Equipment
After nearly 3 years, PXG finally launches new 0311 (T, P, XF, SGI and X) Gen2 irons
Almost three years after launching its first-generation 0311 irons (July 2015), Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) has finally announced its new 0311 Gen2 irons. And as with its initial launch, the company is making BOLD claims about the new irons. Overall, according to PXG, the new irons are longer, faster, produce higher launch angles, less spin, higher peak heights, steeper landing angles, have improved accuracy — in terms of both distance and dispersion — and have better turf interaction. That leaves two important questions:
- How?
- What took so long?!
As part of the premise behind even starting the company, PXG founder and billionaire Bob Parsons doesn’t want quick product cycles; as he says, he doesn’t want cost constraints or time constraints, he simply wants to make the best products on the market. And he says he didn’t want to come out with new irons until they were better than the first generation irons. The problem is, just weeks before the launch of the Gen2 irons, Parsons called the first-generation irons the “best irons in golf, and they have been since they were launched.” So how do you improve on “the best?”
When the Gen1 0311 irons launched, Parsons says he immediately put his engineers — former Ping engineers — Mike Nicolette and Brad Schweigert to work on crafting irons that are better. Parsons says after two years, they “went down many rabbit holes” looking for improvements, and Nicolette says he crafted 13 different iterations of irons searching for something better. Even with the help of a PhD from Duke University “on retainer,” Schweigert says the process of finding something better took more than two years.
The turning point for Nicolette and Schweigert was discovering a new material… one that had a much higher rebound speed.
If you remember the original 0311 irons, PXG designed its irons differently than any iron that came before it, and using a different material. The iron bodies were forged from S25C soft carbon steel, and the face inserts were “as thin as a credit card” and forged HT1770 maraging steel; but it was the TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) injection mold between the face and the body that separated PXG from other irons on the market. This TPE material allowed PXG engineers to construct thinner faces — and thus faster — yet still enhancing overall feel without losing durability, according to PXG.
Again, three years later, the secret behind PXG’s Gen2 irons is the material that’s being used behind the faces (pictured above). Schweigert and Nicolette discovered a new polymer — they’re keeping the recipe close to the chest, obviously — that’s being injected into the irons; they call it “COR2” technology.
The name COR2 relates to C.O.R. (coefficient of restitution), which is a measure of energy transfer between two objects. In the case of golf clubs, you want the highest C.O.R. possible, although the USGA limits it to 0.83 (the lowest being 0 and the highest being 1). PXG claims COR2, versus the core material of the Gen1 irons, is 20 percent faster (according to a “drop test”), leading to 1-2 mph faster ball speed across the face. Additionally, due to the physics of the COR2 technology, according to PXG, the Gen2 irons also produce a 40 percent tighter dispersion. As Schweigert explains in our interview with him and Nicolette, this means the ellipse of average shots hit all over the face is 40 percent tighter than that of the Gen1 irons, thus, a 40 percent tighter dispersion (this is explained around the 6-minute mark in the interview above).
Core materials aren’t the only things that have changed since generation one, however.
For higher ball speeds across the face, and an increased “functional face area,” PXG engineers extended out the face area supported by the COR2 material with an internal perimeter cutout. That means there’s more space behind the face to fill with COR2 polymer, resulting in a 15 percent larger hitting area.
Also, PXG is using new 8620 steel bodies in its 0311 Gen2 irons versus the S25C steel that it used in the original 0311 irons. In its press materials, PXG says “the yield strength of 8620 is more than twice as strong as S25C.” The result, according to PXG, is greater durability, while still maintaining “the club head’s soft forged feel.” The face insert material and thickness, on the other hand, has remained the same; the faces are still made from HT1770 maraging steel and measure about 1.5 mm.
For higher MOI (moment of inertia, a measure of forgiveness), PXG has angled the back surface of the clubs, tapering them from heel-to-toe. That means there is greater mass on the toe portion of the club. The topline, however, is also angled so that it appears to be parallel to the face. Ultimately, the result is a topline that looks a bit thinner, and a 3 percent increase of MOI overall, according to PXG. The camber on the soles of the clubs have also been reduced so that players can take slightly more turf at impact compared to the Gen1 irons, allowing them to hit it higher on the face, according to PXG. Nicolette and Schweigert explain how this works in our interview (around 5:40).
PXG also addressed a small concern from Gen1; dirt would get stuck in the numbers on the sole and the paint would wear. According to Parsons, the PXG team tried to find wear-proof paint, but ultimately, they simply moved the numbers out toward the toe so that it wouldn’t interact with the turf as much. Problem solved.
Looking at the overall line of 0311 Gen2 clubs, you’ll notice an increase in the number of offerings; there are now five. The Gen2 line includes 0311 T (Tour), 0311 P (Players), 0311 XF (Xtreme Forgiveness), 0311 SGI (Super game-improvement) and 0311 X (driving irons, 1-5 irons). According to Nicolette and Schweigert, the models have been designed with mixed sets in mind.
