The surprising PXG XF Gen 1 driver (G400 Max shootout!)

sfdoddsy · January 30, 2019

A while back I started a thread about my positive results with the unfairly maligned Callaway Fusion driver.

So why not try out an even more maligned beast? A Gen 1 PXG. In the loathed XF variant to boot.

Intrigued by all the chatter about the new PXG Gen 2 drivers, I picked up a Gen 1 XF head on eBay for $200 or so with the intention of doing a shootout against the adored Ping G400 Max.

Received wisdom has the PXG pegged as a high spin distance-challenged hook machine with no redeeming features except for ‘nice feel’.

Well, I beg to differ.

I installed a PXG tip on a spare Hzrdus Black (same as my GMax) and spent the afternoon on the range and then on a launch monitor swapping between them.

The only variable is that the Hzrdus in the PXG was an inch shorter than the one in the G400.

As you will have gathered by the thread title, I was somewhat surprised. Again.

On the range the XF immediately created my preferred shot - a high draw. I usually hit the G400 dead straight and have to work on drawing it.

But both were working well.

On the launch monitor the first few shots with the PXG stunned me. I was expecting more spin than the Ping but instead got noticeably less.

With Supersoft balls I was getting launch at around 16.5 and spin at just under 2K. Ball speed was low 130s. Total distance was 240-250. For my sluggish old person 90ish swing these are pretty much ideal numbers (and what I got with the Fusion).

The spin was low enough I could easily move to higher spin balls like the TM Project A without much penalty and with the gain of more fun around the greens.

I should note that I am an easy fit with most drivers as I have a strongly positive angle of attack and am naturally low spin.

The G400 Max had similar ball speed and launch, but 2-300 higher spin. It was also more right-biased.

Hence it was few yards shorter on the best strikes.

Forgiveness wasn’t noticeably or measurably different.

My only disappointment was in the one area I was expecting the PXG to excel - sound and feel.

I’m not a fan of the GMax in these areas, but the PXG was not as much of an improvement as I thought it would be. Better, but nowhere near as much as my PXG irons were over my previous Steelhead XR Pros.

Given I can flip my G400 for more than I paid for the PXG, I’m going to switch to the XF.

If only to annoy my playing partners.

I’m really curious to see whether the Gen 2 is an improvemen and will book a fitting at my local over-priced PXG fitter ASAP to find out.

As usual, your results may vary etc etc, but give one a try if you find one cheap enough.

It may surprise you too.