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

[apprenti23]

Disappointed... Thought for sure you'd have the darkness!

[Golfer from MO]

Cant wait, pxg tour are supposed to be very cosistent

[2puttchris]

Have you tried the mp-h5 out of curiosity, since it also is another hollow club design ?

[Pure745]

Have you tried the mp-h5 out of curiosity, since it also is another hollow club design ?

 

I haven't, I didn't know they had a full set option till you posted this! An MP-H5/MP5 combo set would be pretty sick! A buddy of mine has the H5 in the 3 iron and got those blue wedges, they are pretty cool! In all honesty, if the PXG set doesn't work out, the Titleists are going back in.

[Peanut191]

I would think that the Titleist CB's would look/perform closer to the 0311T's than the MB's, correct?

[howeber]

Have you tried the mp-h5 out of curiosity, since it also is another hollow club design ?

 

I haven't, I didn't know they had a full set option till you posted this! An MP-H5/MP5 combo set would be pretty sick! A buddy of mine has the H5 in the 3 iron and got those blue wedges, they are pretty cool! In all honesty, if the PXG set doesn't work out, the Titleists are going back in.

 

Not to stir the pot Tai, but if you're thinking Mizuno.... Yoro craft is amazing. They can do all (well, most) the custom shaping work that Scratch could do, but with all the R&D and tech that Mizuno has. The performance is there.

[Pure745]

Have you tried the mp-h5 out of curiosity, since it also is another hollow club design ?

 

I haven't, I didn't know they had a full set option till you posted this! An MP-H5/MP5 combo set would be pretty sick! A buddy of mine has the H5 in the 3 iron and got those blue wedges, they are pretty cool! In all honesty, if the PXG set doesn't work out, the Titleists are going back in.

 

Not to stir the pot Tai, but if you're thinking Mizuno.... Yoro craft is amazing. They can do all (well, most) the custom shaping work that Scratch could do, but with all the R&D and tech that Mizuno has. The performance is there.

 

Not thinking Mizuno at all. PXG was substantiated impulse experiment :tongue: My TPI bag was thoroughly fit, and will be back in play if PXG is not better. Yoro's are insanely cool, just not really looking at trying everything, this is strictly how the PXG set stacks up to my gamer bag I was fit for. I grew up on Mizuno's but over the years haven't really wanted to try or use them, not sure why.

 

I would think that the Titleist CB's would look/perform closer to the 0311T's than the MB's, correct?

 

Not sure.

[joey2aces]

Not to pirate this but to add comments about the 0311 since Tai hasn't hit them extensively...

 

I went with the 0311 because I can use the extra forgiveness on misshits and they deliver. I thinned and fatted a couple at Pinehurst and when I did that with my s55's I would lose a lot of distance and on thin shots I'd have an accentuated slice.

With the 0311 the soles carve through the turf... I am a digger... and the feel has been unsurpassed in the 5 or so rounds and range time I have on them.

 

on thin shots I was only short of my target by 5-10 yards and the ball stayed on line.... which is what I was more impressed with.

 

Also, and maybe it is the shaft, but I no longer have the huge 'power fade'. My ball flight is tighter and now I am longer with my irons because of it. Yet, if I have to play a bigger cut, I can. I played with a fellow WRXer last year and had to hit a 7i over a tree 20-30 yards left to hit the green from the fairway. While I was confident in the shot I would have loved to hit a 8 or 9 iron.

 

In the past, I would have to aim a good 20 yards left of target to hit center green... now I am about 5-8 yards left.

 

I have thought about selling these simply because of the price but I have tried almost every other iron available and, to me, they are worth the extra money. Yet, as always, YMMV.

[Peanut191]

I sincerely hope you end up with the Titleist. Not that I prefer Titleist over PXG, but for my own checkbook's sake after picking up the T-MB's!

[Peanut191]

Not to pirate this but to add comments about the 0311 since Tai hasn't hit them extensively...

 

I went with the 0311 because I can use the extra forgiveness on misshits and they deliver. I thinned and fatted a couple at Pinehurst and when I did that with my s55's I would lose a lot of distance and on thin shots I'd have an accentuated slice.

With the 0311 the soles carve through the turf... I am a digger... and the feel has been unsurpassed in the 5 or so rounds and range time I have on them.

 

on thin shots I was only short of my target by 5-10 yards and the ball stayed on line.... which is what I was more impressed with.

