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TaylorMade Expands Forged Iron Offerings With P-730, P-790

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“Like a surgeon’s scalpel.”

That’s how TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Irons, Tomo Bystedt, describes the company’s new P-730 irons, which he and his team designed to meet the needs of three of the top-ranked golfers in the world: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Dustin Johnson.

Dustin Johnson has been testing Taylormade's P730 irons.

Dustin Johnson has been testing Taylormade’s P-730 irons.

“It’s pretty simple,” Bystedt says. “These guys have incredibly sensitive hands. When [Dustin Johnson] wants to hit a 5-yard cut into a right pin, you don’t see him doing anything differently. He just does it. What these players need is a very low-inertia club that they can [manipulate] easily, almost like a surgeon’s scalpel.”

Discussion: See what GolfWRXers are saying about the P-730 irons

Give average golfers a set of musclebacks like the P-730, and their results probably won’t be surgical. More than likely, they’ll butcher their scorecard. That’s where TaylorMade’s new P-790 irons come in. They aim to merge the classic look and feel of muscleback irons with the boost in distance and forgiveness that’s possible from the latest technologies.

TaylorMade_P790_Face

The P-790 irons debut a new construction from TaylorMade, using 4140 steel club faces that are forged into an L-shape. The club faces wrap around the sole of the irons, where they’re welded to iron bodies made of 8630 steel. The design allowed TaylorMade engineers to make the leading edge of the irons thinner and more consistent, according to Bystedt, which helps improve the distance and consistency of the irons.

What’s most intriguing about the P-790 irons, however, is what golfer can’t see. There’s a screw on the toe of each iron, which is an access port to the inside of the club. Through it, TaylorMade fills each P-790 iron with a lightweight, flexible material it calls “Speed Foam.” The Speed Foam serves two purposes, the first of which is providing support to the club face so that TaylorMade designers could make it thinner to improve the distance and forgiveness of the irons. The filler also helps absorb vibrations during impact, which creates a more desirable feel.

TaylorMade_P790_Address

In the two years TaylorMade spent developing the P-790 irons, it tested several filler materials, one of which was thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the material PXG uses to fill the inside of its 0311 irons. “The problem with the TPE is that it completely kills your COR,” Bystedt says.

256286-P790-17_Exploded Club V3-a7a2ec-original-1503332771

COR, or coefficient of restitution, is the measure of spring-like effect of a golf club. The higher the number, the faster a golf ball rebounds off the club face. To keep the COR of the P-790 irons as high as possible, TaylorMade’s iron design developed Speed Foam. Think of it like EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate, the cushioning material used in running shoe, Bystedt says. Then think of something “much softer and less dense than that.”

TaylorMade_P790_Back

There is a place for density in the P-790 irons, and it comes in the way of tungsten weights that are positioned inside the irons, which weigh as much as 11 grams. They’re positioned uniquely in each iron to create a center of gravity (CG) that’s directly in the center of the club face.

Compared to TaylorMade’s PSi irons, which the P-790 irons replace, Bystedt calls the shaping “more angular.” They also have a “slightly flatter sole.” “It’s clearly a players iron,” Bystedt says. “We’re not targeting this for the 0-5 guy, but we’re confident that the guy who’s a 10-handicap, avid golfer, is going to be able to play this.”

TaylorMade_P790_Sole

The P-790’s L-shaped club faces are welded to the bodies the irons at their “Speed Pocket,” a slot on the sole that increases face flexion for more distance and consistency.

The P-790 irons will sell for $1299.99 with steel shafts, $1499.99 with graphite shafts for an eight-piece set. They’re available in 3-PW, AW. The stock steel shaft is True Temper’s Dynamic Gold 105. The stock graphite shaft is a new model from UST Mamiya, the company’s 760/780 ES SmacWrap. They’ll be in stores Sept. 15.

The P-730 irons ($1399.99 for an eight-piece set) are available in 3-PW on Nov. 1. The stock shaft is True Temper’s Dynamic Gold S300.

Discussion: See what GolfWRXers are saying about the P-790 irons in our forum.

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44 Comments

44 Comments

  1. Fredo

    Sep 12, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Breaking News… PXG just filed a lawsuit against Taylormade and the distributors for patent infringement. Better buy em quick, haha.

