An Inside Look At The PXG Gen 8 Irons

PXG makes outstanding irons, to the point where I'm willing to say that even with all of the buzz they generate with their various models, PXG irons are still underrated. They're fast, forgiving, look cool, and most importantly, they feel and perform exactly as advertised, and with the new Gen 8 Series, they're still getting better - with the numbers to prove it.

What's New With PXG Gen 8 Irons?

Before we dive into what's new, we need to mention all of the great tech that is carrying forward from the previous Gen 7's, which PXG admits hit the limit for COR according to the rules set by the USGA.

These technologies include:

- QuantumCOR Polymer for faster face rebounce - Internal Tungsten weighting - Ultra-thin maraging steel face - Power Channel face technology for more face flex - 5X Forged 8620 body

It's these technologies that made the Gen 7's so good, and explains exactly why the new Gen 8's have been engineered in a very different manor.

Enter Dual Perimeter Weighting

The new dual weight setup is the biggest change to PXG irons since they were initially introduced and offer a number of advantages over a single back weight design (which just for the record, the Gen7's are still fantastic irons).

The dual weights allow for the repositioning of 11 grams (in a stock setting) from the middle rear to each side of the head to increase forgivness across all models, with the new 0311 T seeing a double digit percentage jump in MOI.

The removal of the center weight housing also creates space for .200" more polymer thickness behind the middle of the impact area to generate more face compliance (a fancy enginnering term for flex). PXG is calling this Deep Core Recoil Technology, and testing has proven that it helps to produce more ball speed and ball speed retention around the face plus additional launch with a slight reduction in spin.

What does this actually mean for performance?

In the case of the new 0311 P Gen 8 compared to the Gen 7, the overall dispersion in square yards shrunk by over 30 percent - yep you read that correctly 30-freakin-percent, and that improvement carries through all of the new Gen 8 models.

One More Dual Weight Benefit

One more advantage to the dual weight setup is bonus fitting capabilities built into Gen8 that allows PXG fitters (remember that PXG is the only equipment company with their own fully dedicated store fronts around the country) to dial in heel and toe weight based on a players feel and ball flight tendencies.

Now we're not talking 15-20 yards in either direction, but blind player testing showed that face to path numbers could be altered by more than a degree, and when you add that to the adjustments what can be made traditionally with lie angle, that just equals more precise fittings - period.

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Three Models - With A Returning Favorite

The 0311 Gen 8 irons offer 3 models to choose from, plus a bonus.

0311 P

The "P" is PXG's core model offering and provides a mid-sized club head with moderate dimensions to both better players looking for a blend of distance and forgiveness.

0311 XP

With the largest head size in the new Gen 8 line, the XP offers maximum offset and bigger dimensions, including topline and sole width to inspire confidence. Its shallower profile is perfect for mid-to-higher handicap golfers who want to maximize forgiveness without sacrificing feel.

0311 T

It's back!

Although it went away in Gen 7 in favor of the 0317 T model, the new 0311 T gets back to the "T" roots by offering a compact (but not super small) profiled head, with minimal offset, a thicker face for added spin and control in an iron that doesn't pass on technology.

0311 X

Last but not least is the 0311 X - PXG's driving iron, which has all off the same technologies as the Gen 8 irons, but in a slightly larger driving iron package. It features a longer, shallower blade length, but with reduced offset that fits in line with the 0311 T.

The 0311 X certainly falls into the specialty club category and comes stock in one loft of 18°, but can be easily bent 1-2" strong if needed to fit a gap.

Price & Availability

The PXG Gen8 irons, including the 0311X driving iron, are available now at PXG.com and can be custom fit at PXG stores and accounts across the country. They are priced at $230 each in chrome and $250 in their Xtreme Dark finish.