50 Words or Less
The PXG 0311 XF Gen2 irons perform well, but don’t stand out. Hard to differentiate from the 0311 P Gen2 irons.
Introduction
One of the complaints from certain quarters of the golf world is that OEMs put too many irons on the shelf. With four models in their new line up, PXG would seem immune to such criticism, but have they don’t enough to differentiate the XF from the P? We tested it to find out.
Note: As you can tell from the pictures, this review is based on our testing with a demo 6 iron. We contacted PXG about submitting product for a review, but they were not interested. We did use more testers than normal to offer as much insight as possible.
Looks
The PXG 0311 XF Gen2 is very, very similar to the 0311 P Gen2. There’s slightly more offset (0.02″ in the 6I), but I doubt the average golfer would notice if it weren’t pointed out to them. The top line, sole, and blade length are all very similar as well.
In our test group, the XF was given the backhanded compliment of being “surprisingly attractive.“ Our testers heard the name “XF” and assumed it would be huge, but found it very similar to the “Player” model.
Sound & Feel
The 0311 XF Gen2 is a hollow body iron that’s filled with a material that PXG calls COR2. This creates a soft, elastic feeling when the ball is struck perfectly. The accompanying sound is crisp and satisfying.
When you miss the sweet spot – which is surprisingly small – the feel gets substantially firmer and the sound becomes dull. Feedback is average. It’s easy to know when you missed, but pinpointing the location can be difficult.
Performance
The PXG 0311 XF Gen2 irons look like the 0311 P and they feel like the 0311 P and the performance…that’s about the same, too.
The XF irons have lofts that are one degree stronger throughout the set, but that difference is negligible. In our test group – which included some very good players – the launch angles, spin, and distance were nearly identical. If distance is your focus, take the XF over the P, but don’t expect a noticeable difference.
As with the other PXG Gen2 irons, the forgiveness is good. Smash factor stayed fairly consistent on flush shots and small mishits. The dispersion was consistent with what we expect from a good game improvement iron.
Conclusion
The PXG 0311 XF Gen2 iron seems to be a redundant member of the new line up. With specs and performance that are extremely similar to the 0311 P Gen 2, I’m not sure what the need for the XF is. Looking at the market more broadly, I’ll state again that PXG has made a quality iron, but the performance doesn’t justify the cost. You can get irons that are just as good or better for a quarter of the price.
PXG 0311 XF Gen2 Irons Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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27 Comments
I appreciate your honesty when it comes to PXG. There’s nothing special about these clubs other than cost. There’s more forgiving, better feel, and longer irons for less.
Great feedback to great article
Missing one major point…
What are the more forgiving – or as, better feel, longer, forged irons you referring to?
Suggest 2 please
🙏🏼
8.8 hdcp
Current Miura bb 4-sw
I never tried a Pxg iron . To me it looks like this iron would make the best fit ,with all the weighting you could do to this iron.
Dude you should not be allowed to test irons. Once again way off….
Dude, you should offer some data or at least your personal experiences. Once again, worthless comment.
Best,
Matt
Well the tune in the reviews has changed drastically from gen2 vs gen3. You guys absolutely love everything about the gen3 irons so what changed that dramatically from one model to the next??? It does make you wonder which is why I’m asking this. You guys are now used as a quote you made regarding the gen3 on pxg’s own website along with the new 0211 line. How did they win you over that much? I use pxg irons so these previous “reviews” are a very different tune.
Tom,
It’s pretty simple: the irons got a lot better. Look at PXG’s own data regarding GEN3 – same lofts with massive ball speed increases, plus they used a dual core which dramatically improved the feel. But thanks for your “question.”
-Matt
I’m a 10 capper looking to go from players irons to a game improvement set. Which ones would have the largest sweet spot?
John,
If you’re going toward more game improvement, I would look at the TaylorMade P790, the Callaway Rogue or Rogue Pro (depending on the look you prefer), and the PING i200, G400, or G700, again, depending on the look you want and how far you want to go toward the “GI” look.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt. Currently gaming the Ben Hogan PTx and looking for a larger sweet spot without giving up too much on the top view. My bad strikes tend to be closer to the heel. Would an iron with a hollowed out hosel help (center of gravity moved out)?
John,
Hosels are, by nature, hollowed out. If you’re looking for a club that would allow you to shift the CoG slightly, the PXGs would fit the bill.
Best,
Matt
Lol, yes hosels are hollow. This was a comment you made on the CBX iron that intrigued me: The seemingly expanded sweet spot may be attributable to what Cleveland calls Feel Balancing Technology, where a microcavity was created in the hosel to move the center of gravity closer to the center of the face.
I’m so glad not everyone can afford PXG it gives me a huge advantage over everyone the clubs are in credible Bob Semper Fi brother Semper Fi
Matt, need your help. I’m a high handicapper and need your advice of Ping G700 or PXG super improvement irons. Considering the strong dough for PXG, they need to be significantly better. Are they???
Steve,
Not one bit*. Save the money.
*Standard caveat: some people will fit into the PXG’s better, so they may see better performance.
Best,
Matt
I loved the article. Now I’m stumped on which to get. I always have a problem deciding.
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Not saying it’s a bad review, but you definitely seem a little biased against PXG from the get-go… just have something against the brand (or price tag) in general?
Travis,
Not a thing – go read my review of the 0317 hybrid.
-Matt
I guess I’m with Travis a bit, you seem to have a strong anti pxg bias because they won’t supply test clubs.
Regardless, one of the comments I’m not understanding completely is your comment that the sweet spot is surprisingly small (you say it in almost all the pxg iron reviews). Are you commenting on the SOUND or the PERFORMANCE? In my testing, the pxg irons get very good results far from the center, but admittedly feel much more muted and dull, almost ambiguous. So while I agree, the sweet spot might be small to get that perfect impact sensation, the actual ball flight you get far off the sweet spot is fantastic. Saying the sweet spot is surprisingly small seems to be implying they aren’t forgiving. You can certainly argue the price is nuts, but I don’t find forgiveness is an issue with them at all.
Why do you hate PXG? Yes, they are expensive, but virtually every person I know that has given them a try falls in love with them and wishes they had the money to afford them. There are NO clubs at 1/4 the price that are even close in performance and especially feel.
Mark,
I’m no hater, I have PXG irons in my bag: https://pluggedingolf.com/about/matt-saternus/matts-whats-in-the-bag/
-Matt
I really like these irons. They feel much better, and play about the same as my Ping g400 irons. I think the Nippon Modus 105 shafts are perfect with these irons. I like the Ping G400 max driver, fairway wood, and hybrid better than the PXG counterparts, there is more *pop* to the feel.
I’m getting, but for only $125/club new
These are now $20 more per club than the new 0211’s. Are the new 0211’s a no brainer over these, or is a lot of the sentiment in this review a result of the outrageous MSRP?
Nick,
I’d want to hit the GEN2 head to head against the 0211 before I said anything definitive, but my gut reaction is that the 0211s are the way to go.
Best,
Matt
Agree with Matt. Nice looking club but small sweet spot. Great review.