PXG Gen 4 X Driver vs. Proto X

[johnt14]

I haven't seen any comparisons and was wondering if anyone's hit the new Gen 4 Driver vs. the Proto.  

 

I hit the Gen 4 today and it was fantastic.  I was consistently hitting it 20-25 yards past my G400 Max. (outdoor range)  I was really able to keep spin down and hit it dead straight.  

 

I didn't even bother hitting the Proto and realized that it came out less than a year ago so wondering if there is a big difference in performance?  

 

Anyone hit both?   Thanks

 

 

[dhen9]

I've been wondering the exact same thing. I really hope there's someone who has had the chance to put these "head to head". 

[Rpete33]

In for this, I have a fitting at pxg Scottsdale next Sunday. Cannot wait! So excited to hit the gen 4!

[johnt14]

I'm kicking myself for not hitting the Proto.  I know a ton about PXG irons but have never really looked at the drivers.  I hit the Gen 4 today on a whim and had no idea its so similar to the 4's and just came out last spring. 

 

I wonder how much could've been improved in such a short time, but I do know the Gen 4 was a beast for me.  Proto is $175 cheaper. 

[OspreyCI]

10 hours ago, johnt14 said:

I'm kicking myself for not hitting the Proto.  I know a ton about PXG irons but have never really looked at the drivers.  I hit the Gen 4 today on a whim and had no idea its so similar to the 4's and just came out last spring. 

 

I wonder how much could've been improved in such a short time, but I do know the Gen 4 was a beast for me.  Proto is $175 cheaper. 

Which head did you hit or get fit into?

[johnt14]

9* X with hzrdus smoke yellow 

[djhgolf]

Looking for feedback on these two heads as well! 

[johnt14]

I called PXG yesterday to see what they thought.  I talk to two different fitters and neither knew absolutely anything about the Proto vs. Gen 4.  Shocking really.  

 

I simply asked the first guy what the differences were between the Proto and Gen 4 and he was fumbling around for anything to say and had to look up some answers on the website.  Only thing he could come up with was that the Gen 4 X comes in a variety of lofts instead of just 9* in the Proto. 

 

I let him go and called back later in the day. 

 

I asked 2nd guy about the 4 weights in Proto vs. 3 in Gen 4.  He told me the weights don't really matter and most people just leave them stock.  I thought PXG was all about the weight adjustability.  Then the kicker is that he said PXG waits to come out with new equipment until they have something that is a big leap forward.  I asked them how they made a big leap from Proto to Gen 4 in less than and year in driver and just a month or two in the fairways and hybrids.  He didn't have an answer for that question.  

 

I hit the Gen 4 and it was awesome.  I was just hoping for someone at PXG to be able to talk about the differences in the two clubs. 

 

Really seems like their mission is to sell as much Gen 4 as possible no matter if they have an offering that is $175 less and is essentially the same club.  Obviously makes sense from a dollars perspective but isn't very confidence inspiring for customers. 

 

Bottom line I have to hit the Proto for myself to get real answers.  The guys I talked to today knew less than I did about the specs of the clubs. 

Edited March 23, 2021 by johnt14

[dhen9]

If you look at PXG site you see the same buzzwords: mutli material crown, high speed face, TPE in sole but nothing of major substance. The Gen 4 does already have an LPGA Tour win. I'm just trying to figure out if I go Tensei White in Proto and spend approx the same as I would with Gen 4 and stock shaft option. 

[Nixhex524]

@CC Stryder

[CC Stryder]

36 minutes ago, Nixhex524 said:

@CC Stryder

Thanks Nix!  I can provide some details as Ive been playing a Proto X+ for 6 months, have hit the Proto X, and also report back once I have my fitting on April 9th for a Gen4.  The X was by far the longest and was not hard to hit.  It was definitely lower spin than the X+ and as such I was a good 10 yards longer than the X+.  That said, I was also significantly more erratic so I chose the one I had a more consistent dispersion/shot shape with in the X+ and put the heavy weight in the front with an added 7.5 in the toe.
 

