Best TaylorMade Iron 2024
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What is the best TaylorMade iron for your game? Here’s your complete guide to each iron in the TaylorMade range, who they are aimed at, and how they performed for our test pro.
JUMP TO: Best TaylorMade Irons | The Data | How We Test | Buying Advice & FAQs
TaylorMade can claim to make some of the best golf irons for every type of golfer. From the tour-focused P7MB all the way down to the easy-to-launch, TaylorMade Qi HL, there is an iron that will work for your game. While there isn’t one iron in the family that is the best for everybody, there will be a best-performing model for you and every other individual.
Let’s not forget the immensely popular TaylorMade P790, now in its fourth generation, which caters to a wide range of handicaps and abilities.
TaylorMade make some of the best golf irons available, but which model should go in your bag? To help you decide we’ve tested them all head-to-head, with our test pro Neil Wain. His launch monitor data will help you better understand the traits of each model and highlight which will best suit you.
Best TaylorMade muscleback blade iron: TaylorMade P7MB – View Offer UK
Best TaylorMade tour iron: TaylorMade P7MC – View Offer UK
Best TaylorMade players’ iron: TaylorMade P770 – View Offer UK
Best TaylorMade players’ distance iron: TaylorMade P790 – View Offer UK
Best TaylorMade iron for forgiveness: TaylorMade Qi – View Offer UK
Best TaylorMade iron for slow swings: TaylorMade Qi HL – View Offer UK
Video: Which TaylorMade iron suits you?
Best TaylorMade Golf Irons
Only the best ball strikers and ultimate shot shapers need to apply, as TaylorMade’s star athletes like Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have fed directly into this design. The current P7MB launched late in 2022, it has been recognized as one of the best blades available since, and TaylorMade says to expect a shorter blade length and narrower sole than the previous model, an iteration heavily influenced by Dustin Johnson.
By choosing the P7MB you are playing a set designed by and for the world's best golfers.
If you find yourself attracted to the MB, remember what you put on the line by choosing this model. Our test pro recorded his joint largest carry distance drop-off with the P7MB, which demonstrates there is no ball speed protection on offer to up forgiveness in the way the P790 or Qi does.
With a 7-iron loft almost equivalent to a P790 8-iron the MB and MC are the weakest irons in TaylorMade’s line-up.
Our test pro saw 5 yards and 28 yards worth of carry distance difference between the P7MB, P790, and Qi irons respectively, which for 99% of club golfers should rule the option out. A few dreamers will no doubt swear though teaming the P7MB short irons and P7MC mid and long irons will create their perfect combo set.
Read our full TaylorMade P7MB review.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 118.5 MPH / Launch Angle: 16.2° / Backspin: 6490 RPM / Peak Height: 29 YDS / Descent Angle: 44.1° / Carry Distance: 170 YDS / Shot Area: 235.2 SQ YDS
Pros
- Classic looks
- Great feel
- Can combo with P7MC
Cons
- Unforgiving
- Short distances
| Category: | Muscleback Blade |
| Handicap range: | Four and below |
| Construction: | Forged from a single piece of 1025 carbon steel |
| 7-Iron loft: | 34° |
The Muscle Cavity name (rather than muscleback) should spell out loud and clear who the model best suits, the MC is very much a modern forged, tour-focused players’ iron with the shallowest of cavity backs.
Think of the model as a blade for elite golfers attempting to hit lots of straight shots, rather than working the ball round the golf course with a muscleback, and you really won’t go wrong. Should you need any further convincing this isn’t a forged cavity back for club golfers TaylorMade says the MC has opened more doors for them on tour than any other iron.
From a loft 1° weaker than the P770 you get a great idea of how traditional one-piece forged irons like the P7MC compare to modern hollow body alternatives. The P770 produced 2.8mph more ball speed, it flew higher and hit the green at a steeper angle (even though it has a stronger loft) while giving up virtually no spin, launch, or stopping power.
