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The 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons are still one of the fastest, longest iron sets in golf. Forgiveness and consistency are excellent for their size. The cleanest looking P790 yet.
Introduction
The TaylorMade P790 is one of the most successful irons in golf history. First launched in 2017, it was a revelation in the way it paired distance and forgiveness with a players look [original P790 review HERE]. For the last six years, it has continued to win fittings and fill the bags of golfers across the globe. Now the fourth iteration is here, the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons, and I tested a set to see if they were able to raise the bar on performance again.
Looks
One of the hallmarks of the P790 has always been the blade-like look in the bag. The 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons have the cleanest look of any version to date. The entire back of the club has a matte finish with all of the branding pushed the corners. TaylorMade continues to employ a futuristic font for “P790,” underscoring the cutting edge performance. Another thing that hasn’t changed is the plug on the toe which has become a visual calling card of this iron.
In terms of size and shape, the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons are consistent with previous versions. They feature progressive offset – minimal in the short irons, average in the long irons – and blade lengths that are about average. The top lines strike a balance between the razor blades that low handicaps want and the comfort mid handicaps get from a little thickness.
One noticeable improvement over the 2021 version is the finishing on the top line which is uniform, rather than divided between the grooved and ungrooved areas of the face.
Sound & Feel
The sound and feel of the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons works through a progression as you go through the set. In the short irons, the feel is medium soft with a lot of control. This pairs well with the quiet “snap” of impact. Overall, the short irons give the sensation of precision more than power.
When you get into the mid and long irons, the volume of impact rises to an average level with the same “snap.” Similarly, there’s more pop and explosion in the feel. The P790 never leaves the realm of traditional feel, but the longer irons definitely let you know that they’re giving the ball some extra get up and go.
Throughout the set, the feedback from the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons is much better than I expected. Had I looked back at my review of the 2021 P790s [find it HERE], I wouldn’t have been surprised, as good feedback has long been a reliable part of these irons. Mish*ts firm up substantially compared to pure strikes. They’re never harsh or stinging, but there’s a clear difference in the feel of a centered shot versus even a small miss.
Performance
As soon as the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons got into fitting bays, I was receiving texts from my fitter friends about how fast they are. While this was far from surprising, it was good to receive confirmation of what I saw in my own testing. The P790 irons remain among the fastest in golf. Every iron I picked up spurred a new note – “The 7I just ****ing goes,” “Long irons rip.” If you’re trying to pick up distance, this set remains tough to beat.
Where TaylorMade continues to improve is in keeping that speed consistent. Through the mid irons, I found it hard to lose more than ten yards off my best strike, short of hitting the ball fat. Just as important, I didn’t see many shots jump beyond their expected distance.
The biggest upgrade to the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons is the FLTD CG. This is TM’s term for fine tuning the center of gravity to each iron – lower in the long irons, higher in the short irons. This low-to-high progression has benefits throughout the set. In the short irons, it flights the ball down with more spin – the type of shot that you see from Tour players.
Moving to the mid irons, the 2023 P790s have balanced performance. They’re plenty long, but they have enough spin to hold a green easily. This is one of the major upgrades over previous versions, such as the 2019 [review HERE], which I found too low spinning.
For me – a player who tends to launch his irons fairly low – the low CG in the long irons is the biggest benefit. While I would not classify these as high launching irons, pure shots fly on a very playable trajectory with enough spin to stay on the putting surface. More importantly, the low CG helps to get a lot of distance out of thin strikes. The combination of the low CG and the Speed Slot gives these shots just enough launch and ample ball speed to get in range of your best strikes.
For distance with some slice-busting, check out the TaylorMade Qi irons HERE
Conclusion
TaylorMade’s tagline for the new P790 irons is “True Beauty Lies Within,” referring to the unique internal architecture of each iron. While those x-ray pictures are catnip for the true nerds, the 2023 TaylorMade P790 irons are going to continue winning fittings because of their combination of distance, forgiveness, and balanced launch and spin. If you want to add some more punch to your iron play, test a set with your favorite fitter.
Visit TaylorMade Golf HERE
2023 TaylorMade P790 Irons Price & Specs
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Matt Saternus
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
Matt has worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking.
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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30 Comments
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KeithAugust 31, 2023 at 7:12 am ·Reply
I wonder if they are really much better than the awesome Speedblades? Might be a fun Myths unplugged…
- Dave
September 19, 2023 at 10:18 am ·Reply
How much difference will the aero tech shat make
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- Kevin C
August 31, 2023 at 8:18 am ·Reply
Nice to hear that the P790 mid to long irons are launching higher now. That was what kept me from purchasing a set a few years back.
