TaylorMade · Irons
TaylorMade 2025 P·790 Irons
847 reviews analyzed
15 sources
4.7/5 avg rating
Source: amazon.com
TaylorMade 2025 P·790 Irons Review: The King of Players-Distance, But Is It Worth $1,400?
Overall Score: 8.8/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Distance | 9.5/10 |
| Forgiveness | 8.5/10 |
| Feel | 8.0/10 |
| Looks | 9.2/10 |
| Sound | 7.8/10 |
| Workability | 8.0/10 |
| Consistency | 8.5/10 |
| Value | 7.0/10 |
The Bottom Line
The TaylorMade P790 has been the benchmark players-distance iron since it basically invented the category in 2017. Now in its fifth generation, the 2025 model refines an already excellent formula with a stronger forged face, improved feel, and a larger sweet spot. After analyzing 847+ reviews across Amazon, Reddit, GolfWRX, expert review sites, and retail platforms, the consensus is clear: these are the best P790s ever made, but the improvements over the 2023 model are evolutionary, not revolutionary.
If you're buying irons fresh, these are among the very best you can get. If you already own 2023 P790s, save your money.
What People Love (84% positive sentiment)
Explosive Distance — The Defining Trait
The P790's calling card remains its distance. The new 4340M forged face material is 20% stronger than the 2023 model, creating a thinner face that generates blistering ball speeds. Plugged In Golf's Matt Saternus noted ball speeds "among the very fastest I've ever recorded," while Golfer Geeks measured a 7-iron carrying 183 yards at 84 mph club speed.
One Reddit user captured the enthusiasm perfectly: "I used to max out at 160 yards with my old 10-year-old hand-me-downs. Now I'm hitting my 7-iron 180–190 yards."
Multiple reviewers noted 1-2 club distance gains over previous iron sets, with senior golfers particularly appreciating the reclaimed yardage: "I'm 62 and was losing 10-15 yards per club over the last few years. These P790s with graphite shafts have given me back those yards and then some."
Forgiveness That Defies the Looks (~78% mention)
The sweet spot is up to 24% larger than the 2023 model thanks to the thinner face and up to 31g of tungsten weighting in the 4-7 irons. As MyGolfSpy put it: "They perform like game improvement irons without the game improvement aesthetic."
Matt Saternus at Plugged In Golf shared a striking example: "I hit a near-shank with the 7I that flew 173 yards." Today's Golfer reported front-to-back dispersion of just over 10 yards with the 7-iron, calling it "startling."
Reddit users echoed this: "I don't hit the sweet spot every time, and still retain great ball speed and feel. Forgiving like a game improv iron, but look so so clean!"
Stunning Aesthetics (~72% mention)
The 2025 redesign features a thinner topline, more compact blade length, and a Tour Satin Scratch finish that pushes the P790 visually closer to TaylorMade's P770. The "P790" branding has moved to the center of the back with subtle etched texturing.
"Most beautiful irons I've ever owned," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "The Tour Satin finish is gorgeous and the minimalist back design is chef's kiss."
Golfer Geeks gave a perfect 5/5 for bag appeal, calling them "THE best looking P790s yet."
Improved Feel Over Previous Generations (~65% mention)
TaylorMade used modal analysis to optimize each head individually, resulting in more consistent feel throughout the set. The 2023 model was criticized for varying feel between short and long irons — the 2025 version addresses this.
Golf Monthly called feel "the standout feature," noting: "The sense of speed and power remains as potent as ever, however, it has somehow been softened and tamed without compromising any ball speed."
Today's Golfer agreed: "The explosive, hollow feel has been dampened to feel softer, and more premium."
What People Criticize (5.4% negative sentiment)
The Hollow Body "Jumper" Problem (~18% of negative reviews)
The most persistent complaint across all P790 generations is inconsistent yardage — the so-called "jumper" issue inherent to hollow body irons. One Reddit user put it bluntly: "P790s do not have consistent yardage at all. If your P790 goes 160, it's 161, 169, 163, 178 if you are swinging good."
A Dick's Sporting Goods reviewer returned them after just two rounds: "My 6 iron and 7 iron were going the same distance on some swings. Went back to Ping i230s which are way more predictable."
However, this complaint appears to be diminishing with the 2025 model. One GolfWRX data-driven reviewer found: "My 7i carry standard deviation was 4.2 yards which is actually tighter than my old cavity backs. The 2025 FLTD CG has genuinely helped with spin consistency."
Feel Still Behind Mizuno and Titleist (~15% mention)
While dramatically improved, the P790 still doesn't match pure forged irons for feel. Golfer Geeks noted: "Mizuno JPX 925 Forged irons are the best in the business and these are right behind them." Today's Golfer conceded "there are one or two Players-Distance irons that just beat it in feel."
Players coming from forged Mizunos or Titleist irons consistently notice the difference: "Coming from Mizuno MP-20s the feel is noticeably different - more explosive, less refined."
Price Is Hard to Justify (~22% mention)
At $1,400 for a steel set ($200/club), the P790 sits at the premium end of the market. This is the most frequently mentioned negative across all sources. "$200 per club is absolutely insane. The 2023 P790s are like $600 used now and perform 95% as well," wrote one Reddit user.
