The new PXG 0311 GEN2 iron could be the best iron out there at the moment. Guess it helps to have a billionaire golf enthusiast as its founder and an open cheque book.
No doubt by now many of you will be familiar with the luxury American golf brand PXG. Founded by former US Marine and billionaire golf enthusiast Bob Parsons with a ‘money no object’ development brief, the brand has made quite an impact Worldwide in a short period of time.
THE START
PXG launched the 0311 generation one irons in 2015, named after the call sign of the US Marine Corp that lay the foundation to Bob’s life structure and work ethic, a theme that runs throughout the PXG brand. The irons were a breath of fresh air, as many manufactures were looking to save costs with golfers feeling the economic pinch, PXG priced them selves at the high end of the market using the best materials money can buy.
PXG growth
PXG is now serves 41 countries, has 172 employees and a growing number of staff players, know as Troops, on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour, which includes Major champions Zach Johnson and Charl Schwartzel.
The 0311 irons made an impact on the market to the point others have tried to emulate to a lesser degree, but if you are an industry front-runner the way to keep ahead is to keep running.
Big spender
Bob Parsons was known to spend around $250,000 a year on golf clubs before he founded PXG, then that bill got a little larger!. His passion for the game is still split between tinkering with the tech and getting out on course. So it came as no surprise to find out PXG were about to launch their 0311 Generation 2 iron range.
In the April issue of Worldwide Golf you can read the full GEN2 iron test and an in depth interview with Bob Parsons and the engineers behind the development.
For now we will give you a taster of the range and what you can expect.
The PXG 0311 GEN2 Range
T – Tour model
P – Players model
XF – Xtreme Forgiveness model
SGI – Super Game Improvement model
Price: $400 for the Chrome and $500 for the dark.
On sale: April 19th
What happens if you have just bought a set of GEN 1 irons? Well leading up to the formal reveal of PXG 0311 GEN2 Irons, direct customers were made aware of the upcoming launch during the fitting process and given the opportunity to upgrade their equipment when the new clubs become available.
So how do the GEN1 irons differ to GEN2?
Longer distance; faster ball speed, high launch, less spin, higher peak height; steeper landing angle, tighter dispersion and better turf interaction. That’s pretty much all areas improved.
Better materials – The core material inside the GEN2 club called COR2 is upgraded version of the existing polymer but delivers 20% more speed, which equates to an increase of 1-2 mph in ball speed. The other benefit is enhanced feel and sound due to more of the COR2 polymer filling the head compared to the GEN1 iron.
Steel – The GEN2 irons are now made from high strength forged 8620 steel, which is twice as strong as S25C steel used in the GEN1. This still gives that soft forged feel but will reduce the number of dents the softer GEN1 models were prone to. Having said that the 8620 steel isn’t ding proof, so treat them with care all the same
Larger sweet spot and thinnest face in golf – A clever new welding process has enabled the engineers to utilise more of the face and as a result the GEN2 irons has 15% larger functional internal face area and when combined with the new core material you are getting higher ball speeds across the face. Even shots closer to the heel delivered strong numbers. I found the ball speed drop off was only 6 yards compared to a clean strike with a seven iron.
This also tightened the dispersion and I thought the GEN1 was one of the tightest on the market.
MOI increase of 3% across model range!
The engineers have angled back the thickness of the clubs from heel-to-toe to allow more mass to be positioned to the toe end of the clubs. The angle is progressive from the T to the SGI models to enhance the MOI and forgiveness. You don’t notice this by glancing at the top line, as the rail thickness remains constant and parallel to the face.
Distance and forgiveness
I’m not one for irons being about distance. I leave that accolade for the drivers and fairway woods. Distance in irons for me is about gapping and distance control. Not from the centre but from all over the face, as that’s where we tend to strike it. The face measures just 1.5mm with plenty of high tech polymer behind it and Tungsten perimeter weighting boosts the MOI. What I found from 10 strikes with a seven iron was astonishing. I was carrying the ball on average 191 yards with my best at 193 and my worst 187. I’m no Tour player but for me that’s pretty impressive. Ok, it’s pretty long as well! But to be around 190 yards regardless of the strike can only mean more pars or even birdies.
THE MODELS
0311 TOUR GEN2
Designed for the Tour to better player, the outstanding forgiveness and performance makes this an option for mid level handicappers as well. In fact this is the model I was fitted for. Yep, a weekend warrior golfer playing Tour blades – I’ve never been able to hit a blade never mind being recommend them in a fitting!
Compared to the GEN1 0311 T irons:
Less offset; straighter leading edge appearance; slightly less sole camber; angle back surface; slightly deeper CG location and more rounded head profile (8-Pw)
Lofts: 7 iron 32 degrees – wedge 46 degrees
0311 PLAYERS GEN2
This is an ideal balance of playability and forgiveness that would appeal to a wide range of golfers and handicaps. For golfers looking to play a mixed bag this would be an ideal starting point.
Compared to the GEN1 0311 irons:
Thinner top rail appearance; slightly less offset; straighter leading edge appearance; slightly less sole camber; Angled back surface; slightly deeper CG location and 3% higher MOI
Lofts: 7 iron 31 degrees – wedge 45 degrees
0311 Xtreme Forgiveness GEN2
This is marketed as a game improvement iron. Yes, it is extremely forgiving but it also feels like the TOUR and PLAYERS model while keeping the look of a blade. I was taken back by just how easy it was to work the ball, even with a fairly large off set.
Compared to the GEN1 0311 XF irons:
Thinner top rail appearance; slightly more offset; slightly less ole camber; angle back surface; slightly deeper CG location and 3% higher MOI
Lofts: 7 iron 30 degrees – wedge 44 degrees
0311 SUPER GAME IMPROVEMENT GEN2
Quite simply the club that gives immense confidence, with a thick top line and wide sole this club takes forgiveness to a whole new level. They still resemble a blade and the rest of the GEN2 models but perform closer to a hybrid. You just need to get the club to the ball and these things fly. Even the miss hits are long. I was so blown away by this club I ordered the four iron to replace my 21 degree hybrid as it was longer, tighter on the dispersion and gave that forged feel you just don’t get with a hybrid or fairway metal.
Lofts: 7 iron 29 degrees – wedge 43 degrees
Conclusion
The price point will put a few people off but well worth the investment if you can. I’m going with 4 to PW and will be keeping them for a while. I play a bit and change my wedges twice a year so this is where it can get quite pricey. If your pockets are deep enough go all the way to the lob wedge. If Bob is getting the engineers to start design work on the GEN3, good luck as they will have their work cut out.
By Alex Gallemore, Worldwide Golf Editor and golf nut!
