When it comes to premium golf irons, TaylorMade consistently delivers some of the most innovative and high-performance options on the market. Two of their standout offerings, the P770 and P790 Cooper Set, are designed to cater to different types of golfers, each with their own unique blend of technology, forgiveness, and playability. Whether you’re a player seeking control and precision or someone looking for distance and forgiveness, these irons provide exceptional benefits. In this guide, we’ll compare the TaylorMade P770 and P790, helping you understand the key differences in design, performance, and technology to determine which set might be the best fit for your game.
TaylorMade P770 Golf Iron Set
The P770 Iron Set is a remarkable combination of performance and design, ideal for players who demand both precision and forgiveness from their irons. The compact players’ shape of the P770, with its thin topline, minimal offset, and shorter blade length, offers a sleek and appealing profile for more discerning golfers. Despite its smaller, compact head shape, the P770 features an advanced forged hollow body construction that blends a soft carbon steel body with a thin forged 4140 steel face. This design, paired with 46g of tungsten weighting, ensures explosive distance and forgiveness, making the P770 a versatile option for a wide range of golfers. Additionally, the inclusion of SpeedFoam, an ultra-light urethane foam injected inside the head, enhances both feel and face speed, pushing the limits of performance without sacrificing comfort.
One of the standout features of the P770 Iron Set is its Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, which increases flexibility across the face for faster ball speeds, particularly on low-face shots. The Progressive Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) is also strategically placed in each iron to optimize accuracy and protect off-center ball speeds, further enhancing playability.
Key Features, Pros, and Cons
Key Features:
- Compact players’ shape with a thin topline and minimal offset
- Forged hollow body construction with a 4140 steel face and 46g of tungsten weighting
- SpeedFoam for improved feel and face speed
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket for maximizing ball speeds and forgiveness
- Progressive ICT for enhanced accuracy and off-center ball speed protection
Pros:
- Compact, visually appealing design ideal for discerning golfers
- Excellent distance and forgiveness for a player’s iron
- SpeedFoam enhances both feel and performance
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket increases flexibility and provides forgiveness on low-face shots
- Progressive ICT ensures greater accuracy and ball speed consistency
Cons:
- The compact design may not suit all players, particularly those seeking a larger clubhead
Taylormade P790 Golf Iron Set
The TaylorMade P790 Cooper Set is a fantastic offering for golfers who demand both cutting-edge technology and style. These irons are built with advanced thick-thin back wall construction, which redistributes mass to optimize performance across the entire set. The use of proprietary AI mass optimization ensures that each iron is uniquely designed to meet specific performance goals, whether it’s for increased distance or better control. One of the standout features of the P790 is the FLTD CG, which strategically places the center of gravity lower in the long irons for easier launches and progressively higher in the shorter irons to improve control and feel. This thoughtful mass distribution makes the irons highly versatile, providing excellent launch characteristics in the long irons and better control in the scoring clubs.
Additionally, the P790 Cooper Set introduces a significantly larger sweet spot, thanks to a responsive face and new internal shaping. This larger sweet spot ensures more consistent ball speeds and improved accuracy, even on off-center hits, a key improvement over earlier generations of the P790. The unique aged copper finish and retro styling add a nostalgic touch, celebrating TaylorMade’s legacy while showcasing modern innovation.
Key Features, Pros, and Cons
Key Features:
- Advanced thick-thin back wall construction for mass redistribution and enhanced performance
- Proprietary AI mass optimization for personalized performance in each iron
- FLTD CG technology for optimized center of gravity positioning across the set
- Larger sweet spot for improved consistency and ball speed
- Retro-inspired copper finish that matures over time, blending heritage and innovation
Pros:
- Excellent performance due to AI-driven mass optimization
- Great versatility with optimized CG for long irons and short irons
- Larger sweet spot improves forgiveness and consistency on off-center hits
- The copper finish gives a unique, vintage look that evolves over time
- Enhanced control and playability in scoring clubs
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to other sets of irons on the market
Comparison of TaylorMade P770 and P790 Irons
The TaylorMade P770 and P790 Cooper Set are two of the brand’s most innovative offerings, designed to provide top-tier performance with cutting-edge technology. Both sets are built to help golfers optimize their game with enhanced distance, forgiveness, and feel. However, there are key differences in design, construction, and intended player profile that set these two iron sets apart.
