TaylorMade P790 Irons Review(2025 Model)

I tested the 2025 Taylormade P790 irons over multiple 18 hole rounds, and compared them to other players irons on a trackman launch monitor, so that I could compare real data.

Here is what I found:

Key Takeaways

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• This in-depth TaylorMade P790 irons review covers the fifth generation of the line, launched in early 2025 with significant updates to face material (4340M forged face), FLTD CG placement, and hollow-body construction.
• The 2025 P790 delivers a rare blend of distance, forgiveness, and a players look, making them viable for golfers from about +2 to 20 handicap when correctly fitted.
• Headline performance claims include higher launch in long irons, more spin and control in short irons, a 24% larger sweet spot, and extremely exciting ball-speed retention on mishits.
• Pricing sits at approximately $190 per iron in steel at launch, placing these new irons at the premium end of the players distance irons category—but the technology and performance justify the investment.
• A proper fitting session remains critical to unlock the full potential of these irons, particularly regarding shaft selection, lie angle, and set composition.

Introduction: What’s New With the 2025 TaylorMade P790?

When TaylorMade launched the original P790 back in 2017, it fundamentally changed what golfers could expect from a compact iron. The hollow-body construction paired with a forged feel created a new category—players distance irons that didn’t force you to choose between looks and performance.

The 2025 model represents the fifth iteration, following releases in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. TaylorMade pushed this launch slightly ahead of their usual two-year cycle to align with spring golf seasons, ensuring golfers can integrate these clubs into full-season play rather than receiving them mid-year.

Three main upgrade pillars define this latest generation: refined shaping with a thinner topline, an updated 4340M forged face with internal SpeedFoam Air construction, and FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity) that optimizes launch characteristics differently for long irons versus scoring clubs.

This review is based on extensive on-course testing and launch monitor sessions. I’ll cover looks and feel, technology, performance, fitting considerations, and value for money before delivering a final verdict.

TaylorMade P790 2025 Iron Specs

The P790 occupies the premium tier of players distance irons, competing directly with models like Titleist T200, Callaway Apex Pro, and Ping i530. What sets the P790 apart is its ability to deliver game-improvement distance in a playing profile that doesn’t look chunky or intimidating at address.

Key Specifications:

Looks & Feel – Players Profile With More Confidence (Rating 4.5/5)

The 2025 P790 advances toward a true players profile. At address, you’ll notice a thinner topline than the previous model, compact blade length, reduced offset, and a satin-chrome finish that minimizes glare.

Compared to the 2023 version, the difference isn’t dramatic—but it matters. The transition from hosel to topline flows more smoothly, and the short irons appear slightly more compact. These refinements build confidence when you set the club behind the ball.

In the bag, these irons present a modern muscle-back aesthetic with subtle P790 badging and minimal visual clutter. They blend seamlessly with P770 short irons if you choose a combo set, creating a cohesive look from 4-iron through wedges.

Feel at Impact:

The feel is where TaylorMade’s modal analysis work truly shines. The combination of the 4140/4340M forged face and SpeedFoam Air creates:

• Soft but powerful sensation at impact
• Muted, solid sound closer to one-piece forged irons
• Consistent feel from long irons through PW (unlike past versions where long irons sounded more explosive)

Mishits provide gentle feedback without being harsh. You’ll sense toe and thin strikes, which helps better players locate their impact point, but mid-handicaps won’t feel punished for slight misses.

Technology – Where the 2025 P790 Makes Its Biggest Leap (Rating 5/5)

The technology upgrades in 2025 drive the distance, forgiveness, and launch benefits that make these irons extremely exciting. Here’s what matters in plain terms.

4340M Forged Face:

The thinner face is 20% stronger than the 2023 version, enabling an even thinner construction that flexes more at impact. This translates directly to increased ball speed and an effective hitting area that’s 24% larger than the previous model. You can hit it low on the face or toward the toe and still maintain speed.

FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity):

This is where TaylorMade optimized each head individually:

• Long irons (4-6): Lower CG positioning promotes higher launch, helping golfers get the ball airborne from fairway lies
• Mid irons (7): Balanced CG for versatile performance
• Short irons (8-PW): Higher CG adds spin and control for scoring shots

Hollow Body & Internal Weighting:

Unlike cavity back irons, the hollow head cavity is filled with SpeedFoam Air, a lightweight polymer that supports the thin face and dampens vibrations. Tungsten weighting sits low and toward the toe to stabilize off-center strikes.

