TaylorMade P790 (2025) Vs Ping i540 Irons Comparison And Performance Review

TL:DR Overview

The TaylorMade P790’s and the Ping i540’s are both hollow bodied players distance irons aimed at golfers who want explosive ball speeds and distance but wrapped in a sharper package that doesn’t look like game improvement clubs.

The Ping i540’s were faster, longer and higher launching than the P790’s but with significantly less spin and slightly shallower descent angles.

The P790’s delivered better feel and sound with higher spin rates for more control while the i540’s brought raw power and distance in a compact package.

Both sets are excellent but will suit different golfers depending on what you value more, feel and control or pure distance and launch.

Performance Stats

	TaylorMade P790 (2025)	Ping i540
Ball Speed	123 mph	126.5 mph
Height	103 ft	103 ft
Spin	6528 rpm	4552 rpm
Land Angle	50°	47.3°
Distance	169.5 yards	189.2 yards

TaylorMade P790 (2025) Overview

The P790’s are in their fifth generation now and TaylorMade have refined them beautifully with a slimmer topline and cleaner head shape that nudges them closer to the P770 players iron look.

The big story here is the new 4340M forged face material which is about 20% stronger than the previous version. This lets them make it thinner which means more flex and a sweet spot that’s expanded by up to 24%.

They’ve packed SpeedFoam Air inside the hollow body design which keeps ball speeds high but delivers a softer, more buttery feel at impact that’s closer to forged blades than most hollow bodies manage.

The tungsten weighting in the toe adds stability without killing workability and the Thru Slot Speed Pocket in the sole increases face flexibility especially in the long irons for easier launch.

Progressive shaping from long to short irons means the 4 and 5 irons are slightly bigger for forgiveness while the scoring irons are more compact for precision.

They’ve also dialed in the FLTD CG technology which positions the center of gravity lower in long irons for launch and higher in short irons for control and spin.

The design is refined and cleaner with a thin topline and minimal offset maintaining that classic players iron look at address.

Overall these are proper players distance irons that balance forgiveness with feel and distance with control in a package that looks absolutely class in the bag.

Ping i540 Irons Overview

The i540’s replace the hugely popular i530’s and Ping have managed to squeeze out even more performance while keeping a sharper, more compact profile.

The standout feature is the inR Air Technology which is a pressurized air pocket behind the face. It’s nearly weightless compared to foam inserts but dampens vibrations beautifully while allowing maximum face flex for distance.

The C300 maraging steel face is about 9% thinner than the i530 which was already pretty hot. Combined with the air pocket this creates explosive ball speeds that are tough to match.

Ping have lowered the center of gravity by 2.4% compared to the previous model by adding 24 grams of tungsten low in the sole of the 4 to 7 irons. This improves front to back distance consistency and stops those rocket fliers from the rough.

The covered cavity construction with chrome plated ABS cap keeps everything looking clean and modern and the Hydropearl 2.0 finish helps maintain consistent launch and spin even in wet conditions.

The blade length is slightly longer than a pure players iron which boosts heel toe MOI and forgiveness on mishits without making the head look chunky.

There’s noticeable offset here which is typical Ping and while it might take a round to adjust it helps get the ball up quickly and keeps things straighter.

Overall the i540’s deliver distance in a sharper suit for golfers who want explosive speed and high launch but don’t want to carry game improvement sized clubs.

Sound And Feel Comparison

The P790’s have a softer, more satisfying sound at impact. It’s that buttery forged feel that makes you want to keep hitting balls on the range. The SpeedFoam Air really does its job here dampening harshness while keeping good feedback.

The i540’s have a distinctly high pitched, louder crack at impact. It’s not harsh exactly but it’s definitely more explosive and metallic. Some golfers will love that powerful sound but others might find it a bit too loud compared to traditional forged irons.

For pure feel the P790’s win this one comfortably but the i540’s still provide good feedback without being punishing on mishits.

Distance And Ball Flight

The Ping i540’s are significantly longer with nearly 20 extra yards in testing. The ball speeds were over 3 mph faster which adds up to serious distance gains.

Both irons launch to the same height but the P790’s have a steeper descent angle at 50 degrees compared to 47.3 degrees for the i540’s.

The big difference is spin rates. The P790’s generated 6528 rpm compared to just 4552 rpm for the i540’s. That’s nearly 2000 rpm more spin which explains the steeper landing angle and better stopping power.

The i540’s will give you more raw distance and incredibly high launch but the P790’s will give you more control and better ability to stop the ball quickly on greens.

Forgiveness And Consistency

Both sets pack serious forgiveness for players distance irons but in slightly different ways.

The P790’s have that expanded sweet spot from the new forged face and deliver exceptional consistency especially on toe and low face strikes.

The hollow body design is usually tricky for consistency but TaylorMade have nailed it here.

The i540’s use the longer blade length and tungsten weighting to boost MOI and forgiveness particularly on heel misses. The lowered CG also helps eliminate those big distance jumps between rough and fairway shots.

Both will be forgiving enough for mid handicappers but consistent strikers will get the most out of them.

Who Should Play Each Iron

The P790’s will suit low to mid handicappers who want a players shape with forgiveness but value feel, sound and control.

If you’re after workability and the ability to shape shots while still getting distance gains these are the pick.

The i540’s will suit mid to low handicappers who prioritize explosive distance and high launch in a compact package. If you want maximum ball speed and aren’t bothered by less spin or that high pitched sound these will be ideal.

Both have strong lofts so you’ll need to plan your wedge gapping carefully. The i540’s in particular can create big yardage gaps between clubs so think about your set makeup.

Overall Winner

This one comes down to what you value more in your irons.

The TaylorMade P790’s deliver superior feel and sound, better spin rates for control and stopping power, and excellent consistency in a beautifully refined package.

The Ping i540’s bring explosive ball speed and distance, incredibly high launch and solid forgiveness in a sharp looking iron that doesn’t compromise on performance.

For pure performance and feel the P790’s edge it but the i540’s win on distance and launch if that’s your priority.

Both are excellent players distance irons so get yourself fitted and see which one suits your game better.