Best TaylorMade Irons 2026 - we test the best models from the brand
TaylorMade irons rank as some of the best that money can buy. In this piece, we take you through which model is best for your game
It’s no secret that TaylorMade builds some of the finest irons on the market today. As a perennial industry leader, the brand has all but mastered the art of high-performance golf equipment, offering a top-to-bottom lineup that is arguably the best in the game.
Their clubs are sported by some of the best professional players in the world including men's number one Scottie Scheffler, women's number one Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa... I could go on and on.
The Quick List
The 2025 P790 irons feature a more minimalist profile and a noticeably cleaner, softer feel at impact. Add to this a re-engineered sole design that optimizes turf interaction and you have one of the best irons on the market.
For golfers whose ball-striking isn't quite ready for the demands of a traditional blade, the TaylorMade Qi offers a powerful and forgiving alternative with elite-level ball speeds and distance.
TaylorMade has nailed the 'players' look with the P770. It is easily one of the most stylish irons on the market, featuring a slim topline and a clean finish that looks incredible at address and the turf interaction is second-to-none.
The Qi Max is a marked improvement on its predecessor, banishing the slightly harsh feel of old and delivering blistering ball speeds with an easy-to-launch flight.
Specifically built for high-handicappers and seniors, the Stealth HD irons prioritize on-course performance over traditional aesthetics. The oversized profiles almost look like hybrids but they provide ample forgiveness.
The P7CB irons have that sleek, slim-topline look we all love, but aren't nearly as punishing as a traditional blade. They are the perfect blend between the sensation of flushing one but providing help when you don't.
Best TaylorMade Irons 2026
Best for wide range
TaylorMade have made some smart, subtle but serious improvement to their latest version of the P790 iron following the success of their previous iteration in 2023. Just like it's predecessor, this in a fantastic iron that will suit a wide range of players and is a contender for one of the best golf irons of 2025.
I'll begin talking about the feel on offer here. During testing I went back and forth between this version and the 2023 version of the P790 and the difference in feel is very notable. That sensation of speed and power remains as potent as ever but at the same time TaylorMade has managed to somehow soften and tame the feel without compromising any ball speed. As a result, these are irons that sit alongside the best compact mid-handicap irons for feel.
The CG has lowered in the long irons to improve launch and playability, while moved higher in the short irons to help with control and spin in the scoring clubs. This remains a super-forgiving club too - I didn't notice any drop off in ball speed on off-center strikes and the lovely feel was maintained even through mishits.
I think the looks are fantastic, but that opinion may not be shared by all, especially the higher handicappers. The slightly thinned-out topline and overall cleaner, neater look moves this iron visually towards the ‘better player’ realm and may prove intimidating for those seeking forgiveness. In terms of looks, this sits on the fence between the best irons for low handicappers and the best distance irons in terms of size, but I am happy to say there is absolutely no drop off in forgiveness so try and embrace the pretty, skinnier look!
- Read our full TaylorMade 2025 P790 Iron Review
Best for speed
In terms of the aesthetic, TaylorMade was clearly happy with what they produced with the Stealth as very minimal changes are apparent in this new model. The only slight changes are a minimally bigger badge on the back and a little more chrome, but that is genuinely all that is perceptible to the naked eye.
Visually, they look familiar, but under the hood, this was the first example of TaylorMade introducing their clever 'Straight Distance' technology. Basically, they’ve customized the face of every single iron in the bag to stop the ball from curving away from you. If you’re a mid-handicapper who deals with that annoying cut spin, this is designed to keep your shots on a string. It’s all about making sure that the speed you’re getting actually ends up in the middle of the fairway.
Well the speed immediately stood out to me as the ball zipped off the face at an almost alarming velocity, which therefore resulted in clear distance. The spin was at the lower end for me and this was noticeable on longer iron shots, especially when hitting into greens because despite the launch being generous, stopping power was limited.
From a sound and feel perspective, they do come in at the slightly harsh end of the spectrum. Whilst you don’t expect the soft impact of a forged blade like the Mizuno Pro 221, the Qi irons are quite firm and clicky. I also noticed a fairly prominent draw bias which would suggest the new face technology was performing as designed and the slicers reading this review will enjoy this flight tendency.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi Iron Review
Best turf interaction
TaylorMade gave the P770 a makeover back in 2024 and I must say, I love it, especially the soft brushed finish which looks superb. Clearly TaylorMade made an attempt to push the P770 irons a little further down the handicap spectrum, closer towards the new 'player cavity' iron - the P7CB.
Advancements through the accentuated heel and toe tungsten weighting enhance the MOI, and CG locations have been refined to optimize ball flight. They are lower in the longer irons and higher in the shorter ones in order to aid launch and maximize but control spin levels.
Moving to the performance in my testing, I think the irons look great down in the playing position. I immediately noticed the thinner top-line and shorter blade length and as previously mentioned, the entire silhouette looks great.
In terms of the hitting performance, consistency is key here. After testing for a significant period of time the numbers were strong but also consistent and repeatable - an essential component of the success of this iron. Then I also wanted to mention the turf interaction which is outstanding. It marries with a likely yet soft impact sensation and as a result these were one of the best feeling irons of 2024.
- Read our full TaylorMade P770 2024 Iron Review
Best game-improvement
The Qi Max irons prioritize distance alongside improved sensory feedback whilst looking to maintain high levels of forgiveness for those who need this. Designed for mid-to-high handicappers, these irons feature a refined aesthetic that TaylorMade describes as an "aspirational players shape." This includes a thinner topline, reduced offset, and a shorter blade length compared to its predecessors. While the back of the club remains somewhat busy with visible technology, the view from the address position is notably cleaner.
