PXG 0341 X GEN4 Fairways and 0317 X GEN4 Hybrids

PXG has introduced its GEN4 fairway wood and hybrid lineup. Key technologies: AV carbon crown construction and two interchangeable weight ports Retail price is $429 (fairway) and $379 (hybrid).

Included in PXG’s GEN4 deployment are the 0341 X fairways and 0317 X hybrids.

As with the GEN4 driver collection, the pricing indicates where PXG wants to position its marquee line. Apparently, that range is a step below previous PXG offerings but a notch above other mainline brands.

PXG rarely does anything quietly. But one could argue that its fairway woods and hybrids have remained somewhat on the periphery of equipment discussions.

Part of that is likely because the success of a manufacturer’s metalwood line begins (and sometimes ends) with the driver. It might be the star of the show but it never hurts to have a solid supporting cast.

PXG 0341 X GEN4 Fairway and  0317 X GEN4 Hybrid Overview

While several of the leading brands offer multiple fairway wood and hybrid models, PXG is sticking with a single “one-size-fits-most” approach. As one might expect, the intent is to start with a design that likely fits the needs of the majority of golfers. Then it’s a matter of fine-tuning launch and spin using an eight-way adjustable hosel and two moveable weights to alter shot shape.

As with the GEN4 driver, the fairway woods and hybrids feature a hybrid crown construction with an AV carbon-fiber insert. Additionally, a honeycomb TPE insert is used to modify sound and feel while optimizing CG location. Likewise, PXG has condensed its signature multiple rivet weighting system into two larger weights.

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Materials and Construction

The 0341 X GEN4 fairways and 0317 X GEN4 hybrids feature an AM355 steel body and HT1770 high-strength steel face. But it’s the AV carbon-fiber insert that serves as the attention grabber. It’s the defining visual characteristic of the entire GEN4 release.

While the look is potentially divisive, the functional component is arguably more important. AV stands for “aluminum vapor” and you might recognize it from Mitsubishi’s line of AV shafts. PXG is quick to note that this is the first application of Mitsubishi’s vaporized aluminum in a golf clubhead.

Carbon is super light. It’s roughly one-quarter the weight of titanium and one-eighth that of steel. Saving weight and moving it from an undesirable location (high-center of the clubhead) to areas where it’s more useful is an objective of any club design. And this is why carbon is ubiquitous in metalwood design where each gram of weight is valuable.

The AV application process takes the lightweight carbon and increases the rigidity. Functionally, this means the material absorbs less energy and allows the clubface to return more energy back to the ball post-contact. If you’re thinking this sounds like a pretty scientific description of a circuitous route to claims of marginally better ball speed, you’d be right. To be clear, PXG isn’t making any wild distance claims. Only that GEN4 represents its best thinking to date and presents golfers with its best combination of performance and sound/feel.

Weight, Weight … Don’t Tell Me

Say “sayonara” to PXG’s signature screws. Though the GEN4 irons maintain four small weights at the bottom of the rear cavity, it’s safe to say that this approach is now largely a thing of the past. Though it provided an unmistakable autograph, the juice wasn’t worth the proverbial squeeze. There were two primary issues with the myriad rivets. First, the structural requirements to house the weights created unwanted vibrations, which in turn compromised sound and feel. Second, the level of fine-tuning provided by so many weights generally exceeded the needs of the golfer, Tour players included. So there you have it.

The PXG Proto fairways and hybrids (precursor to GEN4) had three weight ports: one front/center, one on the heel and one on the toe. With the PXG 0341 X GEN4 fairways and 0317 X GEN4 hybrids, that number has been reduced to two. The two locations (front and heel) give golfers several options. With the heavier weight forward, the result should be higher ball speeds and lower launch and spin. Moving the heavier weight to the heel creates additional draw bias for golfers who need some anti-slice assistance.

As with the GEN4 irons, PXG fitters have an array of weights to work with in order to find an optimal fit for each player. Let’s go one step further with head weights. If you were to sample the head weights of each club across professional tours, you’d likely find that the most skilled players on the planet have a wide range of head weights. Conversely, amateur golfers as a group are far less skilled yet play with more similar head weights. PXG’s thinking is that by focusing on head weight as a distinct fitting variable, it can improve performance for golfers regardless of skill.

We should also note that beyond moderating sound and vibration, the honeycomb TPE insert helps optimize CG location. The stock head weight, and length and loft options on the GEN4 fairway woods, remain the same as previous generations. However, PXG added a 28-degree option which would replace a 6-iron for most golfers.

Shaping and Such

As mentioned previously, PXG has a single fairway wood and hybrid model. The 0341 X GEN4 fairway is similar in size to other standard fairway woods on the market. In general, when a manufacturer has multiple fairway woods or hybrids, one of the two is a smaller, more compact “Tour” profile (see Titleist TSi3, COBRA RadSpeed Tour). If you like your fairway woods the size of a slider rather than a quarter-pounder, the 0341 X might feel one size too big. However, the 0341 X GEN4 has a deeper face with more deflection to generate faster ball speeds. As an aside, the lower/deeper CG should yield some benefit for shots struck low on the face. Thin to win, right?

The PXG 0317 X GEN4 hybrid is marginally larger and longer heel to toe than its predecessor. It’s likely a better fit for the golfer who wants to replace long irons with something that looks and plays a bit closer to a small fairway wood than a chunky driving iron. This shouldn’t automatically exclude higher swing speed or more accomplished players. With the heavier weight in the center and the loft-sleeve set to 2.5 or three degrees flat, the 0317 X GEN4 hybrids sit comfortably open at address. But perhaps more importantly, I’ve added it to my exceptionally short list of hybrids that I can hit hard without the fear of missing left. That single shot shape is the primary reason I’ve struggled to play a hybrid as anything more than a short-term experiment. Now, I’m halfway wondering if my 4-iron is in jeopardy.

PXG 0341 X GEN4 Fairways and 0317 X GEN4 Hybrids– STOCK SHAFTS

 

There are no stock shaft offerings for the GEN4 lineup. Instead, PXG is offering a selection of no upcharge options that include the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Series, Evenflow Riptide, Aldila NV, and Diamana D+, among others. A significant catalog of additional options are available with upcharges ranging from $100 to $300.

PXG 0341 X GEN4 Fairways and 0317 X GEN4 Hybrids – Pricing and Availability

The PXG GEN4 family of fairways and hybrids is available for presale beginning March 9. Full retail availability begins March 30.

The retail price is $429 (fairway) and $379 (hybrid).

Use code GolfSpyT to get a free PXG candle with every qualifying purchase.

(Sorry, that’s made up. But you can still buy the candle if you’d like.)

For more information, visit PXG.com.

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