The last time I got properly fit for irons, I was fit for the Mizuno JPX-900 Forged.
And I’ve primarily been gaming them ever since.
A couple months ago, that changed when I went in and did a fitting for the new PXG 0311 Gen 7 irons.
The process was super smooth, and when compared to the O311p or new Black Ops, the results were clear, the best PXG Irons for my game were the Gen 7 0311xp.
But do they live up to expectations?
I’ve now played 7 full rounds of golf with these new irons, and had numerous range sessions – so I have a pretty good sense of how they perform.
Are they the most forgiving irons ever? Let’s find out.
Looking for a distance iron packed with technology and forgiveness? The PXG 0311XP GEN7 is an excellent choice.
First Impressions of the PXG 0311xp Gen 7
Out of the box, I personally really like the way the 0311 Gen 7 irons look.
The perimeter screws that PXG has been known for are gone, and in its place is a large titanium weight screw that I personally really like the look of. It certainly sets it apart from any other irons out there, and is also functional in the process.
I got fit for the 0311xp with the Mitsubishi MMT Taper 105 stiff shafts.
I think the Mitsubishi shafts look really good with these, and compliment the irons well.
Where I’m not as much of a fan of the look is seeing them in the bag. The XP model is definitely leaning a little bit more towards game-improvement when compared to the P models, and as such they have a wider sole than I’m used to seeing – which I don’t love the look of.
Fortunately, at address you don’t notice this as much. Looking down at them, the irons are slimmer than I expected and definitely help to evoke a sense of confidence when preparing for your shot.
While these won’t be for everyone from an aesthetic standpoint, I think more people than not will really enjoy the updated look of the Gen 7 irons.
How Do the 0311xp Irons Feel?
I’ve loved my Mizuno irons, but the reality is that my game has regressed a little bit as of late. When I’m playing well, those irons feel wonderful. But any mishits not only lose distance, they also slice. Any they certainly don’t fell good in the process.
After over half a dozen rounds with the PXG clubs, the biggest improvement I’ve noticed is forgiveness. Off the heel, off the toe – the ball still goes much further than it ever did when I misthit my Mizunos. And it stays straighter too.
This is no doubt in part due to the redesign which added internal tungsten weights to the interior, increasing MOI, and thus, forgiveness.
From a feel perspective, it’s a little bit more of a mixed bag.
The bad shots, don’t feel nearly as good as the bad shots with my old clubs.
Alternatively, the good shots don’t feel quite as buttery and solid either.
The clubs make a nice sound, but there’s a very slight hollow feeling you get, that I typically see in-game improvement clubs. Nothing dramatic at all, just a little hint of it.
For what it’s worth PXG does not refer to these as game-improvement irons – that title is reserved for the new Black Ops line. They consider these “Players Distance” irons.
These feel like a good middle ground between the 0311p which is definitely going to provide more workability, control, and feel for the better player – at the expense of some of the forgiveness that these provide.
And that forgiveness? It’s hands down the best part of these clubs. I went out and shot an 86 at Torrey Pines, and more recently an 83 at Ghost Creek with far from my best stuff.
Some of that is a function of my new LAB putter which has been fantastic, but my iron play is more consistent than it has been previously.
The long irons in particular have gone far and straight. I can’t remember the last time I’ve consistently had so many 4 irons at or over 200 yards – it’s been very nice to see.
Speaking of Distance…
These are definitely longer than my old clubs.
I think there are 3 main reasons for this.
The first is the obvious answer that comes to mind when companies make dramatic distance gains: stronger lofts. And the loft on these is a little bit stronger than the stock numbers on my old clubs – so you’d expect to see some distance.
The second, is increased technology. My Mizuno clubs are going on 7 years old now. Year over year, technology improvements are often nothing more than marketing. But in 7 years, especially coming from a company as committed to technology as PXG, there are some big enhancements.
Notably with their “Quantum Core” tech which helps reduce core mass, and redistribute weight. As well as the new face design which is the thinnest PXG has ever made. Both these help with ball speed, distance, and forgiveness.
The third reason is the shafts being a little bit lighter than my old ones, at 105g vs 110. That small weight reduction has improved my clubhead speed by 1-2mph on average, and that alone is enough to help add noticeable distance.
Combine it all, and these irons are long. While I was down in Georgia playing the new Richland course at Reynolds, I had multiple people comment “are you sure you know your iron distances?” after blasting shots over the green.
To which I’d reply “No, I definitely don’t. At least not yet!”
Control and Feel
For all the gains in distance, I do feel like they’ve come at the expense of control and accuracy.
When I’m dialed with my Mizunos, I play like I’m a mid-single digit from the fairway.
With the 0311xp, I haven’t quite found that same level of control. Forgiveness, yes. Distance, yes.
But especially with my short irons and wedges, I don’t feel like I’ve been quite as dialed, which has led to approaches being further from the pin than I’d like, or in many cases, being just off the green entirely.
Obviously part of that just comes down to me being an average golfer. But there’s a reason better players play irons that provide better control.
That said, getting these to launch high and spin is incredibly easy. The number of approaches on the green I’ve hit where you see a ball mark, and the ball is 3 feet in front of it is at an all-time high.
My slice has also been tempered a bit with these clubs, but they don’t seem to have quite the dramatic draw bias that you see in Stix Clubs – which make these a little more well-rounded for more types of golfers.
I know as I get even more familiar with these PXG irons, I’m going to grow more confident with them and that approach consistency will improve. But as with any clubs, you always have to sacrifice something, and in the case of the XP over the P model – I think it’s in feel and control that you have to give a little.
Final Thoughts on the PXG 0311xp Irons
They aren’t the cheapest irons out there at $229/each. I think they’re worth the price if distance and forgiveness are paramount. PXG has always been a premium brand, and these clubs are no different.
These are among the most forgiving and longest irons on the market.
Yes, this does come at the moderate expense of control, but if you’re good enough to be thinking about that – then you may want to consider the 0311p models anyway.
For where I’m at right now, that’s a tradeoff I’m more than happy to make. Being able to hit it further, more consistently is what I’m looking for in my game – and these absolutely deliver.
Looking for a distance iron packed with technology and forgiveness? The PXG 0311XP GEN7 is an excellent choice.
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This is among the longest and most forgiving irons on the market
If the primary thing you're looking for in an iron is distance and forgiveness, look no further. Yes, this comes at the slight expense of feel and control, but for most mid to higher handicaps, this may be a worthwhile tradeoff.
The Good
- Extremely forgiving
- LONG
- An aesthetic upgrade over Gen 6
The Bad
- Feel leaves a little bit to be desired
- Expensive
- Dont look as clean in the bag as the 0311p models
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Presentarion
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Performance
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Quality and Features
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Price
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Person al Affin ity
