PXG 0811 X+ Proto Driver
The new PXG Proto drivers hit the PXG site recently as a limited run taken directly from Tour Pro testing right to the consumer. According to PXG, the Proto drivers were released because “player feedback of our Proto Driver has been so exceptional, we’re making a limited quantity available to you.” We don’t know how many are available, but it’s been made clear this is a limited run and isn’t a Gen 3 option that will continue to be available. The new PXG Proto drivers come in two models, the more forgiving 0811 X+ Proto, and the lower spinning 0811 X Proto. I haven’t been a huge fan of the Gen 1 or Gen 2 0811 drivers, so I was interested to check these new drivers out to see if anything has changed.
The Looks
I have to say that the PXG 0811 X+ Proto driver is the best looking driver that PXG has made to date. The crown features a matte black finish with a carbon fiber center section that really pops and gives the crown some flair. It also serves as a nice frame behind the ball at address. At the center of the crown, towards the face, sits the “x” alignment aid seen on previous PXG woods. While I’m not a huge fan of it, you stop noticing and adjust to it pretty quickly.
The sole has a chrome PXG logo in the center, and is surrounded by four weights. The combination of both matte and gloss black gives off a stealthy, but clean look. I also have to say the face on both options sits fairly open at address. With that, the reflective gloss finish wraps from the sole to the matte face, which seems to exaggerate the “openness” of the look at address. Overall, I’m very impressed with the aesthetic of the PXG 0811 X+ Proto driver.
Side note: shout to the headcover. Pretty impressive compared to your standard OEM cover if I do say so myself.
How Does it Feel?
Feel is one area that PXG had a lot of room to improve on and, boy, did they deliver. The PXG 0811 X+ Proto driver may be one of the most unique feeling drivers I have ever hit. And I mean that in a good way. The reason I say the X+ Proto feels unique is because of how solid it feels at impact. You would think you are hitting the ball with a thick steel face with how firm it is. That’s not a negative as it translates into a powerful feel at impact.
The only way I can describe it is hitting a home run with a wood baseball bat, where you know you’ve hit it so solidly just based on feel that you don’t have to look up and watch the ball soar. Misses on the heel or low on the face will definitely be harsh on the hands. The face gives good feedback in terms of letting you know when you’ve missed one and exactly where you hit it.
How Does it Sound?
A unique sound is also a characteristic of the PXG 0811 X+ Proto driver. It’s hard to describe, but I’ll do my best. The only way I can think to describe it is a deeper “crack” sound. I would definitely say it matches the solid feel, with a very solid sounding noise. Not too loud but definitely a “crack” at impact. Misses on the heel or low on the face have more of a deadened tone to them. Anything high on the face will give off a higher pitched sound and you’ll know you missed it. Again, it’s a unique sound that’s fairly different from any other driver that I’ve hit.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111.5 | 166.4 | 10.9º | 2010 | 280.2 | 310.1 |
In my testing, I’ll start by saying the PXG 0811 X+ was the clear winner for me between the two. The X+ is geared towards players with an upward angle of attack, while the 0811 X is a lower spinning/launching head for those who hit down on their driver. While the X+ is the higher spinning of the two models, the right shaft combo kept my spin numbers at bay. With a low launch/spin shaft combo, I had the launch angle I was looking for with my spin numbers staying down. Ball speeds were fantastic, which was not the case for me with previous PXG drivers. The 0811 X+ gave me a higher, more ideal launch than the the lower launching/spinning 0811 X, resulting in more carry yardage between the two.
I picked up about 7 to 10 yards of carry over my current gamer with the 0811 X+. Dispersion was good too, as I found the 0811 X+ Proto fairly forgiving on mishits. Misses on the heel stayed low to the ground, but picked up solid enough distance. Misses high and on the toe picked up more distance than I expected, but did pop up rather high. The 0811 X also has a solid amount of forgiveness for a low spinning head, but misses cost me more distance than I saw with the X+.
