PXG is probably the most intriguing company in the golf and despite the expensive price points, PXG is gaining revenue share in the industry. Not to mention, other companies continue to increase their prices into similar ranges as PXG (PXG drivers $595, Callaway and TaylorMade both released drivers over $525 and launched irons over $200 per club). The latest release of PXG irons includes the 0311 T Gen 3. Let’s examine what all goes into a $425 iron.
Technology
PXG’s patented Impact Reactor Technology creates additional support for face deflection at impact creating faster balls speeds and distance while still offering a soft feeling at impact.
All PXG Gen3 irons are forged from 8620 carbon steel creating a longer life of the club head and maintaining a better appearance after repeated usage. Basically, the club wears better.
The 0311 T utilizes a CNC Milled Back Surface with an amazing attention to small detail body design. PXG offers the thinnest face in the golf industry, only .058” thick, made from HT1770 maraging steel. Robotic Laser Welding provides a strong bond in the attachment of the face and enlarges the hitting area for additional forgiveness on off-center shots.
PXG’s nine proprietary lightweight titanium weights support ideal launch and enhanced MOI. PXG’s Robotic Polishing eliminates all unwanted inconsistencies in the sole and face.
Appearance
PXG 0311 T Gen 3 irons are stunning. The irons minimal off-set, thin top line and smaller sole are visually appealing for someone who prefers the smaller profile appearance. The Satin Nickel and Chrome Plating offer low glare at address.
The back surface of the club head is fascinating and resembles a muscle back iron with stable lower center of gravity and additional support in the middle. PXG strategically places two weights on the heel, three behind the center of the face, two on the toe and two additional weights high on the toe. The entire milled trail side looks awesome and PXG logo stamped in the middle.
Performance
I tested the PXG 0311 T Gen 3 with KBS C-Taper Lite stiff shaft, standard length, +2 upright lie angle and Golf Pride CP2 Pro Midsize Grip.
My current set is Mizuno Mp-18 combo set (3-7 iron split cavity (SC) and 8-PW MP-20 blade with C-Taper Lite stiff flex. All testing uses TaylorMade TP5 golf ball and Foresight GC2-HMT to reduce additional variables.
PXG 0311 T launches a little higher at 20.7* with an average ball speed of 113.8 mph. 0311 T offers plenty of potential with the fastest ball speed at 117 mph, which hits the range of many of the hollow body distance irons.
Maintaining a 32* loft, the irons achieve faster ball speeds without strengthening the lofts. I picked up around 10 yards of carry distance from my current 7-iron.
The entire set has a great feel and plays about a club longer than my current set without making the lofts stronger. Ball flight is extremely consistent with my normal right to left draw. Side spin averaged 478 rpm, enough to generate the consistent ball flight I prefer.
The irons offer plenty of workability controlling distance and trajectory. 0311 T Gen 3 offers consistent gapping, especially on the harder to hit long irons. Even mis-hits with the 4-iron still traveled equal to a well struck 3-iron in my current set. Long irons in 0311 T are much easier to launch while still offering plenty of forgiveness.
Impact really set the 0311 T apart form other irons. Contact feels really smooth and soft on the face while creating a crisp and dull sound. You know when you hit the good shots and get away with the marginal swings.
Specifications
PXG 0311 T irons are available in 20* 3-iron through 46* Pitching Wedge and 51* Gap Wedge. The 7-iron offers a more traditional 32* loft, 37.0” long and 62.5* lie angle. The stock PXG steel shaft is True Temper Elevate Tour 95 shaft available in Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff flex.
Mitsubishi Chemical MMT80 shaft is the stock graphite offering available in Ladies, Lite (A), Regular and Stiff Flex. PXG offers the black Lamkin PXG Z5 as the standard grip with PXG irons.
PXG offers many additional shaft and grip options so reach out and schedule a fitting experience with highly trained PXG master fitters that will travel to your location and offer a tour level fitting experience. PXG stands behind their product with a 30-day performance guarantee.
Better Value Alternative
Wait, you don’t want to spend more than $1,500 on a set of clubs, which may still be slightly used? Of course you don’t. If you are like us who like to save money where we can, you’ll have to look for a better value alternative. A good option? Callaway X Forged irons. They are 5+ years old, so the price has dropped substantially since they were first released. When it comes to appearance, they are very compact, just like the PXG 0311 T irons. The overall feel/sound at impact should be pretty similar too, due to a similar forging process among Callaway and PXG.
Conclusion
This iron has it all, looks, playability, workability, feel and distance. 0311 T Gen 3 is easily one of the top irons released in 2020, and they also have more forgiving 0311 Players (P) and Xtreme Performance (XP) models available.
PXG continues to push fast ball speeds and outstanding performance while still maintaining traditional lofts. The biggest obstacle for PXG 0311 T Gen 3 is the price at $425 per iron and $2975 for a set of 7 irons in steel.
