- PXG has introduced 0311 GEN5 fairway woods and hybrids.
- The brand new lineup options two fashions (0311, 0311XF).
- Retail worth is $379 for every.
As anticipated, the PXG 0311 GEN5 launch consists of new fairway wooden and hybrid fashions. With that mentioned, a part of the story revolves round requisite options and advantages. New supplies, totally different weighting schemes and a revamped geometry. That type of factor. However with PXG, there’s all the time one thing else.
Subtext. Nuance. No matter you wish to name it. As soon as upon a time, PXG founder Bob Parsons likened his upstart golf model to that of luxury automaker Ferrari. However that was pre-pandemic.
Now we should take into account whether or not PXG can exist as each a value-driven (the 0211 driver is $229) and premium-priced model ($500 milled wedges). Naysayers and critics have already got their reply. However they have been flawed earlier than. We are going to file this one below the “matter for an additional day” tab for now.
That apart, let’s dive into PXG’s 0311 GEN5 fairway woods and hybrids.
What’s In A Identify?
We coated this within the PXG GEN5 driver article however PXG is simplifying product mannequin numbers. The 0211 line stays because the entry-level class, centered on budget-conscious golfers. The highest-shelf 0311 collection is PXG’s crown jewel that homes its newest know-how and latest supplies.
PXG 0311 GEN5 – What’s new
“What’s totally different and why ought to I care?”
It’s the primary query most of us ask when introduced with a brand new piece of apparatus. And it’s the primary alternative for any producer to make its case that this new-fangled goody is demonstrably higher than what you’re already enjoying.
With the PXG 0311 GEN5 fairway woods and hybrids, the tech story facilities round two aspects: perimeter weighting and sound/really feel.
PXG 0311 Gen 5 Precision Weighting Expertise
PXG calls it “Xtreme Perimeter Weighting.” What else would you count on? Reasonable perimeter weighting? Regardless, the purpose is that PXG engineers labored to maximise the space between the clubhead’s heart of gravity and the placement of three moveable weights. Like COBRA’s RADSPEED collection that centered on the “radius of gyration,” pushing further weight away from the middle of gravity produces two major advantages. First is a optimistic bump in MOI (forgiveness). In comparison with GEN4 0341 X and XF fashions, the 0311 GEN5 fairway woods have 34 % and 37 % larger MOI respectively. The rise in MOI for the 0311 GEN5 hybrids is a extra modest seven to 11 %
Should you learn the GEN5 driver article, the next bit will sound acquainted. Actually, moderately than paraphrasing Tony’s textual content, I’m going to go forward and straight quote the related parts.
“With GEN4, PXG launched a three-weight system. GEN5 drivers additionally characteristic three weights. Nonetheless, PXG has made vital modifications to the positioning of these weights.
“Whereas the rear weight is anchored way back to present engineering permits, the ahead heart weight of the GEN4 driver has been pushed to an excessive toe place. The heel weight has additionally been pushed ahead and to the intense perimeter.
“Sometimes, heel (and toe) weight positions are appreciably decrease MOI than rear positions. Whereas that’s technically true right here, the space from the middle of gravity in all positions is comparable so MOI values in these positions are comparable (and lots excessive) as properly.
“The inventory construct ships with two 10-gram weights and a single 2.5-gram weight. With the 10s and within the again and heel (as they’re within the inventory setup), 0311 fairway woods and hybrids present a little bit of draw bias.”
PXG 0311 Gen5 Modal Evaluation
You’re pondering I forgot to say the secondary advantage of perimeter weighting. Nearly.
In earlier generations, the buildings PXG used to deal with its numerous moveable weights produced copious undesirable frequencies. This necessitated using TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) to dampen the vibrations and generate an inexpensive sound/really feel. Nonetheless, the brand new weighting scheme doesn’t require the identical assist buildings. This additionally means no extra TPE.
The online result’s a special sound and really feel that’s the results of PXG’s modal evaluation. Merely, modal evaluation is a examine that makes use of mass and stiffness of a construction to search out intervals of vibration at which the construction naturally resonates. Based mostly on this info, PXG engineers can alter the design and fairly predict the way it will really feel earlier than the membership is manufactured.
Put otherwise, the GEN5 metalwoods ought to really feel totally different than any earlier era. Precisely what meaning is topic to interpretation. However in my temporary expertise, GEN5 feels much less dense and just a little extra electrical with out coming off too vibrant or hole.
PXG 0311 GEN5 Fairway Wooden and Hybrid Building
Typically, there are some small deviations in building when evaluating fairway woods and hybrids. That isn’t a lot the case right here.
Each the PXG 0311 and 0311 XF fairway woods and hybrids characteristic AM355 stainless-steel our bodies and HT1770 metal faces. The important thing bit in regards to the face materials is that it’s been round because the first era of PXG golf equipment. As such, the engineers perceive the advantages and limitations of the fabric. However extra importantly, it appears to counsel PXG can’t discover a higher possibility for this utility. We all know PXG isn’t afraid to make use of new supplies, no matter price, if there’s a transparent efficiency profit.
