Iron Shootout: PXG 0311T vs. Titleist TPI Set 716 T-MB MB SM6

[Pure745]

Review Added 5/9 (bottom of this post)

 

When I first heard about these, I tried my best not to hit them. After I hit them, I tried my best not to like them. After liking them, I tried my best not to buy them. While I am very late to the party in getting these, they are not that new anymore and in my area, I am definitely not even close to the first guy to have these. I first started taking PXG more seriously when I saw some really good players (+ index, competitive amateurs) switching to these. Guys that aren't really switching equipment a lot and seeing them in play at various qualifiers, invitationals, and other competitive events I played in.

 

There have been extremely polarizing opinions on PXG, the cost, the guys that buy the product, and even Bob Parsons himself. I want this thread to show how PXG actually stacks up to my TPI fit 716 T-MB/MB combo set with SM6 wedges. I got lucky and found a used set that is exactly how I would have ordered them, and have the same shafts and wedge setup as my TPI set. To be completely fair, I did not go through the "PXG" experience, so this set is fit based on the results from my TPI fitting which was also near identical to my Cool Clubs fitting. I will be comparing the PXG and Titleist using the same shafts, so apples to apples in terms of equipment and specs, but not apples to apples in TPI fit bag vs. PXG fit bag.

 

Hoping to keep this thread about the equipment and performance and less about opinions about the brand, PXG, etc.. :drinks:

 

Comparison Pictures + Initial Review

 

PXG Setup

 

0311 3 iron - Accra 90iX

0311T 4-PW - DG Tour X100

0311 51, 55, 60 - DG Tour S400

 

 

Titleist TPI Setup :

 

Link to my TPI fittings, and results: http://www.golfwrx.c...-sm6-added-310/

 

716 T-MB 2,4,5,6 iron - DG Tour X100

716 MB 7-9 iron - DG Tour X100

Vokey SM6 50F, 55F, 60 Tour V - DG Tour S400

 

 

3 iron: T-MB (left) vs. 0311 (right)

 

 

 

 

5 iron: T-MB (left) vs. 0311T (right)

 

 

 

 

7 iron: 716 MB (left) vs. 0311T (right)

 

 

 

 

Gap Wedge: SM6 50F bent 1˚ weak vs. 0311 52 bent 1˚ strong

 

 

 

 

Lob Wedge: Hand Ground 60V vs. 0311 60

 

 

 

Review + Final Thoughts:

 

I have about 10 rounds in with the PXG's now, and I've gone through the honeymoon stage and the adapting/questioning every shot stage, to a point where I am now comfortable enough with them to write a review with relevant feedback. As I mentioned earlier, I was coming off some of the best golf I had played in a while, and it just so happened to be right before the PXG's arrived. If I were comparing the PXG's to the Titleist setup 1-2 months ago, this review would look a lot better favoring the PXG's. Fair or unfair, the PXG's were going up against a set that was performing incredibly for me and was very predictable in ball flight and yardages.

 

My index floats around +1-1 depending on the season and course conditions. I had a hot stretch where I was playing/putting really well and had about 6 rounds under par out of my last 10. When the PXG's arrived, the honeymoon period was real, I hit some unbelievable shots and missed a bunch of shorter putts to where I felt that my round at -1 was about the worst it could have been. The next 5 rounds were not so great, I started to struggle with how the club felt through the ground and how far they were going. For those rounds I was struggling to identify and adjust on the course because I couldn't tell if it was a swing or a club issue. I knew it was a swing issue and worked on a few things and the final 2-3 rounds have been more in line with what I want to see from my game and my equipment.

 

More specifics:

 

Look & Feel:

 

The T-MB/MB combo set is just a great looking set, from address and in the bag, they look great. The PXG's have an interesting look in the bag, definitely not for everyone, but almost everyone that has seen them in person thinks they look really cool. Again, completely subjective on that part. The rivets are pretty aggressive and not as clean looking as the T-MB/MB set. From address, they look great. The 0311 in the 3 iron has more offset than I am used to, but I haven't gotten one negative comment about the offset from anyone that has seen my clubs in person. I think that I'm just used to not seeing much if any offset so it sticks out to me more. I am thinking of swapping it out for the 0311T, but not sure yet. The 0311T's look great at address. They have very minimal offset (less than the T-MB/MB's) per the specs online, but they look like a bigger blade in the short irons. The wedges also look really good to my eye. A little larger than the SM6's, but overall, a great looking wedge. Not much else to say here, I like the looks and shape of the clubs.