Hopefully, there won’t be too many club golfers seriously considering the MC as their best players' iron option, but the choice between them and the P770 comes down to whether you like the benefits that hollow body irons, with their thin fast faces and tungsten weighting, bring to the party over a single piece forging.
Remember TaylorMade P Series irons can be bought as mix-and-match sets, so it’s possible to swap out demanding long irons for more forgiving alternatives.
Read our full TaylorMade P7MC iron review.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 119.5 MPH / Launch Angle: 18° / Backspin: 6226 RPM / Peak Height: 33 YDS / Descent Angle: 47.2° / Carry Distance: 169 YDS / Shot Area: 135.3 SQ YDS
Pros
- Fantastic looks and feel
- Works nicely in a combo set
- Very consistent performance
Cons
- Need to be a very good player to get the most from them
- Blade-like distances
| Category: | Players’ Iron |
| Handicap Range: | Four and below |
| Construction: | Forged from a single piece of 1025 carbon steel |
| 7-Iron loft: | 34° |
In the space of just a couple of generations, the P770 has established itself as THE modern-day players’ iron. Where just a few years ago dissenters would have point blank refused to entertain the best players’ irons could have thin fast faces, and hollow bodies when Tiger Woods puts the model in play (he loves the 3-iron) you know the market has changed.
The P770 is compact, its blade length is 77mm in length whereas the P790 is a couple of millimeters longer. All in that means the model was never designed with mid-handicappers and game improvers in mind, even though some YouTubers will insist it can suit players within these categories.
For decent low to mid-single-figure handicappers, the P770 are absolute beauties. Our data has the P770 and P790 fairly evenly matched for carry distance but thanks to the weaker loft the P770 launched, flew, and spun at slightly higher levels, traits decent, consistent ball strikers will enjoy.
Read our full TaylorMade P770 review.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 122.3 MPH / Launch Angle: 17.8° / Backspin: 6143 RPM / Peak Height: 34 YDS / Descent Angle: 47.5° / Carry Distance: 175 YDS / Shot Area: 200.7 SQ YDS
Pros
- Lovely looks
- Solid numbers
- More forgiving than P7MC and P7MB
Cons
- Shorter distances than P790
- Some players say hollow body constructions don't offer ultimate consistency
| Category: | Players’ Iron |
| Handicap Range: | Eight and below |
| Construction: | Hollow body with 8620 carbon steel body and 4140 forged face |
| 7-Iron loft: | 33° |
The P790 is the gift that keeps on giving to TaylorMade, now into its 4th generation since launching in 2017 the model continues to go from strength to strength and remains the model other brands most want knocked from its pedestal. Every generation of P790 has been a best Players' Distance Iron award winner here at TG and the latest 2023 iteration doesn’t let the side down.
If you’re looking at this model and your ball striking is inconsistent, or your game could do with a speed or distance boost you have to look at how the P790 compares to the new Qi iron. The pair are aimed at different golfers but more and more club golfers are seduced by the looks and overall performance of the P790, which is completely understandable as they are utterly gorgeous.
So long as you have decent levels of speed make sure you go into making any decision between the P790 and Qi with your eyes open. There are decent levels of additional ball speed and carry distance on offer from the cast cap back, and less expensive Qi. Yet nobody can be faulted for being drawn to the P790 as they are such an aspirational set of irons for club golfers.
If speed isn’t your strength a launch monitor fitting may well highlight the P790's slightly weaker lofts are a better fit for launching, spinning, and stopping approaches. Don’t forget TaylorMade’s brilliant SelectFit hosel system will allow you to try any TaylorMade iron at stronger and weaker lofts so you can find your optimal setup.
