PXG has been around for a few years now, and they’ve made quite a name for themselves with their unique designs.
They used to be one of the more expensive golf club brands but that has changed in recent years which is great for newer golfers.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 driver is the latest offering from the company, and it’s a marked improvement over the previous generation.
This driver is packed with all the latest technology to help you hit the ball further and straighter than ever before.
Today we’ll review this driver to see if it’s right for your game.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 Driver is an excellent choice for mid-handicap golfers who are looking for more distance and less spin.
The traditional design and shape will appeal to a wide range of golfers, and the sound and feel are both excellent.
The price is high, but the performance is worth it.
PXG 0311 GEN 5 Driver Review
The GEN5 is available in two different models, the XF and the Low Spin.
The XF is designed for forgiveness, with a larger sweet spot and more weight in the heel and toe. This option is typically better for higher handicap golfers who need help with mishits and straighter ball flights.
The Low Spin is designed for distance, with a more aerodynamic clubhead and less weight in the heel and toe. This model is better for more skilled golfers who want to minimize spin from faster swings and increase distance.
I had a chance to test the new PXG 0311 GEN5 Low Spin driver whilst on a golf holiday in Vilamoura Portugal, where my friend Joe.
He’s a golf professional and allowed me to hit his brand-new driver on the range and then out on the golf course.
We played three challenging courses including Millenium, Pinhal and Victoria, which is the championship course, and I must say the 0311 GEN5 performed beautifully.
The striking design of the club head is very appealing and it sits so well behind the ball at address.
The sound of the club is what you would expect from a high-end driver, nice and solid, with a lovely muted thud. But more importantly, the feel is amazing, and the ball just seems to explode off the face.
Overall, I was very impressed with the PXG driver and can see why it’s become a top pick for golfers.
Looks and Feel
The head of this PXG driver is 460cc with an overall sleek, minimalistic design.
This slightly compact club head creates lower spin for added distance, and the forged titanium face insert provides explosive ball speeds.
The top of the driver is made of carbon fiber, which is both strong and lightweight.
This also helps to lower the center of gravity (CG) for a higher launch angle and more forgiveness.
The PXG logo is etched into the crown, and there’s a small “X” alignment aid to help you with your aim.
You’ll also notice three adjustable weight ports that allow you to fine-tune the club’s center of gravity (CG) to your own personal preference.
Weights are available in 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20-gram options. This makes it easier to shape shots in one direction and great if you fight a hook or slice off the tee.
The available loft options are 7.5°, 9°, and 10.5° and the shaft options are Accra, Aldila, Fujikura, KBS, Mitsubishi Golf, Project X, and UST.
I have been playing with Mitsubishi Diamana S+ 60g which is of good quality and performs very well for a mid-handicapper like myself.
The PXG 0311 GEN5 driver also comes with a black leather headcover which is premium quality and has the PXG logo embossed in white.
It also comes with a QuickStick™ Cart Magnet, which allows you to attach the headcover to your golf cart when not in use.
I love this feature and wish it was on all covers so I don’t accidentally lose them!
Performance
As I mentioned, I really liked the way this driver looked behind the golf ball and felt it inspired a ton of confidence.
The classic PXG look with the carbon crown on top created a nice contrast and gave the driver a slightly elongated look.
The forgiveness of this driver is really good too. I’m a mid-handicap golfer but found this club helped with mishits a ton and my misses were much more playable.
The PXG promises even more forgiveness with the XF model, which has a slightly bigger club head. Forget the first tee nerves, this driver will make you feel like you can play any hole, on any golf course.
In terms of distance I averaged around 240 yards, which is what I hit with my current driver Cobra Ltdx Max. There’s no doubt this club is longer than the previous model too.
PXG is promising more distance and accuracy with their 0311 driver than their 0811 X GEN4 driver.
The 0811 X GEN4 driver had a higher MOI, but the 0311 promises a 25% higher MOI for even more distance and accuracy.
Technology and Features
The PXG 0311 GEN5 Driver is an excellent choice for mid-handicap golfers who are looking for more distance and less spin.
The traditional design and shape will appeal to a wide range of golfers, and the sound and feel are both excellent.
The price is higher than some similar drivers, but the performance is worth it.
The face is made from a Ti412 titanium alloy, which is extremely strong and lightweight. This allows for a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits.
The clubhead is also designed with aerodynamics in mind, to help you swing faster and generate more clubhead speed.
The result is more distance and more forgiveness on your drives.
Let’s get into some more specifics about the PXG 0311 Gen5 driver.
Full AV Carbon Fiber Crown
The 0311 GEN5 features a full AV carbon fiber crown. This helps to lower the CG for a higher launch angle and more forgiveness.
The carbon fiber also makes the club lighter, which allows for a faster swing speed and more distance. The Aluminum Vapor (AV) Technology also increases the strength of the carbon fiber for added durability.
Supported Weight Structure
The 0311 GEN5 features a supported weight structure. This means that the weight is evenly distributed around the club head, which results in better stability and more forgiveness.
The weight ports also allow you to fine-tune the club’s CG to your own personal preference. This is a huge advantage it has over a lot of other clubs that simply don’t offer this much adjustability.
High-Speed Face
The face is made of forged titanium, which is incredibly strong and lightweight. This allows for a thinner face, which results in faster ball speeds and more distance.