Final Thoughts – PXG 0811 X+ Proto Driver
Well, PXG has finally gotten it right with the PXG Proto drivers, and for me, the 0811 X+ in particular. The PXG Tour staff wasn’t lying when they said it’s the best driver they’ve ever hit from PXG. It offers great sound and feel, and has the performance to go with it. Again, we don’t know how many of these drivers PXG will release, but I could see them being in high demand. Forgiveness, feel, distance. Not much more you can ask for.
Stock PXG 0811 X+ Proto Driver Specs
| Club | Loft | Length | Lie | Stock Flex | Dexterity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0811+ | 10.5º | 45” | 60º | X, S, R, A, L | RH |
I just got one and the thing is fantastic. I got the Riptide CB shaft and for me it is a great combo. The launch is great with a powerful flight. This is a really nice driver – well worth the purchase IMO. The looks are fantastic as well. It definitely looks way open. When I first sat it down on the ground, I thought there was something wrong, but that is just the way it is and the way it looks. I like an open face look and this fits the bill. I left the weights as stock with the 15g in the back and the other 3 are 2g, so it is in the max MOI position. I look forward to playing around with this club, but the stock setup for me is really nice – I have it in the small – so loft is down a touch and the face is more open 🙂
Andy –
Glad you like the driver. It’s giving my gamer a run for its money currently. I have mine set to the lowest setting as well since the only option was a 10.5 in the X+ unfortunately. I was tending to miss right a bit so moved the heavy weight to the toe. It has helped, but my dial the loft up to the next setting. But yes, the face is definitely open, but I think the glossy toe finish makes it look worse than it is.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
I recently purchased a 0118x+ driver and sorry to say that I am not very consistent with it Maybe i should have got fitted for the correct shaft?
We always recommend getting fit. While club head is important, the combo with the shaft is key.
Thanks for reading,
Tommy
What shaft(s) are they using?
When you say they, do you mean what stock shaft comes with the driver? When you order it online, PXG has a few different offerings available from 5 different manufacturers, depending on which flex you choose, plus a huge list of upcharge shafts. There is no one “stock shaft” for this driver since you have to order direct from PXG at the moment. For the full list check out the PXG site when ordering.
In terms of this review, numbers were with a Mistubishi Chemical Tensei White CK Pro TX Flex.
Just curious what spin difference you saw between the X and X+ heads.
On average about 300 RPM, but I wasn’t able to control the X nearly as well. Also, the numbers listed in the review are best swings, so it’s not that the X was a consistent 1700 RPM just to be clear. But yeah, about a 300 RPM difference.
Thanks stopping by!
Tommy
I have had one since they came out and am not looking back. Started with the Riptide CB which is good but moved on to Tensei White Pro to bring the spin down which it did. Playing the driver at 45 inches and it’s hard to miss a fairway. Distance, sound, looks and forgiveness are excellent . I have owned the previous PXG models and always ended up selling them. Not this time
I have the 0811xprotodriver. I tried it with a hazardous yellow 60 gram shaft stiff flex. I used the same shaft with the same settings as the proto with 3 popular drivers. The pxg 0811x had the best numbers on solid drives. Mishits were similar. Great club and I got it from pxg under 400$. What a steal. I highly recommend trying it out if you want a top performing driver.
Paul –
Glad you enjoy it. It’s a solid club.
Thanks for stopping in!
I have the x+ proto driver and I find though I am hitting it well the ball flight is way higher then I want have adjusted it down 1.5 but still way high ( straight) any tips to lower flight path
If it’s the X+ it’s probably your swing in all honesty. But what shaft are you playing? Shaft will have a big impact on ball flight.
I’m just getting back into golf and so far fairly slow swing. Also senior. I want more distance. Tendency to fade when not paying attention
Would you recommend this to someone who hits in the high 80s, low 90s?
Tyler – way too many factors to made a recommendation based on average score alone. Best we can do is recommend going and trying out in person or getting a driver fitting.
Thanks!
Tommy
Tommy thanks for a great review you know your cubs well…I purchased mine from Global Golf pro owned for $185.00 I moved the heavy weight back and loft to 9 …I told PXG that it took the fun out of my game now all I normally do is hit the fairway and I’m not searching for a possible replacement…I’ve always enjoyed searching for the next best thing…