PXG 0211 IRONS: KEY TAKEAWAYS

Give golfers a more affordable option ($195 per club) Match specs of previous-generation 0311 GEN3 XP irons Designed to fit a broad range of players

There’s a bit of a curveball with the new PXG 0211 irons. They’re less expensive than you were probably thinking.

PXG isn’t like other golf equipment manufacturers. Companies like Ferrari, Rolex and others of their ilk build first and price later. Working without the typical constraints of time and cost can have its benefits. As a result, golfers expect a bit of sticker shock when perusing new PXG equipment. However, with the new PXG 0211 irons, the approach is a bit different.

PXG 0211 Irons: The Basics

The PXG 0211 irons are a cost-conscious entry into the PXG equipment line-up. When the 0311 GEN3 irons launched roughly 12 months ago, the stated price was $425 a club. For most golfers, that’s a deal-breaker

However, just as Banana Republic has GAP, PXG now has a line dedicated to the consumer who is willing to forgo some features to get into the PXG arena. Naturally, the next two questions are: “How much?” and “What’s different?”

“How much?” is easy. The PXG 0211 irons will retail for $195 each. But “What’s different?” requires a more thorough examination.

PXG 0211 Irons: The Details

The 2021 version of the 0211 irons are a direct replacement of the existing 0211 irons. Moreover, it’s a comprehensive release including metalwoods which PXG refers to as the 2012 0211 Collection.

Those familiar with the 0311 GEN3 irons will notice some aesthetic similarities in the 0211 irons. The most obvious is the trapezoidal cavity. Beyond the visual continuity, the design provides for more internal cavity space. Inside the hollow body is where PXG’s DualCOR polymer insert lives.

As with the 0311 GEN3 irons, the DualCOR polymer goo consists of two slightly different materials. The inside material (one furthest from the face) is more elastic with less direct face reinforcement. The other material which sits adjacent to the face is firmer and more supportive. Compared to the material PXG used in the original 0311 irons, the DualCOR structure is more complex and, according to PXG, helps generate additional ball speed.

But as with any multifaceted design, it’s the synergistic combination of the different parts that makes the final product what it is.

The face material is 1.5 millimeters thick and is produced from top-shelf HT1770 maraging steel. The body of the PXG 0211 irons is built off a 431 stainless steel chassis featuring 304 stainless steel badging. The plating is a mix of chrome and satin chrome.

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PXG 0211 Irons: The Design

The concept of progressive design isn’t at all new. In fact, it’s antiquated. That said, the progression of this approach is evidenced by the degree to which engineers can alter performance in a single club.

At the extreme, progressive design is about creating sufficiently different performance characteristics in each club. So you’re not buying a set of irons. You’re really buying eight individual clubs, each with a unique but connected design.

With the PXG 0211 irons, the longer irons have more offset, a larger internal cavity and a greater percentage of the more elastic type of polymer material. The purpose is to position the center of gravity further away from the geometric center of the clubface to increase launch and moderately decrease spin. This, coupled with the more active core material, leads to additional ball speed, according to internal PXG player testing.

As the set progresses from longer irons to shorter irons (aka “scoring” irons), the clubs have less bounce, less offset, shorter heel-toe length and a smaller percentage of the more elastic core polymer material. Because players tend to have a steeper angle of attack with short irons, more bounce helps prevent the club from digging. Also, because distance control is more of a premium at this end of the bag, there’s less incentive to boost ball speeds.

PXG claims an increase in the active face area by 15 percent compared to the previous 0211 irons. Functionally, this means a bit more of the face is available to produce reasonable results. That said, this increase in hittable area is closer to both the leading edge and top of the face. As such, the increase in forgiveness is relative to how often the golfer mishits shots in those areas.

PXG 0211 Irons: The Features and Performance

Beyond the materials and basic footprint, an angled toprail serves as a distinguishing feature although if I didn’t mention it, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t notice it. That’s the point. In order to keep the center of mass aligned with the geometric center of the clubface, PXG engineers had to shove additional weight toward the toe. One way to achieve this is by tapering the topline. However, a topline that starts thinner at the heel and becomes thicker at the toe is, at a minimum, visually off-putting.

PXG’s work-around on the 0211 irons is the angled toprail. Specifically, the back surface of the club tapers from heel to toe. This moves the necessary weight away from the hosel. The angled toprail provides some visual-trickery that allows the topline to remain square.

In terms of performance, PXG’s testing suggests the new 0211 irons are up to a full club longer than the previous generation. Most of this is due to an increase in ball speed of more than four miles per hour. Additionally, spin is marginally lower (700 rpm) while launch is almost one degree higher. Now before you get out your torches and pitchforks, there are several important caveats.

First, PXG’s testing is skewed toward higher swing speed players. As such, a full club distance increase is probably too generous, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the target demographic still notices an appreciable uptick. All things being equal, half a club feels more realistic.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, hitting your irons further isn’t always a good thing. Let me explain. Hitting your new 7-iron the distance of your previous 6-iron sounds great. That said, increased distance that comes at the expense of optimal ball flight (peak height, descent angle) isn’t going to lead to lower scores.

Regardless, should you start hitting your irons further, it will likely necessitate a gap analysis at both ends of your bag.

For example, if your current pitching wedge carries 140 yards but is replaced by one that goes 145 yards, you probably have too small a gap between your pitching wedge and gap wedge. Conversely, you might be increasing the distance gap between your last fairway wood (or hybrid) and longest iron. When was the last time you checked the carry distance for every club in your bag?

PXG 0211 Irons: The Specs

If you only took a glance at the spec sheet, it wouldn’t take long to figure out that PXG is targeting the typical “XP” golfer, albeit at a lower price point. From offset to loft, lie and length, the PXG 0211 irons match the static specifications of the GEN3 XP irons. As you can see in the chart, the “XP” specs are slightly longer and flatter than the standard specs.

PXG 0211 Irons: The Final Thoughts

At this point, performance is entirely speculative. Such is the nature of equipment previews. So what that leaves us with is fundamentally a product at the moment that’s more about market position than performance. With the PXG 0211 irons, golfers get access to PXG’s keystone DualCOR technology and some PXG GEN3 design elements. However, the signature perimeter weights and complex forged construction are absent.

As such, we likely won’t have a clear picture of exactly how different the 0211 collection and PXG’s signature line are until we see the next version of the latter.

How’s that for a tease?

PXG 0211 Irons: The Pricing and Availability

The PXG 2021 0211 collection is available now. Pricing on the 0211 irons starts at $195 per club. For more information, visit pxg.com.

 

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