Thankfully, the white coats at the TaylorMade lab focused on fixing the harsh 'clicky' sound we experienced with previous TM distance irons. They've achieved this thanks to a new internal stability bar and an expanded Echo Damper system, which work together to support the face and filter out unwanted vibrations.
These irons also launch beautifully and will suit players who need a little help in this regard - TaylorMade’s FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity) technology pushes the CG lower in the longer irons to facilitate launch and it rises the further you get into the scoring clubs. We were very impressed by both ball speed and distance during testing, largely due to the aggressive lofts (28° loft 7 iron), but the launch capabilities compliment these lofts wonderfully.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi Max Irons Review
Best for beginners
The Stealth HD model has been designed for the higher handicapper, or the more senior player whose swing speed may be towards the middle of the pack. TaylorMade have pulled out all the stops to achieve a high, draw biased ball flight with the hybrid-like head design, shallow face height and wide sole.
The Stealth HD irons are worth a place in the discussion for the best golf irons for beginners, especially considering how easy it is to get the ball in the air with these irons in hand.
The looks may not be for everyone, the performance speaks for itself and works well for those who struggle with a slice or right miss. The sole of the iron features a step down design that means it plays much narrower than it looks while offering forgiveness through the turf as well.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth HD Iron Review
Best looking
Looking to sit among the best golf irons, TaylorMade brings the new player cavity irons, the P7CB, to a market already filled with great irons for low handicappers. I've seen the P7CBs in the bags of tour pros for a number of weeks now, and I understood why after I hit them, and saw them in the flesh.
From a looks perspective this is where the P7CB really begins to stand out. From a shelf appeal point of view, I’m not sure I have seen many better. The brushed satin finish looks amazing and I like the subtle nods to previous RAC models as well.
These irons don't reinvent the wheel, but they do perfect the forging process. By doubling the forging pressure, TaylorMade has created an incredibly dense, premium feel that sets a high benchmark for consistency. The secret to their forgiveness lies in the sole: two milled-out pockets house a mix of tungsten and metal matrix composites. This hidden technology frees up weight to be moved exactly where it’s needed, giving you a blade-like look with the forgiveness of a much larger clubhead.
The result is top-notch strike sensation. I thought it was soft, but not too soft and there is an almost unique depth to strike here that is a genuine pleasure. My flight windows were consistent and where I would want them to be, and manipulation of flight was relatively easy to achieve as well. Finally my front-to-back dispersion was as good if not better than anything else I have tested in this category.
- Read our full TaylorMade P7CB 2024 Iron Review
How we test golf irons
Our testing and rating procedure for golf irons is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. With iron testing, our first port of call is to test them in the Golf Monthly Performance Lab, an indoor, controlled setting with a launch monitor and premium golf balls. We then conduct outdoor testing and we do both to gauge performance of the irons in different conditions. This iron testing is overseen by category manager Joe Ferguson, a PGA Professional with decades of experience testing golf equipment.
We pride ourselves on two things in our testing process - our passion and experience. We've tested thousands of golf clubs, bags and accessories over the years, so we really have seen it all - the good and the bad. Thankfully, given the quality of golf equipment these days, the vast majority are good.
Importantly though, our reviews are made by golfers, for golfers. There's no such thing as a manufacturer 'buying' a good review - if a product is good, we tell you. If it's bad, we tell you and explain why. Because of our experience, we know how to test, and what to look for when handed a new product for review.
How to choose the best irons for you
Your Handicap And Ability
There is little point in buying blades if you're a 25 handicap. Similarly, buying a set game improvement irons would be a bit silly if you're a scratch handicap.
Every iron set is designed with a specific target golfer in mind. For those just starting out or playing at a higher handicap, the go-to is usually a cavity-back - think of these as high-tech safety nets with plenty of forgiveness. If you’re a more seasoned low-handicapper, you likely want the feedback of a forged blade. Those clubs look sleek and give you total control over your ball flight, but they’re definitely less friendly when you don't catch the ball perfectly.
We have great guides that go into more detail on this, so check out our guide on the most forgiving irons if you're a higher handicapper and our guide on the best irons for mid-handicappers.
Price
Be realistic about your budget and how often you actually play. If you only hit the course a few times a month, spending over a grand on irons might not make sense. But if you’re a golf nut who plays every weekend, that investment, plus a custom fitting, is worth every penny. You can expect to pay around $800–$900 for a high-performance TaylorMade cavity-back set. If you're eyeing forged blades, prepare for a jump to $1,000 or more, which is the industry standard for premium, tour-level equipment.
If you're looking for a nice cheap set, check out our guide for the best budget irons.
Custom Fit
As mentioned, custom fitting has taken off in popularity in the last number of years and it's easy to see why. A custom fitting session will make sure you get the right flex and length of shaft, correct lie angle and correct iron head for your game, meaning you'll finish with the best golf clubs that are as suitable as possible for you out on course.
FAQs
Are TaylorMade irons good for beginners?
TaylorMade has some great options for anyone just starting out. The standard Stealth iron is a total forgiveness machine, while the Stealth HD version is basically a cheat code for high launch and forgiveness across the face. If you're a beginner but you've got a bit of an eye for aesthetics, don't sleep on the P790. It looks much sleeker and less bulky than a typical beginner iron, but it still packs enough hidden tech to help you out when you don't find the center of the face.
What are good TaylorMade irons?
TaylorMade has an iron for every golfer and the choice comes down to your priorities. If you want maximum help, the Qi and Qi Max irons are the current kings of distance and forgiveness. If you want the best-looking iron that still packs a punch, the P790 is the gold standard. For those who prefer old school lofts but need a little extra help on off-center hits, the P770 is the perfect middle ground. Meanwhile, the P7MC and P7MB remain the go-to options for purists who value feel above all else.