 

Also, and maybe it is the shaft, but I no longer have the huge 'power fade'. My ball flight is tighter and now I am longer with my irons because of it. Yet, if I have to play a bigger cut, I can.

 

In the past, I would have to aim a good 20 yards left of target to hit center green... now I am about 5-8 yards left.

 

I have thought about selling these simply because of the price but I have tried almost every other iron available and, to me, they are worth the extra money. Yet, as always, YMMV.

You're not helping Joey! I can feel my bank account starting to sweat from here.

[joey2aces]

Not to pirate this but to add comments about the 0311 since Tai hasn't hit them extensively...

 

I went with the 0311 because I can use the extra forgiveness on misshits and they deliver. I thinned and fatted a couple at Pinehurst and when I did that with my s55's I would lose a lot of distance and on thin shots I'd have an accentuated slice.

With the 0311 the soles carve through the turf... I am a digger... and the feel has been unsurpassed in the 5 or so rounds and range time I have on them.

 

on thin shots I was only short of my target by 5-10 yards and the ball stayed on line.... which is what I was more impressed with.

 

Also, and maybe it is the shaft, but I no longer have the huge 'power fade'. My ball flight is tighter and now I am longer with my irons because of it. Yet, if I have to play a bigger cut, I can.

 

In the past, I would have to aim a good 20 yards left of target to hit center green... now I am about 5-8 yards left.

 

I have thought about selling these simply because of the price but I have tried almost every other iron available and, to me, they are worth the extra money. Yet, as always, YMMV.

You're not helping Joey! I can feel my bank account starting to sweat from here.

 

Then I won't tell you I had the T-MB, 716 AP2, 716 CB and don't any more.

[Pure745]

I sincerely hope you end up with the Titleist. Not that I prefer Titleist over PXG, but for my own checkbook's sake after picking up the T-MB's!

 

Yeah, sorry for the brevity of my last post. I'm really not sure where they fit. I'm thinking more like the T-MB's, but down low they perform more like the CB/MB with T-MB attributes (if that makes any sense). My biggest issue right now with them is the bounce/sole, I hit them at the range for about an hour yesterday, just minor tweaks in my ball position so that I'm more comfortable during my round. I usually don't warm up much before playing, rarely do I show up early to warm up, unless it's a tournament. I should have a better idea this after this weekend. I want to make sure I put these through their paces before posting my thoughts on these.

[howeber]

Have you tried the mp-h5 out of curiosity, since it also is another hollow club design ?

 

I haven't, I didn't know they had a full set option till you posted this! An MP-H5/MP5 combo set would be pretty sick! A buddy of mine has the H5 in the 3 iron and got those blue wedges, they are pretty cool! In all honesty, if the PXG set doesn't work out, the Titleists are going back in.

 

Not to stir the pot Tai, but if you're thinking Mizuno.... Yoro craft is amazing. They can do all (well, most) the custom shaping work that Scratch could do, but with all the R&D and tech that Mizuno has. The performance is there.

 

Not thinking Mizuno at all. PXG was substantiated impulse experiment :tongue: My TPI bag was thoroughly fit, and will be back in play if PXG is not better. Yoro's are insanely cool, just not really looking at trying everything, this is strictly how the PXG set stacks up to my gamer bag I was fit for. I grew up on Mizuno's but over the years haven't really wanted to try or use them, not sure why.

 

Yeah I've heard some great things about the PXGs.... I don't want to try them because I'm sure I'll end up loving them. We have very similar taste and play almost identical specs so I'm kind of hoping you hate them so I'm not tempted.

[Pure745]

Yeah I've heard some great things about the PXGs.... I don't want to try them because I'm sure I'll end up loving them. We have very similar taste and play almost identical specs so I'm kind of hoping you hate them so I'm not tempted.

 

Haha! :drinks: I definitely don't hate them, that's for sure! If the last 2 rounds were like my first, the review would be done :) I'm playing 2 more times this weekend, which would put about 5 rounds on them, I should have a good idea by then. But they are very good, I'm just trying to find things I don't like at this point.

[BostonWRX]

I hope you hate them....will stop me from giving them a shot over my T-MBs

[howeber]

Yeah I've heard some great things about the PXGs.... I don't want to try them because I'm sure I'll end up loving them. We have very similar taste and play almost identical specs so I'm kind of hoping you hate them so I'm not tempted.

 

Haha! :drinks: I definitely don't hate them, that's for sure! If the last 2 rounds were like my first, the review would be done :) I'm playing 2 more times this weekend, which would put about 5 rounds on them, I should have a good idea by then. But they are very good, I'm just trying to find things I don't like at this point.

