It is widely understood that possessing a quality driver is crucial for both amateurs and professionals alike. The perfect driver has the ability to generate distance and accuracy, making it an essential tool for success on the course. In this article we will look at the PXG driver. Well, actually two of them!
PXG (Parsons Extreme Golf) is a well-known brand that is growing in popularity every year. They are recognized for their innovative technology, performance-driven products, and luxurious designs. And these two clubs are no different!
PXG 0211 vs PXG 0311
Today, we will be looking at the PXG 2022 0211 and the PXG 0311 XF Gen5. We will look at the pros and cons of each, compare the differences and similarities, and give our overall impressions of these PXG drivers.
What will we be looking for?
The truth is the most important factor of any golf club is usually the price. Although just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. Similarly, the fact that something is affordable doesn’t automatically imply its inferiority. This is where PXG has a fantastic reputation for great quality clubs that are not cheap, but rather, cheaper than they should be.
Distance plays a crucial role for drivers, as it determines the length the ball travels from the tee to the fairway. A good driver allows players to maximize their swing speed and generate long shots, providing them with a significant advantage. The ability to hit the ball further enables golfers to approach the green with shorter clubs, increasing their chances of achieving lower scores.
Accuracy is equally important in golf, and a good driver can contribute to hitting the ball precisely where intended. It provides players with the confidence to align their shots correctly, leading to better placement on the fairway. A driver with a forgiving sweet spot can help reduce the negative impact of off-center hits, allowing golfers to maintain accuracy even on slightly mishit shots.
Furthermore, a well-suited driver can enhance a golfer’s consistency and overall performance. It can promote a proper swing technique and increase the likelihood of a square clubface at impact. This leads to more predictable ball flights and reduces the risk of slices or hooks, common errors that can hinder progress.
Investing time and effort into finding the right driver and mastering its usage can lead to improved results and a more enjoyable golfing experience.
PXG Driver 2022 0211
The Looks
We really like the aesthetics of this PXG driver. Sleek and elegant yet somehow still modern due to the black finish. Perhaps not a classic, but we like it all the same.
This continues down behind the ball. PXG has refrained from complicating the aesthetics at the address. A triangular section draws attention to the carbon fiber area of the crown, which also aids in framing the ball elegantly. Apart from that, the overall design remains modest and unassuming.
Even more significant is the generous head size of the PXG 0211 driver. It boasts a substantial footprint behind the ball, instilling confidence without being excessively large and clunky. Moreover, it rests perfectly square at address, in contrast to numerous offset drivers found within this lower price range. As you may already deduce, we thoroughly admire its appearance when set up for a shot.
The Feel
We would characterize the feel and impact sound as vibrant. It is noticeably less muted than some of the pricier alternatives. While it may not produce a deep, powerful thud, it offers an exceptionally effortless hitting experience. For golfers seeking a driver that is easy to launch and forgiving, we believe this option fits the bill splendidly.
The Performance
The performance of this club exceeded expectations considering its price. It delivered a powerful flight without excessive ballooning, and the spin rate remained consistently favorable. Additionally, the overall average distance achieved was notably impressive. Moreover, what truly mattered was how effortless it was to hit throughout the testing session.
What impressed us the most was how stable it was. Even if you catch it all wrong, the flight, spin and distance were all impacted less than we would have expected. This is a forgiving driver that makes it actually kind of difficult to slice or hook.
However, it is not magic. More like, you are punished less for the mistakes you do make.
PXG Driver 0311 XF Gen5
The Looks
Once again, this PXG driver has fantastic aesthetics.
The Gen5 models retain the AV carbon fiber on the crown, which now covers the entire surface but with a considerably subdued appearance. We found the previous version to be overly glossy, but this issue has been addressed, resulting in a sleek crown that is visually appealing and more comfortable to look at.
In contrast to its predecessors, the 0311 XF Gen5 driver features a taller clubface accompanied by a higher and more pronouncedly curved crown. This gives you a more traditional shape when at address. Despite its toned-down appearance, the AV carbon fiber crown still retains its prominence, offering a distinctive and striking aesthetic that sets it apart from the majority of drivers available in the market.
The design of the club is characterized by its sleek, minimalist, and aerodynamic elements. It incorporates three weight ports, strategically positioned at the outermost perimeter of the clubhead, aiming to enhance both the sound and feel during impact.
The Feel
The feel and sound of the 0311 XF Gen5 Driver can probably be best described as explosive, full, and complete. The ball seems to leap from the clubface as if its spring loaded. Yet, there is still a lot of fingertip feedback which we like. Some other drivers can feel unresponsive, and you really can’t tell how cleanly you struck the ball.
The sound of this PXG driver is immensely satisfying. Not too high pitched and tinny, but not to low pitched and dull. We half expected a cartoon “thwack” to appear as in an old iteration of batman from the 60’s!
Furthermore, they managed to achieve these pleasing sounds without utilizing TPE pads, resulting in a weight savings of 4-6 grams compared to GEN4.
The Performance
The first thing to say about the performance of this club is that the XF stands for extra forgiving, and they are not wrong. It was almost as if the sweet spot was twice as big! The 0211 was stable but this is something else entirely.
The distance was also impressive. Some drivers have a tendency to lose distance in favor of forgiveness, but we were launching balls into the distance with ease.
This may not be true, but we seemed to get less spin added to the ball also. Perhaps it was just in our heads but the lines we were hitting were as good as any driver we’ve used recently.
The value for money this club offers makes it a very hard proposition to resist.
Overall
We were very impressed with both of these drivers. The 0311 XF is slightly better given its exceptional forgiveness. Although, the 0211 was also more forgiving than we expected.
The looks, feel, and performance of both clubs were top quality and a high standard. This is what we have come to expect from PXG and, to be honest, they are fast becoming one of our favorite brands. Not only for the quality of their clubs but also for the exceptional value for money they offer.