TaylorMade P790 vs Srixon ZX5: Which Is Better?

Game-enhancement wrapped in elegance. That’s the shared DNA of the TaylorMade P790 and the Srixon ZX5—two irons built for the ambitious striker who demands distance, workability, and forgiveness in a chassis that still whispers tour credibility.

Both bring modern technology to the foreground without sacrificing clean visuals, soft feel, or tight dispersion. What sets them apart is not their category, but how they deliver their advantages.

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Construction

TaylorMade P790 is forged hollow-body engineering in motion. A thin forged 4140 carbon steel face wraps around a soft carbon steel body, supported internally by SpeedFoam Air—an ultra-light urethane that stabilizes and softens impact.

The hollow structure supports exceptional face flex for distance while maintaining forged-like feel.

Srixon ZX5 offers a forged 1020 carbon steel body mated to a forged SUP10 face insert in the longer irons.

It isn’t fully hollow, but the multi-piece design offers structural consistency, soft feel, and just enough pop in the long irons. ZX5 brings classic forging to the modern era with subtle face tech layered in for extra help.

P790 feels high-tech under the hood. ZX5 plays the forged purist’s game with clever innovation tucked away.

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Feel and Sound at Impact

TaylorMade P790 strikes with soft power. At impact, it delivers a muted, dense sound—quiet, authoritative, and responsive. SpeedFoam dampens vibration without silencing feel.

Pure strikes feel buttery with a hint of spring. Mishits remain composed, rarely ringing or jarring. The feel blends tech comfort with forged precision.

Srixon ZX5 responds with traditional forged clarity. Feedback comes through the hands instantly, with a soft yet slightly more audible “snap” on center strikes.

The forged carbon steel communicates purity, while off-center hits offer honest information without being punishing. Impact feels controlled and connected.

P790 feels like a whisper with horsepower beneath. ZX5 delivers the old-school forged conversation with a sprinkle of speed.

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Distance Performance

TaylorMade P790 delivers speed, plain and simple. The thin face flexes at impact, generating high ball speeds across the face, especially on low and toe-side contact.

Strong lofts (slightly lower than traditional specs) push carry distance higher while maintaining tight dispersion through consistent launch.

Srixon ZX5 runs a bit more traditional on distance. Long irons carry well but don’t explode off the face the same way as the P790. The ball flight is repeatable and true.

ZX5 favors consistency in gapping over chasing total yards. Center strikes deliver enough power; mishits fall off less dramatically than in most forged cavity irons.

P790 drives distance like a modern muscle car. ZX5 manages distance like a manual transmission—more deliberate, but reliable through every gear.

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Launch Characteristics

TaylorMade P790 launches high with a steep descent. The CG location promotes easy elevation, especially in the long and mid irons.

Shots fly into the sky quickly and hold their apex before landing softly, reducing rollout and increasing carry. High-launch-low-spin dynamics dominate, helping reach par 5s or hold long par 3s.

Srixon ZX5 leans toward a mid-high trajectory. Ball flight stays slightly flatter, especially in scoring irons. There’s less ballooning and more push-forward momentum. The launch window feels predictable, allowing players to control apex height and flight it lower under pressure.

P790 lifts and lands like a drone. ZX5 flies like a javelin—controlled and penetrating.

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Spin Rates

TaylorMade P790 spins low in the long irons to maximize carry and distance.

Spin picks up in the mid and short irons, but the set overall tends toward lower spin numbers. That helps with distance but requires proper gapping and descent angles to hold fast greens consistently, especially in firm conditions.

Srixon ZX5 spins higher throughout the bag. Long irons retain enough spin for shot shape and descent control, while short irons ramp up with excellent green-holding reliability.

The ZX5 scoring clubs especially shine under full-swing control, delivering one-hop-and-stop confidence inside 130 yards.

P790 generates spin through apex height. ZX5 produces spin through groove bite and forged face texture.

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Shotmaking and Workability

TaylorMade P790 offers moderate workability.

The hollow head and fast face make it tougher to shape extreme fades or draws, but soft curves are available. Flight control is achievable with swing changes, though the club leans toward straight and high. Short irons improve in shaping response.

Srixon ZX5 excels in shaping capability. A neutral CG and a responsive face make draws, fades, knockdowns, and stingers all accessible. The face doesn’t overcorrect; it listens. While the ZX5 won’t move like a pure blade, it allows shotmakers to express their creativity confidently.

P790 paints inside the lines with bold colors. ZX5 hands over the brush and canvas.

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Forgiveness and Stability

TaylorMade P790 is remarkably forgiving for its shape. The hollow-body frame, perimeter weighting, and flexible face create a safety net on mishits. Shots off the toe or low on the face retain ball speed and direction. The forgiveness feels tech-driven but remains hidden beneath a player’s profile.

Srixon ZX5 holds its own in forgiveness. The larger chassis and V-Sole support clean turf interaction, and the forged face insert in the longer irons helps maintain speed and launch.

Mishits lose more distance than the P790, but dispersion remains tight. The club rewards good swings without punishing small errors.

P790 cushions the blow. ZX5 reveals the miss, but not harshly.

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Short Iron Precision

TaylorMade P790 transitions smoothly into scoring territory. The shorter irons feel more compact, but maintain some of the ball-speed traits of the longer clubs.

These irons generate mid spin and solid launch, but feel slightly more techy than surgical. Wedges blend in well for those prioritizing consistency over blade-like sharpness.

Srixon ZX5 delivers a forged wedge-like feel in the scoring irons. These clubs don’t fly too far—spin and control dominate. Short iron shots stop quickly and behave predictably, whether playing full wedge swings or knockdown approaches from tight lies.

P790 scores with speed and softness. ZX5 scores with feedback and spin finesse.

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Sole Design

TaylorMade P790 uses a relatively narrow sole with moderate camber and trailing edge relief. It cuts through turf without digging, working well in firm conditions and light rough. Shallow or neutral swing paths benefit most, as the sole isn’t overly bouncy.

Srixon ZX5 features the unique V-Sole—sharp leading edge meets high trailing edge bounce. This design excels on all turf types. It prevents digging in soft lies and adds stability in firmer turf. Steep angles of attack especially benefit from the built-in turf resistance.

P790 slips through turf like a scalpel. ZX5 adjusts to turf like a chameleon.

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Customization

TaylorMade P790 offers a wide variety of shaft options and tuning specs, with lie, loft, and grip customizations easily accessible. Their stock shafts lean toward mid-launch profiles, but the lineup accommodates almost any swing type. Adjustability is a major strength.

Srixon ZX5 supports strong fitting options with traditional lie and loft tunability. The shaft matrix is curated and includes top-tier aftermarket options. While not as wide-ranging as TaylorMade, the fitting experience focuses on precision and user-centric performance.

P790 leads in breadth. ZX5 counters with curated depth.

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Value for Price

TaylorMade P790 sits firmly in the premium tier. The tech, materials, and speed payoff justify the cost, particularly for players who value added yardage and forgiveness in a players-style head. It’s a high-performance tool with showroom appeal.

Srixon ZX5 delivers excellent value relative to its class. It offers forged feel, modern tech, and shaping versatility at a slightly lower cost than most competitors. For players chasing consistency, spin, and feel, ZX5 becomes a best-in-class performer without the top-tier markup.

P790 carries a premium badge with performance to match. ZX5 provides elite results with unexpected value.

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Head-to-Head Feature Comparison