Starting on April 19, the Gen2 irons will sell for $400 per club in the standard finish, and $500 per club for the Xtreme Dark finish, which uses a black, diamond-like carbon coating, according to PXG. Among all of the flexes and steel/graphite options, there are 105 shaft offerings available in the standard irons, and 14 in the driving irons.
Read on for more information and specs on each of the iron offerings, and click here to see what GolfWRX Members are saying about the 0311 Gen2 irons.
PXG0311 T Gen2 irons
The T iron is “best suited for the player interested in maximum workability,” according to PXG, and for the player who prefers a more compact size. Compared to Gen1, the Gen2 T irons are reported to have less offset, a straighter leading edge appearance, less sole camber, trailing edge relief, a more rounded head profile and 2 percent higher MOI.
Tour players who have already made the switch include Billy Horschel (3, 5-PW), Charles Howell III (5-PW), Ryan Moore (5-PW), Charl Schwartzel (5-PW) and Ryann O’Toole (4-PW).
Specs
PXG 0311 P Gen2 irons
The P irons have moderate blade lengths and offset to satisfy the needs of a wide range of golfers, according to PXG, offering an “ideal balance of playability and forgiveness.” Compared to the Gen1 0311 irons, the o311 P Gen2 irons are reported to have a thinner topline appearance, less offset, a straighter leading edge, less sole camber, and 3 percent higher MOI.
The Tour pros who have these in the bag now include James Hahn (3 and 4 irons), Lydia Ko (5-PW), Anna Nordqvist (4 and 5), Katherine Kirk (5-PW), Christina Kim (4-PW), Brittany Lang (5-PW) and Alison Lee (5-PW).
Specs
PXG 0311 XF Gen2 irons
The PXG 0311 XF Gen2 iron, according to PXG, is a “game improvement club that offers extreme forgiveness and a superior feel, while maintaining the sleek look of a blade.” Compared to the T and P models, the XF irons have larger head sizes. Compared to the Gen1 XF irons, the Gen2 XF irons are reported to have a thinner topline appearance, more offset, less sole camber, and 3 percent higher MOI.
Specs
PXG 0311 SGI Gen2 irons
PXG’s first ever Super Game-Improvement (SGI) iron has a thick topline, a low profile and a wide sole to help golfers launch it higher and achieve maximum forgiveness. It also has a longer blade length than the other models and more offset to effectively help golfers turn the golf ball over.
Specs
PXG 0311 X Gen2 driving irons
PXG’s new 0311 X Gen2 driving irons are advertised as “low-spin” clubs that are designed “to deliver a more penetrating ball flight.” They’re available in irons 1-5, and have lofts ranging from 15-24 degrees. The lengths throughout the 0311 X Gen2 offerings are progressive — shorter in the higher lofts and longer in the lower lofts.
Specs
Related
- Parsons explains why Gen2 irons cost $400, but are “probably worth $1000”
- See what GolfWRX Members are saying about PXG’s new 0311 Gen2 irons
- Photos from the PXG Gen2 launch event and Scottsdale National Golf Club
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Scott Longmore
Sep 30, 2018 at 9:07 pm
I just bought the 0311T Gen2 irons and love them. Such a soft, solid feel on every shot. Better than my Mizuno MP 18’s.
dr. freud
Mar 29, 2018 at 7:18 pm
For most gearhead golfers 75% of the game is what you own, not how you play, and then bragging (lying) about how great your newest clubs are compared to your last set of status clubs. Delusion happens in the 6 inches between your ears.
Mike Delgadillo
Mar 23, 2018 at 5:34 pm
400 for pw-3 Iron, maybe. This guy is laundering money.
Dave
Mar 20, 2018 at 2:53 pm
Why same same swingweight through set until the wedges, MOI would make the swing feel even better
joro
Mar 17, 2018 at 9:29 am
Hey,,,, if you are made of Money why not. Or maybe not made of Money but want to look like a Golfer with a big ego to be the first on the block to have them, why not. They may satisfy an ego, or a curiosity, but will they make you better than you are ?, nope. But if you want em, go get em and enjoy them.
Mat
Mar 17, 2018 at 5:52 am
Those specs and faces look “borrowed” from someone in town.…
Tom
Mar 16, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Most guys here shouldn’t comment on the clubs unless they have tried them! I have tried them and there is nothing that compares to them, expensive yes but you get what you get what you pay for. By the way, most pros get paid to use equipment, so they must like them to use them! Taylormade dropped Garcia and is still winning with similar clubs from call away!
Ray
Mar 16, 2018 at 2:10 pm
I’m really surprised that Zach Johnson , being the Iowan blue collar type, would play these Champagne type of sticks! Maybe these clubs are the reason for his fall from the clouds.
