Two TaylorMade irons, two different golfers. The P790 maximizes distance; the P770 maximizes control. Where you fall on that spectrum determines which iron belongs in your bag.
Quick verdict
The P790 is the better iron for most golfers— more distance (9.8 vs 8.0), more forgiveness (9.5 vs 9.0), and $200 cheaper. TaylorMade's SpeedFoam Air and thinnest-ever face deliver measurable performance advantages that translate to lower scores for the majority of players.
The P770 is the better iron for low handicappers who prioritize shot-shaping, aesthetics, and control.It's the iron TaylorMade designed to sit between the P790 and P7MC — compact enough for tour players, forgiving enough for single-digit amateurs. If you consistently find the center and want the most beautiful TaylorMade iron ever made, the P770 is your club.
The smartest play for many golfers: a combo set. P790 in the long irons (4-5) for distance and launch, P770 in the scoring irons (6-PW) for control and workability. TaylorMade designed both irons to blend seamlessly, and the data supports this approach.
TaylorMade
SpeedFoam Air, 4340M forged face, 24% larger sweet spot, tungsten weighting. Golf Digest Hot List 2026 Gold, Today's Golfer Best Iron 2025 & 2026. 5th generation.
TaylorMade
Forged 4140 face, 8620 carbon steel body, FLTD CG, SpeedFoam Air. Golf Digest Hot List Gold 2025 & 2026, MyGolfSpy #1 Most Forgiving Player's Distance Iron 2024. Combo-set staple.
P790 wins 4 of 7 categories · P770 wins 2 of 7
P790
P770
Tour Satin Scratch finish looks premium with a slimmer topline than previous generations. Modern and refined, but carries slightly more offset than the P770.
The most visually refined TaylorMade iron ever. Reduced offset, straighter leading edge, thin topline, soft brushed finish. GolfWRX members called it “the best looking iron I have ever put in my bag.”
P790
P770
The 4340M forged face transformed the feel — “massively improved” per Golf Monthly. Softer and more premium than any previous P790.
Forged 4140 face with 8620 carbon steel body. Golfalot said they “feel like nothing else I have ever hit — just so buttery and soft at impact.” A different flavor of soft — darker, more intimate.
P790
P770
The distance king. SpeedFoam Air and the thinnest-ever face generate explosive ball speeds. Today’s Golfer carried a 4-iron 240 yards. The strongest-lofted iron in TaylorMade’s player lineup.
MyGolfSpy ranked it 15th of 18 for distance. Today’s Golfer measured a 10-yard carry gap behind the P790. The traditional 33° 7-iron prioritizes trajectory control over yardage.
P790
P770
24% larger sweet spot than the 2023 model. Front-to-back dispersion of just 10 yards with a 7-iron. The most forgiving player’s-distance iron available.
MyGolfSpy ranked it #1 for forgiveness in the player’s distance test — impressive for its compact size. But the P790’s larger head and stronger construction provide a bigger safety net overall.
P790
P770
Improved over previous generations but the hollow-body construction inherently limits shot-shaping response compared to the more compact P770.
The compact head, minimal offset, and FLTD CG enable confident shot shaping in both directions. Golfstead scored playability a perfect 10/10.
P790
P770
Redesigned progressive sole geometry. Short irons glide through turf cleanly, wider sole in long irons provides launch assistance.
Modified leading edge and progressive sole earn consistent praise. GolfWRX users called turf interaction “the best surprise.” A razor-thin gap here.
P790
P770
At $1,199.99 for 6 pieces, it’s $200 cheaper than the P770 while delivering significantly more distance and forgiveness. The clear value winner.
At $1,399.99 for 6 pieces, $200 more buys you better aesthetics and more workability — but less distance and forgiveness. The premium is hard to justify for most golfers.
Buy the P790 if you...
Buy the P770 if you...
The P790 and P770 represent TaylorMade's answer to a fundamental question: how much distance are you willing to trade for control? The P790 answers “none” — it's engineered to be the longest player's iron possible while still looking compact. The P770 answers “some” — it trades 10 yards of carry for a purer address profile, more workability, and what many consider the best feel in the lineup.
The most surprising finding in this comparison is what's NOT different: feel. Both irons score 9.4/10. The P790's 4340M face and the P770's 4140 face with 8620 body deliver different flavors of the same quality — the P790 is crisper and more explosive, the P770 is quieter and more intimate. Neither is objectively better; it's a preference.
The $200 price gap seals it for most golfers. The P790 is both cheaper AND more performant in the two categories that most affect scoring: distance and forgiveness. The P770's advantages — looks and workability — matter most to skilled players who already have those fundamentals handled. If you're unsure which one you are, you're a P790 player.
“SpeedFoam Air delivers speed that no other player’s iron can match — the P790 is the #1 iron of 2026.”
Today’s Golfer·Equipment editorFavors P790
“Best looking iron I have ever put in my bag — minimal offset and a relatively thin top line.”
GolfWRX Forums·On the P770Favors P770
“The P790 was 10 yards longer but the P770 felt like butter. I chose the P770 for the short irons and P790 for the long irons.”
GolfWRX Forums·Combo set userNeutral
“What stood out most is how much forgiveness is slammed into a compact iron.”
Plugged In Golf·On the P770Favors P770
P790 — our take
The performance winner. More distance, more forgiveness, $200 cheaper. The most complete player's-distance iron available. Best for 5-18 handicaps and anyone who values performance per dollar.
✦ Best for: mid-handicappers and performance-first golfers
P770 — our take
The connoisseur's choice. Better looks, better workability, and the best-feeling compact iron in TaylorMade's lineup. Best for 0-10 handicaps who shape shots and value aesthetics. The ideal scoring-iron complement to P790 long irons.
✦ Best for: low handicappers and shot-shapers