Comparing the All-New Qi Irons vs. P·790: Which Iron Should You Play?

Long and straight. The golfer’s dream. That’s exactly why our TaylorMade engineers went on a mission to design irons that can be described in two simple words: Straight Distance.

The all-new Qi line of irons are a blend of refined aesthetics and advanced multi-material technology that aim to deliver the optimal combination of distance, accuracy and solid feel in an inviting game-improvement package.

At the heart of the Qi Irons are individual head optimization, organic face designs and FLTD CG™, all working in unison to help golfers minimize the dreaded right miss.

FLTD CG is also utilized in the acclaimed Players Distance Iron, P·790. We will compare the similarities and differences of Qi irons and P·790 later in this article.

It’s no secret that many golfers in the game improvement category have a propensity for the slice. So, why do other game improvement irons have a fade bias in the long irons? Don’t worry, it didn’t make sense to our engineers either. That’s why, as you can see from the chart above, we designed the all-new Qi irons to be the straightest distance irons in golf.

With Qi Irons, TaylorMade leverages its patented Integrated System Design – a suite of technologies aimed at optimizing each individual iron head. The advantage of our system lies in the ability to facilitate communication among key technologies throughout the set.

This is crucial because the face design, Speed Pocket™ functionality and mass distribution are intricately interconnected, collectively improving ball speed consistency, launch angles and spin rates.

To enhance sound and feel, the 2024 Qi Irons feature re-engineered HYBRAR Echo® Dampers in the 4- through 9-irons. Individually designed for each iron, these dampers incorporate strategically placed ribbed structures that sit behind the face. Each iron face aligns with the damper, effectively reducing unwanted vibrations and creates best in class sound and feel.

The Echo Damper collaborates with Cap Back ™ Design and a 360 undercut with thick-thin topline geometry to maximize COR and forgiveness while maintaining a desirable sound and feel.

In addition to Qi irons, Qi HL irons are crafted for players seeking higher launch and faster clubhead speeds. Loft configurations are approximately 2° weaker compared to the standard Qi model, contributing to Qi HL’s ability to achieve increased launch angles. Another defining feature is the weight reduction, with like-to-like builds of Qi HL measuring up to 26g lighter than a standard Qi iron, a design element intended to enhance clubhead speed and overall performance for golfers with slower swing speeds.

As we peel the layers off the deeper tech story behind the Qi irons, there’s something you will notice right away. Qi irons were inspired by the technological innovation masterclass seen in P·790. I know what you’re going to ask next. If these irons are made from shared technologies, then how will I know which iron is right for me?

The short answer is, while each iron has a blend of both, P·790 irons are built for accuracy and Qi irons are built for forgiveness. The detailed answer is…well, let’s just break it down.

P·790 and Qi irons both feature individual head optimization through the aforementioned groundbreaking technology, FLTD CG.

In the simplest terms, the advantage of FLTD CG is easier launch with long irons and better control with short irons. Considering that long irons are generally more challenging to get airborne, we strategically position CG lower to promote easy launch conditions. The CG progressively rises into the short irons, which aids in control, launch, spin, trajectory and accuracy, and ultimately creates better shots more often.

The key difference in the construction of P·790 and Qi irons is how this individual head optimization is accomplished.

Individual head optimization in P·790 is accomplished underneath the face, while in Qi and Qi HL the Integrated System Design mainly optimizes the face itself.

Since P·790 irons are built for the player that makes more consistent strikes, the focus in the design process was less about the face and more about strategic placement of the tungsten weights under the hood to manipulate CG.

To determine the ideal internal mass distribution of each iron, our engineers created an equation that included our desired output, various material usages and discretionary weight properties to produce mass optimization within each P·790 head. This ensured that every gram was strategically placed to deliver the best possible result for that specific iron.

Through this design process, the team pinpointed a specific outcome for each individual iron. For long irons (3-5), the goal was increased launch. For mid-irons, increased MOI and expanded COR area (sweet spot). For scoring clubs, it was control, trajectory and optimal spin.

In Qi irons, it’s all about the face design. Engineers strategically manipulated face thicknesses to ensure the entire clubface rebounds together no matter where you hit it on the face. Whether contact is made on the heel, toe, high or low, the entire face responds to impact reducing cut spin and producing straighter distance. Other game improvement irons are built in a fashion where the face does not rebound together, which produces an exaggerated right miss and loss of straight distance.

With all the R&D learnings in play...let’s get back to basics and talk like golfers to make the decision on which iron you should play. First, let’s be honest with ourselves as to your level of ball striking with irons and what performance characteristics matter the most to your game. Then, go through this checklist:

• If you strike the center of the face relatively consistently and want more workability and accuracy, you are a P·790 player.
• If you are an inconsistent ball-striker looking for an iron that is easier to hit and easier to launch, the straight distance and forgiveness of the face construction of Qi will help make mis-hits feel and look like center strikes.
• There is a world where you can play both! If you struggle with long iron consistency, but are confident with mid and shorter irons, take advantage of our custom ordering system and build yourself a combo set!
• Lastly, if you have a slower swing speed and need help finding increasing clubhead speed and peak height with all the performance benefits of Qi iron, you are a Qi HL player.