager to give the P790 a try, how would you compare these two regarding feel, forgiveness, distance and stoping power?
No comparison. The CF16s were good clubs 2 years ago, but when the P790s came out last fall they changed the game. It’s really incredible how long, high launch and forgiving these irons are and still retain feel.
One of the perks of being involved with this website is getting to test new clubs. I tested the P790s in order to write this article and they’ve yet to leave my bag.
I too played the CF16 Apex but have jumped the wagon on these P790’s. I must say the feel is sensational and the forgiveness is marginal. My dispersion has narrowed tremendously with the P790….I am not use to the stronger lofts because I’m hitting my 7 iron the same distance I was hitting my 5 iron (with CF16’s), but that is a great problem for a player like me that was lacking distance and control.
I will mention my graphite shaft on CF 16 was the UST recoil F4 110, but after my fitting with the P790, the Dynamic Gold stock shaft is the best shaft for that club…..so don’t explore too many options with other shafts unless you really give the stock DG shaft the proper testing.
I enjoyed my CF16 to the fullest, but they were not enhancing my game and the shaft was getting to heavy for me that I was having problem hinging my wrist and staying on plane after the 12 hole or so.
I can assure you that the P790 irons was a great decision I made after testing other clubs like Titleist AP3, I500 ping, and new CF19 irons……trust me…I tested all these and the P790 irons simply gave me total satisfaction and the numbers I needed in terms of distance, feel, trajectory, ball speed and dispersion. I also went upright by 2 degrees since I faded too much…..
Good luck….I really hope I said all you need to know to go try out these P790.
I did not mention that these clubs are absolutely gorgeous !!!!
I never thought I would ever go to Taylormade, but these irons sold me.
Cheers,
Rick
Have a set of p790,s made to my spec,s with nspro 95grm shafts l am a senior player but started playing at 14yrs my handicap is 18 ,these are by far the best clubs i have played taylormade certainly hit a home run with this iron they would suit a broard range of handicap players.😉😉😉
Thanks for the comment Brian! I am so glad you are enjoying the P790s. I really enjoy my set too! In my opinion, the P790s rank high on the list as one of the best irons you can buy right now.
Keep making those birdie putts the P790s leave you with!
Hi, the M3 vs. P790 – These clubs seem very very similar – are the M3’s more forgiving? Or what is it that separates one from the other?
I’m a 15 handicap and more of my struggles are around the green and putting. Looking at both the P790 and M3, I’ve hit both and honestly don’t really feel too much of a difference.
The M3’s are in Taylormade’s class of irons for average players. While the P790s are the most forgiving of TaylorMade’s players clubs. TaylorMade makes the M3 and M4 for most golfers and the P series is made for better players.
You will probably find that the M3s have a touch more forgiveness and the P790s have just a little more feel. If your handicap being a 15 is due more to short game issues and not ball striking, you could certainly play the P790s.
I played against a 13 handicap in a member-guest a few weeks ago that was hitting guided laser shots with the P790s. He had so many kick-in birdies it made me question whether or not he was a 13 handicap!
Thanks – would you say the P790 are worth the extra 300$ given how they don’t seem differ in a significant way?
That’s a tough one to answer because everyone’s value of money and golf is a little different. I’ll answer this as if I’m making the decision:
I prefer a little more feel so I lean towards the P790s. Golf is my number 1 interest outside of the normal stuff (family, etc.), so $300 is not that much more for me to spend on something that I enjoy this much. On top of that, I get new irons about every 3-4 years. If I spread that cost over 3-4 years it’s even more affordable.
Hope this helps!
Charlie you are hilarious on the note about “so many kick-in birdies” . hahaha…..I laugh because I too am a 13 handicap and now that started playing with random guys, they too wonder why I’m a mid handicapper when throwing freakin darts at the pin…hahaha….I love reading messages like yours.
Go P790 !!!
My M2 irons are coming up to 4 years old . I find them excellent , but I think technology has moved on very quickly since I purchased the M2 . I’m a 14 handicapper and would like to get the benefit of technology . Well in short would the P790 give me that benefit and forgiveness Taylormade seem to consider in all of their irons .
Dan,
Thank you for the question. The M2 are good irons, but generally speaking, iron technology is moving so fast that it makes most models obsolete within 3 – 5 years. So you are certainly within the time frame of getting a new set.
The P790 are great irons, so much that I picked them as the Best Distance Irons for Intermediate Golfers. The P790s will definitely give you all the technology you could want. But as far as forgiveness, your handicap is right at the high-end of players I would recommend this club to. However, if your handicap is trending lower (and you are a stronger ball-striker), then this club will have enough forgiveness for you. My overall favorite clubs in this class of iron is the Titleist T-MB. But they are pretty expensive irons and for many players in this range why they ultimately end up selecting the P790s. If you want more information, read over my article on the best game enhancement irons.
Good luck in your decision making process. Let me know if I can help any more.