50 Words or Less
The PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons offer the performance attributes and aesthetics that low to mid handicap golfers desire. Soft feel and rewarding sound. Technology implementation at its finest.
Introduction
I had the privilege of learning about the new PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons in Scottsdale Arizona – the nerve center of PXG. First I was fit at Scottsdale National Golf Club – Bob Parsons’s personal gem. It didn’t take many swings to realize these irons were amazing. The next day, at the PXG R&D Center, I joined in a behind the curtain, in depth look at the design and testing that went into this latest iron generation.
As an engineer, I was impressed with the depth of the PXG team’s knowledge and their ability to push the boundaries of technology and applications of materials science. As a golfer, I was captivated by the results. With QuantumCOR, 5-axis milling, and a myriad of other tech terms bouncing around in my head, I was eager to begin actual in-hand testing. Fortunately for me, my custom built new irons were ready for me that same day – the experience couldn’t have been any better.
Looks
Taking a look back at the 0311 irons since their debut in 2016, I’m more than comfortable stating that the GEN7 is the best looking model to date. Gone are the perimeter screws of the early versions, and gone is the distinctive black bottom rail of the GEN6 [full review HERE]. Comparatively, the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons offer distinction with their simplicity.
The PXG badge is still relatively large, but the rest of the backside of the 0311 P GEN7 has a refined elegance. I love the fine milled lines, and that the titanium weight screw looks poised for a space mission.
At address, the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons display the characteristics of what’s now commonly referred to as players distance irons – slim topline, slight offset, and midsize head. Looking down, I like how the matte finish of the hitting area frames the golf ball, and I always appreciate a white bottom groove to aid with alignment.
Sound & Feel
The PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons had the softest feel of any iron I’ve hit this year. PXG states that the GEN7 are the “softest feeling irons we have ever made.” Whether from the ultra-thin face, new proprietary polymer fill, or high MOI, the soft feel comes with gentle tactile feedback.
Interestingly, the impact sound was a bit louder than you’d expect – I’ll call it medium in volume. The crisp “snap” had a rewarding timbre. Whether center struck or a slight mishit, the sound was consistent.
Performance
My fitting began with answering a few simple questions related to current performance, tendencies, and preferences that were fed into an iPad. The PXG program produced recommendations on model, specs, and shaft that turned out to be amazingly prophetic. I now understand how PXG can offer free phone fittings. That said, my fitter Ty was able to evaluate and implement a few options that could only be done in a live fitting.
Even before Ty reviewed the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons performance data with me I had made mental notes about the trajectory (high), distance (long), and consistency (very). All three were validated by the data. I don’t have any personal experience with the GEN6, but based on the vast amount of supporting data PXG provided, I have no reason to doubt that GEN7 “delivers superior combination of distance and forgiveness; no trade-offs.”
Two tech features, working together, are responsible for the distance boost: a thinner face and the new QuantumCOR polymer fill. How thin? How about 0.05” – “the thinnest face in golf.” A face that thin requires the perfect support material behind it, so PXG teamed up with a leading polymer scientist to develop it. The resultant proprietary polymer and the ultra-thin face allowed PXG designers to push the coefficient of restitution (C.O.R.) right up to the USGA limit.
According to PXG data, the 0311 P GEN7 gained a MPH in ball speed over the GEN6 which resulted in a 3.5 yard increase in total distance. I found about 5 yards more distance in my mid-irons over my gamers. And while it would have been easy to attribute those gains to stronger lofts, the GEN7 actually launched higher. The 5 iron didn’t result in more total distance for me, but the landing angle on the 0311 P GEN7 was so much more playable – and enjoyable. I haven’t hit as many satisfying 5 irons in a long, long time.
To increase forgiveness in the 0311 P GEN7 irons, PXG focused on repositioning mass. The most obvious application is the titanium insert which allowed approximately 5 grams to be redistributed. Not so obvious is the additional mass in the top rail, which increased horizontal axis MOI. Simplified, MOI is the resistance to twisting, and on the horizontal axis increased MOI improves forgiveness on low and high misses on the face. For someone like me who struggles with thin shots, the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons made an observable difference.
To increase MOI in the vertical axis – think heel and toe misses – PXG positioned a 20 gram tungsten weight in the toe. As PIG readers know, forgiveness equates to dispersion, and according to PXG the GEN7 is over 30% better than the GEN6. For the target low to mid handicap golfer, a tighter dispersion area is certain to improve scoring – which I can attest to. I shot my lowest score of the year my first time out in a competitive round with the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons, and dropped my handicap by two over the following couple of weeks.
Conclusion
That previous sentence was probably a giveaway, but the PXG 0311 P GEN7 irons went straight into my bag. While as an aging golfer I appreciated the distance gains, it was the consistency that really made the conversion a simple choice. Fat, thin, or off the toe, the results were still solid. And I’m thoroughly enjoying the wonderful feel and appealing looks of the 0311 P GEN7 irons. Achieving all the amazing qualities doesn’t come easy, and fortunately PXG isn’t afraid of utilizing the best materials or investing in advanced fabrication technology. There’s a ton of technical merits behind the simple “5X FORGED/MILLED” engraved on the hosel. Bottom line is if you’re in the market for irons in the players distance category, the PXG 0311 P GEN7 are more than worthy of consideration.