What you need to know: The fifth generation of TaylorMade’s players-distance P·790 irons boasts a new steel alloy for the face that is 20-percent stronger than in the previous iteration. This allows for a fast, thin face that delivers more rebound at impact.

Price: The irons cost AED 7,195 from eGolf Megastore.

3 Cool Things

1. About face. In players-distance irons it is all about creating speed. Here, the long irons are made from a high-strength 4340M steel alloy that is 20-percent stronger than before. This allows the face, which wraps around the sole in an L-shape, to create a better trampoline for added yards.

TaylorMade P790 irons

Also assisting distance is the company’s hallmark cut-through slot in the sole. This feature, found on the 4- through 7-irons, achieves more bend for shots struck low on the face, where most mis-hits occur. That mitigates ball-speed loss on those shots and translates to consistent distance.

  • The face on the long irons is made of a high-strength forged 4340M Chromoly steel alloy and wraps around the sole in an L-shape to create a more effective trampoline effect.
  • A cut-through slot in the sole enhances flex for shots struck low on the face.
  • Tungsten (30 to 40 grams) is positioned horizontally and low on the long irons to provide a better launch. On the middle irons, a chunkier piece rests vertically closer to the toe to improve stability on off-centre strikes.
  • The key to getting the weighting right is how the back wall of each iron uses alternating thick and thin sections, almost like latticework.
  • The short irons (8-iron through gap wedge) eschew tungsten so that the centre of gravity progresses higher with each successive loft to prevent shots from ballooning.
  • By injecting the heads with a lightweight urethane foam, the thin face can still flex while unwanted sounds and vibrations are controlled.
  • Top 5 in Performance, low- and middle-handicaps.
  • SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44 degrees

2. It’s what’s inside that counts. Key to getting the weighting right is how the back wall of each iron uses alternating thick and thin sections, almost like latticework. This was achieved through the use of modal analysis, where each head has been strategically engineered to control the frequencies that ultimately dictate feel and sound at impact.

“Our goal with P·790 irons was to take sound and feel to the next level,” said Matt Bovee, global category director, irons and wedges. “We were able to accomplish that through individual head optimization and the stiffening of key internal structures while maintaining the world-class performance P·790 irons are known for.”

Also contributing to a pleasing sound and feel is the use of a lightweight urethane foam that is injected into the heads. This allows the thin face to still flex while unwanted sounds and vibrations are controlled.

3. Getting progressive on CG. Each iron has a job to do and that means one centre-of-gravity position does not suit every club. TaylorMade’s “FLTD CG” positions the CG lowest in long irons for easier launch and playability, and progressively higher in the shorter irons for precise spin, distance and trajectory control.

To do this, tungsten (30 to 40 grams) is set horizontally and low on the long irons to provide better launch, while on the middle irons a chunkier piece rests vertically out toward the toe to improve stability on off-centre strikes.

There’s no tungsten on the short irons (8-iron through gap wedge) to allow the centre of gravity to progress higher with each higher loft to optimize spin and prevent shots from ballooning.

Images: TaylorMade