 

That's bad news for my wallet!

 

Might have to do a Yoro vs PXG head to head....

[tigerfan23]

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.

 

who cares... My goodness some are strange..

If people only purchased to lower the HC the golf club economy wouldn't exist.

 

another amazing thread by the man....

 

The Sole looks like a slightly larger Ping S55.

 

Keep up the great work brother love reading your threads.

[BirdieBob]

http://www.golfwrx.com/333088/parsons-launches-tour-irons-pxg-0311t/

 

 

Pictures of the 0311T vs Ping S55 4 irons .

Soles are very much the same. In fact the entire shape and size are very much the same.

Same guy designed both and the Ping S series is very popular...no reason to change.

[prouse25]

I purchased a full set of t-mb's last Fall. Always been a Titleist player. This is a really good set - especially the long irons.

 

Being an equipment junky, I have been following pxg for two plus years. I couldn't resist it anymore. A couple of range sessions and a trackman fitting session later, I Ordered a set of regular 0311 with Aerotech shafts. The 0311T's just didn't spin enough for me.

 

I would give the edge to Titleist in the long irons. When comparing similar degree irons, the T-MB's seem easier to launch. Distance is very similar.

 

PXG is the clear winner in the short irons. The feel is far better. Both sets have similar distance. Controlling trajectory is slightly easier with pxg. Dispersion is tighter with pxg.

 

The overall difference between the two sets is very small. Both are really good and you can't go wrong with either one. Neither set has a significant impact on my HCP / scores - I didn't really expect them to have an impact. The exclusivity factor clearly goes to pxg. I am not disappointed at all with the decision to go with PXG.

 

 

[bluesgolfer]

I tried the PXG 0311T against the Titleist 716 mb in a 7 iron.

 

PXG felt very soft on center hits and pretty soft on slight mis-hits, huge "wow" factor. The mb felt soft on center hits and a little harsh on off center hits just as you would expect with a blade. The PGX was the clear winner with regard to pleasant feel. In fact, I can't say I have ever hit anything that feels as good as the PXG.

 

After several shots with each, however, I realized the dispersion was much tighter with the mb. I'm thinking the flex of the 0311T produces angle fluctuations at impact which could increase dispersion without much loss in distance. I'd rather have a slight distance loss on mis-hits with tighter more predictable dispersion. Hence, I ordered the mb's in 4-pw.

 

I will try a comparison between the 0311T and 716

TMB in the long irons.

[staysober for golf]

They look Awesome!

[Jack Pearsall]

JP loves the mb 716s grind on the face side of the sole, it reminds him of Onoff's approach on some of their irons. No idea what the relief might be called, but the turf interaction feels terrific to JP. Since aesthetics were asked not to be mentioned, JP leaves with mouth zipped.

[Pure745]

Also added to the bottom of post 1:

 

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:

[mmack067]

Another well thought out review. I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying them.

[stage1350]

Just a thought, Tai. You may want to contact PXG and see if they can adjust the 3i to reduce the offset. I know that was an option with Pings and since their engineers came from there, they might be able to accomplish the same with your 3 iron.

[Peanut191]

Great review Tai. Are you sold on keeping the PXG's in the bag for a long time, or are you just still testing a little and may go back to the Titleist?

[BirdieBob]

..."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"..

 

As someone that actually has the 0311T irons also, I could not have said it better.

I also think they look great, feel great and perform.

[Pure745]

Just a thought, Tai. You may want to contact PXG and see if they can adjust the 3i to reduce the offset. I know that was an option with Pings and since their engineers came from there, they might be able to accomplish the same with your 3 iron.

 

If they could, it would be perfect, I love everything else about it. I will try that to see what they say. I'm also trying the Accra 90iX in there, so that could be part of the reason, but it was getting better numbers and felt fine on the Flightscope. It's strange, static weight feels light, swing weight is around D4 and it's very stout.

 

Great review Tai. Are you sold on keeping the PXG's in the bag for a long time, or are you just still testing a little and may go back to the Titleist?

 

I'm going to commit to the PXG bag for now, I think at this point I have most of the kinks worked out with them. If they go south, I'll be back to the Titleist.

[stage1350]

I just want to see them whip something custom up for you. It would already be an easy thing to name: PXG 0311-Tai.

[socied]

Congrats on the decision. I am extremely jealous!! In all honesty, I don't think you could go wrong with either decision.