First, remember they “skipped” Gen3 in the drivers, that is technically the Proto.  The Proto went to their pros and then they ended up releasing them to the public - hence Gen3 though they don’t call it that.  So likely the Proto was just that, a prototype for their next scheduled release.
 

The X and the X+ only come in one loft each whereas G4 comes in multiple.  According to the reading Ive done from their lead engineers, the toe weight option was removed because of mass properties and “most didn’t use it anyway.”  
 

The major differences I can see is that the G4 now uses the aluminum vapor over the carbon fiber like the Tensei raw lines and has an updated face.  They also seemed to reshape the drivers a bit based on the profile XT, X, XF (size, depth, etc.)

 

The Proto x+ has been great and beaten many big name drivers for me including:  410 LST, TSi3, Sim, Mavrik and SZ.  It’s the best combination of performance, looks/shape, and sound Ive found (love the matte head).  Plus it’s unique in a sea of Callaway and TM.

 

Long story short, I doubt you’ll see massive differences between a G4 X at 9 and a Proto X at 9.  But, without hitting them side by side there’s no way to know for sure.

Edited March 23, 2021 by CC Stryder

[dhen9]

Proto X+ on PXG site as 12°. My favorite driver was the original Epic in 13° turned down and with Fuji Pro 6S. I'm just trying to replicate that. With lack of fitters in Central Ohio and the fact that the phone fitting was silly I don't want to experiment with $500-700 putting Gen4 vs Proto X+. 

[CC Stryder]

44 minutes ago, dhen9 said:

Proto X+ on PXG site as 12°. My favorite driver was the original Epic in 13° turned down and with Fuji Pro 6S. I'm just trying to replicate that. With lack of fitters in Central Ohio and the fact that the phone fitting was silly I don't want to experiment with $500-700 putting Gen4 vs Proto X+. 

I completely understand and have nothing bad to say about my X+.  I will say the X+ launches pretty high as is and adding additional weight to the head dramatically improves performance (IE:  Mine came with a 12.5 and 3 2.5 and now I have a 15, 7.5, 5, and 2.5).  
 

Is the Gen4 worth $200 more?  That’s likely going to be personal preference.  I didn’t get fit for my X+, I used trial and error and fit myself.  PXG is coming to my local Trackman facility, so I’m using it to get fit for a Gen4 and/or dial in my X+.

Edited March 23, 2021 by CC Stryder

[dj6627]

Proto driver weight ?

 

The weights without number on underneath side are 2.5 g?

 

Thanks 

Edited March 23, 2021 by dj6627

[johnt14]

55 minutes ago, CC Stryder said:

Thanks Nix!  I can provide some details as Ive been playing a Proto X+ for 6 months, have hit the Proto X, and also report back once I have my fitting on April 9th for a Gen4.  The X was by far the longest and was not hard to hit.  It was definitely lower spin than the X+ and as such I was a good 10 yards longer than the X+.  That said, I was also significantly more erratic so I chose the one I had a more consistent dispersion/shot shape with in the X+ and put the heavy weight in the front with an added 7.5 in the toe.
 

First, remember they “skipped” Gen3 in the drivers, that is technically the Proto.  The Proto went to their pros and then they ended up releasing them to the public - hence Gen3 though they don’t call it that.  So likely the Proto was just that, a prototype for their next scheduled release.
 

The X and the X+ only come in one loft each whereas G4 comes in multiple.  According to the reading Ive done from their lead engineers, the toe weight option was removed because of mass properties and “most didn’t use it anyway.”  
 

The major differences I can see is that the G4 now uses the aluminum vapor over the carbon fiber like the Tensei raw lines and has an updated face.  They also seemed to reshape the drivers a bit based on the profile XT, X, XF (size, depth, etc.)

 

The Proto x+ has been great and beaten many big name drivers for me including:  410 LST, TSi3, Sim, Mavrik and SZ.  It’s the best combination of performance, looks/shape, and sound Ive found (love the matte head).  Plus it’s unique in a sea of Callaway and TM.

 

Long story short, I doubt you’ll see massive differences between a G4 X at 9 and a Proto X at 9.  But, without hitting them side by side there’s no way to know for sure.

Great info, thanks for the insight.  Yeah, I just need to get back and hit the Proto.  The Gen 4 was fantastic. 

[spineshank]

2 hours ago, johnt14 said:

I called PXG yesterday to see what they thought.  I talk to two different fitters and neither knew absolutely anything about the Proto vs. Gen 4.  Shocking really.  

 

I simply asked the first guy what the differences were between the Proto and Gen 4 and he was fumbling around for anything to say and had to look up some answers on the website.  Only thing he could come up with was that the Gen 4 X comes in a variety of lofts instead of just 9* in the Proto. 

 

I let him go and called back later in the day. 

 

I asked 2nd guy about the 4 weights in Proto vs. 3 in Gen 4.  He told me the weights don't really matter and most people just leave them stock.  I thought PXG was all about the weight adjustability.  Then the kicker is that he said PXG waits to come out with new equipment until they have something that is a big leap forward.  I asked them how they made a big leap from Proto to Gen 4 in less than and year in driver and just a month or two in the fairways and hybrids.  He didn't have an answer for that question.  

 

I hit the Gen 4 and it was awesome.  I was just hoping for someone at PXG to be able to talk about the differences in the two clubs. 

 

Really seems like their mission is to sell as much Gen 4 as possible no matter if they have an offering that is $175 less and is essentially the same club.  Obviously makes sense from a dollars perspective but isn't very confidence inspiring for customers. 

 

Bottom line I have to hit the Proto for myself to get real answers.  The guys I talked to today knew less than I did about the specs of the clubs. 

 

You gotta remember youre talking to CS people. Not some engineer. 

Edited March 23, 2021 by spineshank

[johnt14]

31 minutes ago, spineshank said:

 

You gotta remember youre talking to CS people. Not some engineer. 

yeah, I wasn't expecting them to break down the physics for me.  

 

I was just hoping for some guidance on whether it was worth it to spring for the Gen 4 vs. the Proto.  

 

I realized that at least with the guys I happened to talk to, just wanted to push me into the Gen 4 no matter what.  Just straight hard sales rather than truly finding the best fit. 

[CC Stryder]

1 hour ago, johnt14 said:

yeah, I wasn't expecting them to break down the physics for me.  

 

I was just hoping for some guidance on whether it was worth it to spring for the Gen 4 vs. the Proto.  

 

I realized that at least with the guys I happened to talk to, just wanted to push me into the Gen 4 no matter what.  Just straight hard sales rather than truly finding the best fit. 

I get it, but it’s also a “phone fitting.”  Is it worth it to go from a SIM to a SIM2?  From a 410 to a 425?  From a Speedzone to a Radspeed?  They’re all slight improvements and tweaks over the previous but none are really light years ahead of the previous model.

 

So Gen1 to Proto or Gen4, totally worth it.  Proto to Gen4, probably depends more on aesthetics and fit/preference than anything else.

[MCR]

Is it just me or do you think people will shy away from the Gen 4 just due to the silver on the crown.  Just looks horrible to me. Can't imagine looking at that at address.. 

[dhen9]

Nah, it's cool. Laugh now but you'll be able to see your path, but that's not why they did it. It's visible tech and the lack of a finish allows for any discretionary grams or milligrams be moved elsewhere instead of covering up the tech. 

[snagy2000]

On 3/21/2021 at 8:56 PM, johnt14 said:

I haven't seen any comparisons and was wondering if anyone's hit the new Gen 4 Driver vs. the Proto.  

 

I hit the Gen 4 today and it was fantastic.  I was consistently hitting it 20-25 yards past my G400 Max. (outdoor range)  I was really able to keep spin down and hit it dead straight.  

