50 Words or Less
The PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons blend strong distances and excellent forgiveness. Refined, appealing look. Rewarding soft feel stands out in the game improvement field.
Introduction
As reported in my PXG 0311 P GEN7 review [read it HERE], I received an in-depth look into the new GEN7 irons from the PXG R&D team in Scottsdale this summer. The team’s depth of knowledge in design, materials, and manufacturing was impressive. In this review I’ll delve into the 0311 XP GEN7 irons, which share the same GEN7 technology as the 0311 P model, but in a more player friendly package. Designed for the mid to high handicap golfer, the XP (Xtreme Performance) fits nicely into the game improvement iron category, with an emphasis on distance and forgiveness.
Looks
The 0311 XP GEN7 irons (right in the above photo) are slightly, but noticeably, larger than the 0311 P irons. At address the blade length is longer and there’s more offset. 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. The 0311 XP GEN7 irons offer a comforting size for golfers who sometimes struggle to make good contact.
Compared to previous generations of the 0311 XP irons, the GEN7 is the best looking model to my eyes. There was nothing wrong with the look of the perimeter screws and black bottom rail of the GEN6 [full review HERE], but the 0311 XP GEN7 irons’ simplicity is distinctive.
In the bag, I noted how the trailing edge of the sole is softly tapered which not only looks nice but suggests the irons will flow through turf effortlessly. The backsides of the 0311 P GEN7 irons display a refined elegance with harmonious angles and fine milled lines. The PXG badge is still large, but that titanium weight screw looks poised for a space mission.
Sound & Feel
As they share the same materials and construction as the 0311 P GEN7, I wasn’t surprised to find that the PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons also felt wonderfully soft. I have no reason to doubt PXG when they state 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.
On the sound front, the 0311 XP GEN7 produced a crisp “snap” that was fairly consistent across the face. Medium in volume, the sound is powerful with a rewarding timbre.
Check out the PXG Black Ops irons HERE
Performance
As mentioned in the intro, the PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons have a focus on distance and forgiveness. PXG states that the GEN7 “delivers superior combination of distance and forgiveness; no trade-offs.” So let’s take a look at both, starting with distance.
According to PXG data, the 0311 XP GEN7 gained one MPH in ball speed over the GEN6, which resulted in a 2.5 yard increase in total distance. A thinner face and a new QuantumCOR polymer fill are the prime tech features responsible for the distance boost. How thin is thinner? 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.
Comparing 7 irons, the 0311 XP GEN7 had 5 yards more carry and almost 9 yards more total distance than my gamer. Honestly, I anticipated more of a difference seeing that the XP loft was 27° – 5° stronger – but launch was only down 2°. There are always tradeoffs like rollout when chasing distance, but the PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons are quite capable of holding greens.
Switching to forgiveness, the focus is on repositioning mass to increase forgiveness in the PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons. Remember that titanium insert I mentioned? It allowed PXG designers to save – and redistribute – approximately 5 grams. Some of that mass was added to 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. Not surprising, the largest gain in distance preservation PXG reported with the 0311 XP GEN7 irons versus the GEN6 was on low contact shots.
For forgiveness on heel and toe misses PXG increased MOI in the vertical axis, positioning a 20 gram tungsten weight in the toe of the head. As PIG readers know, forgiveness equates to dispersion, and according to PXG the GEN7 is 17% better overall than the GEN6. Trackman data confirmed my field observations – a tight dispersion pattern, with notable distance consistency.
Conclusion
That last sentence really captured the essence of the PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons – impressive forgiveness. Don’t get me wrong, as an aging golfer, playable distance gains are also appreciated. And I think all golfers looking for new game improvement irons will enjoy the soft feel – it’s best in class according to my hands.
Arriving at this conclusion I realized that with all the technology I covered, the “5X FORGED/MILLED” engraved on the hosel didn’t even get a mention. Just know that the advanced forging process allows PXG to achieve the complex geometries and milling that this GEN7 design requires. Achieving all these amazing qualities doesn’t come easy, and fortunately PXG isn’t afraid of utilizing the best materials or investing in advanced fabrication technology. The PXG 0311 XP GEN7 irons are poised to improve your golf game – enjoy the discovery.
Visit PXG HERE
PXG 0311 XP GEN7 Irons Price & Specs
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6 Comments
Wild to think that Wishon had irons that met the USGA COR limit back in 2009. Granted they used Titanium faces and weren’t hollow body designed but it just goes to show that it’s nothing new.
The loft gapping on these irons seems pretty bad almost like they need a wedge between the PW and S. Did you notice any issue there pretty sharp.
Thanks
I didn’t observe any issues Eric. There’s more to ball flight than stamped lofts – plus PXG designers are really smart. That said, checking gapping with a qualified fitter is always a good idea.
Thanks for reading.
– Meeks
I have a set of Gen6 0311P and Gen6 0311XP. I play 6-GW in the 0311P and 7-GW in the 0311XP. Loft for me starts at 25* then 5*/iron to 50* GW in the 0311P and 45* GW in the 0311XP. I have a Cleveland CBX ZipCore 50 to add to the XP set.
XP stock is 1/2” longer and roughly 3* stronger loft than the corresponding P iron. Don’t pay attention to the # stamped on the sole anymore. Know your loft and length to a direct comparison.
Being able to change out the big center weight makes reshafting or swing weighting so much easier as no tip weights required.
Matt, I purchased the chrome on chrome Gen 6 XP earlier this year. I do like the look of the Gen 7, but in looking to sell the Gen 6, I would lose a lot of $. Having hit them both would you think sticking with mine isn’t much of a disadvantage?
Thanks
I haven’t hit the GEN6 XP Rick – that was Matt Saternus. Typically there isn’t a huge performance difference between model years, but PXG isn’t normal. The data I saw showed notable improvements with the GEN7. That said, it’s hard to justify upgrading every generation financially.
– Meeks