Sole Design:

Progressive leading edge geometry improves turf interaction, particularly noticeable in 8-PW where the leading edge rounds slightly for better contact from tight lies.

Performance – Distance, Forgiveness & Launch (Rating 5/5)

The overall verdict here is straightforward: outstanding distance for a compact head, minimal ball-speed drop on mishits, and a playable flight across a wide range of swing speeds.

Distance:

With mid-swing speeds and KBS Tour Lite stiff shafts, expect 7-iron carries around 165-175 yards. The hot face and strong lofts deliver the distance, but launch and spin characteristics keep shots from ballooning or becoming uncontrollable.

Forgiveness:

This is where the 24% larger sweet spot earns its keep:

• Mishits lose approximately half a club of distance rather than dropping out of the sky
• Toe strikes maintain decent speed and direction
• Low-face contact remains playable instead of catastrophic

Launch and Spin:

Launch is excellent, but spin is significantly less than other players irons, like the Titleist T100.

I tested the P790 7 iron against a Titleist T100 7 iron and the spin difference was significant.

You can see the numbers in the images below.

You can see that the P790 provides more distance than the Titleist T100, thanks to the stronger lofts. The P790 7 iron is the same loft as the T100 6 iron.

The spin rate, however tells a different story. The P790 produces less than 4000 rpms, while the T100 produces over 5000 rpms.

Launch:

The FLTD CG system creates noticeable differences across the set:

Consistency:

Front-to-back and side-to-side dispersion improvements make these irons more predictable than earlier hollow-body designs. Your miss patterns tighten, which translates to better scoring over a round.

On-Course Testing & Turf Interaction

Launch monitor numbers only tell part of the story. After spending time on the course across multiple rounds, the real-world performance matched the data.

Turf Interaction:

The progressive sole design glides through various lies effectively:

• Fairway: Clean contact with minimal digging
• Light rough: The head cuts through without excessive grabbing
• Tight lies: The rounded leading edge in short irons prevents chunky contact

Specific Shot Examples:

• 4-iron tee shot on a 225-yard par 3: High enough launch to hold the green, straight flight with minimal curve
• 6-iron approach from 175 yards: Controlled trajectory, landed soft with checking spin
• PW into a firm green: Enough spin to stop within 10 feet of the pitch mark

Trajectory Control:

Better players will appreciate the ability to hit high, soft shots or lower bullets without fighting the club’s built-in forgiveness. Shaping fades and draws felt natural—the club responds to input rather than resisting it.

One notable point: performance on real grass versus range mats differs. Low-face strikes are more forgiving on turf where the ground provides some give, and shots hit slightly heavy recover better than you’d expect from a thinner-soled iron.

Fitting, Handicap Range & Set Makeup

Custom fitting is optional with the P790—it’s essential to unlock what these irons can deliver. Loft, lie, shaft, and set composition all matter significantly.

Handicap Suitability:

Shaft Considerations:

• Aggressive swingers: Heavier, stiffer steel like Dynamic Gold
• Moderate speeds: Lighter steel or graphite options, like the KBS Players Graphite Iron shaft
• Height seekers: Graphite shafts (Mitsubishi MMT) for added launch

Combo Set Options:

A popular configuration uses P790 in 4-6 iron paired with P770 from 7-PW. This gives you the launch help in long irons while maintaining precision in scoring clubs. The aesthetics transition smoothly between models.

Who Should Look Elsewhere:

Very high handicaps or beginners who need maximum help should consider super-game-improvement models with wider soles. The P790’s compact profile, while forgiving for its category, can feel intimidating without reasonable ball-striking consistency.

Also, low handicap and professional golfers that want traditional lofts and higher spin would benefit from a pure players iron like the Titleist 620 CB.

Value for Money & How They Compare

Pricing Guide:

• Steel shafts: Approximately $190-200 per club
• Full 4-PW steel set: $1,500-1,700
• Graphite options (Mitsubishi MMT): Higher

TaylorMade targets golfers from roughly +2 to 20 handicap. Lower handicaps appreciate the workability and clean aesthetics, while mid-handicaps leverage the forgiveness without feeling like they’re playing a game-improvement club.

Customization options include stock shafts such as KBS Tour Lite, Dynamic Gold, and Project X, plus lie and loft adjustability through certified fitters. Standard or midsize grips round out the personalization choices.