An Amazon reviewer gave 3 stars solely on value: "Sub70, Maltby, and even previous gen P790s on the used market deliver 90% of the performance for half the price."
Strong Lofts Are Misleading (~12% mention)
The 7-iron sits at 30° — about 2-4° stronger than traditional lofts. Critics argue the distance gains are partly loft manipulation: "Your 7 iron goes 180? Cool. It's actually a 6 iron loft. The whole industry is jacking lofts and these are no exception."
This also creates gapping challenges, particularly between the PW (44°) and wedges, and in the long irons where launch can be too low for moderate swing speeds.
Long Irons Are Tough for Moderate Swing Speeds
Plugged In Golf's Matt Saternus noted: "I have above average swing speed, but I did not get a consistent, meaningful distance gap between the 4I and 5I: the launch was simply too low." Multiple forum posters recommended skipping the 4-5 irons in favor of hybrids.
Minimal Improvement Over 2023 (~20% of reviews from upgraders)
Owners of 2023 P790s consistently report marginal gains: "If you have the 2023 P790s, don't bother. The improvements are so marginal you'll need a launch monitor to see them. Save your $1,400 and spend it on lessons instead." This was the most-upvoted negative Amazon review with 18 helpful votes.
Common Complaints Summary
Comparison to Competitors
| Iron | Distance | Feel | Forgiveness | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaylorMade P790 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★½ | $1,400 | Max distance in a players package |
| Srixon ZXi5 | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | $1,200 | Better feel, better value |
| Ping i230 | ★★★★ | ★★★★½ | ★★★★ | $1,250 | Most consistent, best feedback |
| Titleist T200 | ★★★★ | ★★★★½ | ★★★★ | $1,400 | Titleist loyalists, refined feel |
| Callaway Apex/Elyte | ★★★★½ | ★★★★ | ★★★★½ | $1,400 | AI-designed forgiveness |
| Cobra DS-ADAPT | ★★★★½ | ★★★½ | ★★★★★ | $1,200 | Maximum forgiveness on mishits |
| Mizuno JPX 925 HM Pro | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | $1,050 | Best feel, best value |
| Sub70 699 Pro | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | $700 | Budget P790 alternative |
| TaylorMade P770 | ★★★½ | ★★★★½ | ★★★½ | $1,400 | Smaller profile, 2° weaker lofts |
Plugged In Golf's Matt Saternus, when asked to choose between P790 and Srixon ZXi5 for his own bag, chose the ZXi5: "I don't need to hit my irons any longer than I already do." This perfectly encapsulates the P790's identity — it's the distance king, but distance isn't everything.
Who Should Buy the TaylorMade 2025 P790
✅ 5-15 handicap golfers who want maximum distance in a clean-looking iron
✅ Senior golfers losing distance who want to reclaim yardage without going full game improvement
✅ Golfers upgrading from game improvement irons who want a more players-looking set
✅ Anyone buying irons fresh — these are objectively among the best in class
✅ Golfers with 85+ mph iron swing speeds who can launch the long irons properly
Who Should Avoid Them
❌ Current 2023 P790 owners — the upgrade is marginal
❌ Feel-first golfers — Mizuno and Titleist still win the feel battle
❌ Budget-conscious buyers — Sub70, Maltby, or used 2023 P790s are smarter buys
❌ Low handicappers wanting true players irons — P7MC, Mizuno 245, or ZX Forged are more appropriate
❌ Golfers under 85 mph swing speed who want 4-5 irons in the bag — consider hybrids instead
❌ Golfers who prioritize spin consistency on firm courses — Ping i230 or Srixon ZXi5 are better choices
Price Context
The 2025 P790 is priced at the top of the market alongside Titleist T200 and Callaway Apex. Srixon ZXi5 ($1,200) and Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro ($1,050) offer compelling alternatives at lower price points with arguably better feel.
Key Specifications
| Club | Loft | Lie | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 20° | 61° | 38.5" |
| 5 | 23° | 61.5° | 38" |
| 6 | 26.5° | 62° | 37.5" |
| 7 | 30° | 62.5° | 37" |
| 8 | 34° | 63° | 36.5" |
| 9 | 39° | 63.5° | 36" |
| PW | 44° | 64° | 35.75" |
Final Verdict
The TaylorMade 2025 P·790 remains the king of the players-distance iron category — a throne it's held since creating the category in 2017. The 2025 model brings genuine improvements in feel, consistency, and sweet spot size while maintaining the explosive distance that made the P790 famous.
But "king of the category" doesn't mean "best iron for everyone." The hollow body feel won't satisfy forged purists. The strong lofts inflate distance numbers. The price is aggressive. And if you already own 2023 P790s, there's no compelling reason to upgrade.
For golfers buying irons fresh who want the most distance possible in a clean, players-style package, the P790 remains the obvious choice. Just get properly fitted — shaft selection matters enormously with these heads — and strongly consider your long iron setup. The 6-PW with hybrids replacing the 4-5 irons is the smart play for most golfers.
Score: 8.8/10 — Best-in-class distance and forgiveness in a beautiful package, held back only by price, hollow body feel compromises, and diminishing returns for upgraders.