TAYLORMADE P790

YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The P790s arrived last August, and they’ve been a huge success. Taylormade has sold tons of them, while lots of tour players have put P790 long irons in their bags. There’s a forged face (with a cast body) and high-density tungsten plugs in the long and mid irons (3-7) which means added forgiveness and precise positioning of the CG. “Speedfoam” is injected into the head to support the thin face and help manage vibrations and improve sound, feel and feedback. It has the look and feel of a true players’ iron, but with the forgiveness and playability of a perimeter weighted iron.

TAYLORMADE P790 VERDICT:

We’ve tested the P790 on numerous occasions and it consistently comes up trumps. Firstoff it’s a great looking head with a profile and shape many golfers would liken to a traditional blade. But it’s pumped full of performance-enhancing tech, which could never be packed into a muscleback model. Our test really wasn’t about distance, primarily because there are very different models (aimed at different types of golfers) included, so it would be misleading to recommend one model over another. But the P790 is fast and forgiving and in our eyes sits right on the fence between better player and game improvement models. Our test pro said the Speedfoam inside the head, like the PXG COR 2 material, adds up to a nicer overall sound and feel over the unfilled models. If you’re looking at hollow irons more closely, they definitely should be on your radar. It’s worth remembering that along with the Lynx the P790s are the only irons here supplied as a set; the others come as individual clubs, which is worth bearing in mind.