“All that glitters is not gold”
Robert
Mar 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Wow, that’s a lot of hate for really a great set of irons. I’ve got a set of the P790 and a set of the 0311t. The feel is better hands down in the 0311t. Also less offset and way less chunky in the mid short irons. I prefer the 0311t over the other player irons I’ve hit that include Titleist, Mizuno and Taylormade. They are very forgiving for a blade and long. I didn’t like the standard 0311 as to me it was just too big. If you’ve got the cash and want to play a great set of irons, I’d at least consider trying them. Also, I’d ignore the BS hate on the irons as they are solid sticks. If you don’t like Bob that’s fine, but the irons are top notch. Worth the extra cash? To me yes.
Jack Nash
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Danica + Bikini + holding PXG Iron = Rocket To The Moon Sales. The old Go Daddy girl.
Glfhsslr
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:34 pm
These are just status clubs….. that’s it. I’ve got money and these are the most expensive it can buy.
Cigarmikl
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Why aren’t all the pros playing such great clubs? Don’t tell me ot’s Because of sponsorship Pros want to win tournaments.
JD
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:17 pm
“Buy my clubs for 3-4x of taylormade or titleist, they do the same thing, but mine sat pxg.” Bob Parsons … probably
Bob Parson Jr.
Mar 16, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Overpriced Junk! The same thing as Cameron and his overpriced copies.
Francesco Zallio
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:14 pm
because they want a lot of money !????????????????
ogo
Mar 15, 2018 at 3:17 pm
skrewskrewskrewskrewskrewsskrews…. and jello-filled …. 😮
Craig Sapp
Mar 15, 2018 at 2:04 pm
So they went to 8620 steel just like the other companies but want to charge almost three times as much. The 790’s have proved you can make the same clubs for less.
Dalenchmob
Mar 15, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Exactly. Made of junk. And the originals were so well thought out and so well designed, the paint chipped off the numbers. So what did they do this time? Move the number to the toe, because the originals were so well designed. Nobody designs junk like Parsons and flog it for thousands to thousands of suckers
Bob Parson Jr.
Mar 16, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Reminds me of another Cast Junk King, ah yes, Scotty Cameron.
Ryan Michael
Mar 15, 2018 at 12:32 pm
$5k for irons that have a cheap 5 cent baby ferrule. Love the quality of their clubs just not a fan of that look.
Hmmmm
Mar 16, 2018 at 10:46 am
I may be wrong but I believe those are fitting heads and the ferrules on the standard clubs are full sized.
Izzy
Mar 15, 2018 at 11:42 am
I look at my WITB set of irons and I feel… impotent, after reading about the PXGs.
Even though I can’t afford a full set I will get a partial set… 5/7/9/PW, and play with those and then add more clubs next year until I fill my bag. I wanna be a PXG playah for the pride and added mojo that I need.
Joe
Mar 15, 2018 at 11:12 am
right after I hate on these I am going to go blast people who hate on Tiger.
dat
Mar 15, 2018 at 9:41 am
I’ll take zero sets, please.
B
Mar 15, 2018 at 9:16 am
That would be TPU, not TPE, because it’s Urethane, innit? doh
And paint would wear from the numbers? I guess you get what you pay for! I feel sorry for the people who paid for these cheaply made, poorly designed clubs
Jerry
Mar 15, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Just the other day, a guy was at my instructor’s range, and saw me hitting the 0311XF and asked about them. I handed him a 7i. He’d been hitting the Ping G700 irons. He hit the PXG and said, I like the look and feel of these over the 700’s. I took the G700, looked down at it, and it did not look good at address, did not feel as good, but nice ballflight.
We both preferred the PXG 0311XF.
Still, I’d try the Callaway Rogue Irons for distance and forgiveness.
BParsons
Mar 15, 2018 at 9:12 am
These comments will definitely not be filled with angst and vitriol, I promise.
kevin
Mar 15, 2018 at 8:59 am
i’d actually be embarrassed with these in my bag. going out shooting 80 with sticks that cost 4 to 5 times what a brand new set of irons from equally good company…no thanks. not just because the cost, because of the image it gives off.
Tigergor
Mar 15, 2018 at 7:41 am
Sweet Jesus! What a lot of rubbish. PXG make Taylormade look restrained in terms of marketing guff.
Bob Parson Jr.
Mar 16, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Post of the Day!
Jerry
Mar 15, 2018 at 4:55 am
They look slightly better in the back, but in the XF 3% more MOI, and more offset, is not attractive to me or enough of a change. Going to 8620 steel sounds like a way to save money. I see the price going to $500 per iron in satin and a better shaft. It’s a nice club, but if doing it again, I’d look at the Callaway Rogue.