Golf equipment companies commonly use the PGA Tour as a testing ground for new prototypes before manufacturing clubs for retail. Those tour prototype versions don’t always make it out to the public, but their technologies often get honed and repackaged into retail versions.
PXG, however, is making the new 0811X and 0811X+ Proto drivers, which originally hit the PGA Tour in Hawaii in the prototype stage, available to the public in limited quantities.
As of the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open, “every single PXG staffer” had switched into one of the two prototype drivers, according to a PXG tour rep. That list includes Ryan Moore, Wyndham Clark and Pat Perez.
It’s saying a lot that PXG is making these prototypes available — although in limited quantities — to the public. That isn’t always the case with the company’s prototypes. For example, PXG made a prototype driver for James Hahn that he used to win the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship. Despite its success, that particular driver design never saw the light of day.
FIRST LOOK: PXG unveils 0311 XP, 0311 P and 0311 T Gen3 irons
“It may have been good enough to win on Tour, and it went like hell for James, but I didn’t think it was ready for our customers yet,” company founder Bob Parsons said, in a press release. “We wanted to work on the sound.”
Apparently, the new 0811X and 0811X+ prototypes are ready.
“The PXG 0811 X and X+ Proto drivers appear to check all of the boxes for PXG’s tour pros – distance, dispersion, sound, feel, looks, and forgiveness,” PXG said in a press release. “By making a limited number of both models available to the most important golfers it serves, PXG’s customers, the company will further expand its opportunity for performance feedback – PXG’s only measure of success.”
Both of the new models use large, adjustable weights (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 grams) in the sole of the driver to help golfers dial in their performance preferences; the weights on the drivers are the same weights used in PXG’s Gen2 putters. Each of the options are built with Hybrid Crown constructions, Honeycomb TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) sole inserts, anti-glare finishes, and adjustable hosels (+/- 1.5 degrees).
The 0811X and 0811X+ Proto drivers are made for two different swing styles, and we break down those differences below. Both drivers are currently available on PXG’s website, listed at $495 each.
PXG 0811X Proto driver
The 0811X driver is the lower-spinning option of the two new releases. PXG says it’s designed for golfers with a neutral or downward angle of attack, and it has a low center of gravity.
The 0811X has a slightly more compact look at address, and it’s available in a 9-degree head.
PXG 0811X+ Proto driver
Compared to the 0811X, the 0811X+ Proto driver is the higher-spinning option. PXG says this model is built for golfers with an upward angle of attack, and it has a “mid-center” center of gravity.
The 0811X+ Proto driver appears to have a deeper profile than the 0811X, and it’s available in a 10.5-degree head.
To hear more gear insights from Jonathan Wall and True Spec’s Tim Briand, subscribe and listen each week to GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast: iTunes | SoundCloud | Spotify | Stitcher