  2. AV

    Aug 31, 2017 at 12:19 am

    TM call the 790 “forged construction” on their website:
    Wonder how much is actually forged in the overall construction of the clubhead.
    Sounds ambiguous and even misleading to me.

    • AV

      Aug 31, 2017 at 12:20 am

    • Golf Engineer

      Sep 26, 2017 at 11:11 am

      Can anybody tell us if the P-790 is ‘fully’ forged back and face, or, is it ‘co-forged’ with a cast steel back and a thin roll forged face plate welded to the steel back? There seems to be some contradictory reporting on this issue, like here:
      —————————
      It’s not quite all forged though, as the wrap around face is forged from 4140 Carbon Steel and then welded onto a cast 8620 carbon steel body. Therefore the bit you hit the ball with is forged, so you have that feel….”
      http://www.golfalot.com/equipment-reviews/taylormade-p790-irons-review-3888.aspx
      ——————–
      “The key to the P790 performance is a hollow, cavity-free construction that features forged 8620 carbon steel in the body and forged 4140 carbon steel in the clubface.
      http://www.golf.com/equipment/2017/08/22/first-look-taylormade-p790-forged-irons
      ———————
      From what I see of the exploded internal view of the P790, the body looks too complex to be a forging. So who is right? Golfalot.com or Golf.com.?
      GolfWRX Staff must investigate and inform us…. fully forged or co-forged? Ask TM because putting the word “forged” on a cast hosel may be disingenuous.

  3. Realist

    Aug 26, 2017 at 10:08 am

    I’ll pick these up on the Bay in about 3 weeks for $200.

  4. JR

    Aug 25, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Buttocks!

  5. Derrick

    Aug 25, 2017 at 12:25 am

    The Magic of Tungsten and TPE jello inside the hollow heads makes impact sweeeet. I love the new technology from the technologically advanced OEMs.

  6. Tippy Canoe

    Aug 24, 2017 at 11:33 am

    Cool, I was wondering when the R9 irons were going to come back. All you have to do with the big boys, is research what they did 10-15 years ago. Nothing is new…buy some lessons people! Titleist is also on the move towards Gimmick Land now that went public, but still the best bang for your disposable bucks!

  7. Allan

    Aug 24, 2017 at 1:05 am

    P-790 —- Hollow body, foam injected, tungsten toe weight, forged face. This is not a golf club, it’s a sucker club for incompetent wannabe golfers.

  8. MAGA

    Aug 23, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    Fake forged

    • Bert

      Aug 28, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      Agree +1 guess the definition of a forged club is ambiguous at best.

  9. Chris

    Aug 23, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Epon 502s with the Inner Gel comes to mind.

  10. Rich Douglas

    Aug 22, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    Where’s the SL version? Oh, right. Pass.

  11. rex235

    Aug 22, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    The Taylor Made P-790 model is this generations Beauwood PSS (perfect sweet spot) iron model, with
    adjustable weighting and urethane reinforced interiors. Made in the early ’80s.

    The Taylor Made P-730 in the latest refinement of the Mizuno MS-9/MP-11 iron models. Offered in late ’80s, early ’90s by Mizuno.

    You should be able to compare these designs with these “new” iron models from TaylorMade.

    Neither Beauwood nor Mizuno offered these iron models LH, so even though it is 2017, and these designs have been around for a while, both appear to be new versions of the RH Only theme.
    Because… “tiny.”

    • Heich

      Aug 22, 2017 at 8:38 pm

      Another new ID, Obs? Why can’t you just stay away and take your pills

  12. Phil

    Aug 22, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    Mizuno > Taylormade

  13. FyearoldGolfer

    Aug 22, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    My local Pro is a Taylormade Rep, I’ll ask him what his fitted price is on a new set of clubs. Thinking $1100 for the P730’s. Oh, don’t forget our “new” 10% sales tax rate.

  14. Engineer Jim

    Aug 22, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Only the face of the P-790 is forged. The body is a complex casting if you look at the blow-up picture of the head internals. You could never forge a complex body like that. TM have ‘forged’ on the hosel but that’s only marketing deception.

    • BV

      Aug 22, 2017 at 4:13 pm

      Ya they are ‘forged’ like in ‘fake’.

