PXG’s new GEN8 irons are fast, yes. But you also offer much more

When Bob Parsons launched the PXG 0311 line of irons in 2015, it was one of the most polarizing (and criticized) club launches in recent memory. The idea was simple: Sparing no expense, how can we make the best performing (and feeling) golf grips? Indeed, the initial offerings were expensive; the unit cost per club (production cost, not retail) was somewhere in the range of 3 times what a normal club costs.

Despite the public and many in the industry speculating that the concept of a sticker price of $350 per iron would never last, PXG thrived and created a new “premium” market that we hadn’t seen in the US. The hype was real, the market was created and PXG, after 10 years and more, continues to innovate and do it their way. PXG always has made great irons. I can’t think of a generation of PXG irons that doesn’t match the marketing pitch in terms of ball speed and user experience.

Under the creativity and brain power of COO Brad Schweigert and Mike Nicolette, Senior Director of R&D, PXG has not only continued to produce quality irons, but now also . . . or really good driver. This part is not easy for such a young company; 10 years is a milestone in terms of IP building and innovation, so to think that PXG is a full The company’s 14 clubs (plus a ball!) of excellent products speaks volumes for the will of Bob Parsons and Co.

Now comes the latest chapter in the history of PXG irons. The new one 5X Counterfeit GEN8 0311 (P, XP, T) iron series is here, and I have to say . . . they bring a LOT interesting story and perhaps a new way of looking at iron design. Keep in mind that Nicolette is one of the most respected builders in the game, so it’s no coincidence that PXG continues to push the technology all the while putting it in a package that pleases.

“With the GEN8,” Nicolette said in a release, “we focused on elevating every performance variable without compromise, from the polymer to the face architecture to the weighting system; every element works together to maximize energy transfer, tighten distribution and deliver the smooth, responsive feel golfers expect from PXG.”

Read on for more about the PXG GEN8 irons, including my take on the release.

What’s really new with the PXG GEN8 irons — and why you should care

History of technology

If you’ve followed PXG over the years, you’d know this visible weight distribution has been her calling card. It seemed ridiculous at the time, but the idea was actually quite brilliant and representative of a company trying to push the boundaries at every turn. GEN8 marks a new level of sophistication in the R&D process that may look like other OEMs, but is still LOT PXG.

What can we typically expect from PXG irons?

The company shines in new-age craftsmanship. I say knowing any OEM pushes the boundaries, but PXG’s ethos to me is a club maker that almost never looks back and is always aiming for the next big thing. I love it.

Let’s dive in.

QuantumCORwhich is a proprietary polymer that essentially satisfies a few key things: (1) It pushes an iron’s COR to the razor’s edge of the law and (2) Creates the sound and feel to match what players want.

Is this new? No. Quantum COR was present in GEN7; there’s just more of it this time around, and it’s lower on top of the club compared to its predecessors.

PXG has always made its irons QUICK first and drove them away from there. Some may think this tactic is only wise for remote irons, but honestly, I think it makes sense on all platforms. . . even with bars for the back muscles.

Why?

Because technology allows you to build spin and nuance after the fact; it is more difficult to make the clubs accurate first and fast second. Does it make sense? That means utilizing proprietary internals to nail down the iron construction in sound, feel or speed – or all of the above. The use of Quantum COR is another example of evolution.

In the case of PXG, a new internal tungsten weighing system moves the CG out of the tungsten bunch out at the toe (20G T, 25GP and 15G XP), giving her cuffs one more opportunity to maximize priority no. 1, which is the speed of the ball across the face and the increase in MOI.

This is not a speed story (at least not completely). PXG irons have always lived as close to the legal limit as any company on the golf course, so speed is always part of the story, but it’s not the selling point of the GEN8 line. Forgiveness and efficiency and adaptability are now pushed to . . . X-Treme. So don’t worry: GEN8 brings all the speed vibes, but PXG just didn’t have to lead with it this time.

Deep core recoil technology

Deep Core Recoil technology is the mechanism that makes the face pop. In terms of the 4th grade, PXG created more space behind the face to allow the face to flex even further to create ball speed and feel. More clearance means more polymer (0.200 inch rear and 0.300 inch lower) in the hollow and boom. This in combination with PXG ultra thin maraging steel face not only does it create speed opportunities, but it also reduces spin efficiency and trajectory. The latter is the goal achieved here.

Double perimeter weighing system

The most compelling advancement in the GEN8 line is new double perimeter weighing system that does some things to an iron that I just haven’t seen. First, by placing movable weights in the extreme heel and toe sections, PXG fitters can influence and improve point of impact and, more importantly, launch lines without adjusting the pitch angle; it also allows them to take the weight of the swing without adding weight to the heel. Moving the weights to make the CG constant isn’t a new idea, but the way PXG has done it is different.

