TaylorMade P760 v PSi irons test

More distance. More accuracy. They’re the two factors most of us will focus on when we’re fitted for new clubs. And if we’re honest, the former will be most important (especially with a driver).

But when you get to a certain level – when you’re already a competent ball striker with a repeatable swing – you want something else from a fitting; consistency.

Scratch player and TG reader Tom Burgh, who plays for Northants, knew exactly what he wanted when he arrived at The Grove to be fitted for TaylorMade’s new P760 irons. “I’m looking for a slightly higher launch – my current irons launch quite low – and similar numbers from every shot,” he says. “Any extra distance is just a bonus.”

Watch: TaylorMade P760 vs PSi Tour irons

Tom has never been fitted for irons before. He bought his current set off the rack, albeit with aftermarket shafts. They’re TaylorMade PSi Tours, a players’ forged iron launched in 2016 with some decent tech; Face Slots and Speed Pockets in the 3-7 irons. “I really like them,” adds Tom. They look great at address, feel great and go really well. I know the P760s are a natural replacement for them, but with even more tech.”

TESTED: Hollow body irons

TaylorMade fitter Daniel Morris is on hand with a TrackMan to make sure our scratch player gets fitted into something that can take him into plus-handicap figures.

The tech:

TaylorMade is unashamedly catering to every whim of the discerning golfer with the P760. Head size, offset and lofts have all been engineered to meet the demands of a decent player’s shotmaking potential.

TESTED: Forged irons ranked by forgiveness

The 8-PW and AW are forged from a single piece of soft 1025CS steel (without hollow heads), while the 3-7 irons have forged heads (with the same 1025CS steel), but hollow bodies and a thin, flexible SUS630 face. Speed Foam is injected into the hollow 3-7 irons to dampen vibrations and create the optimal sound and feel which better players expect.

Daniel says:

“It’s always nice to be able to get a better performance for a good player like this. It could be a higher launch, more shot shaping… it’s not all about distance.

Tom really wanted to see more launch – his PSi irons were coming out a little low. Some of that is technique, but we still saw an increase in launch. Ball speed did jump quite considerably – 4-5mph – which was a bit of a surprise and an added bonus, thanks to the Speed Foam in the mid and longer irons. They also helped that launch.

FULL REVIEW: TaylorMade P760 iron

Shaft-wise, we tried two and settled on the Project X LZ (6.5 flex); one of four aftermarket options with the P760s at no extra charge. We also used some good balls for the fitting; that’s not necessarily the case for many fitters. To achieve that higher launch, and manage spin, I recommended a TP5x versus the current ball he’s using.

We’re talking margins when fitting a Category 1 player like Tom. They’re generally in clubs that already perform for them – it’s not like a 25-handicapper fitted into a game improver iron, and watching their face light up at the improvements. We’re looking for marginal gains with a scratch golfer – a little bit of extra ball speed, extra launch, more control… and the P760s delivered all those for Tom.”

Tom’s numbers:

Tom says

“I always liked my PSi irons; I thought they were pretty much the best out there for my game. But when I saw the P760s I quickly realised how much better the head was!

I’ve never been fitted before and I was sceptical of the fitting process; I didn’t think it could give me much more. But I’ll happily admit I was wrong. I always thought I needed to flight the ball a little higher – the extra height would give me more control when the ball hits the green – and that’s exactly what Dan told me, and what the P760s delivered.

We only tried two shafts, and we saw the numbers get dramatically better. I think these irons will improve my consistency; I’m expecting to hit shots closer to the flag. With my PSis, I often found myself past the flag, putting from the back of the green, because the flight was really too low. With these new irons, I’ll be hitting less club because the ball speed has increased, and they’re launching higher and stopping faster on the green.”

The verdict:

Any golfer can benefit from a club fitting, even an accomplished scratch player like Tom. Modern sport is dominated by “incremental gains”; and when you get to this level, everything helps.