The Largest GEN to GEN distance gain in PXG history – PXG 0311 GEN7 Irons

Are these the best PXG irons yet? We take a look at the latest 0311 iron models and explain everything you need to know

As the 7^th generation of equipment is revealed by PXG, how will the latest 0311 GEN7 XP & P irons stand up against the best golf irons on the market and previous generations of the 0311 name? Over the years we have seen some of the very best clubs PXG have had to offer from the 0311 range. Modeled upon the US Marine Corps occupational code for ‘Rifleman’ they are seen as the foundation of the Marine Infantry Organization, quite a fitting name if you ask me.

Rather than just releasing clubs for the sake of it, PXG engineers have had to work harder than most to figure out ways to make new improvements in ways some other R&D teams haven’t. On the plus side, the philosophy has meant, at launch time, Bob Parsons has been able to explain new product gains over previous generations, and golfers from day one have known exactly what they’re buying into.

Approaching things in this way, PXG want to ensure golfers understand just how much better each new model is. So, for each new launch, through robot testing, they prove how the new generation stacks up against its older siblings, thus convincing consumers of their value. This means golfers can confidently buy PXG equipment knowing they’re investing in the brand’s latest and greatest game-improving tech, as back or side steps to hit yearly product cycles, just aren’t an option.

Beautiful, forged, hollow body irons are where PXG have made a name for themselves since entering the market in 2014. Whether it be what’s on the inside or additional weight tech on the outside, somehow PXG has squeezed more performance out of every generation since. Like the Black Ops drivers, PXG has focused on upping off-center hit forgiveness consistency with this next generation of irons. Last year PXG was never discreet in stating the fact that they have the thinnest face irons on the market. Now with GEN7, even if they had tried to, there’s no hiding that with the all-new QuantumCOR and the ultra-thin face design they’re pushing the USGA’s C.O.R. ratings to the absolute fullest.

What you need to know about the PXG 0311 Gen7 Irons

The result of 10 years of hard work

With each generation of PXG iron comes a new polymer material for inside the head. Since the introduction of XCOR2, PXG’s revolutionary polymer core material, the brand have been able to produce some of the fastest and most forgiving irons on the market. XCOR2 helps reduce the mass at the center which enables more weight to be positioned low and to the perimeters of the clubhead, dramatically increasing MOI.

Each generation of PXG has had a different COR material, with every design developed being the best construction that they could engineer up to that point. For GEN7 the new proprietary internal polymer is called QuantumCOR. This is the best performing COR material PXG have found which remains inside the USGA limits.

The new material was developed in conjunction with a Polymer material expert to produce the fastest C.O.R. (Coefficient of Restitution) possible. PXG have always liked to push the boundaries and the GEN7 irons have done that to the fullest with the absolute maximum C.O.R. allowed per USGA Limits. Thanks to this they’re able to deliver a superior combination of distance and forgiveness with no stone left unturned.

All this has led to the largest GEN-to-GEN Distance Gains in the brand’s history. With the 0311 P (with a 30° 7-iron loft) PXG says it boasts 3.1% more MOI than the previous model and a distance gain of almost 4 yards. The slightly stronger lofted 0311 XP (27° 7-iron loft) targets being one of the best mid-handicap irons available. PXG says it offers an additional 2.5% MOI to GEN6 with a distance gain of almost 3 yards.

The thinnest face in golf

From day one PXG has made a massive play of making the thinnest face irons available. The idea guarantees great feel and excellent ball speeds from the HT1770 springy maraging steel faces, (which are nearly twice as strong as traditional 17-4 stainless steel). For the 7^th generation of irons, the company CNC mills each face the same as GEN6 and remains the thinnest face in golf. It not only saves weight but helps PXG get the absolute most out of their irons.

Since PXG’s inception, the brand has aimed to maintain the thinnest face in golf. This is made possible by the use of proprietary core technology which allows them to achieve enhanced feel and sound as well as outstanding forgiveness.

Thanks to an even thinner power channel running around the perimeter of the face, which delivers a higher launching, more optimal trajectory, this setup is barely legal with a COR rating of 0.843. The company isn’t lying when they say these are the fastest, softest feeling, and most forgiving irons they’ve created, the GEN7 irons are the best PXG irons to date. 

Higher MOI

The lightweight titanium insert has allowed PXG to remove mass from the center of the club and redistribute it to the perimeter of the head to boost MOI. This process saves a total of 5 grams of mass and provides the threaded housing that supports the adjustable Precision Weighting Technology.

Thanks to the XCOR2 polymer, PXG can redistribute even more of the weight around the club head. One of the ways they do this is with a 20-gram internal tungsten weight. This helps balance the CG location to the center of the face and also boost the MOI of the club in turn improving the overall forgiveness.

5X Forged and precision-weighted    

PXG’s premium irons have always been forged and it’s a trend that continues with the GEN7 family. The body of each 8620 head is struck by a hammer press five times, squeezing it into the brand’s super complex and thin-walled shape – and when we say hammer, this isn’t something you’re picking up from your local DIY store. Additionally, the back surface is then CNC milled to create an extremely precise iron head.

A standout feature for PXG is the large central weight on the back of both irons, which gives the ability to go longer or shorter, heavier or lighter without changing the center of gravity location. It means you get very precisely fit without altering feel, as the CG doesn’t shift to accommodate the shaft length or head weight that most benefits your game. It’s genius thinking in anybody’s book.  

Do you need P or XP?

0311 P (PLAYERS)

These irons are designed for Low to Mid handicap players looking for a club that offers a nice blend of distance, workability, and forgiveness. The midsize head with a moderate amount of offset is easy on the eye and will suit a broad range of players.

0311 XP (XTREME PERFORMANCE)

Designed for Mid to High handicap players looking for a club that offers amazing distance performance with excellent forgiveness. The larger size head has more offset than the P and offers a more inviting shape to look down on at address.

Xtreme Dark Finish

If you’re feeling flush and like the look of darker finish irons, PXG offers both the 0311 GEN7 P and XP irons as premium Black Label Elite options too. Each Black Label iron comes with a durable black Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) finish and premium Steel Fiber Private Reserve shaft (or any other shaft in PXG’s fitting matrix). The make-up sets the franchise apart from its slightly more reasonably priced satin-clad siblings.   

0311 XP IRON SPECS

0311 P IRON SPECS

About the Author

Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.

A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.