Golfstead is reader-supported. When you buy through links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon Associates.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the PXG 0317 T irons.
The 0317 T irons are the largest and most forgiving irons in PXG’s players’ category. Built to deliver Tour-like performance, they are aimed at skilled golfers looking for a high level of control and workability in a more forgiving package.
The T model was moved out of the game-improvement 0311 line for the latest generation. How does it actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to other PXG irons? 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 0317 T irons have been received very positively overall. Critics have noted how they deliver the best of both worlds: great forgiveness on off-center hits as well as feel and control for the better players who need it.
What People Like
- both forgiving and controllable
- solid, stable feel
- consistent results
- good spin and stopping power
- looks aren’t too slim or chunky
What People Don’t Like
- more forgiving and more workable options out there
The Features
The signature of the 0317 T irons is the combination of a hollow-body design, ultra-thin HT1770 maraging stainless steel face, and special S Core polymer fill.
The hollow-body design and thin face (as well as increased perimeter weighting) give the 0317 T irons forgiveness and increased MOI, making them the most forgiving model in the advanced players’ 0317 line.
The S (Stability) core polymer fill, on the other hand, is meant to stabilize the face, significantly enhancing spin consistency and control. This is in contrast with most polymers you see in other irons that are designed to boost COR and ball speeds.
Together, these core features give the 0317 T irons forgiveness resembling a game-improvement iron with the accuracy and control you would expect from a players iron.
Other features of the 0317 T irons include:
- Precision Milling: the back and face of the iron are CNC-milled, enabling an extremely high level of precision when it comes to the construction of the club. Every line, angle and curve are engineered to exact specifications, enhancing the looks and optimizing performance.
- Robotic Polishing: a precise manufacturing process that ensures a perfect finish and consistent sole and face perimeter geometry.
- 3X Forged: the 8620 carbon steel head is forged using three hits. Since this iron doesn’t have a deep cavity, it doesn’t need the two extra hits that you see in PXG’s other iron models.
- Tungsten Toe Weight: a 15g internal tungsten weight helps to position the center of gravity (CG) in the center of the face as well as improve mis-hit performance.
- Precision Weighting: a large weight on the back of the clubhead can be used by a PXG fitter to optimize swing weight.
Stock Info
The 0317 T irons are available in 3-GW (20°-51°).
In addition to the standard chrome, PXG offers what they call an Xtreme Dark Finish with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. This coating, which is unique to golf, has extremely high wear resistance.
The stock shaft options are the True Temper Elevate MP 95 S (steel) and Mitsubishi MMT 80 S (graphite). The stock grip is the PXG Z5 Black. Custom options are available.
Below are the specs of the 0317 T irons. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
In the sections that follow, I’ll talk about my experience with the 0317 T irons. Let’s jump in.
Distance
When you look at the technologies and makeup of the 0317 T’s clubhead, it becomes apparent that these irons weren’t meant to be distance machines.
I would not consider these irons “long”, and ball speeds are typically a little less than the 0311 P GEN6.
Rather, they’re meant to produce consistent, repeatable yardages. And my tests confirm that they indeed do.
Distance control with the 0317 Ts is excellent, even in the long irons, and gapping is consistent. Part of the reason for this is that you’re much less likely to get fliers out of light rough.
Forgiveness
I’m very impressed with the forgiveness of the 0317 T irons which, based on my tests, appears to be only marginally worse than the 0311 P GEN6. It’s about as forgiving as a true players iron can be.
According to PXG, the MOI of the 0317 T irons is around 11% higher than the 0317 CB and 14% higher than the 0317 ST, which are its sister models in the advanced players’ 0317 line.
In this sense, you might say that the 0317 T is around 11-14% more forgiving than these other models, although I do find that this improvement shows up more in dispersions rather than ball speed loss on mis-hits.
Playability/Trajectory
Trajectories with the 0317 T irons tend to be on the high side with high spin.
The high spin potential certainly limits distance to an extent, but it’s also what makes these irons so consistent and controllable. Stopping power into the greens is strong even when you’re hitting a longer iron.
I loved the short irons during my testing; I found that they were able to perfectly accommodate my touch and what I wanted to achieve around the greens.
Workability is, as you might expect, great. The 0317 T irons allow you to shape your shots with relative ease, whether it’s a draw, a fade, or flighting it low or high.
It’s also worth noting that the Precision Weight on the back of the iron can be modified by your PXG fitter. This will allow you to dial in your swing weight (and potentially optimize your launch, accuracy, etc.) without changing the CG location in the clubhead.
The Look
The look of the 0317 T irons bears many similarities to the 0317 CB, although the blade is slightly larger and the top line is slightly thicker.
Offset is minimal and becomes almost negligible as you move into the short irons.
All in all, the 0317 T has a very “playersy” look to it but there are some visual indications that it’s meant to provide more forgiveness than usual.
What I like most about this iron is the aesthetic. The forged construction and intricate milling that dominates the back of the iron really drive home the fact that this is a premium iron.
The Sound & Feel
The polymer filling really helps the 0317 T feel like a classic forged iron. The feel off the face is not nearly as responsive or explosive as something like the 0311 P GEN6; instead, it’s very solid and feels like the head is all one piece.
Consequently, if you make contact away from the center of the face, this iron will certainly let you know in the form of feedback through the hands. However, the feedback is not nearly as harsh as what you would get with a muscleback like the 0317 ST.
The sound at impact is quite muted and subtle, particularly in the sweet spot. As you move towards the heel and toe regions, the sound tends to get a little sharper.
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 0317 T 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.
With players irons like the 0317 T in particular, a custom fitting is highly recommended.
Final Thoughts
The PXG 0317 T irons do practically everything well. While they’re not “distance irons” like we see so much of these days, they deliver forgiveness comparable to game-improvement irons while offering a level of control, consistency and spin that better players expect.
At the end of the day, the 0317 T irons are best suited for golfers with mid or high single-digit handicaps, but a wide range of golfers can do well with them including some double-digit handicappers and professionals.
Moreover, the 0317 T irons are very competitively priced and the Xtreme Dark Finish is a nice bonus option for those with a bit higher of a budget.
Are you interested in the 0317 T irons? Have you played them? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
