50 Words or Less
The PXG 0811 XF Gen2 driver has less weight adjustability than the 0811 X, but it offers more forgiveness. Impressive consistency in spin, launch, and ball speed.
Introduction
In my review of the 0811X Gen2 driver, I praised PXG for substantially lowering the price while improving the performance. In this review, I’m setting out to examine if they can complete another difficult trick: offering two drivers that are meaningfully different.
Looks
The look of the 0811 XF Gen2 driver is almost identical to the 0811 X Gen2. Both have a matte black crown, lots of carbon fiber, and an “X” alignment aid. They also share their most interesting feature: a raised ridge in the center of the crown.
Where the two drivers differ is that the XF is slightly longer from front to back. It’s hard to overemphasize how small this difference is. Without having the two clubs side by side, I doubt I would be able to detect the contrast.
One other aesthetic note: PXG’s stock headcover is the best I’ve seen. The material has a great feel to it, and the stitching and logo are substantial. While plenty of people (myself included) have talked about PXG’s pricing, there can be no argument that they don’t offer a premium experience from the box the clubs are shipped in, to the headcover, to the club itself.
Sound & Feel
While PXG’s brand image is bold and brash, the sound of their Gen2 woods couldn’t be more understated. The 0811 XF Gen2 driver is downright quiet at impact. There’s no metallic or hollow tones at all, just a solid knock.
This is designed to be a stable, forgiving head, so feedback is modest. The sound dulls ever so slightly on mishits. You need to miss badly to feel much in your hands, but you can notice small misses once you spend some time with the club.
Performance
I was fit for my 0811 XF Gen2 driver at PXG Chicago. I went in knowing which head I wanted to use – I’m a believer in maximum forgiveness off the tee – so it came down to the shaft and settings. As we worked through different shafts, the main thing that stood out to me was how robust the spin numbers were. There were some shafts that kept me in the center of the face, others had me all over the place. Regardless of shaft, the 0811 XF Gen2 kept a similar low/mid spin profile shot after shot.
Similarly, the ball speed and launch were very stable. Mishits will always have some cost in terms of ball speed, but the 0811 XF Gen2 kept me north of 150 MPH on all but my worst swings.
After ample testing, we settled on an unsurprising choice: the Fujikura Speeder Evolution IV (review HERE). I’ve gamed this shaft extensively, so it was no surprise that it helped me to find the center of the face most frequently. It also didn’t hurt that the black shaft completes the stealthy look of this set up.
When I got the driver to the range, I saw the same things I observed in the fitting studio: high launching, mid/low spinning drives that carried forever (by my standards). With the weights and hosel set neutral, the Speeder Evo IV kept my drives away from the left side, which is my preference. I was able to easily shift between hitting straight shots and cuts.
In comparing the 0811 XF Gen2 to its brother, the XF has far less weight adjustability. The XF has five weight ports, all along the back edge. This is in contrast to the 0811 X which has nine ports – three forward, three in the heel, and three in the back. What you gain by giving up the weight ports is more forgiveness. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable on a launch monitor. Since both drivers have 1.5 degrees of adjustability at the hosel, I think that’s a good trade to make.
Conclusion
If you value forgiveness off the tee, the PXG 0811 XF Gen2 driver needs to be on your list of clubs to try. This is a high performing club that delivers consistent results, even when your swing is inconsistent.
I also need to tip my hat to PXG for lowering the price of their woods while raising the bar for performance. At $575, it’s only slightly more than drivers from Callaway and TaylorMade, but PXG offers a wider range of no up-charge shafts. Depending on your shaft of choice, the 0811 XF Gen2 might be higher performing and less expensive.
PXG 0811 XF Gen2 Driver Price and Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Too expensive especially for seniors who love golf
I only here good things about this club!!!
Will this driver make it in the bag as your gamer? Numbers look great….
Brandon,
It’s certainly going to get a look. Hard to say for sure until someone definitively takes out the king.
Best,
Matt
Been a scratch golfer for over 40 years . This is the best driver ever made. It simply puts more energy on the ball. I hit the Taylor made driver about 245- 255 with no roll. The PIG flew about 235 -240 but I’m getting about 30-40 yards of roll. Much less spin rates and better launch angles.
Face it folks , if you aren’t playing PXG’s . Your just playing hockey!!!
The glowing review matched my experience and tactile impressions in exactly the same way.
At my fitting, I ended up with the Evenflow White shaft but after hitting all the top makers, the XF was a night and day difference.
It was the last club I tried and my swing speed had dropped after hitting 80+ balls. Two things happened when I swung the XF. The swing speed bounced back as the well matched head and shaft got me back to square at impact with ease and my flight shape was a slight draw that was was significantly more accurate than any driver I’ve hit in 51 years of play. It feels like a flushed persimmon every hit. The good hit/lesser hit feelings are very subtle as are the difference in results.
