The flashy marketing, the premium pricing, the whole "nobody makes golf clubs the way we do" attitude had me rolling my eyes. But after spending three months with the Gen 6 irons, I'm eating crow. These aren't just good irons; they're legitimately some of the best game-improvement sticks I've tested in twenty years of reviewing golf equipment.
The PXG Gen 6 Irons redefine iron performance with cutting-edge XCOR2 polymer core and an ultra-thin forged face. Crafted for players seeking maximum distance, exceptional forgiveness, and sharp workability, these irons bring breakthrough technology to your game.
When PXG sent over the specs sheet claiming their new HT1770 maraging steel face was just 0.050 inches thick—that's 1.27mm for those keeping track. I thought it was marketing fluff. I've tested dozens of "thin face" irons over the years from TaylorMade, Callaway, and Titleist, and honestly, most felt pretty similar. But here's where the Gen 6 got my attention: the initial time I pure one, you actually feel the face flex. It's this bizarre (but addictive) trampoline sensation that I've never experienced in an iron before.
The XCOR2 technology they're touting isn't just acronym soup either. I took both the P and XP models to my local launch monitor, and the numbers backed up what I was feeling. My typical seven-iron strike with my current gamer's produces about 165 yards of carry. The Gen 6 XP? I was consistently seeing 171-173 yards with the same swing. That's not from jacking up the lofts either, well, not entirely. The ball speed gains were legitimate, averaging about 3 mph faster than my Gen 5s.
What really sold me was the off-center performance. I intentionally hit some heel and toe strikes (painful as that was to my ego), and the XP model was producing 3.4 mph faster ball speeds on heel strikes compared to the previous generation. That translates to about 8-9 yards of additional distance on mis-hits. For someone like me who tends to miss toward the heel when I get tired, that's game-changing forgiveness.
I've become pretty cynical about tungsten weighting in irons. Every manufacturer claims their tungsten placement is groundbreaking, but most of the time, I can't tell the difference on the course. The Gen 6 changed my viewpoint. PXG uses four tungsten weights in the heel and toe, and you can actually feel how they've pulled the center of gravity back.
During my testing at our home course (a windy links-style track in Northern California), I noticed something unusual. My typical miss with a seven-iron is a low, spinning shot that gets knocked down by any breeze. With the Gen 6 XP, those same swings were producing higher launch angles, about 2 degrees higher, according to my launch monitor, without me trying to change anything. The ball was getting up quicker and staying up longer.
The MOI numbers tell the story: the XP model has 3.7% higher MOI than the Gen 5, while the P model increases by 2.2%. Those might sound like small percentages, but on the course, it meant my distance control improved dramatically. Over ten seven-iron shots, my dispersion tightened by 17% compared to my current irons. That's the difference between holding a green and being in the bunker.
Here's what surprised me most: the tungsten weighting didn't make these clubs feel dead or muted. Usually, when manufacturers pack a bunch of weight into the perimeter, you lose that satisfying feedback on center strikes. Not here. The five-times forged 8620 carbon steel body maintains that buttery feel you want from a player's distance iron.
PXG provides two versions of the Gen 6, and choosing between them isn't as straightforward as you might think. I spent equal time with both the P (for "players") and XP (for "extreme performance") models, and they're genuinely different animals. Notably absent from this generation is the T model, which PXG has discontinued to streamline its iron lineup.
The P model is what I'd call a player's distance iron. It has a moderate offset, a mid-sized head, and lofts that aren't completely jacked. The seven-iron sits at 30.5 degrees, which is strong but not ridiculous. When I put this in play during our club championship qualifier, it felt like a natural progression from my current irons. The ball flight was penetrating but controllable, and I could still work the ball both ways when needed.
The XP model is a different beast entirely. With about three degrees stronger lofts throughout the set and a larger head profile, it's clearly aimed at mid to high handicappers chasing distance. The XP features a longer heel-to-toe measurement, making it the most forgiving iron in PXG's lineup. That seven-iron I mentioned? It's cranked down to 27.5 degrees. During testing, the XP seven-iron was flying five mph faster and traveling fourteen yards longer than the P model. That's basically turning your seven into a six.
What impressed me was that despite the stronger lofts, the XP still launched the ball plenty high. Those tungsten weights and the low center of gravity design really do their job. I watched my playing partner, a 15 handicap who struggles with launch, hit towering shots with the XP that he simply couldn't produce with his current game-improvement irons.
The offset difference is noticeable, too. The XP has what I'd call "confidence-inspiring" offset, enough to help you square the face but not so much that better players will be turned off. The P model's moderate offset will appeal to single-digit handicappers who occasionally need help but don't want irons that look like shovels at address.
I've tested every generation of PXG irons since they burst onto the scene, and feel has always been their calling card. The Gen 6 takes it to another level. These are legitimately the softest-feeling distance irons I've ever hit, and that includes forged alternatives from Mizuno and Srixon. The sensation rivals premium tour balls with 87 compression ratings that provide exceptional responsiveness around the greens.