“Edel did it first!”

Yes, we’ll hear this refrain from serious gearheads, but the GEN8 surpasses any previous product. The PXG is moving more weight, and that weight sits farther into the ends of the clubhead than anything I’ve seen. And it’s actually something you can see in the air.

By reducing the weight in the toe and heel and away from the center, PXG significantly increased the MOI, making the 0311 T iron extremely forgiving as well.

PXG said that nearly all golfers were able to differentiate between the different weight configurations during testing, with all of them seeing a measurable difference in swing direction.

This development alone really piqued my interest and I can say now that after testing and playing rounds with these irons, this perimeter weighting package has obvious value against other irons.

PXG GEN8 0311 iron line

GEN8 0311 P

What is she?: Iron distance players on creatine. In this category (see: Apex Ai200, 790, T250, etc.), the 0311 P is the longest and highest launch I’ve hit, and the double girth weight adds a bit of nuance to the flight for top players who need this iron.

Who is it for?: 5-15 handicaps and good bowlers looking for help at all costs.

GEN8 0311 XP

What is she?: Top speed mack-truck. Simple. Fast, forgiving, high release. If the entire line is one big party, XP is Mardi Gras night.

Who is it for?: High handicappers looking to have fun, punch them all over the face and run away with it. PXG does extreme sorry better than anyone.

PXG GEN8 0311T

What is she?: Historically a platform I’ve loved and played. Tournament formation with a speed pack. Fast and forgiving for this category. These irons don’t spin as much as some of their competitors in this category, but they do release higher than everyone else, so they’re apples to apples. For the most part, stopping power comes from landing angle, not roll. A forgiving package for the best speed players. many of speed. Perfect for someone like me.

Who is it for?: Tournament level up to 8 handicaps.

GEN8 0311 X Car iron

What is she?: Hottest iron driver (18 degrees) I’ve seen in years: 4-wood speed, 3-wood spin, with north-south trajectory control. It gets up and can go down.

Who is it for?: Really fast players who can be challenged with a 3-wood, hybrids disagree with them; also suitable for that player in Texas or Scotland who thrives on hitting bullets that run forever. In short, it’s a special club that’s a really good time, but you better be fast or it could be a problem. Think Jake Knapp not Joe Pesci.

My opinion: The ability to play in something that I they want to play

This was my first outing with PXG since going brand agnostic. Nothing has changed and I love that this is true. I’ve always found the PXG club experience to be a ton of fun for one simple reason: they design golf clubs that will help ANYONE hit a bunch of good shots.

If I take T iron, for example, yes, it is one hot iron players, but for someone like me who wants daily play with little to no effort, it’s a blessing. I can play an iron in a tour package that has the speed of a player’s distance iron and the nuance of something closer to a CB Tour. I can’t say that about many irons these days, at least not ones that are as long as these. The Callaway Rogue ST Pro was the last set I could say reflected this experience. That iron may not have been for the serious club connoisseur, but they were a day in and day out party. I played phenomenal golf with those things.

The GEN8 0311 T gives me the same feel and performance, but this time in a forged 5X package. That’s PXG – they just always take it one step further. I imagine if PXG made Ferrari, their version would be an F1 mod. That’s the only way they roll.

The GEN8 across the board took the fastest iron platform I know and built it into efficiency. That’s saying a lot these days, because everyone makes clubs that forgive quickly, but this launch took it deeper. This type of evolution is usually reserved for executives.

Parsons founded this company to satisfy a question he had: How to make golf clubs that don’t compromise EVERYWHERE? Knowing Bob over the years, what he really meant was HOW do i make golf clubs FUN to hit all the time?

Some might say that PXG irons aren’t for everyone, and that’s right – they probably aren’t. But as someone who does this for a living, I can confidently say that anyone looking for a fun golf club day in and day out, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better than the GEN8 0311. They’re simply a party that you have to experience.

Price, specifications and availability

PXG’s new GEN8 irons are available to order starting January 15 IN PXG.com.

Each iron will be offered in Chrome or Xtreme Dark colors, with the Chrome irons costing $229 per club and the Xtreme Dark $249 per.

The advancements of the iron loft are as follows:

0311 P: (4-GW) 20.5, 23, 26, 30, 34, 39, 44, 49
0311 xp: (4-gw) 18, 20, 23, 27, 31, 36, 41, 47
0311 T: (3-PW) 20, 22.5, 25, 28, 32, 36, 41, 46

Want to find the best irons for your game in 2026? Find a convenient club location near you at True Spec Golf.

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