The two most compared players-distance irons on the used market — hollow-body, fast, and forgiving enough for mid-handicappers while satisfying enough for better players. Here's how they actually differ.
The P790 and T200 represent the players-distance iron category at its best — irons engineered to deliver distance and forgiveness beyond their blade-like appearance. Both use hollow body construction with internal foam to dampen vibration. Both use ultra-thin faces that flex aggressively at impact for speed. Both look narrow-soled and elegant at address but behave far more forgivingly than they appear. They are the most directly comparable irons in their tier and the comparison every serious iron buyer eventually reaches.
The 2021 versions of both sets were launched at the same RRP — £1,199 for a 4–PW set — and are now available on UK eBay in very good condition for roughly £450–£700 depending on shaft spec and condition. For players who previously couldn't afford these irons new, the used market has made them accessible.
| Category | P790 (2021) | T200 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Hollow forged body + SpeedFoam Air | D+S hollow body + Max Impact polymer |
| Face | Ultra-thin forged face | Ultra-thin L-Face insert |
| Ball Speed | Marginally faster on centre | Excellent — slightly more consistent |
| Feel | Soft, muted, buttery | Slightly more feedback / crispness |
| Forgiveness | High — CG low and central | Slightly higher — tungsten weighting |
| Loft Strength | Stronger (7-iron ≈ 30.5°) | Standard-ish (7-iron ≈ 32°) |
| Distance | Typically 3–5 yards longer per iron | Very long — slightly shorter than P790 |
| Workability | Limited (as expected for category) | Marginally more shapeable |
| Looks at Address | Thin topline, clean, compact | Slightly thicker topline |
| Stock Steel Shaft | True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 | True Temper AMT Tour White |
The P790's distance advantage is largely — though not entirely — explained by its stronger lofts. A direct comparison:
| Club | P790 Loft | T200 Loft |
|---|---|---|
| 4-iron | 19° | 20° |
| 5-iron | 21° | 23° |
| 6-iron | 24° | 26° |
| 7-iron | 30.5° | 32° |
| 8-iron | 35° | 36° |
| 9-iron | 40° | 40.5° |
| PW | 45° | 45° |
The loft difference is most significant in the mid-irons — the P790's 6-iron plays 2° stronger than the T200's. This translates to the P790 playing more like a longer iron and the T200 playing truer to traditional loft standards. For gapping purposes, check your current set's lofts and consider how either option will integrate with your existing wedges.
Both irons use internal cavity-filling materials to suppress vibration from the hollow body at impact. TaylorMade's SpeedFoam Air (an ultra-light foam) produces a characteristically soft, muted sound and feel — the P790 is one of the softest-feeling distance irons available. Titleist's Max Impact polymer is denser and allows slightly more feedback to pass through to the hands. Neither approach is wrong — it comes down to personal preference.
Most players who try both report the P790 as "softer" and the T200 as "crisper." Better players who want feedback on where they struck the face often prefer the T200's character. Players who want maximum comfort and softness prefer the P790.
These are the two best players-distance irons on the used market and neither is a poor choice. The P790 is longer, softer, and more striking in appearance — it's the better iron if your priority is distance and you don't need feel feedback. The T200 offers slightly more forgiveness via tungsten weighting, slightly more workability, and more traditional loft gapping — it's the better iron if you care about feel and want your gapping to match what you've always played. For most golfers choosing between them used: go with whichever fits your current wedge gapping more naturally.
Both sets see heavy short-iron use — the 8-iron, 9-iron, and PW grooves wear fastest. Before buying a used set, ask the seller for close-up photos of the short irons' faces. Grooves should feel sharp and defined when you run a fingernail across them. Worn, rounded grooves reduce spin on approach shots — exactly what you don't want in a players-distance iron where you're relying on controlling the ball into greens.
Also verify matching shafts throughout the set. Some sellers piece together sets from individual irons — always confirm the shaft model and flex are consistent from 4-iron to PW.
Both sets feature in our Best Used Irons Under £300 guide. Browse all live iron listings on our used irons page.