The secret seems to be the combination of that ultra-thin face and the five-times forged construction. Even slightly off-center strikes feel like you've caught it pure. I'm talking about that satisfying "butter" feeling that usually only comes from a perfectly struck forged blade. The only time you don't get that sensation is on really thin strikes, where you'll still get a harsh vibration up the shaft.
There's this unique "bounce" off the face when you pure one, it's hard to describe, but you know it when you feel it. It's almost like the ball stays on the face a fraction of a second longer before launching. Some guys in my regular group tried them and compared them to hitting a good hybrid, where you feel the face flex and release the ball.
PXG has also nailed the sound. These don't have that tinny, hollow sound that plagues many distance irons. Instead, you get a muted "thwack" that's satisfying without being loud. During an early morning round when sound really carries, my playing partners commented that they sounded more like players' irons than game-improvement clubs.
Here's something that won't show up in the marketing materials but made a huge difference in my on-course performance: the Gen 6 irons reduced my spin by about 200 RPM across the board. That might not sound like much, but it translated to notably tighter dispersion patterns.
During a particularly windy round at Pebble Beach (yes, I splurged for a birthday round), those lower-spinning shots were cutting through the wind instead of ballooning. My typical seven-iron spin with my current irons is around 6,200 RPM. With the Gen 6 XP, I was seeing 6,000 RPM consistently. That 200 RPM difference meant my shots were flying about three yards longer through reduced spin, but more importantly, they were holding their line better.
The lateral dispersion improvement was even more impressive, 12% tighter compared to the previous generation. Over the course of a round, that meant I was hitting more greens, and when I missed, I was missing in better spots. Instead of being short-sided in bunkers, I was finding myself with straightforward chips from the fairway.
I also noticed the lower spin helped with my distance control into greens. Typically, when I catch one thin, it comes out hot with low spin and releases hard. With the Gen 6, even my thin shots maintained enough spin to check up on the green. It's like having a safety net for your bad swings.
The PXG Gen 6 Irons redefine iron performance with cutting-edge XCOR2 polymer core and an ultra-thin forged face. Crafted for players seeking maximum distance, exceptional forgiveness, and sharp workability, these irons bring breakthrough technology to your game.
Yes, you can get PXG Gen 6 irons in left-handed models. You'll find both the 0311P and 0311XP versions available for lefties, with diverse set configurations from 4-iron through wedges. They're sold through PXG's official channels and authorized dealers, plus you can find them on secondary markets. You've got options for different shaft flexes and custom fitting, too, ensuring you'll get the same premium performance as right-handed players.
You'll get a 1-year limited warranty on your PXG Gen 6 irons from the original purchase date, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. The warranty won't cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage, or any misuse. You'll need a valid, unaltered serial number for warranty claims. If there's a defect, PXG will repair, replace with a comparable product, or refund your purchase price less depreciation.
Yes, you can trade in your old clubs when purchasing Gen 6 irons. You'll ship your clubs to 2nd Swing for inspection and valuation, then receive payment within 2-3 business days via check or PayPal. Your trade-in credit applies directly toward your new Gen 6 purchase. There's no limit on how many clubs you can trade, and you can use PXG's online tools to estimate your clubs' value beforehand.
Your custom fitting for PXG Gen 6 irons will take 60 minutes if you're fitting irons only. If you're doing a full bag fitting, you'll need 120 minutes. Combo fittings that include irons and woods are scheduled for 60 minutes. You should arrive 10 minutes early to warm up. The session includes evaluating your current clubs, testing different configurations, and analyzing data to dial in the perfect specifications for your game.
No, your PXG Gen 6 irons don't come with headcovers included in the standard purchase. You'll need to buy them separately if you want protection for your clubs. PXG offers a 2022 Iron Cover Kit that includes 10 pebble-texture polyurethane headcovers with soft velour lining and 11 interchangeable badges. While some retailers or custom orders might include headcovers, it's not standard practice, so you should expect to purchase them as an additional accessory.
So who are these irons for? If you're a mid-handicapper tired of choosing between feel and forgiveness, the Gen 6 P model is your answer. It's the iron I wish had existed ten years ago when I was trying to break 80 consistently. You get legitimate help on mishits without sacrificing the ability to shape shots.
The XP model is perfect for the 10-20 handicapper who wants maximum distance and forgiveness but refuses to play something that feels like a shovel. These are game-improvement irons that don't insult your intelligence or your hands.
Look, I get it, spending $1,800+ on a set of irons is tough to swallow. But if you can afford them, these are irons you'll game for the next five years minimum. The technology is legitimate, the performance gains are real, and the feel is addictive. PXG has ultimately delivered on its promise of making equipment that's genuinely different from the competition. The Gen 6 irons aren't just good, they're good enough to make this longtime skeptic a believer.