Design and Construction
P770 Design and Construction
The P770 irons feature a compact, player-friendly shape with a thin topline, minimal offset, and shorter blade length compared to the P790. This set is designed for more discerning players who prefer a sleek, traditional look while still benefiting from modern performance technology. The P770’s forged hollow body construction combines a soft carbon steel body with a thin 4140 steel face, providing both explosive distance and forgiveness. It also includes up to 46g of tungsten weighting to further enhance the forgiveness and performance.
P790 Design and Construction
On the other hand, the P790 Cooper Set is built with a focus on maximizing distance and playability across the entire set, with more noticeable mass optimization. The P790’s advanced thick-thin back wall construction redistributes mass to enhance performance, allowing for strategic placement of every gram. Using proprietary AI mass optimization, each iron in the set is engineered to achieve specific performance goals, whether it’s for better launch or increased control in the scoring clubs. Additionally, the P790 features a larger sweet spot, thanks to a responsive face and new internal shaping that improves ball speeds and accuracy.
Technology and Performance
P770 Technology and Performance
The P770 irons boast a number of performance-enhancing technologies, including SpeedFoam and Progressive Inverted Cone Technology (ICT). SpeedFoam is an ultra-light urethane foam injected inside the head, which enhances both feel and face speed. The Progressive ICT is strategically placed in each iron to improve accuracy and protect off-center ball speeds, making the P770 highly forgiving even on mishits. The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, which increases flexibility and maximizes ball speed, further contributes to the P770’s performance across different areas of the clubface.
P790 Technology and Performance
The P790 Cooper Set is known for its FLTD CG technology, which strategically positions the center of gravity lower in the long irons and higher in the short irons, optimizing launch conditions and control across the set. The P790 also features a new, larger sweet spot that intelligently captures more shots, helping to deliver more consistent ball speeds and better accuracy. This set incorporates a responsive face combined with new internal shaping, allowing for enhanced playability in a broader range of conditions. Additionally, the P790 is geared toward golfers who prefer a set that delivers explosive distance while still offering control in scoring irons.
Player Profile
P770 Ideal Player
The P770 irons are better suited for low-to-mid handicappers or more advanced players who prioritize control and workability over raw distance. The compact head shape and minimal offset appeal to players who prefer a more traditional design while still benefiting from the modern technologies embedded within the club. The P770’s focus on accuracy, feel, and forgiveness makes it an excellent choice for players who want to optimize performance without sacrificing the compact look and precision of a player’s iron.
P790 Ideal Player
In contrast, the P790 Cooper Set is designed for golfers seeking more distance and forgiveness. The set’s larger sweet spot, FLTD CG technology, and advanced mass redistribution make it an excellent choice for a broader range of players, including those who may struggle with consistency on mishits. The P790’s enhanced forgiveness and easy launch characteristics make it a great fit for mid to low handicappers who want a forgiving set that doesn’t compromise on distance. Its cutting-edge technology makes it an appealing option for players looking for maximum performance across the entire set.
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | P770 | P790 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Compact, thin topline, minimal offset | Larger sweet spot with mass optimization |
| Construction | Forged hollow body with 4140 steel face | Advanced thick-thin back wall construction |
| Technology | SpeedFoam, Progressive ICT, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket | FLTD CG, AI mass optimization, larger sweet spot |
| Forgiveness | High forgiveness, especially in short irons | Excellent forgiveness across the entire set |
| Ideal Player | Low-to-mid handicappers, prefers control and precision | Mid to low handicappers, seeks distance and forgiveness |
Performance and Feel
P770 Performance and Feel
The P770 offers a solid, responsive feel thanks to the forged construction and SpeedFoam technology. Its smaller head size allows skilled players to work the ball more effectively, while still providing forgiveness on off-center hits. The club’s ability to generate consistent ball speeds and provide great feel makes it an ideal choice for players who prefer a more tactile experience on the course.
