50 Words or Less
The PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron is a beast. Beautiful with huge distance potential. Low launch and spin.
Introduction
The PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron is a late addition to the GEN4 family, but one worth waiting for. It was developed with PXG’s Tour Staff in mind, but there’s enough technology here to make it approachable for the low handicap amateur, too. Let’s dive into one of the most impressive long game weapons I’ve tested lately.
Check out the new PXG 0311 X GEN5 driving iron HERE
Looks
In the bag, the PXG 0311 X GEN4 driving iron looks nearly identical to the other PXG GEN4 irons. Mill marks cover the stair-stepped back, and the PXG logo is tucked into the toe. Four small weights surround the large Precision Weighting Technology port. The distinguishing mark is the mysterious “X” where the iron’s number would normally be.
At address, the 0311 X is the best looking driving iron I’ve ever tested. Most driving irons tilt toward a game improvement look; the X does not. There’s less offset in the X than in the 3I of the 0311 ST GEN4 irons [review HERE]. The top line is somewhere between the 0311 P GEN4 [review HERE] and 0311 T GEN4 irons [review HERE]. Most important to my eye, the face height and size is “normal” – not the stretched, low profile look that many driving irons go for.
The PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron is available in the chrome finish shown here and the Xtreme Dark Finish.
Sound & Feel
One of things that most excited me about testing the 0311 X was the chance to feel the new XCOR Technology. XCOR is the material inside the iron head that supports the ultra-thin club face. PXG describes it as “bunny rabbit soft and off-the-charts explosive” which is a description that’s tough to top.
I found the 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron to be very soft on centered shots but still solid. The pure strikes also had a healthy dose of PXG’s signature “bounce” off the face. It’s a sensation that’s fast without being thin, and it’s very satisfying.
The feedback from this club is just as uncompromising as the Tour look. When my strikes moved toward the heel, I knew it immediately. The XCOR Technology keeps these shots from stinging your hands, but the feel is far from the rewarding centered feeling.
Performance
Few things in golf make me happier than when an OEM is honest about what their club does. In the case of the 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron, it looks like PXG took their talking points straight from my review notes. Low launch, low spin, fast ball speed, and tight dispersion. Check, check, check, and check.
The most standout number in my launch monitor testing was the ball speed. On my best swings, I was seeing speed equal to a titanium-faced hybrid of the same loft. That alone is a huge testament to the power of XCOR Technology and the Ultra Thin Face. What’s equally important for non-Tour players is the forgiveness. When my strikes wandered toward the hosel, I was still getting playable distance and trajectory.
On the topic of trajectory, the 0311 X wants to fire piercing bullets. I opted for a lighter, higher launching shaft but rarely saw spin above 3,000 RPM. I am a low spin player by nature, so your mileage may vary, make sure you’re fit, etc. The launch angles were robust – there was only a four degree gap between my thin strikes and my best swings – but they were low. Make sure you get the right shaft and verify that this club fits your swing.
With that low spin, the PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron produces extremely tight dispersion. While you can force this club to cut or draw, it really wants to go straight. Obviously the face is not going to square itself, but if you do that part, you’ll find your ball in the fairway. I’ll also re-emphasize that the X has very little offset, so players who fear the hook are going to love it.
I want to close with a quick reality check. At 18 degrees (the only loft offered), this is not the best option for players without above average swing speed. Similarly, though the forgiveness is good, there was a significant gap between my best and worst balls. If you’re regularly utilizing the edges of the face, you’re likely a better fit for one of PXG’s hybrids [reviews HERE].
Conclusion
From the looks to the feel to the performance, I love everything about the PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron. The launch monitor numbers are so silly I was accused in a text of posting my driver numbers. If you’ve got the requisite speed and ball striking ability, head to your PXG fitter to dial in one of these for your bag.
Visit PXG HERE
PXG 0311 X GEN4 Driving Iron Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Thanks Matt for the review. How would this one compare to Ping G425 Crossover?
Erik,
I didn’t test the G425 Crossover, but Zack has a review here: https://pluggedingolf.com/ping-g425-crossover-review/
-Matt
What distance were you getting? Thx!
Ryan,
My best shots were carrying over 220 yards.
-Matt
How does it compare to the new level?
Scott,
Which model?
-Matt
Sorry, the NLU-01
Scott,
I have a full review of the NLU-01 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/new-level-nlu-01-utility-iron-review/
I don’t have head to head data, but my sense is that the NLU-01 is thicker and will launch higher. Ball speed may not be quite as high but may be more robust.
-Matt
You reviewed the PXG gen3 XP irons. This may seem a silly question (I’m a hack) but how does this compare to the 3i in that set? I have the gen3 XP set from 3i, and if I remember correctly, the 3i is a 17° loft. I can verify that it fired off lower shots than I’m used to seeing on an iron, but my first set did not have comparable lofts or a 3i. I love my irons, and have never enjoyed hybrids, so I actually play the 3i. Probably shouldn’t have taken up space with the 4i. Really I retested to know how they compare as you’ve tried both, and I didn’t think to try the X at my fitting.
The GEN3 XP 3I is larger and move forgiving than the 0311 X GEN4.
Best,
Matt
Would there ever be a benefit to having both? Are their carry distances similar? Is the driving iron likely to fire lower shots even with 2 or 3° more loft?
I cannot see any reason to carry both. One degree difference in loft is not going to make a meaningful difference in distance.
-Matt
Do you think this has more forgiveness as a replacement for a gen3T 3 iron? Also what shaft did you test it with? Thanks
Anthony,
I think it would be very close in terms of forgiveness. There is less offset, which will help some players, hurt others.
I tested it with the Accra 80i.
-Matt
The driving iron 0311 x and gen4 xp 4 iron are both 18 degree what is the different between them and which one will you recommend?which one will go more straight? Thank you very much.😀
Chun,
As always, we recommend getting fit. Some players will perform better with the Driving Iron, others with the XP.
-Matt
Graphite or steel shaft for better distance on this club?
Ryan,
It depends on the player. Graphite is typically lighter, but that doesn’t always mean more distance. You should get fit before buying.
-Matt
Just snatched this up with an MMT80. Excited to test it against my UW which is a rocket, but gets to being a bit too hot here and there. Thank you for the review
How does this compare to the original TM UDI in terms of head shape, offset and sole width?
Oskar,
I have a review of the 2019 UDI here: https://pluggedingolf.com/2019-taylormade-p790-udi-driving-iron-review/
-Matt