PXG Gen 5 Irons Review – XP, P, T & Vs Gen 4

At a glance, you might think that the new PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons look the same as the PXG 0311 Gen 4 irons. And you wouldn’t be wrong. Both iron sets feature the same attractive rear-milling that makes a lot of PXG irons look so attractive.

But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. PXG has made it known that they like to introduce new iron lines only when they feel they have something significantly different and better to offer. So we were very interested when the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons were launched this year.

After being treated to the PXG 0311 Gen 4 just a year ago, we were a bit surprised that PXG launched an updated line so soon. So what could be different about the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons compared to Gen 4? Would it be worth it to buy the new PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons?

We went out and tested the Gen 4 and 5 irons to answer these exact questions. Find out what you need to know about both sets in the following review.

Overview of the New PXG 0311 Gen 5 Irons in 50 Words or Less

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons take a lot of cues from the Gen 4 irons in terms of looks but the blade lengths are longer. The PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons were built to play longer and be more forgiving than the Gen 4 irons.

First Impressions at the Range

We tested the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons at the range before we hit the course and we were very pleased with the results we were getting.

Our first impressions of these irons was that they were actually going to be easier to play with off the tee than the Gen 4’s. Our suspicions were accurate. At point of address, you can see how much longer the blades of the PXG 0311 Gen 5’s are than the Gen 4’s.

However, we must say that we really admire the way that PXG has seemingly perfected fitting forgiveness features into a player’s performance package. Despite our opinion that the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons are game-improvement irons, they have the look of premium player’s performance irons.

The rear milling looks fantastic. The PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons also emphasize the tungsten weighting in the heel and the toe with a black paint job – a new design feature. So how did they perform off the tee?

After 3 swings with the 4-iron, our average distance off the tee was 181 yards! It should be noted that we tested the PXG 0311 Gen 5 P irons at the range.

What’s New with the PXG 0311 Gen 5 Irons?

The most important change is that the new PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons have longer blades and actually play longer as well.

You still get a compact look at address with moderate offset but the PXG 0311 Gen 5’s are slightly longer than the Gen 4’s. Then there is the “Power Channel” which is new in the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons. The Power Channel is similar to the Speed Pocket in Taylormade clubs.

The Power Channel is a channel that is bored in the rear of the face around the perimeter. The idea is to increase face flex. In terms of performance, this actually helps the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons play longer by an average of 5 yards than the Gen 4 irons.

Other than that, the PXG 0311 Gen 5 and Gen 4 iron lines are pretty much the same. They both feature a combination of heel/toe and rear weighting and are forged 5 times during manufacturing. You can also get both of them in the Xtreme Dark black finish.

How do They Compare to the PXG 0311 Gen 4 Irons?

One of the things we noticed when testing the Gen 5 and Gen 4 irons is that the former has a more solid feel.

According to the OEM testing, the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons actually have higher MOI than the Gen 4’s by 5%. This is due to the tungsten heel and toe weights being shifted even further out to the perimeter than the Gen 4’s.

Indeed, the PXG 0311 Gen 5’s have a more solid and satisfying feel on contact than the Gen 4’s. The higher MOI makes then slightly more accurate as well. Our testers mentioned that it was easier to get a straighter flight out of the Gen 5’s as opposed to the Gen 4’s.

The PXG 0311 Gen 5’s generate less spin than the Gen 4’s however. Even though both sets have the exact same loft characteristics, the newer irons generate less spin which could become tricky when dealing with fast greens.

Overview of the PXG 0311 Gen 5 XP Irons

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 XP irons have a 5x forged design and an extremely thin maraging steel face. Compared to the other two irons sets in the family, the PXG 0311 Gen 5 XP irons also have more offset, longer blades and wider soles.

This makes them a great choice for players seeking more forgiveness from their irons but who don’t want to sacrifice great feel and feedback.

Pros:

  • Amazing forged feel
  • Confidence-building at address
  • Smooth turf interaction

Cons:

  • Less workability
  • A bit heavy

Distance: 96/100

Workability: 91/100

Feel & Sound: 95/100

Forgiveness: 95/100

Value: 92/100

Overall Score: 93/100

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Overview of the PXG 0311 Gen 5 P Irons

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 P irons have a fixed rear weight that can be adjusted during fitting. This is of note as you cannot adjust the circular weight once it has been set during fitting. Once you have it dialed in, it really helps with launch and stability.

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 P irons have less offset than the XP irons but a bit more than the PXG 0311 Gen 5 T irons. So they are a good middle ground between the two.

Pros:

  • Great for mid handicappers
  • Longer than the Gen 4 P irons
  • Very durable

Cons:

  • Limited spin
  • Overshooting the green is very possible

Distance: 95/100

Workability: 93/100

Feel & Sound: 94/100

Forgiveness: 93/100

Value: 95/100

Overall Score: 95/100

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Overview of the PXG 0311 Gen 5 T Irons

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 T irons are the most compact and most workable irons in the Gen 5 series. These are your superior scoring irons and they would be a perfect fit for low handicappers. For irons of this size though, the MOI is very impressive.

This has a lot to do with the visible tungsten weights in the heel and toe and of course, the circular weight in the back of the head. The maraging steel face also lends these irons a soft feel with a very satisfying sound.

Pros:

  • Great for low handicappers
  • Very good workability
  • Exceptional ball speed

Cons:

  • You’re swing speed needs to be fast to unlock their full potential
  • Spin rates are still disappointingly low

Distance: 94/100

Workability: 96/100

Feel & Sound: 95/100

Forgiveness: 93/100

Value: 92/100

Overall Score: 94/100

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Are They Worth it Overall?

The PXG 0311 Gen 5 would make a good investment for any player who is serious about improving their game.

Make no mistake about it: you will pay a pretty penny for a full set of the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons no matter which specific model you choose. However, you can feel from the very first time you play them that they will last for a very long time.

The meticulous forging process makes them incredibly durable – not to mention consistent. If you are going to lose interest in golf after half a season, the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons are definitely not worth it. But if you have been playing for a few years now and know that golf is something you are really serious about it, the PXG 0311 Gen 5 irons are definitely worth the initial cost.

Other Irons to Consider in 2022

Ping i525 Irons

The Ping i525 irons are some of the most forgiving irons in a compact package that we have ever seen.

These irons have a moderate top line but very little offset and a short blade. But the hollow body design coupled with extreme perimeter weighting (in the toe and shaft tip) increase the MOI and allow for the kind of distance you would expect from a game-improvement iron.

Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons

The Callaway Rogue ST Max are new in 2022 and people are already flocking to them for their extreme distance and forgiveness.

Unlike the irons we have talked about thus far, the Callaway Rogue ST Max irons are pure, unambiguous, game-improvement irons. Impacts away from the sweet spot lose almost no ball speed with these irons.

Taylormade P790 Irons

The P790 irons couple a forged 4140 L-shaped face insert with an 8620 carbon steel body to produce a metal-wood-like effect.

The P790’s are lightweight, strong-lofted irons that produce very good ball speed across the face. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a premium set of irons that will still do a lot to increase distance.