Equipment

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

Published

7 years ago

Aug 22, 2017

“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 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- AV
  
  Aug 31, 2017 at 12:20 am
  
  Here’s the TM website:
  http://taylormadegolf.ca/p790-irons-p-series.html
  
  Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
Realist

Aug 26, 2017 at 10:08 am

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

Reply Report comment
JR

Aug 25, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Buttocks!

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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!

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
MAGA

Aug 23, 2017 at 2:02 pm

Fake forged

Reply Report comment
- Bert
  
  Aug 28, 2017 at 7:47 pm
  
  Agree +1 guess the definition of a forged club is ambiguous at best.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chris

Aug 23, 2017 at 8:43 am

Epon 502s with the Inner Gel comes to mind.

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Aug 22, 2017 at 9:16 pm

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

Reply Report comment
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.”

Reply Report comment
- Heich
  
  Aug 22, 2017 at 8:38 pm
  
  Another new ID, Obs? Why can’t you just stay away and take your pills
  
  Reply Report comment
Phil

Aug 22, 2017 at 5:19 pm

Mizuno > Taylormade

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- BV
  
  Aug 22, 2017 at 4:13 pm
  
  Ya they are ‘forged’ like in ‘fake’.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - LeftyBlades
    
    Aug 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm
    
    PING…every club RH or LH, and never a doubt about product quality or performance.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Heich
  
  Aug 22, 2017 at 11:28 am
  
  You can go to Callaway, Shank. And have a nice day.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Heich
      
      Aug 22, 2017 at 3:41 pm
      
      Lets not exaggerate, shall we, Shankpard?
      
      Reply Report comment
      - 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.
        
        Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Aug 22, 2017 at 4:10 pm
  
  Learn to play right handed.. problem solved.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck

Aug 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

“Speed Foam” LOL is that like Flubber?

Reply Report comment
- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
  - BV
    
    Aug 22, 2017 at 4:18 pm
    
    How about “Fast Foam” or “Shave Foam” — like shaving strokes off your game.
    
    Reply Report comment
Hcho

Aug 22, 2017 at 9:47 am

but where is the 2 iron UDI :(((

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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
    
    Reply Report comment
DumbledoreBigD420

Aug 22, 2017 at 9:39 am

First!!!!

Reply Report comment
- michael
  
  Aug 22, 2017 at 10:54 am
  
  You want a medal?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - chinchbugs
    
    Aug 22, 2017 at 2:56 pm
    
    At least a blue ribbon…
    
    Reply Report comment
    - BV
      
      Aug 22, 2017 at 4:22 pm
      
      First the ‘worst’.. gotcha
      
      Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

8 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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