Variable Face Design
The variable thickness face features topographic geometries that help reduce mass and support maximum ball speeds. This helps to increase durability and allows for a faster swing speed.
Robotic Polishing
The 0311 GEN5 driver is polished using a robotic polishing process. This helps to ensure that the club head is perfectly smooth and level, which leads to better performance. It also looks great at address which should give you tons of confidence on the tee box.
Pros and Cons
While there are tons of pros to this PXG driver, there are a few downsides too (but not many).
Pros
- Sleek and aerodynamic design.
- High-speed face for more distance
- Adjustable weight ports for fine-tuning CG.
- Robotic polishing for a perfectly smooth club head.
- Forged titanium face insert for explosive ball speeds.
- Carbon fiber crown lowers CG for higher launch angles.
Cons
- Price is on the higher end.
- Not as forgiving as some other drivers on the market.
- Adjustable weights can be a bit confusing for some golfers.
Alternative Recommended Drivers
Not sure if the PXG 0311 driver is right for your game? Check out some of our top alternatives we also recommend.
TaylorMade Stealth
The new TaylorMade Stealth driver is one of the hottest drivers on the market. It is a very forgiving driver and it will help you to hit the ball further.
If you are looking for the best of the best then this could be the driver for you. The price tag is on the higher end but it’s dropped significantly after the Stealth 2 release.
Here’s why we love this driver …
- Carbon technology. This driver ditched titanium, which has almost always been used in recent clubs for a very different design. The Carbon Twist Face design helps to reduce spin and launch the ball higher.
- Red and black design. This club offers premium looks, feel and performance with its gorgeous design.
- Extremely forgiving. This driver has a high MOI design that makes it more stable on off-center hits and extremely forgiving.
- Three different club heads to suit all types of golfers. Whether you’re a 20 handicap or a scratch golfer, there is a specific head that will help your confidence off the tee.
The TaylorMade Stealth driver is one of the best drivers on the market. If you are looking for distance, forgiveness, and mid to low spin, the Stealth is definitely worth considering.
Here’s why…
- Carbon technology. This driver ditched titanium which has almost always been used in recent clubs for a very different design. The Carbon Twist Face design helps to reduce spin and launch the ball higher.
- Red and black design. This club offers premium looks, feel and performance with its gorgeous design.
- Extremely forgiving. This driver has a high MOI design that makes it more stable on off-center hits and extremely forgiving.
- Three different club heads to suit all types of golfers. Whether you’re a 20 handicap or a scratch golfer, there is a specific head that will help your confidence off the tee.
Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
The Callaway Rogue ST Max driver (read our full review here) is another great driver that is very forgiving and delivers plenty of distance.
It offers premium looks and would suit a wide range of player types. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line driver then this could be the one for you.
This driver is packed with technology and it is very forgiving.
It provides great launch conditions and it will help you to hit the ball a long way. Like the TaylorMade Stealth, there are three different club heads to fit all types of golfers.
Also, since Callaway released the Paradym in 2023, the Rogue ST Max is cheaper than ever too.
The latest driver from Callaway is the Rogue ST Max driver.
This driver is packed with technology and it is very forgiving. It provides great launch conditions and it will help you to hit the ball a long way.
This is a great driver for mid to high-hanidcappers.
Ping G425 Driver
If you are in the market looking for a new driver then the PING G425 should definitely be on your radar.
It is one of the straightest and forgiving drivers on the market and it looks good too.
The PING G425 is a great choice as it’s arguably the most forgiving driver in golf. It offers premium looks, feel and performance.
They also have an HL (high launch) version which is great for slower swinging golfers who need a little help off the tee.
The PING G425 is a great choice for any golfer looking for a new driver as it is one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
- Best forgiving driver manufactured by PING
- It offers premium looks, feel and performance
- It will give you confidence when stepping up to the tee
- It's available in different versions to suit your individual needs
Cobra Ltdx
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been playing the Cobra LTDx and love it.
So if you are looking for a distance and plenty of forgiveness for a reasonable price then Cobra LTDx driver is a great option.
The design is not as sleek as the PXG 0311 but it is still a great club that has found a lot of success with amateur golfers.
It’s a great option for golfers looking for a lightweight and forgiving driver. It’s also on the cheaper side which is great if you’re just starting out.
The Cobra LTDx Driver is a great option for golfers looking for a lightweight and forgiving driver. It provides great distance and accuracy and is a great value for the price.
- Extremely long, providing golfers with more distance on their drives
- Very forgiving, meaning even if you mishit the ball, it will still fly straight and long
- High optimal transfer technology improves ball speeds across a larger area of the face impact, and the sound is a little on the loud side but not too bad
- Great value for money, providing golfers with many features for a fraction of the price of other drivers on the market.
Closing Thoughts
The PXG 0311 GEN5 driver is a great option for golfers who are looking for a premium quality driver. It has a sleek and aerodynamic design that looks great behind the ball. The forged titanium face insert provides explosive ball speeds, while the carbon fiber crown lowers CG for higher launch angles.
The adjustable weight ports allow you to fine-tune the CG to your own personal preference.
While robotic polishing process ensures that the club head is perfectly smooth and level.
The only downside is that it is not as forgiving as some other drivers on the market. It is also a little more expensive than some but PXG has gotten better with pricing in the past few years.
If you’re looking for a new driver, the PXG 0311 GEN5 is definitely worth a try.
Have you ever hit a PXG golf club?