The first comment was about the expense for seniors. I ended up spending $175 more than any driver I’ve ever bought and for the difference it made for me, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Given that the other name-brand drivers are now only a few $ less than this, I’d give it a try. I w/b in the market to evaluate drivers sometime before next season (hitting a strong 3-wood these days). For me, the cost, while substantial, is sort of irrelevant. I don’t drink (much), smoke or gamble (at all) & since I’m happily married, the other vices are off the table. So what else would/should I spend my $ on? LOL
I spent too much money on products that are subpar. Purchasing a driver that actually helps me keep the ball in the fairway with good distance is well worth the investment. I have no desire to hit another driver. The GEN2 XF driver is unbelievably forgiving and long. I knocked a few strokes off my score simply by having playable tee shots. Now, I have confidence that I can get off the tee. My driver was my most difficult club to hit in my bag, and when I considered that I only use the putter more than the driver, it made sense to purchase something that I can consistently hit. Well done PXG. I never buy a club without reading Plugged in golf.
Although it has truly super forgiveness, I have lost 15 yards on the gen2 xf compared to my Titleist 910 D3. I have been carrying both in my bag(illegal). My best game ever was with the xf but I can’t stand the loss of yards.
Richard,
That’s interesting. Did the XF spin too much or too little? Was it a launch issue? Just curious what caused such a dramatic difference.
-Matt
I received my driver 0811X Gen 2 today.. looks great I had a bit of a slice so proceeded to make some adjustments to dial it in. To my surprise there was NO adjustment guide in the fancy box it was shipped in???? So I preceded to PXG and get a copy of the guide. I was told there was not one available and I would have to go online to get it. (wow what customer service) I went on line and all I have found is a poorly done quick video. Again I called PXG three times and waited and extended length of time and got NO answer. I have been searching on line to find a PRINTED guide (no luck) I am still waiting for a call back from PXG. I have bought Taylor Made and Titlest and they both supply a setup guide. I think I made a mistake buying the PXG>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Weird because I called PXG today to ask about an adjustment guide and they emailed it to me while I was on the phone with them, which was answered immediately and the representative, Blake, was very helpful and polite.
Thanks for the review! I also read your review of the Epic Flash line of drivers. If you were deciding between the flash( regular or sub zero) and this what would you choose? Thank you for all the reviews!
Jonathan,
I would get fit and figure out which one performs best for me. Between the PXG, the Epic Flash, and Epic Flash Sub Zero, you’re talking about three very different clubs that will likely have significant performance difference for any given player.
Best,
Matt
Apparently PXG has put the gen 2 drivers on sale for the rest of the month. It seems like the XF is designed for lower swing speed players. From what I read elsewhere, there is a draw bias as well. What are your thoughts? Thanks
Alex,
In the neutral setting, I did not find the XF to be draw biased.
Best,
Matt
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During the Covid Crisis I was introduced to PXG with the sale that has taken place. I ordered the 0810x and had it delivered to my door. I did not get online fitting and assumed it would be great after reading the reviews. I was hitting the driver ok and a month ago set up a trip to go to Scottsdale for a few days. I set up a tee time at TPC-Champions and an appointment at PXG HQ to review settings on my driver. I will say the experience was awesome! After hitting with my PXG fitter–he started to adjust weights etc and then brought out a lighter shaft and the 0810xf…The difference was amazing…I just started hitting better! We talked that this was the better fit for me. I was prepared to purchase a new 0810XF driver and sell what I had purchased in the early spring. He came back with news telling me to go play at TPC and when I was done drop off the 0810X and he will build a new 0801XF with my specs and ship it to me at no cost! How cool was that. I have since received the 0810XF and cannot say more than good things about the driver. Confidence.
What’s your swing speed? I’m 69 years old and thinking of buying one. I’m going to be fitted tomorrow
I loved my PXG GEN 1 Driver however after the twelfth month the Fujikura shaft started peeling graphite I was twenty days out of warranty and I was basically told I’m out of luck, it kind of pissed me off as a Vietnam veteran and all the hype you get from PXG….
My driver is the PXG 0811 XF Gen 2 . The shaft is the Aldila next gen MLT, 55-R, 9 degrees. With the purchase of the club, I was given the tool for changing or adjusting the 5 weights in the club head. But, I was not given a chart that explains how to make the changes to achieve a draw or a fade, or to achieve a change in loft. The online video was not helpful. It would be greatly appreciated if you could send me a copy of the chart that I could print and keep in my bag.
Robert,
Unfortunately, I do not have a chart regarding the weights.
-Matt
Got my PXG 0811 XF last fall. I was ready to punt it to my son but I stuck with it this spring. I am absolutely punishing the ball! Typically I am 15 yards or more behind my partners. Now I am constantly past them. Old driver was R15
my friend gave me a pxg o811 xf driver head with 6 weights in the rear sole that says demo, Anyone know what it is?
I recently purchased a used PXG 0811XF driver and find it to be the best that I’ve ever used. In my first round of golf with it I hit 11/14 fairways. I was also 235-240 yards off the tee, which is fine for a 61-year old. All I have to do to hit it straight is swing smooth and easy like using a hybrid. This driver has 10.5 degrees of loft with a regular flex Project X shaft. It’s the perfect driver for me and I’m very happy with the performance it’s given me. Find and use golf clubs that
work for you. There’s nothing better than having confidence and playing well with your golf toys. All the best to you.