 

Another completely subjective opinion here, but I think they feel great. They are very soft feeling and the insert they inject really does calm down the vibration and off center hits are still pretty soft feeling. I wouldn't describe them as soft like a Mizuno or a Miura where it's soft/solid feeling. To me they just have an overall soft and pleasant feel to them. The T-MB's have a hollower/clickier feel to them, I would definitely say the PXG's feel better. The MB's feel great, and I'd say the 0311T's feel just as good or better depending on your preference. The wedges are really soft feeling as well, I love the way the SM6's feel, I'd put these at slightly softer feeling. I haven't been as much as a "feel snob" lately, but I do really enjoy the way the PXG's feel. To me, they weren't out of this world amazing feeling, but compared to some of the softer sets I have, they are right in line. I don't know that I will ever find a set that feels so good that I chose it based on that over the actual performance of the club.

 

Performance:

 

Going to break this up by iron segment for specific details and comparisons to the different Titleist models:

 

0311 3 iron vs. T-MB 2 and 3 iron: The T-MB 2 and 3 irons are flat out great performing clubs. They are a great fit for me and do a lot of really good things for my game. They go high and far, and are pretty easy to hit for what they are. The 0311 3 iron is basically almost 2 iron long, with 3 iron trajectory. I think that's the best I can describe it. I have hit some incredible shots with it into greens from distances that I'd usually pull 2 iron and hit a ball that has little chance of holding a green. Off the tee it has been great as well, my biggest issue has been my tendency to pull it, I think it has to do a little with the offset and my setup not adjusting for it. If I can figure that part out, this club is amazing. If I can't, I'm going to tinker with the 0311T in the 3 iron. The wider sole is growing on me, it's very easy to elevate out of various lies, and has bailed me out a few times hitting long low punches out from under trees :)

 

0311T vs. T-MB long irons 4-6 iron: I would say these irons are very similar in performance. The 0311T really shines here, they are very easy to hit. They go high and far, I'd say a touch further than the T-MB's and they seem to spin a bit less overall and have noticeably less curve on mishits. Thinking about it now, I feel that the 0311T are better on misses than the T-MB, I have hit a few shots that normally would fall right and short, that have held their lines and ended up MUCH better than I thought they would. Strangely, even though the misses go straighter, they are easier to work than my T-MB's. The T-MB's love to go very straight (which is a good thing), but tend to like to stay very straight if you like to work the ball, off center they are exceptionally good, the 0311T's have just been better in playing conditions.

 

0311T vs. 716MB short irons: This is the range that I had the most issues with in adjusting and dialing in distances. The 0311T's can go freakishly long in this range. I have hit some shots that have gone insanely far, some with great results, and others horrible. The great results have come while hitting shots into the wind where I wouldn't have to club up to finesse a shot through the wind and I could hit a nice "normal" shot that the wind doesn't knock down as much as the MB's, I'd say half a club at least longer in the wind. The bad shots have been when I try to jump on one and the club responds much more than the MB and flies the green by 10+ yards. This has happened a few times coming out of the rough, catching fliers that are nuked, and a few times trying to muscle up from the fairway where the club responds and the ball takes off. These have happened maybe 5-6 times in 10 rounds or so, not a ton, but enough to scare me. Overall, the 0311T in this range is very good and very forgiving. They have more bounce than I am used to, but I haven't really seen any negative impact on by ball striking. If anything I think they help me out of some sketchy lies, but don't feel and crisp and nimble as my MB's do. They are extremely easy to hit out of fairway bunkers and rough though.

