Focusing on the smallest of details often results in large gains in the club making game, which is how the new 2019 TaylorMade P790 irons just became the clubhouse leader in the players'-distance iron category.
The new P790 irons underwent several engineering tweaks and design revisions to produce more ball speed and distance across the entire clubface, increased forgiveness for off-centre strikes and enhanced feel and playability.
With a blade length of 79mm, P790 irons have the largest heads and thickest topline of the TaylorMade P700 iron range but feature limited offset.
The Tech
Despite their muscleback appearance, TaylorMade P790s are actually hollow body irons that receive an injection of TaylorMade's lightweight SpeedFoam.
It's a lethal design, with the irons’ forged wrap-around face – which features an updated “inverted cone" design on the underside - able to be made razor-thin because of the extra support provided by the SpeedFoam.
The new TaylorMade P790 irons also have a revised Speed Pocket (a cut through on the sole) in the 3-7 irons. The Speed Pocket allows the clubface to flex more than ever to boost ball speeds and forgiveness, particularly from strikes close to the leading edge.
A new thinner, more flexible face married to a Speed Pocket comfortably takes care of the distance part of the players’-distance iron equation, with higher than ever ball speeds off the face achieving maximum distance on the course.
But what about the playability?
Well, SpeedFoam is like scoring a two-for- one deal because it also dampens vibrations to improve feel - something that is a must-have in a players' iron.
And inside the 3-7 irons lies a new low-profile MIM (metal injection moulding, for precision engineering) tungsten weight that sits lower and deeper in the clubhead than ever before.
It optimises the centre of gravity to create an efficient, high-launching ball flight, while the shorter irons in the set have their MIM tungsten positioned higher in the clubface to produce more spin and increase their shot-shaping ability.
Taylormade P790 UDI
If you struggle to get off the tee or need a dependable club for those narrow driving holes, having the new TaylorMade P790 UDI in the bag will boost your confidence.
The UDI stands for “Ultimate Driving Iron”, and it is sold separately to the P790 iron set.
It has a 2 iron loft (17 degrees) and shares the same technology as regular P790 irons, such as hollow body construction, SpeedFoam, a Speed Pocket and a thin and flexible forged face.
The TaylorMade P790 is easy to launch, long and very forgiving but is easier to shape and flight than a hybrid and will be a handy addition to the bag in windy conditions. It has already appeared in the bags of top pros such as Tiger Woods and Kurt Kitayama.
Taylormade P790 Specs
Stock shafts are True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 VSS (steel) or UST Recoil 780/760 (graphite). Grips are Golf Pride Tour Velvet.
The P790 UDI is fitted with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke 90 graphite shaft with the option of stiff or extra stiff flex.
2019 TaylorMade P790 irons and TaylorMade P790 UDI will be available at GolfBox on Sept 6.
Taylormade P790 UDI Irons 2019
Australian Launch Date: September 6
Golfer: Men's
Hand: Right/Left
Material: Steel
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 VSS (steel) / UST Recoil 780/760
(graphite)
UDI: Project X HZRDUS Smoke 90 graphite.
Flex: Regular, Stiff, Extra Stiff. UDI: Stiff, Extra Stiff
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Design: Hollow Body
Set: 3-AW
TaylorMade P790 iron lofts:3: 19°, 4: 21°, 5: 23.5°, 6: 26.5°, 7: 30.5°, 8: 35°, 9: 40°, PW: 45°, AW: 50° | UDI: 17°
Alex Etches stats from the review:
