PXG 0311 Gen 3 Irons
The new PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons are the latest iteration of the PXG 0311 legacy. Similar to previous years, the PXG Gen 3 irons still have the same three head options: the T (Tour Performance), P (Player), and Xtreme Performance (XP). PXG revamped the looks and added some technology to create their best irons yet. Having previously bagged the PXG Gen 1 irons, I was excited to try the new Gen 3 Irons. 
The Looks
I’m just going to start by saying the PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons are the best looking club they have ever made. They feature the usual perimeter weighting screws that are the calling card of PXG clubs, and the same hollow-body design as previous models. The big difference? The muscle back appearance on the back of the iron. Though a hollow-bodied club, the muscle back look gives off a player appearance that’s somewhat reminiscent of a blade even in the P and XP heads.
The PXG Gen 3 T (above) models feature a slimmer sole and top-line to suit the eyes of better ball strikers and lower handicaps, while the XP has the largest top-line of the bunch. The Gen 3 P (below) sits “just right” in the middle with a moderate sole and top-line. Compared to the Gen 2 irons, the T and P especially had a noticeably thinner top-line, which was a big improvement in my opinion. The same can be said about offset, with less in the T and progressively more offset in the XP models.
How Does it Feel?
The PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons have finally found that “just right” in terms of feel too. The Gen 1 were extremely soft, then the Gen 2 were a little more on the firm side. The Gen 3 comfortably falls somewhere right in the middle. The feel is extremely smooth across the face in all models. The 0311T has more of that buttery forged feel, while the 0311P and XP have more of an explosive feeling. They all will still let you know when you miss them, but won’t shock your hands. The 0311T, of course, will have a more harsh feel on misses than the P or XP.
PXG was able to create great, soft feel in all of the models by literally blending the cores from their previous generations of irons. The Gen 1 irons had a much softer core while Gen 2 had a much firmer core. By blending the two together, PXG created their “impact reactor technology”. This provides an extremely soft COR core polymer in the center (similar to the Gen 1), and a slightly higher strength outer core running along the face (similar to Gen 2). The end result is a soft feel that golfers look for, while maintaining performance.
How Does it Sound?
The sound at impact of the PXG Gen 3 irons ins’t anything out of the ordinary. The 0311T have a more “solid” sound at impact, while the 0311P and XP irons have more of a louder “thwack” sound. Regardless of which model you use, the sound isn’t going to be a high pitched, hollow, aluminum sound found in some irons in today’s market. Instead, you have a solid sound to match that solid feel discussed above.
On-Course Performance
If you ask Bill, when I played the original PXG 0311 irons, I was playing the best golf of my life in terms of iron play. So, naturally, I sold them and moved on. Well, I’ve come back to PXG and it’s gone well. Since switching back to the newest 0311 irons, I’ve been more consistent with my irons than I have been in a very long time. Slight misses have been only about a five yard difference than my well-struck shots. My overall dispersion has also been better than any iron I’ve recently tested.
In terms of forgiveness, I found that even the 0311T irons had a little extra forgiveness for a good ball striker, while the P and XP were wildly forgiving. If you need some workability, the T is going to be the way to go. While you can still move the ball with the 0311P, I found them to excel with long and straight. It’s for this reason I went with a combo set. The easy “long and straight” of the 0311P is more beneficial to me in the long irons, and I still have the playability and feel of the 0311T in my short irons.
With that let’s talk distance. Lofts have been jacked all over the golf market in recent years, and today’s PW is yesterdays 9 iron. However, what I tend to look at more is ball speed. I have my PXGs bent to more standard lofts, and boy, the ball speeds were great. At the same lofts as my current irons, I gained about two mph of ball speed, AND had much better consistency and distance control. This made the decision to switch pretty easy.
Final Thoughts – PXG 0311 Gen 3 Irons
I loved my PXG Gen 1 irons, and after hitting the PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons, they went straight in the bag. The 0311T are the perfect shape and size for a smaller iron, and the 0311P’s shape and look inspires confidence in the longer clubs. The feel is fantastic, but the biggest selling point for me is how damn consistent they are. If you have the funds to splurge on a set of irons, I wouldn’t pass up giving these a try.
Stock PXG 0311T Gen 3 Specs
| Club # | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | PW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft º | 20º | 22.5º | 25º | 28º | 32º | 36º | 41º | 46º |
| Lie º | 60.5º | 61º | 61.5º | 62º | 62.5º | 63º | 63.5º | 64º |
| Length | 39.5″ | 38 7/8″ | 38 1/4″ | 37 5/8″ | 37″ | 36 1/2″ | 36″ | 35 3/4″ |
Stock PXG 0311P Gen 3 Specs
| Club # | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | PW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft º | 19º | 21.5º | 24º | 27º | 31º | 35º | 40º | 45º |
| Lie º | 60.5º | 61º | 61.5º | 62º | 62.5º | 63º | 63.5º | 64º |
| Length | 39 1/2″ | 38 7/8″ | 38 1/4″ | 37 5/8″ | 37″ | 36 1/2″ | 36″ | 35 3/4″ |
Stock PXG 0311XP Gen 3 Specs
| Club # | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | PW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft º | 17º | 19º | 21º | 24º | 28º | 32º | 37º | 42º |
| Lie º | 60º | 60.5º | 61º | 61.5º | 62º | 62.5º | 63º | 63.5º |
| Length | 40″ | 39 3/8″ | 38 3/4″ | 38 1/8″ | 37 1/2″ | 37″ | 36 1/2″ | 36 1/4″ |
What is the cost for these irons – a complete set and is there an incentive or sale to convince me to purchase a ser?
Hi John –
Up to date pricing can be found on PXG’s website or through an authorized retailer. We do not sell clubs.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
Could you let me know when the people that fits veterans for clubs, will be in Boise, Idaho
Harry,
We aren’t PXG, we do independent gear reviews.
EDIT: this read harsher than I intended. I would follow up with PXG through their site and see what they can advise. Good luck.
Thanks,
Bill
Did you do a combo set ? I’m looking to do the same was wondering how you went about yours and if you needed to change the lofts. I was looking at getting at least the 4 iron possibly through 5 and 6 in the P then rest in the T
I did do a combo. 4-7 in P and and 8-Pw in T. I also got an xf gen2 driving iron in a 3 iron loft.
I did have my fitter at club champion adjust the lofts to match up properly for the right progression.
Thanks for stopping in!
Tommy
Been a scratch handicapper for 45 years. Played every major brand of club over the last ten years. PXG are by far the greatest set of clubs ever made!! As for the price , just pony up and be happy playing the best golf of your our life. Remember ” NOBODY MAKES GOLF CLUBS LIKE THEY DO…PERIOD !!!!
William. What clubs did you used to prefer before the PXG’s.
Last three sets were , KZG’S , Mizuno, and a set Titleist irons. All were good just not solid or as long as Gen 3 PXG’S.
Excellent review. I’m considering getting Gen 3 irons & the price is too good to ignore. But I feel Gen 4s are coming therefore a big price drop. Do you have any clues?
Daman –
I have no idea, nor have I heard anything. Sorry.
Tommy
Looks like a recycled style of the Mizuno T zoid of the 90’s or Miura MC 501. Can PXG come with a better idea? Rarely do I see among my friends who use PXG IRONS have a lasting club face. Wears out quick. Metal too soft