 

0311 vs. SM6 wedges: So far, really impressed with the PXG wedges. Main reason is that the grinds are similar to the grinds I was fit for in the SM6, so I got lucky. My 60 degree has a grind on it, so it's more in line with my beloved 60V. The 0311 as is, has too much bounce in the heel for me, however, it will be good for most golfers as it is a versatile grind and has plenty of bounce. In the 52 and 56, they are solid performers, right in line with what I was seeing in the SM6. They have a different feel, maybe a little softer/lighter at impact than the SM6, but also have the perimeter weighting similar to the new SM6 design. I love the SM6's so this is the one area where I feel that if you're not a good fit for the very limited PXG grinds, don't get them. If you are a fit for them, they are great wedges. The grind is versatile, but not as versatile as all the options you have in the SM6.

 

Final thoughts? For now the PXG's are staying in my bag. In my opinion, taking a step away from all the other PXG related BS posted on this site, they are a soft feeling forged iron, with plenty of forgiveness and distance, that look great from address. Overall, in my experience, an extremely solid performing and feeling golf club. I would add that I have had bad shots end up much better than I thought and good shots end up a little worse than I thought, but all in all I think once I figure out my distances and maybe weaken the lofts on some clubs, they should be really good for me overall.

 

:drinks:

[GC70]

Love the feel of these ! They just out performed all the sets I tried in every category! I just need to put one of my kids on BST so I can get a set!

 

I was surprised that the sole is wider then the T-mb's. Wedges look really good.

[mmack067]

Looking great! The soles on the 0311T's look very Ping. I think they're very nice at address, even the 3 iron. The 3i would be really nice with a bit less offset given that the overall profile doesn't look too chunky. I prefer the shape of the SM6 51 over the PXG, but that's just me. I do enjoy the shape of 60 though.

[ago33]

Curious to hear the comparisons between the t-mbs and 3011ts

[cradd10]

Biggest Ho on WRX! I love this guy. Buys clubs like he Paying with other people's money.

[FairwayGolfUSA.com]

The 0311(T) long irons have got to feel a bit more solid than the T-MB's but as a blade player myself, I have to believe that you found a lack of feel in the shorter irons (7-PW). In my experience the T-MB's are a bit light, feel clicky, and sound a bit odd. The performance is there but I like a more blade-like feel...and it's not that. The 0311T short irons do not feel clicky or have an odd sound but they're way closer to an 716 AP2 than MB.

[BirdieBob]

Love the feel of these ! They just out performed all the sets I tried in every category! I just need to put one of my kids on BST so I can get a set!

 

I was surprised that the sole is wider then the T-mb's. Wedges look really good.

 

 

The 5 iron soles look very close to the same. The 7 iron is the MB vs 0311T.

 

The 0311T irons have a much softer across the face feel compared to the T-MB, especially when using a soft ball like the ProV1.

I have a full set of the Xtreme Dark 0311T irons and they replaced the full set of T-MB irons I had.

Why?

 

1. Ball height off the T-MB in the mid/short irons was too high. The 0311T brought that down.

2. Face feel. The T-MB is firm/hard feeling on the face, but the 0311T is a softer forged feeling face.

 

http://pluggedingolf.com/titleist-716-t-mb-irons-review/

 

"Perhaps the most disappointing element of the Titleist 716 T-MB irons is the feel. When a club has the look of a muscle back, you expect a soft, pure feeling, but even centered shots with the T-MB feel firm. Mishits go right past firm and enter the realm of feeling harsh."

 

I did not find the long irons felt firm/hard at all. In fact they were fine. Just the mid and short irons were non mb like.

 

Fairway Fred and I are in agreement....

http://www.golfwrx.c...0#entry13158796

 

 

Love the Xtreme Black finish.

 

 

[stage1350]

Looking at the offset photos, especially compared to the 716MB, there is still too much offset there for me.

 

I looked at the T-MBs in the store and would consider a 3i since most sets no longer include one.

 

If they could make these with no offset, they could be so much better.

[BirdieBob]

The offset in the long irons is about the same as the T-MB; short irons practically no offset.

In fact...see chart...all 0311T irons have less offset than the T-MB except the 3 iron which is the same.

