PXG 0311 Gen8 XP Iron Review

With the signing of Marco Penge and the early release of the Lightning family of metalwoods, it's been a busy few months for one of golf's loudest equipment brands. The 0311 XP is the game improvement iron of the family, designed to offer outright distance alongside a forgiving profile that benefits from PXG's new flagship dual-perimeter weighting system. Alongside the game improvement XP is the T (Tour) and P (Players) - all of which strike a very similar, and likely divisive, look from the 'in the bag' position.

The headline technology across the Gen8 family is the new dual perimeter weighting system. Unlike previous versions, this system uses larger interchangeable weights on the perimeter to significantly increase the Moment of Inertia (MOI). By repositioning mass away from the center, PXG allows fitters to tune the center-of-gravity (CG) to influence face position at impact, helping to tighten dispersion even before lie-angle adjustments are made.

Internally, the irons utilise QuantumCor, a proprietary polymer that works in tandem with Deep Core Recoil Technology. This internal structure is designed to facilitate explosive face flexion and maximise energy transfer. The heads are five-times forged from 8620 soft carbon steel and feature ultra-thin maraging steel faces with a refined Power Channel geometry to maintain ball speeds on off-center strikes.

I was fitted for the Gen8 irons at PXG's headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, and saw firsthand just how significant moving the weights affected ball flight. Though I didn't need the weights to be moved out of the neutral position, when my fitter did toy around with different weight settings, it didn't take long for it to become apparent just how much they alter ball flight.

For those predominant slicers or hookers out there, this technology, plus any changes to lie angle during a fitting, will enable fitters to manipulate ball flight more than ever before with a PXG club. This technology is likely to benefit those higher handicap golfer which this iron is aimed even more. I saw firsthand at my fitting how much tinkering with this split weights can alter shot shape with similar club delivery. Higher handicappers who are fighting a slice now have another weapon to help them try to straighten ball flight.

At address, the Gen8 XP is very clearly a game-improvement iron. It features a wider sole, increased offset, and a strong-lofted profile than the other models in the family. This design is intended to inspire confidence, and while it's not the model I'd naturally lean towards, I can see how players shopping in this market would find the blade length and offset to have them feeling confident of a solid strike over the ball. For sure, it lacks the neater profiles found in its sister models, but such a footprint is often expected in this genre of iron to provide maximum stability.

In terms of feel, the XP produces a hot and springy sensation from the face. This is particularly noticeable on strikes caught low on the blade, where ball speeds were impressively high and front-to-back dispersion was pleasingly close even from some of the poorer strikes I delivered. This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this iron, which I have seen across the whole Gen8 range.

However, also much like the sister clubs, the acoustics are a little 'clicky' and high-pitched for my taste. Because sound and feel are so closely linked, this resulted in an overall sensation that was firmer than what some distance irons, like the Cobra 3DP X iron, can offer.

The performance of the Gen8 XP is undeniably focused on distance. The combination of technologies delivers on the promise of explosive speed. For the mid-to-high handicap player seeking a significant yardage boost, these irons deliver.

The PXG 0311 Gen8 XP irons are a high-performance solution for those who need maximum help with distance and launch. The engineering - particularly the adjustable weighting system - is top-tier, offering a level of customisation rarely seen in distance irons. While the 'clicky' sound and long blade profile might not appeal to the purist, the forgiveness and insurance provided by the wide sole make them a formidable tool for the right golfer.