TaylorMade have finally pushed the release button on a couple of new additions to their eternally high-achieving P Series iron line-up - the P7CB and P770.
The solid new designs are skewed towards better players - although the P770 does feature some baked-in game improvement tech - and their earnest performance will pack a powerful punch out on the fairways.
Cosmetic changes in the new irons may appear subtle, but TaylorMade have focused on improving feel, feedback and performance through “Modal Analysis”.
While you stroke your chin and contemplate what that might mean for your game, let’s take a deep dive into the new P7CB and P770 irons.
TAYLORMADE P7CB IRONS
The P7CB is the genuine cavity back in the P Series line-up and takes over from the P7MC, TaylorMade’s most popular iron out on tour.
A collective mind-dump from TaylorMade’s tour staff kicked off development of the P7CB iron. The consensus from players such as Collin Morikawa and Nelly Korda was to make a forged cavity back iron that was better than the P7MC, without sacrificing the things they loved about it. With that in mind, the improvements have generally been incremental, yet impactful, in the new P7CB iron.
FEEL AND FORM
Like its predecessor, the P7CB is forged via TaylorMade’s Compact Grain Forging technique. Two thousand tonnes of force press the head into its final shape while keeping the delicate microstructure of the 1025 carbon steel intact, thereby enhancing feel.
However, TaylorMade have further refined feel in the P7CB iron by employing something called Modal Analysis.
The technique identifies frequencies of vibration that are generated when the iron strikes the golf ball. To cancel out the most overwhelming frequencies, TaylorMade engineers positioned mass strategically throughout the P7CB head to eliminate the bad juju and provide the purest feeling yet in a P-Series iron.
BUILT FOR PLAYERS
Simple and clean is clearly the aesthetic the best ball strikers in the game desire.
P7CB irons feature a prominent rear bar behind the strike zone while horizontal score lines in the rear cavity are reminiscent of TaylorMade’s distinguished RAC iron line. The compact blade length of the P7MC is retained, however, the P7CB’s topline and sole have been made slightly thinner and narrower, respectively.
The presence of high-density tungsten in the co-forged cavity back offers stability but it doesn’t interfere with workability and shot shaping. Meanwhile, a progressive centre of gravity optimises spin, control and precision throughout the set.
There is a suggestion of forgiveness in the cavity back design. But the reality is the meticulous P7CB irons aren’t a great match for players who sail closer to chopper than showstopper with their ball-striking ability.
If that’s the case, the new P770 iron might be on the radar.
TAYLORMADE P770 IRONS
The new P770 iron exists on the threshold of the player’s-distance iron category.
It’s a hollow-bodied iron just like its sibling, the incredibly popular P790. But that’s where the similarities largely end.
While the P790’s modus operandi is winning the distance arms race, the new P770 is firmly entrenched on the player’s side of the player’s-distance compound noun.
COMPACT BUT STILL FORGIVING
Sporting a compact shape and 77mm blade length, the P770 is filled with a fair serving of tungsten. If you guessed said tungsten would give TaylorMade the capacity to optimise the centre of gravity throughout the set, you’d be correct.
It’s called FLTD CG (flighted centre of gravity, if you will) and it means P770 long irons now launch higher and go further, while the short irons offer more control, greater consistency and spin, and a more penetrating trajectory.
The topline of P770 irons is now thinner and in combination with minimal offset, it offers more workability.
On the underside of the irons, TaylorMade have instituted a facelift on the leading edge. It’s designed to make turf interaction crisper and cleaner. You’ll also find the famous TaylorMade SpeedSlot on the sole of the longer P770 irons, a safety net design feature that boosts face flexibility and ball speed, particularly on thin shots.
CAN YOU FEEL THAT?
Where the face of the P770 iron meets the ball, you’ll find numerous examples of TaylorMade’s commitment to ball speed and forgiveness.
A precision milled face and grooves, along with TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology, improve speed and distance across the entire width of the face.
Meanwhile, a Modal Analysis helped TaylorMade improve the feel of the P770 iron by identifying and eliminating feel-disrupting vibrations and frequencies. The P770’s forged face is also supported by TaylorMade’s vibration absorbing SpeedFoam, which is injected inside the head.
P770 lofts are slightly stronger than those on the P7CB irons. P770 irons slot into the P-Series line-up between the P7CB and P790. Every TaylorMade P-Series iron is created to be integrated into a single, seamless combo set.
P770 & P7CB IRON SPECS
- Australian Release Date: 06/09/24
- Hand: RH/LH
- Shaft: Dynamic Gold Mid 115
- Grip: Golf Pride Z
- TaylorMade P7CB Iron Lofts: 3: 20°, 4: 23°, 5: 26°, 6: 29°, 7: 33°, 8: 37°, 9: 41°, PW: 46°, AW: 51°
- TaylorMade P770 Iron Lofts: 3: 19°, 4: 22°, 5: 25.5°, 6: 29°, 7: 33°, 8: 37°, 9: 41°, PW: 45°, AW: 50°