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2024 PXG Black Ops drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids – GolfWRX Launch Report

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What you need to know: AMF technology is a new proprietary titanium alloy that is more flexible and stronger to increase face deflection across the Black Ops line. This Advanced Material Face creates a higher launch and lower spin to help fitters optimize launch conditions. Engineers also worked on a new composite construction to push more mass to the perimeter of the club, upping the MOI to a combined 10,000g-cm2 for the Black Ops driver. Black Ops Tour 1 is a more compact, super low spin driver unapologetically built for the high-speed and lower handicap player.

2024 PXG Black Ops drivers: What’s new, key technology

  • AMF technology: Advanced Material Face technology offers more flexibility in the titanium so the face can flex more at impact improving ball speed all over the face. This titanium alloy also offers higher tensile and yield strength at the same density as more traditional 6-4 titanium, ensuring that the face is durable for even the highest-speed players.
  • Composite construction: Crown and sole plates are made from a high-grade composite pre-preg 24T modulus material, compression molded into shape. These new composite parts are thinner, 0.030 inches thick, but stiffer and stronger in order for the head to perform at an extremely high level without sacrificing durability. Weight is removed from the center of the driver and then moved to the perimeter of the head to create a combined MOI of 10,000g-cm2 for the ultimate in forgiveness.
  • Precision weighting: Three movable weights are placed at the extreme perimeter of the head for maximum stability and adjustability. Fitters can use the weight ports to adjust the overall head mass and use a combination of heavier and lighter weights to create a ball flight bias. These three weight positions can create a clubhead that is easier to square up at impact for added draw, a higher ball flight with increased MOI, or an anti-hook fade-biased configuration for the player who needs it.

 

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Additional model details

PXG Black Ops driver

While both drivers are built around pushing the limits of new materials and technology, the Black Ops version is made to be long and ultra-forgiving. The team at PXG set out to really make the Black Ops driver fit a wide range of golfers through its performance and adjustability. A new face was needed to increase the ball speed on off-center shots and PXG worked to develop a new alloy that offered more flexibility, higher strength, and at the same weight as traditional titanium.

While the shape and look are very much traditional PXG, new stronger composite panels are used on the crown and sole to stiffen the head for better performance and let engineers use the saved weight elsewhere in the head. And speaking of moving weight, the Black Ops has three movable weights around the perimeter to increase MOI and dial in the flight bias of the driver to the player. PXG’s adjustable hosel will continue to let you fine-tune the head with more or less loft as well as change the lie angle. The Black Ops driver is built for any handicap who is looking to hit it farther and straighter.

New composite panel on the sole with movable perimeter weights.

AMF technology titanium in the face is more flexible and stronger at the same weight.

PXG Black Ops Tour-1 driver

With the game of golf seeing more athletic players and faster swings, PXG set out to build a driver for the higher swing speed and better player. The Tour-1 was seen testing on tour at the end of last year with players like Eric Cole.

Tour-1 is the lowest-spinning driver in the PXG lineup and could be one of the lowest-spinning driver heads currently available from PXG’s testing. Being something built for skilled players doesn’t mean it doesn’t have forgiveness as well. Similar construction to the Black Ops with new composite panels and movable weights give the Tour-1 higher MOI. The movable weights aren’t pushed to the very perimeter; the two front weights are more towards the center and forward to get the center of gravity optimized.

PXG also did a lot of research on the sound and feel of the Black Ops drivers with Natural Frequency Optimization to ensure the drivers sounded as good as they performed.

The Tour-1 has a more compact shape to appeal to better players.

Composite sole panel is stiffer and stronger while saving weight.

PXG Black Ops fairway woods

Much like the Black Ops drivers, PXG went all in on the fairway woods to ensure that players get both distance and forgiveness on the course. A new face material is being used here as well, but high-strength stainless steel instead of titanium. High-strength stainless steel is 12.5 percent thinner to create more ball speed on center strikes as well as out off the toe and heel, so golfers can get to those par 5s in two even without the perfect swing.

Combining the new steel with PXG’s squared face design yields higher launch and lower spin as well. Stronger composite material is also used in the crown so it can add strength where it is needed while still saving weight so the engineers can use it low and around the perimeter of the head. The sole also contains three weights for dialing in the overall weight of the club or using heavier and lighter weights in combination to influence ball flight. PXG’s adjustable hosel is part of every fairway model from 3-wood down to 7-wood, so golfers can dial in the launch and gapping perfectly.

PXG Black Ops hybrids

PXG’s hybrids have been cherished by golfers since the 0317 Gen1 model. So PXG wanted to make sure they stuck to that DNA, but updated it with more technology for even better performance. Internally there is heel and toe weighting that works in conjunction with the moveable sole weights to add stability to the hybrid and resist twisting on off-center shots.

The crown of the hybrid is where you can see that new composite panel that takes weight from the top of the club and lets engineers use it lower and deeper. Even though the composite is lighter, it is made from high-grade carbon fiber so durability and stiffness are not a problem.

