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TaylorMade P∙790 Irons vs Qi Max Irons

Launch It High or Keep It Straight?

TaylorMade P∙790 Irons

TaylorMade

P∙790 Irons

2025 model

Release date
Mar 13, 2025
MSRP at launch
$1,399.99 (set of 7)
P∙790 Irons details →
TaylorMade Qi Max Irons

TaylorMade

Qi Max Irons

2026 model

Release date
Jan 29, 2026
MSRP at launch
$1,099.99 (set of 7)
Qi Max Irons details →

Which to choose

The biggest difference is who each iron is built for. The P∙790 is a hollow-body player's distance iron for golfers from roughly scratch to a 20 handicap. It has a sleek look with a thinner topline, and most testers agree it launches high, even from the long irons. The Qi Max is a cast game-improvement iron for golfers of about 15 handicap and up. It has stronger lofts (28° vs 30° in the 7-iron), a lot of forgiveness and a straight flight that helps fight a slice.

Shot shaping also separates them. Testers split on how workable the P∙790 is, while the Qi Max makes low shots and fades hard to hit. Testers also split on the Qi Max's launch and spin. Both sets have strong lofts that make long-iron gapping tricky.

Choose the P∙790 Irons if…

you're somewhere between scratch and a 20 handicap and want extra distance and a high launch, especially from the long irons, in a clean, player-style iron.

Choose the Qi Max Irons if…

you're a mid-to-high handicapper or a beginner who wants as much forgiveness as possible and a straight flight that helps counter a slice.

Common questions

Which is better for a golfer who slices?
The Qi Max. Its default flight is straight and it helps golfers fight a slice, while the P∙790 overview doesn't mention slice correction.
Which is easier to shape shots with?
Neither is a clear shot-shaping iron. Testers split on whether the P∙790 is workable, and the Qi Max makes low shots and fades hard to hit.
Which launches higher?
Most testers say the P∙790 launches high, even in the long irons. Reports on the Qi Max are mixed: some testers saw a high flight, while others found the strong-lofted mid irons flew low with too little spin.

Written by golfclubase with AI from our summaries of published reviews and test videos and the makers' published specs (Oct 25, 2026).

Side by Side, Aspect by Aspect

Launch and Spin: Qi Max Reviews Are Mixed

Four reviewers found the P∙790 easy to launch high, and two said the long irons flew higher than they expected. One tester felt the 4-iron flew too low. Another found 7-iron spin somewhat low but consistent, even on mishits. Others said the ball still stopped on greens. Reviews of the Qi Max vary more. Two sources found it launched high and easily. One reviewer warned that its strong lofts can make it hard to get airborne. In one testing video, the 6-iron's apex and spin were too low for holding greens, though the 8-iron looked better. Another reviewer called the flight low and suited to distance. Reviews of the P∙790's flight are more consistent, while reviewers disagree on whether the Qi Max flies high or low.

Forgiveness: Both Rated Highly

Reviewers rated the P∙790 forgiving, especially in the long irons. Two sources reported tight dispersion across different strike locations. One reviewer said even a near-shank still carried well, and another credited the new face with a bigger sweet spot. The Qi Max was also praised for forgiveness. Reviewers called it very or top-tier forgiving, said thin and fat strikes stayed playable, and said mishits kept their ball speed. One testing video added that the offset helps reduce a push to the right. There were small caveats. One reviewer said off-center hits still need concentration, and another rated its forgiveness only slightly below the previous Qi. Praise for the P∙790 centres on its long irons, while Qi Max reviews stress playable thin and fat strikes and help against the push.

Feel and Sound: Soft P∙790, Muted Qi Max

Four sources described the P∙790's feel as soft, and one compared it to a muscle-back iron. One reviewer disagreed and called it fast and firmer than the P770. Another said mishits, especially in the long irons, sound harsher. Reviewers said the Qi Max feels nicer than many game-improvement irons, and two sources said it sounds better than older models. Opinions on its sound are split: one tester heard a satisfying thud, while another found it just okay. One video found the mid and long irons possibly too clicky. Feedback was also mixed, with one source praising it and another saying it's too muted to tell where you hit the ball. Most reviewers call the P∙790 soft, while Qi Max reviews focus on damped vibration and are split on its sound.