    • rex235

      Aug 23, 2017 at 12:42 am

      I agree, the P790 body is cast steel and the thin face is forged. Why they put ‘forged’ on the cast hosel is puzzling but it’s wrong and deceptive. TM should just fess up and admit as much.

  15. Dat

    Aug 22, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    The P-790 irons will sell for $1299.99 with steel shafts, $1499.99 with graphite shafts for an eight-piece set. They’re available in 3-PW, AW. The stock steel shaft is True Temper’s Dynamic Gold 105. The stock graphite shaft is a new model from UST Mamiya, the company’s 760/780 ES SmacWrap.

    The P-730 irons ($1399.99 for an eight-piece set) are available in 3-PW on Nov. 1. The stock shaft is True Temper’s Dynamic Gold S300.

    Is there going to be a reasonably priced set?

  16. The Dude

    Aug 22, 2017 at 11:08 am

    In an effort to clean up the club….2 why use 730’s…just use 7.

  17. CCGolfTx

    Aug 22, 2017 at 10:23 am

    These clubs actually intrigue me. Seems like they out. Lot of thought into the construction but did not Callaway us on the price.

  18. Shanklampard147

    Aug 22, 2017 at 10:02 am

    I call on all lefties to boycott taylormade. No 730’s in left hand is a joke. I was going to get the new m1 woods but now I can’t give them my money and still look at myself in the mirror. As sad as it is, I might have to go to pxg. They are the only company that makes every club available to lefties.

    • Ummmm

      Aug 22, 2017 at 10:53 am

      Easy to be able to afford the production of lh irons when you overcharge like PXG does

      Boycott them? They can’t make everything for your side of the ball, it’s not fiscally responsible. If you owned a golf club company and wanted to make a ton of high end LH stuff you wouldn’t be in business long.

      • Shanklampard147

        Aug 22, 2017 at 2:06 pm

        It’s easy though, all they need to do it a little research. How many bad left handed golfers do you see? In Minnesota it’s rare. On the other hand, the majority of right handed golfers are hacks, so they can play the big clunky irons. Blades and small cb’s for lefties, clunky cast giants for you righties.

      • LeftyBlades

        Aug 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

        PING…every club RH or LH, and never a doubt about product quality or performance.

    • Heich

      Aug 22, 2017 at 11:28 am

      You can go to Callaway, Shank. And have a nice day.

    • gioreeko

      Aug 22, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Just play righty. I can swing lefty almost as well as I do righty. Practice, or quit whining.

      • Shanklampard147

        Aug 22, 2017 at 2:00 pm

        Serious question, Is producing enough drivers and woods for every citizen of the world fiscally responsible? There are more taylormade drivers in PGA superstores than there are golfers in this country.

        • Heich

          Aug 22, 2017 at 3:41 pm

          Lets not exaggerate, shall we, Shankpard?

          • Shanklampard147

            Aug 22, 2017 at 4:36 pm

            I apologize, that was for the guys telling me to learn to play right handed. That wasn’t directed at you.

      • Shanklampard147

        Aug 22, 2017 at 4:33 pm

        Good response, moron. That would be like me telling you to stop liking guys. We are all born how we are born.

    • Mike

      Aug 22, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      Learn to play right handed.. problem solved.

  19. Chuck

    Aug 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

    “Speed Foam” LOL is that like Flubber?

    • birdy

      Aug 22, 2017 at 11:43 am

      lol +1

      i think TM technology and engineering department is top notch.

      their marketing department needs revamped. the silly names are dumbing down their products

      • BV

        Aug 22, 2017 at 4:18 pm

        How about “Fast Foam” or “Shave Foam” — like shaving strokes off your game.

  20. Hcho

    Aug 22, 2017 at 9:47 am

    but where is the 2 iron UDI :(((

    • BV

      Aug 22, 2017 at 4:21 pm

      Since a 4i is really a 2i, a 2i would be a zero-iron.. or a -1i.

      • Hcho

        Aug 22, 2017 at 5:05 pm

        Lol I didnt check the lofts till you commented… that 19 degree 3 iron will do fine with a tour ad shaft

  21. DumbledoreBigD420

    Aug 22, 2017 at 9:39 am

    First!!!!

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Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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