- Mack
August 31, 2023 at 9:42 am ·Reply
I just received my 2023 P790s a couple of days ago and I took them to the range last night to nervously try. I have to say they are so much better for me than the 2021 version. Shots seemed effortless and everything was straight as an arrow. The feel was a lot better also. Normally the range balls feel pretty harsh but not with the 2023. I had the 2019 and 2021 models. The only change I made was with the shaft. I went from a Aerotech Steel Fiber 110 which was in both 2019 & 2021 models down to a Steel Fiber 95 for the 2023. I can’t wait to play my first round with them.
- Paul M
August 31, 2023 at 10:32 am ·Reply
What handicap range are these irons for?
- Matt Saternus
August 31, 2023 at 1:55 pm ·Reply
Paul,
I know that’s a very popular question, but it’s not one I like to engage with because I don’t find it helpful. I know very low handicap players who have gamed P790s. I know 20+ handicaps who game them. So I could say, “Anything from 2-25,” but that’s not particularly useful. To me, the better question is, “What do you want from an iron?” If what I described in the review sound appealing, go test them, preferably in a fitting, and see what they do for your swing.
Best,
Matt
- Jack
December 11, 2023 at 8:56 am ·Reply
Really not a lot of difference between 2021 n 2023. Maybe sound. I’m told a tad more spin but not noticeable. I have the 21’s at my sons in Georgia and the 23’s here at home. Both look great and feel soft. Have KBS C taper lite shafts on both set in regular flex. I’m 65 and play to a 10 if that helps anyone
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- Jim Schneck
August 31, 2023 at 10:40 am ·Reply
Hi Matt,
Were you able to get a sense of distance gapping moving from the shorter to mid irons? The difference in construction has me wondering if there are larger than normal distance gaps. Thanks!
Jim
- Matt Saternus
August 31, 2023 at 1:51 pm ·Reply
Jim,
I think this is the best P790 yet in terms of gapping. As with any stronger lofted set, the gaps tend to be a bit larger between the short irons than the long irons, but these are as good or better than any distance-type iron when it comes to gapping.
Best,
Matt
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- Pete A
August 31, 2023 at 11:13 am ·Reply
Matt, thanks for a great review as always. Since you hit both the new T200’s and ZX5 MKII, curious how you would rank the new P790’s with these? Will be considering all of the above and wondering if any stand out more than the others for feel and forgiveness. Thanks in advance.
- Matt Saternus
August 31, 2023 at 2:00 pm ·Reply
Pete,
Matt Meeker reviewed the ZX5 Mk II, not me, so I only have a passing familiarity with them. With regard to the T200 and P790, they’re both excellent, I don’t have any particular thoughts beyond what is in the reviews.
-Matt
- Mike
September 1, 2023 at 5:42 pm ·Reply
Personally I’d go with the T200s. Mostly because they will outperform the P790s from 8 iron through to PW because their lofts are more in line with modern sets. Just my 2 cents.
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- Jason W
August 31, 2023 at 11:19 am ·Reply
Matt, general question. To get an idea of iron oomph, when you do reviews of irons would it be possible to get numbers for a specific iron, perhaps 7i, of loft, average swing speed, ball speed, carry and spin?
- Matt Saternus
August 31, 2023 at 1:50 pm ·Reply
Jason,
Respectfully, no. We’re much closer to doing away with all numbers than to adding more.
Best,
Matt
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- Ryan
August 31, 2023 at 12:23 pm ·Reply
If you had to choose, would you prefer the 2023 P790s or the PING i525s?
- Matt Saternus
August 31, 2023 at 1:22 pm ·Reply
Ryan,
I’d get fit and buy the one that performs better.
Best,
Matt
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- Anthony Fuda
August 31, 2023 at 5:53 pm ·Reply
In comparison to the 2023 770s did you notice the new P790s to be more forgiving?
- Matt Saternus
September 1, 2023 at 8:04 am ·Reply
Anthony,
Yes, slightly.
-Matt
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- Mike
September 1, 2023 at 5:39 pm ·Reply
Good review. I think where this iron will struggle will be in the weak lofted short irons 8-PW. Unfortunately many people won’t discover this until after they’ve purchased the irons since you only get to hit the 7 iron to demo them. I think TM dropped the ball here by not strengthening the lofts to match what Titleist did with the T200s.