Shot Shape: Qi Max Flies Straight by Default

Reviewers disagree on shaping shots with the P∙790. One article called it fairly one-dimensional and said better players may find it frustrating, while another said skilled players can shape shots easily. One testing video also noted a slight pull to the left with the 5-iron. Reviewers described the Qi Max as straight by default, with technology meant to counter a slice and stop long irons drifting right. Two reviewers saw draws, but one said this matched their natural shot shape and credited the offset. Two sources said low shots and fades are hard to hit. Views on working the P∙790 are split, while the Qi Max is designed to keep shots from going right.

Looks at Address: P∙790 Gets the Sleeker Lines

Reviewers praised the P∙790's thinner topline and clean, premium finish, and two sources called it better-looking than the last version. Two sources noted that the long-iron heads are noticeably bigger, which one reviewer didn't mind and another wasn't used to. Opinions on the Qi Max's looks are split. One reviewer found its traditional, long, flat blade uninspiring, and another called it a safe design that is not the newest. One reviewer said it looks slimmer and more premium than earlier models, with the topline and offset well hidden. One testing video said the thick topline inspires confidence, and two sources liked the white line that helps with alignment. The P∙790 looks more like a player's iron, while the Qi Max keeps a game-improvement shape.

Written by golfclubase with AI from what review articles and test videos said about each model, aspect by aspect (Oct 25, 2026).

Key differences

  • Loft: the Qi Max Irons is 2° lower than the P∙790 Irons
  • Lie angle: the Qi Max Irons is 0.5° higher than the P∙790 Irons
  • Club length: the Qi Max Irons is 0.25″ longer than the P∙790 Irons
  • Swing weight: the Qi Max Irons is 1 pt lighter than the P∙790 Irons

Specs side by side

P∙790 Irons: 7I; Qi Max Irons: 7I (US models).

P∙790 IronsQi Max Irons
Loft30°28°−2°
Lie angle62.5°63°+0.5°
Construction—Cast
Face materialSteelSteel
Club length37″37.25″+0.25″
Swing weightD2D1−1 pt

Values are as published by the makers. Sources are listed on each model's page.

The Numbers, Visualized

Where They Sit Among Irons

Compared with the reference club of every model in Irons on golfclubase (US specs; 7I / 7I). The line is the full range, the band the middle half, the tick the median.

LoftP∙790 Irons 30°/Qi Max Irons 28°
27°35°

P∙790 Irons ranks #45 lowest of 107. Qi Max Irons ranks #4 lowest of 107.

Lie angleP∙790 Irons 62.5°/Qi Max Irons 63°
61.5°63.5°

P∙790 Irons ranks #23 highest of 107. Qi Max Irons ranks #2 highest of 107.

Club lengthP∙790 Irons 37″/Qi Max Irons 37.25″
36.25″37.5″

P∙790 Irons ranks #9 shortest of 106. Qi Max Irons ranks #9 longest of 106.

Swing weightP∙790 Irons D2/Qi Max Irons D1
B8D3

P∙790 Irons ranks #9 heaviest of 68. Qi Max Irons ranks #26 heaviest of 68.

Loft by ClubP∙790 IronsQi Max Irons
18.5°38.3°58°4I5I6I7I8I9IPWAWSWLW
Length by ClubP∙790 IronsQi Max Irons
35.00″37.06″39.13″4I5I6I7I8I9IPWAWSWLW

What reviewers say

P∙790 Irons

What reviewers like

  • High, easy launch, including from the long irons
  • Strong carry distance that often means taking a club less
  • Keeps ball speed and tight dispersion on off-centre strikes
  • Sleeker address look with a thinner topline
  • Soft feel at impact for a hollow-body iron

Watch out for

  • Little performance gain over recent generations, at a higher price
  • Strong lofts make gapping in the long irons, especially 4 to 5, tricky
  • Long irons have a noticeably larger head
  • Mishits sound harsher, especially in the long irons
Full overview of the P∙790 Irons →

Qi Max Irons

What reviewers like

  • Very forgiving, with little distance lost on off-centre strikes
  • Strong ball speed and distance throughout the set
  • Softer, more muted feel than many game-improvement irons
  • Straight ball flight that helps counter a slice
  • White line on the leading edge helps square the face

Watch out for

  • Strong lofts leave tight gaps between the long irons
  • Hard to hit low shots or fades
  • Only a small step up from the previous Qi irons
  • Slotted long irons can sound clicky
Full overview of the Qi Max Irons →

Lofts and clubs offered

P∙790 Irons
4I / 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW / AW
Set makeup: 4I / 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW · 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW / AW
Qi Max Irons
4I / 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW / AW / SW / LW
Set makeup: 4I / 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW · 5I / 6I / 7I / 8I / 9I / PW / AW

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