Read our full TaylorMade P790 review.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 121.6 MPH / Launch Angle: 15.1° / Backspin: 5932 RPM / Peak Height: 29 YDS / Descent Angle: 43.7° / Carry Distance: 175 YDS / Shot Area: 180.8 SQ YDS
Pros
- Fantastic performance in a good-looking head
- Strong distance and forgiveness
- Can be fit to a wide selection of swing speeds with TaylorMade's SelectFit hosel system
Cons
- A model that is genuinely tough to fault
| Category: | Players’ Distance Iron |
| Handicap Range: | 14 and below |
| Construction: | Hollow body with 8620 carbon steel body and 4140 forged face |
| 7-Iron loft: | 30.5° |
The Qi is very much an iron designed for the vast majority of club golfers, players who generally just want a good-looking iron, that’s powerful and forgiving. Our 2024 test data shows it utterly fulfills that brief.
At 198 yards carry distance the model was joint longest in the Mid-Handicap Iron category for our test pro this year. But it produced those figures not while flying low and spinning less but by launching, peaking out, and descending onto the green at better rates than our test averages (in the Best 2024 Mid-Handicap Iron test). A seriously impressive ball flight that will help you score better on the golf course.
If your swing speed is anywhere close to average the higher lofted Qi HL will give more launch, spin, stopping power, and help flight shots correctly to optimize scoring potential. All in from everything I’ve seen the Qi a brilliant Mid-Handicap iron for lots of club golfers in 2024.
Read our full TaylorMade Qi iron review.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 129.2 MPH / Launch Angle: 15.6° / Backspin: 5065 RPM / Peak Height: 33 YDS / Descent Angle: 44.2° / Carry Distance: 198 YDS / Shot Area: 267.6 SQ YDS
Pros
- Fantastic distances
- Smart looks
- You can change the lofts to suit your speed
Cons
- A very tough iron to fault for the intended audience
| Category: | Mid Handicap Iron |
| Handicap Range: | 8 and above |
| Construction: | Cast cap back with 450 stainless steel face |
| 7-Iron loft: | 28° |
High Launch irons have become a massive growth area over the last couple of years as brands switch on to slower-speed golfers needing more loft not less to play the game successfully. Callaway, Ping, and Mizuno all now have weaker lofted or lighter High Launch irons sat within their High Handicap/Moderate Speed iron families, and this is TaylorMade’s offering.
Compared to the standard Qi the HL comes with 2° more 7-iron loft, a 6g lighter head weight, and higher launching shafts. So, if your swing speed hovers anywhere close to 75mph with a 7-iron this will be a great option for you.
You’ll know whether your game is more suited to the HL or standard Qi by the ball flight you create. If your iron shots tend to fly quite low and run a lot rather than stopping when they hit the green the HL launching shots higher with more spin is highly likely to be your best high-handicap iron choice.
If for whatever reason you’re less keen on the size, shape or additional hosel offset of this model don’t forget TaylorMade offers golfers the chance to try (through their SelectFit hosel system) the standard Qi iron at this loft, which might just give the best of both worlds you’re looking for.
Read our full TaylorMade Qi HL iron review.
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Great for slow swings
- Excellent distances
Cons
- Not as long at higher speeds
| Category: | Moderate Speed/High-Handicap Iron |
| Handicap Range: | 36 and below |
| Construction: | Cast cap back with 450 stainless steel face |
| 7-Iron loft: | 30° |
Data comparison: How the best TaylorMade irons perform in numbers
| 7-Iron Loft | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Peak Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Shot Area | |
| TaylorMade P7MB | 34° | 118.5 MPH | 16.2° | 6490 RPM | 29 YDS | 44.1° | 170 YDS | 235.2 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade P7MC | 34° | 119.5 MPH | 18° | 6226 RPM | 33 YDS | 47.2° | 169 YDS | 135.3 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade P770 | 33° | 122.3 MPH | 17.8° | 6143 RPM | 34 YDS | 47.5° | 175 YDS | 200.7 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade P790 | 30.5° | 121.6 MPH | 15.1° | 5932 RPM | 29 YDS | 43.7° | 175 YDS | 180.8 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade Qi | 28° | 129.2 MPH | 15.6° | 5065 RPM | 33 YDS | 44.2° | 198 YDS | 267.8 SQ YDS |
How we tested the best TaylorMade irons
To test golf equipment, we create a controlled indoor environment at Keele Golf Centre and use a premium tour-level golf ball (the Titleist Pro V1x). We collect all the data from every shot hit, using a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor.
