TaylorMade P770 and P790 irons are contenders for some of the best irons. But they’re aimed at two different skill levels.
Here’s a quick P770 vs. P790 comparison chart:
Feature | P770 | P790 |
Design | Traditional Muscle Back | Cavity Back |
Feel | Firm | Soft |
Performance | Distance Focused | Forgiveness and Performance |
Grooves | Standard Milled | Precision Milled |
Finish | Chrome | Chrome |
The P770s and P790s are a significant investment, so you won’t want to miss the details I dive into.
I’ve recommended these clubs to clients for years, but they’re not for everyone.
Read on to learn the differences between the TaylorMade p770 vs. p790 irons.
P770 vs. P790: At A Glance
The P770 is like a classic relic, reliable and timeless.
If you’re a mid-low handicapper, the P770 is the club for you! This club will boost your ball speed and distance with its mid-low launch and spin.
But the P790 is like a modern counterpart with a softer feel. But if you’re a seasoned golfer who craves control and workability, the P790 is just what the doctor ordered! With its mid-low launch and spin, you’ll be shaping shots like a pro in no time.
Both irons are made with forged 1025 carbon steel and precision-milled grooves, so you can rest assured that you’re getting top-notch quality.
Read more: The Best Taylormade Irons
P770 vs P790: What Are The Differences?
Which is better TaylorMade P770 or P790?
The P770, a player’s iron/distance iron, is designed for golfers seeking a blend of distance and control. It offers a mid-launch trajectory, mid-spin, and blade construction, making it suitable for players who prioritize distance without sacrificing control. Its KBS Tour 120 S shaft with mid-shaft spin further enhances its ability to achieve high ball speeds and longer drives.
On the other hand, the P790, a forged iron, appeals to golfers who value feel and precision. It features a mid-low launch and mid-low spin, with a focus on accuracy and shot shaping. The choice of shafts like steel-dynamic gold VSS or graphite-Mitsubishi MMT with mid-high shaft spin in the P790 supports greater shot control. Additionally, its cavity back construction offers forgiveness and stability, beneficial for players needing extra help with their shots.
In summary, the P770 is ideal for players seeking a powerful yet controllable game, whereas the P790 suits those who prioritize precision and feel in their golfing experience.
Iron Categorization
One difference between P770 and P790 is their type of iron. The P770 is a player’s iron/distance iron, and the P790 is a forged iron.
Distance irons are for golfers who want a combination of distance and control, while forged irons are for those who want the ultimate feel and precision.
The P770 is a club for players who want to hit it long without sacrificing control. With its mid-launch, you’ll achieve higher ball speed and increased distance.
Meanwhile, the P790 is for the golfer who values feel and precision over distance.
Its mid-low launch will help you shape shots with greater accuracy, making it the ideal choice for maximum control.
Launch Trajectory
Another aspect that sets the TaylorMade P770 and P790 apart is their launch trajectory. The P770 aims for a mid-air launch, while the P790 aims for a mid-low launch.
The launch of a club has a crucial impact on how the ball travels through the air and behaves on the green.
With the mid-launch of the P770, you’ll blast off with a higher ball speed that results in longer drives.
You’ll also find it easier to soar higher and land softer on the green.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more control, the mid-low launch of the P790 will slow things down, giving you a more precise game.
Spin Profile
Another difference between P770 and P790 is all about spin. The P770 boasts a mid spin, while the P790 takes it down a notch with a mid-low spin.
The spin of a club plays a crucial role in determining the ball’s flight and behavior on the green.
With the P770’s mid-spin, you’ll be spinning around the dance floor with the ball! This spin helps you achieve a higher ball speed, leading to more distance.
And, the mid spin makes it easier to get the ball off the ground, letting you hit higher shots and stop them faster on the green.
On the other hand, the P790’s mid-low spin provides more control, making it easier to shape your shots and hit the ball lower.
Shaft Selection
Regarding the differences between the TaylorMade P770 and P790, the shaft is a key factor to consider.
The P770 boasts the KBS Tour 120 S with a mid-shaft spin, while the P790 comes equipped with either the steel-dynamic gold VSS or the graphite-Mitsubishi MMT with a mid-high shaft spin.
The KBS Tour 120 S on the P770 is engineered for high ball speed and distance, with its mid-shaft spin making it easier to get the ball in the air and control its trajectory.
Similarly, the VSS or MMT on the P790 is designed for greater shot control and precision, with the mid-high spin helping players to get the ball up in the air and shape their shots.
Distance
Another difference between TaylorMade P770 and P790 is distance. The P770 has a mid-launch and mid-spin, while the P790 has a mid-low launch and spin. These factors influence how far the club can hit the ball.
The mid-launch and mid-spin of the P770 are aimed at maximizing distance. The combination of these elements increases ball speed, leading to longer shots.
Conversely, the mid-low launch and spin of the P790 prioritize maximum distance with improved control. This setup makes it easier to get the ball into the air and stop it more quickly on the green.