- david
September 3, 2023 at 8:25 am ·Reply
Hi Matt,
I enjoyed your review. You seemed to dance through and around the raindrops. You found very nice things to say. There is something “practical” dare I say about the P790’s. I remember when Honda and Toyota came into the American market place. They didn’t change style much but rather focussed on incremental improvements ala.
Deming. Both Honda and Toyota are really great cars for a variety of reasons. I’d compare the P790’s to an Accord. There is really nothing to complain about. But, after you drive an Audi…Imo, the 790’s really have it all, but also, imo, there is still something missing….I tried to like them, I even bought a set, but returned them. I’m sticking with my Apex TCB. Why, you ask? The P790’s are more forgiving and go longer. Well, that’s why I tried them out. I simply didn’t love the feel in the scoring irons. I made a compromise, I kept the 4 iron…great distance, easy to hit, and I simply don’t need the accuracy in that club or the feel (but I do like the feel when I see it go a mile…makes me feel good!)
So, that’s my idea of a “blended” set Ha!
The 790’s tick so many boxes, but IMO they don’t tick that feeling when hitting a Blueprint, TCB, or even an Apex (pick your model). I’ll stick with less distance and forgiveness. But, I don’t believe my score will be affected. I think I’ll get to the same destination, but he ride will be more fun!Best,
DR
- Anthony Ziroli
September 4, 2023 at 1:28 am ·Reply
The second gen are still the best…. They launch high as heck…. And very long…. The new ones look awful…. Terrible shaping…. Typical Taylor trash…. If you want a p790 buy the second version…. Or just get something better like idk Wilson D9 forged.
- Larry Beller
September 14, 2023 at 7:30 am ·Reply
Excellent review Matt. You have really peaked my interest in the P790s mainly because of how clean they look yet potentially they could be a club that a mid handicapper like myself could game. However since I recently bought a set of Ping G425 irons that I am very happy with I will resist the temptation to change. It’s interesting that the 7 iron is typically used to test irons. I find the 7iron is often my favorite club in any set I’ve owned. I often hit that club better and as long or even longer than the 6 iron. Any thoughts on why that is?
- Matt Saternus
September 14, 2023 at 8:33 am ·Reply
Larry,
With today’s stronger lofts, many golfers find diminishing distance returns (or negative returns) much earlier in the set.
Best,
Matt
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- Chip
September 20, 2023 at 6:42 pm ·Reply
As a scratch golfer I struggled to find a long iron that I could control and flew out of the correct window. The new P790 4 iron (really a 3 iron) is the magic bullet. It flies on a tight string with no worry of ballooning but has enough spin to easily hold greens. It’s a complete weapon off the tee. I’ve been a Mizuno guy forever, but this club isn’t leaving my bag anytime soon.
- Timothy
February 6, 2024 at 3:24 pm ·Reply
Your club reviews are really excellent. The attention you give to things like performance on thin shots is helpful when going for a fitting. I’m doing that in about a month and your information has convinced me to test the P790. Also looking at Titleist t359 and T200.
Thank you for the thought you put into your reviews!- Matt Saternus
February 6, 2024 at 3:34 pm ·Reply
Thank you, Timothy!
-Matt
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- Jonny
April 28, 2024 at 6:27 am ·Reply
Hi Matt,
Good review Matt. I have got the stealth irons at the moment but I’m thinking of buying the P790. I no that I have to hit the P790 but I was just wondering how much forgiveness is it from the P790 to the stealth?
Regards
Jonny
- Matt Saternus
April 28, 2024 at 7:26 am ·Reply
Jonny,
There’s a difference, but it might not matter to you, depending on what you mean by forgiveness or your typical miss.
-Matt
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- Jonny
April 28, 2024 at 6:32 pm ·Reply
Hi ,
Just about the miss hits really. I know this stealth are good irons when you hit it good. But of course, you can still can hit it bad with any iron.
So when you hit it with the P790 with not the best strike, is it still forgiveness or a bit less then the stealth? Regards Jonny
- Fred Harkins
May 12, 2024 at 10:36 am ·Reply
Another example of naming clubs about one off – 6 with a five loft.
Why wouldn’t distance be compared by lofts?
I always check plugged in for reviews first.
Keith
Dave
Kevin C
Mack
Paul M
Matt Saternus
Jack
Jim Schneck
Pete A
Mike
Jason W
Ryan
Anthony Fuda
david
Anthony Ziroli
Larry Beller
Chip
Timothy
JonnyLeave a Comment
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