When creating a new line of products, golf equipment manufacturers such as PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) have a long list of improvements to make. First and foremost, the new clubs have to produce shots that are straighter and go further than the previous line. They also have to look better, feel better, sound more appealing, and, from a marketing standpoint, they have to stand out from the competition, too.
While numerous improvements have been made from the previous iterations to the new Gen4 family, there’s one new technology that seemed to help PXG check all of those boxes at once; it’s called aluminum vapor (AV).
Shaft manufacturer Mitsubishi Chemical first used the AV process in its composite shafts to help stabilize certain sections. PXG’s chief product officer Brad Schweigert saw the potential benefits of AV in club heads – not just on golf shafts – and the two companies eventually worked out a deal to share the manufacturing process.
In PXG’s case, AV works like this: tiny, vaporized particles of aluminum impregnate the woven carbon fiber material in the crown in order to stiffen the overall structure. The AV process helped accomplish not only performance enhancements for PXG, but provided the unique look that PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons was searching for.
“The idea was that first [Gen4] sounds, feels, and performs excellent,” Parsons told GOLF.com in a recent interview. “And the other thing was, aesthetically, somebody can look at our Gen4 equipment and instantly know it’s ours. We wanted to create a look that was all our own. So we used the silver carbon fiber weave and it gives it a very different look.”
As we’ll get into more below, PXG used the AV process in its new 0811 Gen4 drivers, 0341 Gen4 fairway woods and 0317 Gen4 hybrids.
Although the new Gen4 0311 irons don’t use AV, they too have an all-new look that’s different from previous PXG iron models (and rest assured, the large central weight in the back of the Gen4 iron heads isn’t just for show).
PXG’s new Gen4 lineup (0811 drivers, 0341 fairways, 0317 hybrids and 0311 irons) all have a different look than you may be used to from PXG, but the changes have purpose. Below, we break down each of the new head designs, as well as everything else you need to know about Gen4.
Each of the products below will become commercially available starting on March 30, and they’re currently available for pre-sale.
PXG 0811 Gen4 drivers
PXG’s new Gen4 drivers use a slew of different high-tech materials within their constructions to boost performance. The black bodies are made from strong Ti811 for stability, and the faces are made from a razor thin Ti412 material for speed. To save weight from where it’s unwanted, there’s also a carbon fiber insert in the crown.
It’s this raised carbon fiber section that received the AV (aluminum vapor) treatment. Carbon fiber is great for weight-saving due to its lighter makeup, but it’s not necessarily the strongest material available. To keep weight low but increase strength, the AV material mixes into the carbon fiber to help stabilize and stiffen the structure at impact. The stability allows ball speeds to increase across the face, and gives the drivers a discernible look.
Of course, PXG’s Gen4 drivers aren’t a one-size-fits-all. There are three different head options (XF, X and XT) for golfers with particular needs.
The 0811 XF Gen4 (9, 10.5 and 12 degrees) has the largest profile, and rear weighting, for maximum forgiveness. The 0811 X Gen4 (7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees) has a tall face and sloped crown to achieve lower spin and high launch. And the new 0811 XT Gen4 driver head (7.5, 9 and 10.5 degrees) has a tour-inspired, teardrop shape that reduces drag and is built for golfers with faster swing speeds. Each of the drivers comes with an adjustable hosel that has +/- 1.5 degrees of loft adjustability.
Three adjustable weights in the sole (weights range from 2 grams to 20 grams in 2.5-gram increments) help fitters and golfers themselves dial in the correct weight and trajectory bias for greater precision. To create that muted, explosive sound at impact that golfers prefer, PXG also has honeycomb TPE (thermoplastic urethane) inserts on the inside of the soles.
PXG’s new Gen4 drivers will sell for $549 each.
PXG 0341 Gen4 fairway woods
Like the Gen4 drivers, the 0341 Gen4 fairway woods also use multi-material constructions to maximize feel and performance. The bodies of the fairway woods are made from AM355 steel, the faces are made from thin HT1770 to raise ball speeds, and the crowns use AV for additional stability.
The 0341 Gen4 fairways have tall faces to improve both distance and forgiveness, and the heads have CG (center of gravity) low and forward for high launch and optimal spin, according to PXG.
Two adjustable weight ports sit in the soles of the fairways. Heel-heavy weighting allows for a draw-bias to help golfers square the face easier, while a weight-forward setup will help golfers knock down spin and hit it lower.
PXG’s new 0341 Gen4 fairways (13, 15, 18 and 21 degrees) will sell for $429 each.
PXG 0317 Gen4 hybrids
To go along with the new dual-colored crown, thanks to AV technology, the 0317 Gen4 hybrids also have a different shape than their predecessors. A longer and larger face helps to increase forgiveness, and a squared look helps to create a larger face area, according to the company.
Like the Gen4 fairways, the hybrids have bodies made from strong AM355 steel, and the faces are made form thin HT1770 steel. The hybrids also have two weight ports in the sole to create either draw bias (heel weight) or lower spin (front weight).
PXG’s new Gen4 hybrids (17, 19, 22, 25 and 28 degrees) will sell for $379 apiece.
PXG 0311 Gen4 irons
Golfers may be familiar with the smaller screws in the back cavities of PXG’s new Gen4 0311 irons. That’s been a signature look for the company since its inception in 2014. The larger central weight, however, provides a new look and function.
The large, interchangeable weight allows fitters to drastically increase or decrease swing weight, and overall weight, to help dial in the exact feel and performance each golfer needs. According to PXG’s club designers, a lighter weight may allow for more speed, while a heavier weight may allow for more forgiveness. Each golfer has differing needs, though, so experimenting with a trusted fitter is crucial. Also, the back weight is tamper-proof so that consumers will not be able to adjust them after purchase.
As for the heads themselves, they are stacked with technology to help golfers find the right feel and performance.
The 0311 Gen4 irons each have a new XCOR material that sits between the thin faces and the five-times-forged 8620 bodies. With those designs working in conjunction, the irons have increased face deflection, more energy transfer and faster ball speeds, according to PXG. The back surfaces are also milled for precision, and to reduce wall thickness. The milling design doubles as a nice cosmetic touch, to boot.
Three different models are available in PXG’s 0311 Gen4 lineup: 0311 T, 0311 P and 0311 XP.
The 0311 T (Tour) Gen4 irons have less offset, and they have a blade-style look that better players prefer. The 0311 P (Players) Gen4 irons have a midsize head and moderate offset, made for low-to-mid handicappers. Finally, the 0311 XP (Xtreme Performance) irons are made for mid-to-high handicappers with larger head sizes and more offset.
PXG’s Gen4 irons will sell for $349 per club.
Want to overhaul your own bag for 2021? Visit the expert fitters at our sister company, True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, make sure to check out our recent Fully Equipped podcast in the Spotify link below.
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