 

 

 

 

[bmoores]

No porn allowed on WRX Birdie Bob. Those are absolutely pornographic.

[kevinlin71]

Nice comparison pictures, looking forward to hearing your reviews.

[Luke7]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[masamitsu]

The offset in the long irons is about the same as the T-MB; short irons practically no offset.

In fact...see chart...all 0311T irons have less offset than the T-MB except the 3 iron which is the same.

 

I was in the same camp as stage1350 regrading the offset. The photos of the 5 and 7 def look like the PXG has more offset. Maybe it's the angle of the photo or something...

[BirdieBob]

No porn allowed on WRX Birdie Bob. Those are absolutely pornographic.

 

 

Just one more......... :)

 

 

 

[socied]

Man, I have been waiting for this thread since seeing your posts on instgram. Quick question, did you take these somewhere to get fit (bent) or did you do it off of your TPI specs?

 

This should be good.

[SwingMan]

No porn allowed on WRX Birdie Bob. Those are absolutely pornographic.

 

 

Just one more......... :)

 

 

 

 

Like the Supremes, I know golf porn when I see it!

[Pure745]

The offset in the long irons is about the same as the T-MB; short irons practically no offset.

In fact...see chart...all 0311T irons have less offset than the T-MB except the 3 iron which is the same.

 

I was in the same camp as stage1350 regrading the offset. The photos of the 5 and 7 def look like the PXG has more offset. Maybe it's the angle of the photo or something...

 

The 3 iron is the 0311 model, it for sure has a lot more offset than I'm used to, BUT, it's a 3 iron that I'm using primarily as a driving iron off the tee and to cover a yardage I don't have frequently.

 

The 0311T is a great looking club, the fact that you can barely tell if it has or doesn't have more offset than the MB (blade) 7 iron just shows how little it has. If we are comparing the 716MB to the 0311T, the 0311T outperforms the MB's and looks really good from address.

 

Could be the angle, Stage, you're almost at OCD/freak status in terms of your sensitivity to offset and other really specific things, so I'm sure you can pick something out of almost any set made by any one :) I haven't noticed having to make any real adjustments due to offset or anything on the 0311T, the 0311 3 iron, it did take a few swings to get used to it.

 

I'm not saying anyone's opinions are right or wrong, I posted the pictures so you can draw your own conclusions.

[Pure745]

Man, I have been waiting for this thread since seeing your posts on instgram. Quick question, did you take these somewhere to get fit (bent) or did you do it off of your TPI specs?

 

This should be good.

 

I had them bent to the specs I was fit for at TPI which worked well.

[socied]

Awesome - Can't wait to hear the results. Oh and not to throw something else at you, but are you going to do a M1 and X7 thread as well? :)

[Pure745]

Awesome - Can't wait to hear the results. Oh and not to throw something else at you, but are you going to do a M1 and X7 thread as well? :)

 

Lol, no. Those are locked. :) Wasn't going to do this one either, but had a few texts/PM's etc. asking what they look like how they feel etc. Especially with my Titleist bag that was set up so good.

[peakposition]

Do you know if the screws are in a specific order or just standard?

[teamacacia]

Pure, or others who have hit both, how much less forgiving are the 0311T compared to the standard 0311? I have always been pretty sensitive to offset and would probably lean 0311T due to the less offset. But I would probably benefit with more long. Iron forgiveness.

Thanks

[Pure745]

Do you know if the screws are in a specific order or just standard?

 

Standard

 

Pure, or others who have hit both, how much less forgiving are the 0311T compared to the standard 0311? I have always been pretty sensitive to offset and would probably lean 0311T due to the less offset. But I would probably benefit with more long. Iron forgiveness.

Thanks

 

I haven't hit the 0311 extensively enough other than my 3 iron. I think the 0311 is geared more for the golfer wanting max distance and max forgiveness in a forged package. The soles are pretty wide, with more bounce and offset which would align the 0311 with more game improvement characteristics. The 0311T I have found to be very forgiving, they have more bounce and wider soles in the mid and short irons than I'm used to, and I'm having to get used to that right now. I will say the misses are better than my Titleist set in the mid/low, but they have different turf interaction than I'm used to. Not bad or good, just different right now, figuring out which one it is. Surprisingly, unless I'm reading the specs wrong, the 0311T's have less offset than the 716MB's as well.

