FIRST LOOK: PXG’s 0311 Gen5 drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons

If there’s one thing you can count on from PXG it’s this: the company does things its own way, on its own terms, when it wants and how it wants. It’s an ethic that echoes the mindset and modus operandi of the company’s founder and namesake Bob Parsons — a billionaire businessman hellbent on providing the finest golf equipment the company can make no matter the cost or timetable.

It was only a year ago that the company introduced its well-received Gen4 lineup. Most equipment companies would rest on that for at least a golf season or two, but like I said, PXG does things its own way. As good as the Gen4 line still is, Parsons challenged his team to push the envelope further to find even more distance, forgiveness and playability — and do it fast enough to deliver the goods within a year.

Judging by what we’ve seen in the new stuff — mission accomplished.

0311 Gen5 drivers ($499)

The Gen5 drivers comes in two models — the standard 0311 Gen5 with a traditional headshape and a deeper face for a low-spin trajectory and more distance. The other is the 0311 Gen5 XF, which has a larger face for an expanding hitting zone and mid-spin launch for maximum forgiveness.

Both drivers feature a bevy of tech: a high-speed Ti412 clubface with variable face thicknesses, Aluminum Vapor carbon fiber crown tech, strategically placed moveable weights placed further towards the edges and an adjustable hosel. Both models also have higher MOIs when compared to last year’s versions — the standard has a 25% increase and the XF a 22% increase.

Improvements were also made to the driver’s acoustics as well. The process is called modal analysis, which involves studying the vibration at which a structure naturally resonates. It’s a fancy way for saying PXG paid careful attention to improving the sound and feel of both drivers by raising the modal frequencies to produce the sound more golfers want to hear at impact.

0311 Gen5 fairway woods ($379) and hybrids ($379)

The Gen5 fairway woods and hybrids also come in standard and XF versions, with the standard being the lower-spinning of the two. With the fairway woods, both come with carbon crowns, a high-strength AM355 steel body, and a stainless steel squared face for improved ballspeed and perimeter-located weights for added forgiveness and more distance.

The standard has a flatter sole while the XF has a rail design for better turf interaction–a design feature particularly helpful for those with steep attack angles. Also, the MOI on both are much higher, ranging from 34% in the standard and 37% higher in the XF when compared to respective models last year. The Gen5 hybrids mimic much of the same tech of both standard and XF Gen5 woods for added accuracy, forgiveness and a dose of playability when and where it’s needed.

0311 Gen5 irons ($345/ea.)

The new 0311 Gen5 irons have a new lighter core material called XCOR2 and a power channel behind the face — two things PXG carefully developed to make the Gen5 lighter and faster for a greater energy transfer into the ball at impact.

Other features include a razor-thin clubface, a forged body and a milled back surface with PXG’s distinctive tungsten weights positioned in the heel and toe regions for a boost in MOI and forgiveness. The center weight can be configured to allow a lighter/heavier configuration during the fitting process.

There are three models to choose from in the Gen5 line: 0311 T — a tour-inspired headshape for better players who want added workability in a forgiving iron. The next is the 0311 P, a goldilocks model combining added forgiveness, workability and more distance. The last is the 0311 XP, with a larger headshape with more offset for added distance and forgiveness.

Lastly, you can get the Gen5 irons with PXG’s dark finish and an upgraded stock shaft, should golfers want to customize the set. All products in the Gen5 line are available today at pxg.com.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.