 

I didn't even bother hitting the Proto and realized that it came out less than a year ago so wondering if there is a big difference in performance?  

 

Anyone hit both?   Thanks

 

 

Gen4 Heads are just now arriving at fitters. Not many people have had the ability to hit the clubs or compare them to the Proto. Most of the phone reps are local fitters who also cover the phone lines. Thus, most of them have not been able to hit the clubs yet to give anyone a first-hand account of the Gen4 performance. This will change going forward, but keep in mind, newest is always the glam product to push with any company. I have Proto X and a fitting next Wednesday. If there is significant improvement, I'll pull the trigger. 

[CC Stryder]

52 minutes ago, MCR said:

Is it just me or do you think people will shy away from the Gen 4 just due to the silver on the crown.  Just looks horrible to me. Can't imagine looking at that at address.. 

 

I originally agreed but having owned every generation PXG driver (among many of their other clubs) I’ve learned to wait and see them in person.  That said, I wouldn’t order it blind...
 

It’s certainly a departure from their norm but it clearly makes it stand out and obvious as to who’s using it.  Is it really any uglier than turbulators, TM’s horrid white driver heads with lines on the crown, or any of the myriad of other personal preference crowns?

[CC Stryder]

2 hours ago, snagy2000 said:

Gen4 Heads are just now arriving at fitters. Not many people have had the ability to hit the clubs or compare them to the Proto. Most of the phone reps are local fitters who also cover the phone lines. Thus, most of them have not been able to hit the clubs yet to give anyone a first-hand account of the Gen4 performance. This will change going forward, but keep in mind, newest is always the glam product to push with any company. I have Proto X and a fitting next Wednesday. If there is significant improvement, I'll pull the trigger. 

Ill anxiously be awaiting your review Snagy!

[evoviiiyou]

Snagy looking foward to hearing your thoughts as well.  I ordered the Gen4 X driver on the first day of prelaunch over the phone and love my gamer Proto+.  What got me was the Proto/X design available at the 10.5 loft which is what I need turned to little minus for a 14-15 launch window. If I can shave a few hundred rpm off the Proto+ and not feel any loss in forgiveness with the new head weights and lie dialed, I will be golden.  If not, its all ready sold and Ill probably grab another Proto+ head to have a back up and be done for a couple seasons or at least until Gen5/Proto 2 lol

 

Having compared the Proto+ to the Max2 and year previous Sim Tour Issue 10.5, I know I have a dialed winner, just always looking for that little bit more which is becoming harder to find with all the last several launches from all manufacturers I have tested. It really is all about aesthetics and then dialing each to your swing with loft, weight, lie, and shaft. 

[Largey]

Currently playing the Proto X. The gen4 x was avg 4-5 yards more carry on both pured and mis-hit shots. It generally did a better job controlling spin for me. Feel and sound was actually a bit better than the proto imo. 

Also tried out the XT, very interesting driver. Gained 3-4 MPH swing speed with the smaller head. Felt more like a 3wd, could really shape the ball if i wanted too. Definitely need to be dialed in with that one. I had some shots ranging from 1600 - 3200 spin, depending on the shot shape. My furthest drives were with the XT. 

My ranges:
110-116 MPH swing speed. Ball speed 158 - 167

Some of the numbers I saw with tempo swings & max effort swings
Proto carry :285-298 
Gen4 x carry : 289-303
G4 xt carry : 285 - 306

Furthest drives: high draw
XT: 331
G4x: 326
Proto: 323


Pretty impressed after a short session. Probably will end up in the G4x 9 degree, but the XT is intriguing... 

[snagy2000]

1 hour ago, Largey said:

Currently playing the Proto X. The gen4 x was avg 4-5 yards more carry on both pured and mis-hit shots. It generally did a better job controlling spin for me. Feel and sound was actually a bit better than the proto imo. 

