If you were spending your own money on a new set of irons, would you choose the TaylorMade P790 or the Srixon ZXi5+?
That was the question behind our latest EP Golf Studios comparison. We put both irons through a head-to-head test at around 80 mph clubhead speed, looking at distance, ball flight, consistency, feel and what happened when contact moved away from the middle.
The Srixon ZXi5+ narrowly earned our tester’s personal vote, thanks to its feel, appearance and impressive performance on mishits. However, the TaylorMade P790 produced slightly higher flight and a steeper landing angle, making its flight characteristics more suitable for the delivery demonstrated.
There was another important conclusion: neither iron, in the specifications tested, would have been our fitting recommendation for that combination of swing speed and delivery.
Here’s what the results mean—and why the club we would choose between two options might still differ from the club we would recommend after a full fitting.
Watch the full TaylorMade P790 vs Srixon ZXi5+ comparison.
How We Tested the P790 and ZXi5+
We used closely matched specifications while retaining each iron’s standard loft.
Loft: TaylorMade P790: 30°; Srixon ZXi5+: 29.5°
Lie adjustment: TaylorMade P790: Two degrees flat; Srixon ZXi5+: Two degrees flat
Shaft: TaylorMade P790: Modus 105 stiff; Srixon ZXi5+: Modus 105 stiff
Grip: TaylorMade P790: Tour Velvet midsize; Srixon ZXi5+: Tour Velvet midsize
Target clubhead speed: TaylorMade P790: Around 80 mph; Srixon ZXi5+: Around 80 mph
The target speed window was approximately 79–81 mph. Our tester aimed to exclude shots outside that range from the comparison data.
For the final averages, deliberately severe mishits were removed. Those shots were assessed separately to explore forgiveness.
That distinction matters: the main results describe the good and reasonable strikes, while the mishit examples show what happened when contact deteriorated. They are not a single combined dataset.
This was also a human test. Small differences in delivery and strike remained, including approximately half a mile per hour more average clubhead speed with the P790.
TaylorMade P790 vs Srixon ZXi5+: Key Results
Ball speed: TaylorMade P790: Slightly higher, alongside slightly higher swing speed; Srixon ZXi5+: Very similar output relative to swing speed
Efficiency: TaylorMade P790: 1.37; Srixon ZXi5+: 1.37
Average carry: TaylorMade P790: Essentially the same; Srixon ZXi5+: Essentially the same
Launch: TaylorMade P790: Approximately 0.5° higher; Srixon ZXi5+: Approximately 0.5° lower
Average spin: TaylorMade P790: Approximately 4,500 rpm; Srixon ZXi5+: Approximately 4,200 rpm
Average peak height: TaylorMade P790: 87 feet; Srixon ZXi5+: 83 feet
Average descent angle: TaylorMade P790: 44.4°; Srixon ZXi5+: 43°
Dispersion: TaylorMade P790: Broadly similar; Srixon ZXi5+: Broadly similar; slightly tighter carry variation
Personal looks and feel preference: TaylorMade P790: Very close second; Srixon ZXi5+: Narrow winner
Subjective forgiveness verdict: TaylorMade P790: Impressive; Srixon ZXi5+: Narrow winner
The distance result was effectively a draw. The more useful differences concerned flight, feel and the tester’s experience of off-centre strikes.
Ball Speed and Distance: Very Little Between Them
Both irons produced good shots around the low 160-yard carry mark during the session.
The P790 recorded slightly more average ball speed, but our tester also swung it approximately 0.5 mph faster. Both clubs returned an efficiency figure of 1.37, indicating very similar ball speed relative to clubhead speed.
It would therefore be misleading to declare the TaylorMade head inherently faster on the strength of this test.
Average carry distance also finished essentially level.
The Srixon’s repeated yardages stood out
During the ZXi5+ testing, our tester repeatedly saw carries of approximately 159, 160 and 161 yards on reasonably good strikes.
That impression was reflected in slightly tighter front-to-back standard deviation in the final dataset. However, he also acknowledged that this could have been influenced more by his swings than by the club.
The useful conclusion is that the Srixon delivered reassuringly repeatable yardages in this session. The test does not establish a universal consistency advantage over the P790.
Launch, Spin and Stopping Power: P790 Had the Flight Advantage
Distance was similar, but the way the ball reached that distance differed slightly.
The P790 launched approximately half a degree higher and produced around 300 rpm more spin. Its average peak height was 87 feet, compared with 83 feet for the Srixon.
Average descent angle—the angle at which the ball comes down—was:
TaylorMade P790: 44.4°
Srixon ZXi5+: 43°
For the delivery shown, our tester preferred the P790’s higher flight and steeper descent.
Why this matters when choosing irons
A long carry number only tells part of the story. You also need to assess whether the resulting flight is suitable for approaching greens.
In this test, our tester felt both heads produced too little spin and insufficiently steep descent for the player profile being demonstrated. The P790 was closer to the desired flight, but neither was his preferred fitting solution.
These figures do not prove a specific difference in stopping distance on a real green. They explain why the P790’s flight characteristics were more encouraging in this comparison.
Forgiveness: Both Irons Handled Poor Contact Well
The session included deliberate toe, heel and thin strikes.