PXG offers a plethora of loft options to replace the irons golfers struggle with or to fill in gaps at the top of the bag. Along with heads that range from 17 to 31 degrees, you have an adjustable hosel on every one to further dial in your yardages and ball flight.

Check out our Resident Club Junkie, Brian Knudson, talking with PXG’s Brad Schweigert below. 

Club Junkie’s take

It seems that every new version of PXG woods are better than the previous with added technology and design. This new Black Ops series is the best line of PXG woods that I have personally hit. A new AMF technology titanium driver face adds ball speed while updated composite panels move weight to the perimeter for a MOI of 10k.

PXG Black Ops driver: Getting fit for the Black Ops driver was an interesting and somewhat eye-opening endeavor. I have always liked the shape of PXG drivers and the Black Ops looks more clean and sleek with the darker composite crown. And the biggest thing I noticed both on the range and on the course was just how straight the ball flew. With the higher launch of the Black Ops driver, I was fit into a 9-degree head instead of my usual 10.5, but the launch was high and boring. Drives were very straight and the missed just didn’t have much, to any, curve on them. Instead of seeing a big draw, shots just started off a little left of target and stayed there. First time out on the course (desert golf) I never put a ball into the desert and that isn’t the norm for me. Distance was solid and the ball speed and spin numbers were very consistent from center strikes to mishits.

PXG Black Ops fairway wood: This might have been the biggest surprise of the new line to me. I am a person who struggles to find a 3-wood that I can get enough launch off the deck and hit it off the tee without too much launch and spin. This new Black Ops 3-wood works really well for both shots I need it for. Like the driver, a new proprietary face material is used, but this one is high-strength stainless steel. Off the deck, the Black Ops hoists the ball into the air easily and provides a boring ball flight that seems to hang in the air a little longer than expected. Teeing it up gave me a slightly higher flight but still boring and would penetrate into the wind with no issues. The three movable weights, in combination with the adjustable hosel, allow you to dial in the flight bias to the player. I found that two heavier weights on the back and toe side of the driver gave me a very straight and high ball that was easily repeatable.

PXG Black Ops hybrid: I opted for a Black Ops hybrid instead of a 4-iron, since I don’t hit a very high ball with long irons and can always use a little extra distance. Immediately I noticed that the Black Ops hybrid is just easy to hit high and long. I also love the fact that you can set the hosel to a flatter setting and use the movable weights to prevent it from going left. The sound and feel are classic with a muted, but higher-pitched, metallic sound and a feeling of the ball compressing off the face. Turf interaction is also very good as the hybrid just glides across fairway and tight lies with speed, making it easier to hit solid shots.

2024 PXG Black Ops: Pricing, specs, availability

Drivers

Lofts

  • Black Ops: 8, 9, 10.5, 12 degrees (9, 10.5, 12 LH)
  • Black Ops Tour-1: 8, 9, 10.5 degrees (9 LH)

Lie/length

  • Black Ops: 60-57 degrees/45.5 inches
  • Black Ops Tour-1: 58.5-55.5 degree/45.5 inches

Pricing: $599, Tour-1 $649

At retail: 1/11

Fairway woods

Lofts

  • Black Ops: 3 (15 degrees), 4 (17), 5 (18), 7 (21)

Lie / Length

  • Black Ops: 3 (58.5 degrees/43 inches) , 4 (58.5/43), 5 (59/42.5), 7 (59.5/42)

Pricing: $349

At retail: 1/11

Hybrids

Lofts

  • Black Ops: 2 (17 degrees), 3 (19), 4 (22), 5 (25), 6 (28), 7 (31)

Lie/length

  • Black Ops: 2 (58 degrees/40.75 inches), 3 (58.5/40.25), 4 (59/39.75), 5 (59.5/39.25), 6 (60/38.75), 7 (60.6/38.25)

Pricing: $299

At retail: 1/11

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I have been an employee at GolfWRX since 2016. In that time I have been helping create content on GolfWRX Radio, GolfWRX YouTube, as well as writing for the front page. Self-proclaimed gear junkie who loves all sorts of golf equipment as well as building golf clubs!

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Whats in the Bag

Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2024 Open Championship

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Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)

3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX

Irons: Mizuno MP-20 HMB (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)

Wedges: Callaway Opus (52-10S) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57, 60-04T) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0

Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour

Check out more in-hand photos of Xander Schauffele’s clubs in the forums.

The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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The first wedge has made its way to the Three Swing Challenge! This week we have the WedgeWorks A+ grind that was recently released by Vokey. BK is looking for a new 60-degree wedge, and this could be a contender.

Why three swings?

Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:

“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”

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  • Daniel Brown WITB accurate as of The Open Championship. 

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
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(Image courtesy of SMS on Tour)

Irons: Ping i230 (3), Ping Blueprint S (4-9)

Wedges: Ping s159 (50-12S, 54-12S, 58-06T)

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Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Info an images via SMS on Tour.

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