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In this review, I’ll be taking a comprehensive look at the PXG 0311 P GEN6 irons.
The 0311 P GEN6 is considered a players’ distance iron with game-improvement qualities. It’s designed to deliver additional workability and a slimmer profile compared to the XP.
Like its sister model, it’s engineered to industry-leading standards and has an even thinner face than the previous generation, resulting in the highest COR and ball speeds PXG has ever produced.
How does the 0311 P GEN6 iron actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to the XP and the previous GEN5 model? Who is it best suited for? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Here’s what will be covered in the review:
Read on to learn what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
The PXG 0311 P GEN6 irons have been received very positively overall. Critics have noted their versatility and balanced performance while still being extremely forgiving.
What People Like
- consistent and accurate
- super long
- very forgiving
- workable
- excellent versatility
- looks aren’t too chunky or slim
What People Don’t Like
- better options when it comes to distance and forgiveness
- very pricey
The Features
The 0311 P GEN6 iron contains the same technologies as the XP model, namely:
- Variable Ultra-Thin Face: the face of the iron is just 0.05″ thick (15% thinner than the GEN5) and made from high-strength HT1770 maraging steel. Combined with the new XCOR2, this leads to maximum COR and high ball speeds in mis-hit areas.
- XCOR2: this is a proprietary polymer filling that is injected behind the face. It’s very soft, and its light weight reduces the mass of the core so that more weight can be placed low and around the perimeter for higher MOI.
- Power Channel: this U-shaped imprint on the inside of the face improves face flexion in the top region, increasing ball speed and improving launch.
- 5X Forged: forged five times from 8620 soft carbon steel, increasing strength, groove life, feel and looks.
- Milled Back Surface: improves iron aesthetics without compromising performance.
The main differences that set the 0311 P GEN6 apart are considerably less offset, a narrower sole, and a cleaner aesthetic designed to appeal more to better players.
Stock Info
The 0311 P GEN6 irons are available in 4-GW (20.5°-49°). Of note is the fact that the lofts are quite a bit weaker than the XPs; however, the P lacks a sand wedge and lob wedge.
The stock shaft options are the True Temper Elevate MP 95 R (steel) and Project X Cypher 60i 5.5 (graphite). The stock grip is the PXG Z5 Black.
Below are the specs of the 0311 P GEN6 irons. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
The characteristics of the 0311 P GEN6 irons are the same as the XP model: a face that is just 0.05″ thick (thinner than GEN5), made of HT1770 maraging steel, and complemented by XCOR2 which boosts COR to a “barely legal” level.
So, theoretically, ball speeds shouldn’t be much different than the XP. This was indeed borne out in my testing, but you might experience less distance with the P due to the weaker lofts and slightly higher spin.
This is certainly the case when you make contact in the sweet spot, but it’s not necessarily the case in mis-hit regions. Having said that, the 0311 P GEN6 seems to have an edge in distance over the GEN5 model by a few yards on average.
Forgiveness
Compared to the GEN5 iron from the previous generation, it was pretty apparent during my testing that the P GEN6 is more forgiving, both in terms of ball speed preservation and dispersions.
According to PXG’s testing data, the 0311 P GEN6 has a 2.2% higher moment of inertia (MOI) than GEN5 and tighter dispersions thanks to additional mass in the top rail and more weight in the toe and heel regions.
Are these irons as forgiving as the XP GEN6, though? Not quite, but the good news is that I found the results more consistent and repeatable than the XP.
In addition, turf interaction is nicely balanced. The sole is wide enough to provide a generous amount of forgiveness when it comes to hitting behind the ball, but not too wide such that it makes hitting off tight lies difficult.
Playability/Trajectory
Trajectories with the 0311 P GEN6 irons tend to be mid-high with mid spin. Launch is nice and high.
I was a bit surprised to find myself getting less spin with GEN6 compared to GEN5. Even though this is a players’ distance iron, I would have appreciated a couple hundred more RPMs relative to GEN5 for that extra bit of control and stopping power.
Workability is better than the XP model, but it still falls short of what you would expect out of a true players or Tour iron.
Overall, this is a very versatile iron that you can count on in just about any situation on the golf course. It’s worth noting that the Precision Weight on the back of the iron can be modified by a PXG fitter to suit your swing, and this can have a substantial impact on ball flight.
The Look
The 0311 P GEN6 iron looks very similar to the XP model, with a bolder aesthetic, “2 and 2” tungsten weight, large center weight (used during fitting to dial in swing weight), and exquisite milling that really drive home the fact that this is a premium iron.
However, as mentioned above, the mid-sized 0311 P GEN6 has less offset, a narrower sole, and a thinner top line. It also has a slightly more compact shape from heel to toe.
All of this is meant to give the P additional workability and appeal to the eye of better players. I would say PXG does a great job with it, but I still consider it to be in the game-improvement category, if only just.
The Sound & Feel
At least as far as sweet spot strikes are concerned, I struggle to notice a difference in feel between the 0311 P GEN6 and 0311 XP GEN6. It’s a unique feel that you only find in PXG irons.
The sound is rather muted and quiet and is consistent across the face, similar to the XP model.
You would expect a forged iron as expensive as this one to have a premium feel at impact, and indeed, it does not disappoint. XCOR2 combined with an ultra-thin face results is a feel that is both soft and highly responsive.
Where the feel deviates is as you move away from the sweet spot. With the 0311 P GEN6, the feel is a little bit more penalizing in mis-hit regions and feels a little harsher compared to the XP model. A consequence of this, however, is that feedback is more distinct and informative.
Where To Buy These Irons Online
Online availability of PXG golf clubs is very limited compared to other manufacturers. Most online retail stores do not carry them.
Fortunately, PXG makes it easy to get everything you need on their online store. Not only can you custom order 0311 P GEN6 irons in whatever set composition you want, but you can also book affordable PXG fittings directly from their site so you can figure out the exact configuration that works best for you.
Aside from the PXG store, the best place to get these irons at affordable prices is eBay. You can typically find deals there that you can’t find anywhere else.
Final Thoughts
If you take PXG’s XP model and trade a little bit of forgiveness for workability, versatility and a slimmer profile, that’s basically what the 0311 P GEN6 iron is.
When you think about it that way, not much about this iron should surprise you. Personally, I prefer the P over the XP as I tend to gravitate away from the “super game-improvement” irons with the thickest profiles.
To me, the performance of the 0311 P GEN6 is nicely balanced, giving higher handicappers the forgiveness they seek while not turning away better players.
With great distance, excellent forgiveness, good stopping power into greens, decent workability, and improved performance over the previous GEN5 model, you can’t ask for much more. While the cost will be a barrier to many, it’s definitely worth it for mid and high handicappers to give it a try.
Are you interested in the 0311 P GEN6 irons? Have you played them? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