Both irons retained useful carry distance from some very poor contact, although the locations and swing speeds were not perfectly matched. These examples are observations from the session rather than a controlled robot comparison.
TaylorMade P790 mishit results
One strike approximately 20 mm towards the toe carried 151 yards, compared with good shots generally around 160–165 yards.
A more severe thin-toe strike carried 144 yards. A pronounced heel strike carried 142 yards, although clubhead speed on that example was lower, at around 78 mph.
Our tester was impressed with how much distance remained despite the quality of contact.
Srixon ZXi5+ mishit results
The Srixon also produced some striking results:
Very thin, slightly towards the heel: Carry distance: 151 yards
Extreme strike outside the grooved area: Carry distance: 143 yards
Very low toe strike: Carry distance: 147 yards
Thin strike, slightly towards the toe: Carry distance: 154 yards
Heel strike at approximately 81 mph: Carry distance: 153 yards
Extreme heel strike close to the hosel: Carry distance: 147 yards
Our tester gave the Srixon a narrow subjective forgiveness advantage.
However, he also said that a robot test might reveal little difference between the two. The verdict was based on how they responded to his mishits that day, rather than proof that one head will always lose less distance.
Looks and Feel: Srixon Gets the Personal Vote
Both irons received strong feedback for appearance.
At address, our tester found little difference in their apparent heel-to-toe dimensions or grooved area. The more noticeable distinction was the shaping.
The P790 looked more rounded, particularly around the toe and topline. The ZXi5+ appeared slightly squarer, which made its topline look marginally larger.
Neither difference was dramatic.
Which felt better?
The P790 felt excellent on centred strikes, but the Srixon narrowly won the tester’s preference for feel off the face.
He also preferred the appearance of the back of the ZXi5+.
These are personal judgements, but they matter when performance is close. An iron you enjoy looking at and hitting deserves consideration—provided its flight and consistency also suit your game.
Which Iron Would We Buy?
When asked to choose between these two with his own money, our tester selected the Srixon ZXi5+.
The reasons were straightforward:
A slight preference for feel.
A slight preference for appearance.
Impressive distance retention on his mishits.
Carry performance that closely matched the P790.
This was not a price-based value verdict. Prices were not checked during the video, so the choice should not be interpreted as a claim that the Srixon costs less.
The TaylorMade remained extremely competitive and produced the more suitable flight characteristics for the delivery shown.
Why Neither Iron Was the Final Fitting Recommendation
Despite choosing the Srixon in a two-club comparison, our tester would have explored more loft for the demonstrated player profile.
He identified the Srixon ZXi7 and TaylorMade P770 as alternatives to investigate.
That is not a recommendation that every golfer swinging at 80 mph should choose those models. Swing speed alone does not tell you how much loft a golfer delivers, how they strike the ball or what flight they produce.
As the video emphasises, delivery characteristics are crucial.
Two golfers with similar clubhead speeds can need different irons. One may benefit from the flight these heads produce; another may need a different loft or head to achieve the desired result.
Questions Golfers Are Asking
Is the Srixon ZXi5+ better than the TaylorMade P790?
The Srixon ZXi5+ narrowly won our tester’s personal preference for feel, appearance and forgiveness in this session. However, average carry distance was essentially equal, and the P790 produced slightly higher launch, spin and descent angle. Neither was the preferred fitting solution for the delivery shown. The better choice depends on the golfer and the complete specification.
Which iron went further in this test?
Average carry distance was essentially the same. The P790 produced slightly more ball speed, but it was also swung approximately half a mile per hour faster. Both irons returned an efficiency figure of 1.37. Those results suggest very similar distance performance in this session, rather than a meaningful advantage for either head.
Which iron was more forgiving on mishits?
Our tester gave the Srixon ZXi5+ a narrow subjective advantage after deliberately hitting shots from the toe, heel and low on the face. Both irons retained impressive distance on poor strikes. Because the strikes were not identically matched, the results do not establish a universal forgiveness winner. The video explicitly acknowledges that robot testing might show little difference.
Are these irons suitable for an 80 mph swing speed?
They may be suitable for some golfers at that speed, but swing speed alone is insufficient to decide. For the delivery demonstrated, both produced lower spin and shallower descent than our tester wanted. He would have explored more loft. A fitting should assess actual launch, spin, height, descent and consistency rather than select a head from swing speed alone.
Why did the P790 have better flight numbers but lose the personal vote?
The P790’s slightly higher flight and steeper descent better suited the delivery demonstrated. The Srixon won the tester’s personal preference because of its feel, appearance and mishit performance. Those are different judgements. When discussing an actual fitting recommendation, he would have explored alternatives to both rather than treating his personal preference as the final answer.
Find the Right Irons for Your Game
The P790 and ZXi5+ delivered closely matched distance, impressive mishit performance and appealing looks. Srixon earned the personal vote, while TaylorMade offered the more suitable flight in this particular test.
Your fitting could produce a different answer.
At EP Golf Studios in Newbury, Berkshire, we use GCQuad data and expert fitting advice to help you assess the head and shaft combination that suits your swing.
Whether you want more predictable distances, greater confidence on mishits or a more suitable ball flight, we can help you understand the results.
Explore our fitting services and book at EP Golf Studios.
For more context on the Srixon range, watch our ZXi7 vs ZXi5 vs ZXi5+ comparison.