Also tried out the XT, very interesting driver. Gained 3-4 MPH swing speed with the smaller head. Felt more like a 3wd, could really shape the ball if i wanted too. Definitely need to be dialed in with that one. I had some shots ranging from 1600 - 3200 spin, depending on the shot shape. My furthest drives were with the XT. 

My ranges:
110-116 MPH swing speed. Ball speed 158 - 167

Some of the numbers I saw with tempo swings & max effort swings
Proto carry :285-298 
Gen4 x carry : 289-303
G4 xt carry : 285 - 306

Furthest drives: high draw
XT: 331
G4x: 326
Proto: 323


Pretty impressed after a short session. Probably will end up in the G4x 9 degree, but the XT is intriguing... 

Thanks for the write up, great info. I was wondering how the XT would perform. I can't wait to hit hit them. 

[OspreyCI]

3 hours ago, Largey said:

Currently playing the Proto X. The gen4 x was avg 4-5 yards more carry on both pured and mis-hit shots. It generally did a better job controlling spin for me. Feel and sound was actually a bit better than the proto imo. 

Also tried out the XT, very interesting driver. Gained 3-4 MPH swing speed with the smaller head. Felt more like a 3wd, could really shape the ball if i wanted too. Definitely need to be dialed in with that one. I had some shots ranging from 1600 - 3200 spin, depending on the shot shape. My furthest drives were with the XT. 

My ranges:
110-116 MPH swing speed. Ball speed 158 - 167

Some of the numbers I saw with tempo swings & max effort swings
Proto carry :285-298 
Gen4 x carry : 289-303
G4 xt carry : 285 - 306

Furthest drives: high draw
XT: 331
G4x: 326
Proto: 323


Pretty impressed after a short session. Probably will end up in the G4x 9 degree, but the XT is intriguing... 

Thanks for the writeup. I bet the Gen4X may produce better numbers for me than the Proto+. Hope to go get fit my self very soon.

[Radeon962]

On 3/21/2021 at 9:56 PM, johnt14 said:

I haven't seen any comparisons and was wondering if anyone's hit the new Gen 4 Driver vs. the Proto.  

 

I hit the Gen 4 today and it was fantastic.  I was consistently hitting it 20-25 yards past my G400 Max. (outdoor range)  I was really able to keep spin down and hit it dead straight.  

 

I didn't even bother hitting the Proto and realized that it came out less than a year ago so wondering if there is a big difference in performance?  

 

Anyone hit both?   Thanks

 

 

We’re you fit for your G400 Max?  20+ yards over any driver is a significant amount if you were fit for your current driver.

 

I have found modest improvements in distance from year to year and a bit more forgiveness but I would throw whatever driver out if I found one that added 20 yards over my fitted driver.

 

I hope you bought the club you were hitting and did not look back. 

[johnt14]

3 minutes ago, Radeon962 said:

We’re you fit for your G400 Max?  20+ yards over any driver is a significant amount if you were fit for your current driver.

 

I have found modest improvements in distance from year to year and a bit more forgiveness but I would throw whatever driver out if I found one that added 20 yards over my fitted driver.

 

I hope you bought the club you were hitting and did not look back. 

Wasn't really fit for the G400 Max.  Got it at Golf Galaxy so I didn't get a proper fitting.  I have a high spin high trajectory ball so the Max isn't the best driver for me. 

 

I saw the biggest improvements in the Gen 4 + on those slight mishits that spin a ton in the Max, but spin stayed down on the Gen 4 and stayed straight and penetrating.  

 

I did end up ordering the Gen 4+, can't wait to get it. 

[JohnKHawk]

20 hours ago, MCR said:

Is it just me or do you think people will shy away from the Gen 4 just due to the silver on the crown.  Just looks horrible to me. Can't imagine looking at that at address.. 

Haven't seen Gen4 driver person so hard for me to get any sort of personal impressions. I don't think it would bother me though. If the driver performs I would get used to it within the first 9 holes.