TaylorMade Qi Max Vs P790 Irons Comparison And Review

TL:DR Overview

The Qi Max and P790 from TaylorMade are two very different irons aimed at different golfers but both deliver impressive distance and forgiveness in their own way.

The Qi Max is a game improvement iron focussed on straight distance with maximum forgiveness and a refined look that doesnt scream beginner club at address.

The P790 is a hollow body players distance iron with a compact shape, forged feel and workability for better ball strikers who want explosive distance without giving up control.

The Qi Max was longer in testing with lower spin and a flatter descent angle while the P790 was higher launching with significantly more spin for better stopping power on greens.

Performance Stats

	TaylorMade Qi Max	TaylorMade P790
Ball Speed	123.6 mph	123 mph
Height	96 ft	103 ft
Spin	4595 rpm	6528 rpm
Land Angle	45.3°	50°
Distance	186.6 yards	169.5 yards

 

TaylorMade Qi Max Overview

The Qi Max is TaylorMades most complete game improvement iron designed for straight distance and maximum forgiveness with a surprisingly refined players shape.

Unlike typical bulky GI irons, these have a thinner topline and blade length that looks pretty good at address without screaming high handicap club.

The patented face technology here is all about reducing cut spin to give you straighter distance, not draw bias like some other models. Each head is individually optimized for correct landing angles which means the ball goes far but actually lands properly and holds greens.

Theres an internal stability bar and ECHO damper material for improved sound and feel, though lets be honest these still sound and feel like typical game improvement irons with that higher pitched clicky tone. Middle of the pack for GI feel but the performance is genuinely impressive.

The lofts are strong but balanced so the ball doesn’t just fly off and roll through greens. TaylorMade have been smart about it.

You get two options with the Qi Max and Qi Max HL. The HL model has extra loft for slower swing speeds and produces higher launch with better landing angles. For most amateurs the HL version is probably the better call.

Stock shaft is the KBS Max Lite in stiff and regular with a SuperStroke Crossline 360 Black grip.

TaylorMade P790 Overview

The P790 is now on its fifth iteration with the 2025 model getting refined shaping and a cleaner look closer to the P770 profile while keeping what makes the P790 line so popular.

These are hollow body players distance irons with a forged 4340M face that’s 20% stronger than previous models. The SpeedFoam Air inside increases ball speed while delivering a buttery forged feel that’s crazy close to blade irons.

The new forged face material gives you a sweet spot that’s about 24% bigger than before which is massive for a hollow body iron. Consistency across the face is excellent even on mishits.

Tungsten toe weighting adds stability without killing workability so you can still shape shots when needed. The progressive leading edge and refined turf interaction make these glide through all sorts of lies better than earlier versions.

Sound and feel is punchy and explosive but with a softer richer note on impact. Its confident without being harsh and reassures you at address and through the strike.

The topline is slightly slimmer, the head is compact and the overall profile is a real players iron that doesnt look chunky or oversized. The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket helps launch the long irons higher and easier for players who struggle getting them airborne.

Stock shafts are Nippon Modus 105 and Mitsubishi Chemical MMT.

Overall Comparison TaylorMade Qi Max Vs P790

These two irons suit very different golfers despite both coming from TaylorMade.

The Qi Max is longer with more ball speed and significantly more distance but with lower spin and a flatter landing angle. The forgiveness is massive with a larger head and the focus on straight distance makes it ideal for mid to high handicappers who struggle with consistency.

The P790 launches higher, spins more and has a much steeper descent angle which means better stopping power on greens despite being shorter. The compact head and forged feel suit low to mid handicappers who are consistent strikers and want workability with their distance.

Robot testing showed the Qi Max has built in draw bias in the internal construction to help golfers who miss right while the P790 is neutral and more about precision and control.

Real world testing suggests the Qi Max can have wider dispersion despite the forgiveness while the P790 was dead on consistent with tighter circles. The P790 generates about 400 to 600 rpm more spin which is crucial for holding greens on approach shots.

Both share the FLTD CG technology which positions weight lowest in long irons for launch and higher in short irons for controlled trajectory. Both also have the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to maintain ball speed on low face strikes.

The Qi Max is about 60 quid less per club making it better value for high handicappers on a budget. The P790 is more expensive but the performance and feel justify it for better players.

Some golfers even mix the two sets using the Qi Max for long irons where forgiveness matters most and the P790 for mid to short irons where precision and spin control are more important.

If your a high handicapper looking for straight distance and maximum forgiveness with good looks, go Qi Max. If your a consistent striker who wants explosive distance with control, workability and that forged feel, the P