Why do we use a Titleist Pro V1 golf ball?
It would be easy to use just one test golf ball brand every year, but that inevitably leads to criticism for being too closely aligned to one manufacturer, especially if that brand’s equipment performs particularly well. To ensure fairness we like to switch manufacturers for the Top Gear test ball each year. For 2024 we’ve used the Titleist Pro V1x.
The brand revealed the latest Pro V1x model in 2023, and Titleist’s Senior Director of Golf Ball Research and Engineering, Mike Madson says “Consistency means when a golfer tees up a Pro V1 or Pro V1x, every properly executed shot they make is going to deliver the performance they expect and the performance they trust.”
Thanks to the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x mopping up mountains of tour wins across all global tours we know the model is trusted by the world’s very best.
Why do we use a pro tester?
Speak to any golf club engineer about product testing and they all talk about needing a repeatable, reliable strike to offer any sort of valuable comparison. So, whilst we accept not all of the equipment included within our tests was designed for our test pro, what our data shows is a great comparison of how clubs in each particular category differ, which is hugely valuable in helping you narrow your choice as a consumer.
In 2024 we’ve tested 83 different 7-irons, during which our test pro missed a target green at 170 to 200 yards no more than a dozen times. He got a hole-in-one, lipped out, and hit the flag several times, he also loves hitting golf balls all day long. In short, Neil Wain is the perfect club tester due to his consistency in delivering accurate and reliable comparative data.
We would of course always recommend attending a proper fitting session, to ensure any purchase is tailored to your game.
Buying advice & FAQs
What is the most popular TaylorMade iron?
Since first being launched in 2017 the TaylorMade P790 has been hugely popular as it delivers incredible performance and appeals to a wide range of golfers. In terms of units sold though the brand’s Mid-Handicap Qi iron that appeals to a wide audience of golfers will typically sell in greater numbers.
What irons does Rory McIlroy use?
Rory McIlroy uses a TaylorMade P760 4-iron, and a custom set of TaylorMade Rors Proto in 5-iron to pitching wedge. Check out the full Rory McIlroy WITB.
What irons does Tiger Woods use?
Tiger Woods uses a custom set of TaylorMade P7TW irons. Here’s the full Tiger Woods WITB.
Which TaylorMade irons are best for beginners?
The TaylorMade Qi irons which have cast heads and more hosel offset will typically be the best TaylorMade irons for beginners and high handicappers with decent swing speeds, while the TaylorMade Qi HL will be best for those with slower swing speeds.
What handicap is the TaylorMade P790 for?
The TaylorMade P790 irons are best for golfers with handicaps of 14 and below, although we know golfers with handicaps in the mid and high 20s who use them well, as well as very low handicap and even plus-handicap golfers. These though were never the target golfer for the model.
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About the author
Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Simon Daddow is the Equipment Editor for Today’s Golfer. Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what he doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World. Working alongside our test pro Neil Wain, Simon has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.
Despite his youthful looks, Simon has played golf for more than 40 years and plays to a handicap of 10. A lack of club speed means he’s short off the tee, but very handy from 125 yards and in.
Simon’s job means he plays regularly around the world, and rates Kingsbarns as his favorite course. He uses a PXG 0311 GEN6 XF driver, TaylorMade Stealth 2 HL (15º), Ping G400 (20.5º), PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybrid, PXG 0311 GEN6 P irons (6–PW), Cleveland CBX2 wedges (52°, 58°), Ping 21 Fetch putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
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Which TaylorMade iron is best in 2024?
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TaylorMade P7MB iron.
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The Foresight GC Quad launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls used for testing
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TaylorMade P7MC iron.
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TaylorMade P770 iron.
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Neil Wain is the Today's Golfer golf test professional.