Premium pricing demands justification. At $190 per club, the P790 sits at the high end of the market—but what you receive supports that point.

What You Get:

• Rare combination of distance and forgiveness in a players-sized head
• Durable forged construction that holds up over multiple seasons
• Technology that legitimately performs rather than serving as marketing
• Strong resale value based on previous P790 generations

Category Positioning:

Some competitors may feel marginally softer or cost slightly less, but the P790 delivers at or near the top in distance-plus-forgiveness per head size. The compact aesthetics don’t compromise performance, which remains unusual in this category.

Longevity:

Previous P790 models have remained in bags for multiple seasons and held second-hand value well. The 2025 version should age similarly given the build quality and performance consistency.

Buying Guidance:

• If you prioritize traditional, very soft forged feel above all else, a pure blade might suit your subjective preferences better
• If you want a modern, forgiving, distance-oriented players iron, the 2025 P790 is a top candidate worth serious testing

Overall Verdict on the 2025 TaylorMade P790 Irons

The 2025 P790 continues the line’s reputation as a benchmark in the players distance irons category. The refined looks, better-engineered launch characteristics, and improved feel across the set represent meaningful evolution without abandoning what made the original successful.

Ratings Summary:

Key Strengths:

• Long-iron confidence with higher launch
• Powerful but controlled ball flight
• Excellent forgiveness for a compact head
• Premium sound and feel profile

Main Caveats:

• Premium price requires commitment
• Profile may feel slightly intimidating for newer golfers
• Less spin than irons like the Titleist CB and T100s

Final Recommendation:

If you’re a serious golfer looking to upgrade to a modern iron that can stay in your bag for several seasons while offering both distance and control, the 2025 TaylorMade P790 should be near the top of your testing list. Watch for demo day opportunities at your local course, and bring your current irons to compare. The difference may be more significant than you expect.

FAQ

Are the 2025 TaylorMade P790 irons suitable for high handicappers?

The P790 are forgiving  irons for their compact size, but they are aimed primarily at improving and established golfers rather than complete beginners. High handicaps up to around 18-20 who strike the ball reasonably well can benefit greatly from the distance and forgiveness these irons bring. However, those who struggle with consistent contact might find more help in a wider-soled game-improvement iron. If you’re a higher handicap golfer who’s excited about the P790, go through a fitting and consider blending with more forgiving long irons or a hybrid to cover your weakest areas.

How do the 2025 P790 irons differ from the 2023 model?

The concrete differences include refined shaping with a thinner topline and cleaner hosel transition, an updated 4340M face with a 24% larger sweet spot, and more pronounced FLTD CG tuning for optimized launch and spin. Performance gains are evolutionary rather than revolutionary—slightly higher launch in long irons, improved spin control in short irons, and better feel consistency across the set. Owners of the 2023 model don’t need to rush to upgrade, but players coming from older generations (2017, 2019, or 2021) will notice more significant benefits.

Can the TaylorMade P790 2025 irons be bent for custom loft and lie?

As forged-faced, hollow-body irons, P790 heads can typically be adjusted a couple of degrees for lie and loft by a qualified club fitter. Players often tweak lofts to blend with existing wedges or improve gapping, especially around the 4-iron and 5-iron or into their wedge setup. Avoid excessive bending at home—bouncing between different settings can stress the head. A certified fitter or pro shop has the proper equipment and expertise to make adjustments safely.

What shafts work best with the 2025 P790 irons?

There’s no single best shaft—it depends on your swing speed, tempo, and desired ball flight. The irons come with a range of stock shafts including mid-weight steel and graphite options. Faster, stronger players tend to gravitate toward heavier, stiffer steel like Dynamic Gold, while moderate swing speeds might benefit from lighter steel like KBS Tour Lite or graphite to boost launch. A launch-monitor-based fitting session is the most reliable way to pair the P790 heads with an appropriate shaft for optimal distance and dispersion.

Do the 2025 P790 irons blend well with other TaylorMade models in a combo set?

Yes, the P790 is commonly used in longer irons (4-6) alongside more compact players irons like P770 or blades in the short irons. The topline thickness and offset have been designed to transition smoothly into other P-Series heads, making combo sets visually coherent and psychologically comfortable at address. This project works particularly well for golfers who want long-iron help but prefer more precision-focused irons for approach shots. If you consistently struggle with your longer clubs, using P790 there while playing more traditional irons in the mid and short portion of your bag is a sound strategy.