Accuracy and Precision
Regarding the TaylorMade P770 and P790 golf clubs, both offer exceptional accuracy.
The P770 features a compact blade construction with a mid-launch and mid-spin profile. Essentially, this allows you to achieve higher ball speeds and improved accuracy.
On the other hand, the P790 boasts a compact cavity back design and a mid-low launch and spin profile that can help get the ball in the air for improved accuracy.
Forgiveness and Stability
In terms of forgiveness, the P790 stands out as the club of choice for players who require extra help with their shots.
Its compact cavity back construction provides added stability, making it easier to make well-hit shots even on less-than-perfect swings. In contrast, the P770’s compact blade design is favored by better players for its workability and shot-shaping capabilities.
Offset Impact
The offset of a club refers to the distance between the clubface and the club’s hosel. It can affect the trajectory of the ball and can impact the player’s ability to control the ball.
In the case of P770 and P790, the former has an offset of 2.4mm on the 7 iron, while the latter has an offset of 2.7mm on the 7 iron.
P770’s offset is designed to provide a mid-launch trajectory, while the offset of the P790 is primarily used for control with a mid-low launch trajectory.
This offset difference can help players to achieve their desired ball flight and shot shape.
The P770’s lower offset may appeal to more advanced players who want more control over the ball’s trajectory, while the P790’s higher offset is generally favored by amateurs more.
Head Shape—Blade vs Cavity Back
Both P770 and P790 feature a compact head shape. The difference between the two is in the construction of the head. The P770 features a blade construction, while the P790 features a cavity back construction.
The compact blade construction of the P770 provides a sleek and traditional look at address and is especially useful for its workability and shot-shaping capabilities. On the other hand, the compact cavity back construction of the P790 provides more forgiveness and stability, making it a great option for players who need a little more help with their shots.
Construction
The TaylorMade P770 and P790 are made from forged 1025 Carbon Steel. This type of steel is known for its strength, durability, and responsiveness, making it an excellent choice for irons.
Forged 1025 Carbon Steel has a soft feel that provides excellent feedback to the player, making it possible to fine-tune your shots and achieve better results.
Face Insert—Speed Bridge vs. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket
The TaylorMade P770 features a Speed Bridge face insert, while the P790 features a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. Both face inserts are designed to help improve ball speed and distance, but they do so in different ways.
The Speed Bridge face insert of the P770 helps to enhance stability and minimize face deformations during the impact.
This results in a higher ball speed and distance. Whereas the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket of the P790 helps to increase ball speed and distance by improving the launch conditions and reducing spin. This is especially on shots struck low on the face.
Grooves
The TaylorMade P770 and P790 feature standard-milled and precision-milled grooves, respectively.
Both provide a consistent, high-quality finish that helps increase your shots’ spin and control. However, these stats are only enhanced in the case of precision-milled.
Sole Width
Both the TaylorMade P770 and P790 feature a narrow sole width. Narrow sole width provides better turf interaction and improved playability, especially when playing on tight lies or difficult bunkers shots.
FAQ
What Is The Difference Between TaylorMade P770 And P790?
TaylorMade 770 vs 790 are high-performing golf clubs, but they have a few key differences that set them apart. For starters, the P770 iron is designed for mid-low handicappers and follows a compact blade design with a firmer feel.
On the other side, the P790 iron is targeted at mid-high handicappers. It features a compact cavity back design but with a softer feel, making it more forgiving and better suited for golfers looking to improve their game.
Do Any Pros Use Taylormade P770?
Yes, many professional golfers have been known to use the TaylorMade P770 irons. Some of the most notable pros who have used the P770 include Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Rory McIlroy.
These players have relied on the P770 for its blend of distance, precision, and control and have favored the compact blade design and forged 1025 carbon steel construction.
Do Any Pros Use TaylorMade P700?
Yes, professional golfers such as Jason Day, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas have all been spotted using the TaylorMade P700 irons. These players are known for their power and distance off the tee, and the P700 irons have also helped them maintain that level of performance with their irons.
In fact, the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket technology of the P700 has been a key factor in its popularity among these pros, as it provides enhanced ball speed and improved forgiveness on shots struck low on the clubface.
Final Thoughts
Regarding TaylorMade P770 vs. P790 irons, both are very different beasts, and one is definitely the king of the golfing jungle. That king, my friends, is the P790 irons. These irons are a top pick for golfers who want to up their game and show off their style on the course.
The P790 irons are not just a performance powerhouse but also a style statement. Their cavity-back design and softer feel make them super forgiving, so even if you’re a mid-high handicapper, you’ll be able to hit the ball confidently. Recently they’ve even came out with a Phantom Black edition.
And when it comes to performance, the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and precision milled grooves ensure that you’ll hit the ball straight and far every time.
Conversely, the P770 irons are better suited for mid-low handicappers who want to crush the ball as much as possible. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to hit the ball a little further and with a little more style? That’s why the P790 irons are the better option for golfers wishing for the best of both worlds.
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.