As with the GEN5 drivers, PXG opted for a full AV carbon crown building. The aluminum vapor (therefore AV) will increase stiffness with out including weight. Additionally, the extra carbon saved just a few grams which designers reallocated to the three moveable weights.
GEN5 SQUARE FACES
Past the revamped carbon crown, essentially the most noticeable design replace is a squared face alongside a extra vertical perimeter skirt. From a face-on view, the blunted toe part is apparent. The advantages, nonetheless, are much less clear.
The squared-off toe part creates extra face floor space with out rising the full membership quantity. Mainly, it enlarges the hitting space whereas the raised skirt permits for higher MOI (forgiveness).
PXG 0311 GEN5 Adjustable Hosel
In case you have a bevy of shafts with present PXG adapters, excellent news. GEN5 makes use of the identical +/- 1.5-degree adapter as earlier than. Should you discover most fairway woods and hybrids too upright, three “PXG” settings enable for flatter lie angles. The “PXG” setting maintains the said loft however is three levels flatter. Settings adjoining to the “PXG” setting are two levels flatter and +/- one diploma from the said loft.
0311 GEN5 Two-Headed Monster
As with the PXG 0311 GEN5 driver, PXG has two fairway wooden and hybrid heads: 0311 and 0311 XF. The usual 0311 is the extra player-ish of the 2 however that doesn’t imply it’s reserved solely for higher gamers.
In each the GEN5 fairway woods and hybrids, the 0311 XF has a barely bigger footprint and is a bit longer heel to toe. Of the 2 fashions, the XF can also be extra forgiving.
0311 GEN5 Fairway Efficiency
Citing PXG’s robotic testing, the GEN5 0311 XF fairway launches roughly a level larger with 400 to 500 extra rpm than the usual 0311. Nonetheless, the GEN5 0311 is marginally sooner (0.6 mph) and 5 yards longer, primarily due to the decrease spin numbers.
Evaluating GEN4 0341X and GEN5 0311, the latter generates 1.2 mph extra ball pace with 0.7° much less launch and almost 450 rpm much less backspin, The online result’s a complete distance improve of seven.7 yards.
Trying on the GEN4 0341XF and GEN5 0311XF, PXG’s testing exhibits a rise in complete distance of 5.7 yards. That is achieved by a bit extra ball pace (1.3 mph) and launch (+0.9 levels) with marginally much less spin (-136 rpm).
The PXG 0311 GEN5 fairway wooden is on the market in 2/13°, 3/15°, 5/18°, and seven/21° fashions.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 XF fairway wooden is on the market in 3/16°, 4/17°, 5/19°, and seven/22° fashions.
0311 GEN5 Hybrid Efficiency
Once more, referencing PXG’s robotic testing, the GEN5 0311 and 0311 XF hybrids generate almost similar launch (13.9 levels versus 13.8) and ball pace (129.5 mph versus 129.4) numbers. The distinction within the complete distance—GEN5 0311 is 3.6 yards longer than GEN4 0311 XF—is primarily as a result of the GEN5 0311 spins roughly 300 rpm much less.
Evaluating GEN4 0317X and GEN5 0311, the latter generates 1.0 mph extra ball pace and 0.6 levels extra launch with 500+ rpm much less backspin, The online result’s a complete distance improve of 8.4 yards.
Trying on the GEN4 0317XF and GEN5 0311XF, PXG’s testing exhibits a rise in complete distance of three.4 yards. That is achieved by a bit extra ball pace (1.9 mph) and launch (+1.0 levels) with marginally extra spin (160 rpm).
Robotic testing is just not participant testing. So TBD on all of that. On paper, the numbers are useful as a spot to start out drawing comparisons. However finally what issues most is how any piece of apparatus performs within the fingers of actual golfers.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 hybrid is on the market in 2/17°, 3/19°, 4/22°, and 5/25° fashions.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 XF hybrid is on the market in 3/19°, 4/22°, 5/25°, 6/28°, and seven/31° fashions.
My $0.05
Corporations evolve. And Mr. Parsons is keen on the pondering that periodically each model ought to reinvent itself. Market dynamics change. And although PXG isn’t an organization constructed round gross sales targets, we’re witnessing the emergence of a brand new—dare I counsel?—predictable technique.
PXG will regularly assist three generations of flagship tools. On this case, that’s GEN3, GEN4 and GEN5. Anticipate to see deep reductions on beforehand launched tools. That mentioned, the house between releases stays considerably of a thriller. I didn’t count on to see GEN5 till late 2022, on the earliest, but right here we’re.
Alongside 0311, the 0211 line will function a softer entry level, seemingly with below-market-average pricing.
PXG believes GEN5 is the most important generation-to-generation leap in efficiency because the model entered the market.
Do you imagine them?
Pricing and Availability
Retail worth for the PXG 0311 fairway woods and hybrids is $379. They are often bought individually or as a part of a full bag bundle ($4,599 with chrome irons, $5,599 with Black Label Elite irons).
Out there now.
For extra info, go to PXG.com.
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