[ifixclubs]

filthy setup...cant wait to build mine...

[teamacacia]

Pure, or others who have hit both, how much less forgiving are the 0311T compared to the standard 0311? I have always been pretty sensitive to offset and would probably lean 0311T due to the less offset. But I would probably benefit with more long. Iron forgiveness.

Thanks

 

I haven't hit the 0311 extensively enough other than my 3 iron. I think the 0311 is geared more for the golfer wanting max distance and max forgiveness in a forged package. The soles are pretty wide, with more bounce and offset which would align the 0311 with more game improvement characteristics. The 0311T I have found to be very forgiving, they have more bounce and wider soles in the mid and short irons than I'm used to, and I'm having to get used to that right now. I will say the misses are better than my Titleist set in the mid/low, but they have different turf interaction than I'm used to. Not bad or good, just different right now, figuring out which one it is. Surprisingly, unless I'm reading the specs wrong, the 0311T's have less offset than the 716MB's as well.

 

Thanks, I have always played thinner soled, less offset irons but recently hit a few 6irons from the M2 test. They have REALLY wide soles, but I actually liked the turf interaction in that I didn't chunk one shot. I can get a little handsy in the downswing and sometimes can get a little heavy. Maybe something with a touch more sole and bounce might work a bit better for me. I will def have to give these a closer look. I have been close to pulling the trigger on a new set of clubs numerous times the past 1-1 1/2 years but have never really felt like anything was going to make that much of a difference. I also appreciate your comments about the extra distance without terrible changes in ball flight.

[moonshine]

Cool clubs for sure but is anyone playing markedly better since taking the plunge? I read an article where Zach was very particular about performance vs. his current set and Billy just liked what he saw and said lets do it...saw from performance that is.

[ChillyDipper]

Cool clubs for sure but is anyone playing markedly better since taking the plunge? I read an article where Zach was very particular about performance vs. his current set and Billy just liked what he saw and said lets do it...saw from performance that is.

I was just thinking to ask the same thing. How many strokes have come off the handicap? Lovely irons though.

[howeber]

Awesome Tai. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

[Pure745]

Cool clubs for sure but is anyone playing markedly better since taking the plunge? I read an article where Zach was very particular about performance vs. his current set and Billy just liked what he saw and said lets do it...saw from performance that is.

I was just thinking to ask the same thing. How many strokes have come off the handicap? Lovely irons though.

 

My first round with them, yes. My second and third, I'm running into a little learning curve with the bounce/turf interaction. Misses have been really good though. Admittedly, as soon as I purchased these, there was about a 3 week lead time to get them, I started playing out of my mind with the Titleist set. 5 out of 9 rounds were under par, and before that I was in a huge slump. Just kind of came out of nowhere. If I were comparing the PXG's to my Titleist bag about 6 weeks ago, I'd have a review saying I'm playing so much better, but after that hot streak, I'm not sure I've been consistently under par with any set of irons. I hope to keep my game in that kind of shape a little more frequent, but in all honesty, I'm not expecting huge gains with these.

 

I am hoping for them to be better than my Titleist setup was, and right now I think they have a great shot at being just that, but at my ability, I don't expect to shave off a ton of strokes, just hoping for a little improvement which leads to making the game easier for me. Before you pull up the PGA stats of strokes gained or lost from the PXG staffers :tongue: I just want to throw it out there that I like to tinker with new clubs, especially if they might be better, and that process is part of the fun for me as long as it doesn't affect my game!

[rpaige88]

Man I'm very jealous of both those setups. I've been itching to try out the TMBs in 4-7 and MBs in 8-PW. I play to about a 6 so I think I would be fine with them. I normally flight the ball really high in my shorter irons so that's why Im leaning towards the MBs in the short irons. Those PXGs are just awesome as well. I've only hit the non tour version but I was really impressed with them. It's probably better for me than I don't hit the 0311Ts haha.