It's been a busy few months for PXG. Notwithstanding the announcement that Marco Penge is now a part of the team, it has also launched its new Lightning family of metalwoods and now three new irons as part of the new 0311 Gen8 range.
The PXG 0311 P Gen8 irons represent the latest evolution in the brand's flagship player’s distance category. Positioned between the compact 0311 T model and the game improvement XP iron, the 0311 P aims to provide a mid-size profile with balanced forgiveness for a wide range of golfers. While PXG continues to push the envelope of engineering, do these irons offer a significant leap forward, or are they a refinement of a familiar formula?
The headline technology in the Gen8 series is the new dual perimeter weighting system. Unlike previous generations that used multiple small screws, this system uses larger interchangeable weights to allow fitters to precisely tune the center of gravity (CG) and swing weight. By shifting mass toward the toe or heel, PXG claims golfers can subtly influence face position at impact to help tighten dispersion.
Internally, the irons are packed with high-tech materials. They feature QuantumCor, a proprietary polymer designed to work alongside Deep Core Recoil Technology to maximise face flexion and ball speed. The heads are five-times forged from 8620 soft carbon steel, housing ultra-thin maraging steel faces with a refined Power Channel geometry to ensure consistent energy transfer across the hitting surface.
At address, the PXG 0311 P Gen8 P is a handsome club, one of the best looking among the leading compact distance irons. It offers a neat, confidence-inspiring look that will appeal to the mid-handicap player. The top line is thin enough to look professional but substantial enough to inspire mid to high handicappers with plenty of confidence, and the transition from the hosel to the face is clean.
The 'in the bag position' is a little less subtle, in my opinion. The large split weights at either side of the club, combined with the large PXG badge is a little on the loud side. Then again, these are the sort of design cues we have become accustomed to with PXG clubs.
I was fitted for the Gen8 irons at PXG's headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, and saw firsthand just how significant moving the weights affected ball flight. For those predominant slicers or hookers out there, this technology, plus any changes to lie angle during a fitting, will enable fitters to manipulate ball flight more than ever before with a PXG club.
Perhaps more pertinent for those golfers going this P or the 0311 XP rather than the T, there's no denying that the split weight system will provide a measurable difference to ball flight and allow fitters and golfers to experiment even more with set-up to help produce a desired ball flight.
However, the sensory experience is where the P becomes a bit polarising. Despite the claims of a soft feel, the actual impact experience leans toward the firm side. While the face feels remarkably hot and springy, particularly on strikes caught low on the blade, the acoustics are noticeably clicky. I think this is largely attributed to the plastic medallion on the back, which results in a somewhat harsh vibration that may not satisfy those used to a traditional forged thud. This is a subjective feel thing for me, and I'm sure plenty will enjoy the feeling, but there is no doubt these are on the firmer side in this category.
On the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the Gen8 P delivered solid, if not spectacular, numbers. For the golfer seeking a distance boost without moving into a massive game-improvement head, these provide a reliable yardage floor. The more I tested this iron, the more I found my poorer strikes falling far closer to my better hits. If you miss a lot of greens short, this is the sort of iron I'd push you towards. Often, it's how an iron performs on your poor strikes, rather than your best, that you should be looking out for.
The dual perimeter weighting System is effective, providing a level of adjustability that is rare in the iron category. During testing, the ability to tweak the CG did help in neutralising a consistent miss, leading to more repeatable ball flights without having to drastically alter the way you deliver the club.
The PXG 0311 Gen8 P irons are a robust addition to the market. They successfully blend high-end adjustability with a footprint that looks the part behind the ball. While the 'clicky' acoustics might be a deterrent for feel-purists (I'll concede this element of iron testing is subjective) the performance benefits of the hot face and perimeter weighting are tangible for golfers shopping in this iron category.