P790 Performance and Feel
The P790 Cooper Set, in contrast, provides a more forgiving and explosive feel. The larger sweet spot and new internal shaping create a club that feels easier to launch and more forgiving on mishits. While the P790 lacks the same level of workability as the P770, its performance benefits—particularly in terms of distance and forgiveness—make it an excellent choice for players looking for more power and consistency across the clubface.
FAQ
What are the main differences between the P770 and P790?
The P770 is designed for golfers who prioritize control and precision, with a compact head shape and minimal offset. It is ideal for low-to-mid handicappers who want a more traditional look combined with modern technology like SpeedFoam and Progressive ICT for forgiveness and consistency. On the other hand, the P790 Cooper Set is more focused on providing distance and forgiveness. It incorporates advanced mass optimization and a larger sweet spot, making it an excellent choice for players seeking explosive power and easy launch conditions across the entire set. The P790 is well-suited for golfers who need a forgiving set that doesn’t sacrifice on distance.
Which iron set is better for forgiveness?
The P790 Cooper Set offers better forgiveness overall, thanks to its larger sweet spot, advanced thick-thin back wall construction, and FLTD CG technology. This set is engineered to help golfers launch the ball with ease and consistency, even on mishits. The P770, while still forgiving, is more tailored to advanced players who seek control and precision. It offers forgiveness in the scoring irons but might not be as forgiving as the P790 in the longer irons, where forgiveness and distance are crucial.
Are the P770 and P790 irons suitable for beginners?
While both sets feature advanced technologies, the P770 is generally better suited for more experienced golfers, especially those with low-to-mid handicaps. Its compact shape and focus on precision may be more challenging for beginners. The P790 Cooper Set, on the other hand, is more forgiving and could be a better option for beginners or higher-handicap golfers looking for easy launch and added distance. The P790’s design helps players get the ball airborne more easily, making it a great choice for those still working on their swing mechanics.
How does the P790’s larger sweet spot improve performance?
The P790 Cooper Set features a significantly larger sweet spot thanks to its responsive face and advanced internal shaping. This larger sweet spot helps golfers hit the ball more consistently, even when they don’t make perfect contact. As a result, players can achieve more consistent ball speeds and improved accuracy on off-center hits. This is particularly beneficial for golfers who struggle with mishits or those who want to ensure they maintain solid performance even on less-than-perfect shots.
What type of player would benefit most from the P770?
The P770 is best suited for low-to-mid handicappers or more advanced golfers who prefer a compact, player-focused design. With its thin topline, minimal offset, and shorter blade length, the P770 is ideal for players who like to work the ball and need control and feel. The advanced technologies like SpeedFoam and Progressive ICT enhance forgiveness, but the overall design of the P770 appeals to those who prioritize precision over sheer distance. If you’re a golfer who enjoys shaping shots and demands consistency, the P770 could be the perfect match.
Final Verdict
Both the P770 and P790 Cooper Set are exceptional irons, but they cater to different types of golfers. The P770 is a better choice for those who value precision, workability, and a compact, traditional look, making it ideal for advanced golfers who want more control in their game. The P790 Cooper Set, on the other hand, is more suited for players who seek a combination of distance and forgiveness across the set, with the added benefit of cutting-edge technology that maximizes ball speed and accuracy.
For golfers who need a balanced set that blends forgiveness with playability, the P790 is a great option. However, for those who prioritize a more classic design with advanced technology, the P770 would be the more fitting choice.
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