In the world of golf equipment, the rise of direct-to-consumer manufacturing has made premium-looking clubs more accessible, but "cheap Chinese knockoffs" have historically been dismissed as "rubbish" when it comes to performance and durability. However, a recent test of a set of 1:1 TaylorMade P790 irons purchased from CNFans for just £250—nearly £1,000 cheaper than the authentic version—has produced results that are, quite frankly, "mental."

Aesthetics and First Impressions

Upon unboxing, the clubs are "basically clones" of the authentic TaylorMade P790s. Available in both silver and a dark/black finish, the visual details are strikingly accurate. The top lines are identical, and the sole thicknesses and overall looks at address are "basically identical" to the genuine product. Even the internal technology seems to be visually replicated, featuring the signature "tungsten" branding and the "speed slots" found on the lower-lofted irons. At a glance, you’d be hard-pressed to tell these apart from the real deal—no cheap logos or shoddy craftsmanship to give them away at first sight.

On-Course Performance and Feel

The most shocking aspect of this review is that the performance data is nearly indistinguishable from premium irons—something I never thought I’d say about a 1:1 set at this price point.

Ball Data: Testing revealed an average ball speed of 122.3 mph and a carry distance of 176 yards—numbers that stack up eerily close to what I’ve seen from authentic P790s in previous tests.
Efficiency: The clubs maintained a high smash factor (efficiency) of 1.35 to 1.37, matching the authentic P790s almost exactly when struck dead center. That kind of consistency is unheard of for a set this affordable.
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Feel: I was blown away by how these heads feel—they’re "exactly the same" as a genuine P790. You get enough feedback to pick up on off-center strikes, but the overall feel remains remarkably consistent, no harsh vibrations or cheap "clink" that plagues most budget knockoffs.

Forgiveness and "Copied Tech"

Going into this test, I assumed the internal technology—like the tungsten weighting—was just for show, a cosmetic touch to sell the "1:1" label. To my surprise, the forgiveness on off-center hits was "no worse" than the authentic clubs, which says a lot about how well the manufacturer replicated the original design.

Heel/Toe Strikes: On hits 14–18mm off the toe or heel, the efficiency remained within 0.01–0.02 of the genuine TaylorMade iron. That’s a tiny difference—most golfers (even low handicappers) wouldn’t notice it on the course.
Gapping: A gap test of the 5, 7, and 9 irons showed a consistent 24-yard difference between clubs. This isn’t just a lucky fluke; it suggests the manufacturer successfully reverse-engineered the internal technology transitions throughout the set, so you’re getting a cohesive set that performs like the real thing.

The Catch: Quality, Components, and Risks

As impressive as the club heads are—and make no mistake, they’re incredible for the price—there are significant downsides that every buyer needs to weigh carefully before pulling the trigger.

Cheap Components: The heads punch above their weight, but the steel shafts and rubber grips are straight-up the "cheapest" available. These shafts have no specific bend profiles, so if you’re a player who’s sensitive to shaft loading (like most mid-to-low handicappers), you’ll likely want to swap them out immediately.
Zero Customer Service: Unlike TaylorMade, which offers "impeccable" support and replacements for failures, this CNFans set comes with no customer service whatsoever. If a club breaks, or your order gets lost in transit from China, you’re out of luck—no refunds, no replacements, nothing.
No Customization: Forget about getting fitted for these. There are no options for specific lie angles, shaft flexes, or premium grips. If you need any kind of customization to play your best, these clubs just won’t cut it.
The "Sample Set of One" Warning: I need to stress this—my experience is based on a single set. There’s almost certainly no quality control (QC) in place, so there’s zero guarantee that every 1:1 set from CNFans will perform this well. You could get a set that’s just as good as mine, or one that’s a dud—there’s no way to know until it shows up at your door.

Final Verdict

Let me be clear: The performance of these 1:1 P790s is "massively surprising." For a fraction of the cost of the authentic version, you’re getting premium-level distance, feel, and forgiveness—something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. But here’s the bottom line: Buying them is a high-stakes gamble.

The heads are functional clones that hold their own against the real thing, but the lack of durability guarantees, cheap stock components, and non-existent after-sales support mean that for many golfers—especially those who rely on consistent equipment and customer service—the risk may still outweigh the £1,000 savings. If you’re a casual golfer who just wants a solid set to hit at the range or play a few rounds a year, these could be a game-changer. But if you’re a serious player who needs reliability and customization, stick with the authentic TaylorMade P790s. You’ll pay more, but you’ll sleep better at night knowing what you’re getting.