Here is what it was like getting match for PXG’s newest tools.
Ryan Barath
Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Floor, the place Managing Tools Editor Jonathan Wall and Senior Tools Editor Ryan Barath — together with a forged of GOLF writers and editors — put the newest designs and groundbreaking expertise within the tools area to the check on the vary and the course.
For 2024 ClubTest, we paired members of our workers with the newest gear from producers to provide you, the potential membership purchaser, actual insights from actual golfers and their firsthand expertise testing new golf equipment.
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TESTER: Ryan Barath, senior editor | 3 Handicap
GOAL: To discover a driver and fairway woods that provide extra distance by way of spin management together with a repeatable fade bias ball flight.
THE LOWDOWN: Since being based, PXG has nearly all the time launched woods and irons collectively in full sequence, with the latest being the PXG Gen6 which featured two driver and fairway woods choices, together with hybrids and two units of 0311 irons. However, very like the 0317 iron household (which you’ll be able to learn all about right here) which was launched a number of months after the Gen6 sequence and geared in direction of higher gamers, the brand new Black Ops woods symbolize new territory for the ever-evolving PXG.
PXG
The stand-alone Black Ops line of metallic woods has been engineered to ship the very best efficiency doable due to the introduction of recent face supplies, new face geometry and a producing processes designed to ship extra constant outcomes and, most significantly, extra distance.
What additionally separates the Black Ops line from earlier choices is that though there are two driver choices; the Black Ops (customary mannequin) and the Black Ops Tour-1. There is just one fairway wooden and hybrid mannequin to select from. However due to PXG’s becoming system and adjustable weights there is no such thing as a lack of changes that may be made to assist any golfer discover the most effective match.
THE FITTING PROCESS: To get dialed into the PXG Black Ops woods, I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the chance to move to PXG testing HQ at Scottsdale Nationwide Golf Membership in Scottsdale, Ariz., and work with their lead fitter Nick Jahnke.
My favourite a part of this course of was I went into the becoming with none data on the golf equipment or the choices obtainable — which as somebody who covers tools extensively, is one thing I’m not used to doing. It helped me go in with an open thoughts and “let’s see what occurs” angle.
*** It was solely after the becoming course of that I obtained the tech breakdown of the Black Ops line from Brad Schweigert, Mike Nicolette, and Caleb Kroloff, which helped to reply numerous questions I had about why I match into the golf equipment, and specs that I did. It was reminder that though it’s our purpose to assist educate golfers about their tools and the becoming course of, approaching a membership becoming with an open thoughts and a questioning mindset is one thing we vastly encourage. ***
After a quick warmup and dialogue with Nick about my long-game targets and typical ball flight and misses, it was proper into the motive force. The becoming began with the usual Black Ops driver (9 levels) within the inventory hosel and weight configuration to ascertain a baseline.
The factor that rapidly stood out with the baseline testing and after additional changes to the hosel and weight settings was that as a lot because the numbers and forgiveness had been near what I used to be searching for with the motive force, I struggled to get a deal with on a constant begin path. Distance was superior however dispersion wanted work.
The explanation for that is I typically battle with drivers which can be longer from heel to toe and even with the usual and Tour-1 drivers having the identical 460cc quantity, I discovered the usual model tougher to intention. (I ought to make it very clear that the usual possibility is the extra forgiving mannequin – near 10K complete MOI in the usual weight configuration, and it is a me drawback, however it goes to point out why the becoming course of is so essential).
So in regards to the Black Ops Tour-1 driver.
Nick introduced all the specs from my testing with the usual Black Ops to the Tour-1, and identical to slipping into a superbly match pair of footwear, the numbers and consistency had been rapidly obvious.
Mark Hannan/GOLF
I noticed a tiny soar in ball pace with the Tour-1 which I imagine might be attributed to the gained confidence I had in with the ability to intention the motive force and swing freely realizing the place the ball was going to begin and finally find yourself. Dispersion shrunk dramatically and in lower than 5 minutes I knew we had discovered the successful driver mixture.
So, for those who’re a golfer searching for a classicly formed 460cc driver with a bigger face and wish spin discount, let me let you know, the Black Ops Tour-1 may very well be your successful mixture, too.
Subsequent up was fairway woods and hybrids — and after rapidly coming to a conclusion for my driver I used to be assured we had been going to get them dialed in in a short time.
I defined that I often play a powerful lofted 3-wood (often between 12-13.5 levels) however with the low spin traits of the Black Ops, we began with the 15-degree head lofted down 14.25.
It took lower than ten swings and I knew that no matter mixture Nick had assembled, it was the right match. I used to be simply capable of get it off the bottom with out a lot effort (which is a shot I have to have with my 3-wood). Off a tee, I additionally noticed the outcomes I used to be searching for — the flexibility to select an intention level barely left of my goal and let the ball fade to the suitable.
Ryan Barath
The marginally bigger (however definitely not outsized) head form of the Black Ops 3-wood had me a tiny bit frightened I might battle to raise it off the bottom, however it was as simple as any fairway wooden I had ever hit. I even examined it off a few very tight lies and never as soon as did I’ve a problem with launch or spin.
Final however not least got here the 5-wood — and this was an attention-grabbing one. The reason being, for the longest time I’ve all the time defaulted to a 5-wood with out a lot thought, however when offered with the choice of the brand new Black Ops hybrid and its compact profile from tackle we needed to dig in a bit bit extra. I might have simply gone with the 17-degree hybrid to fill the spot in my bag after the 3-wood as a result of it delivered on distance and management — plus the taller head form gave me numerous confidence to hit down into the bottom. Nevertheless, outdated habits die exhausting, and on the finish of the becoming session, and after trying on the numbers with Nick, it was exhausting to argue with the additional peak and spin I used to be seeing with the Black Ops 5-wood.
Ryan Barath
With that mentioned, if I performed in firmer circumstances extra typically I’d possible carry the hybrid as a secondary possibility off the tee, and for quicker gamers that desire a flatter ball flight in direction of the highest finish of their set earlier than shifting into fairway woods, the Black Ops hybrid and its a number of loft choices and weight configurations create a giant alternative to seek out that excellent match.
My Fitted Gear
Driver – Black Ops Tour-1, 9 levels, hosel set to flat / -.75 levels of loft. Weights are set to impartial with the heaviest within the rear place. Shafted with a Ventus Blue 6X at 45.5” lengthy.
Ryan Barath
Having the ability to align barely left/open and swing as exhausting as I need with the boldness of realizing the ball will fade with out creating an excessive amount of spin is what makes this driver particular. Seeing spin between 2200 and 2500 was a HUGE win for me, and a giant purpose why it was a transparent winner.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 Customized Driver
$599.99
The PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 is a tour-inspired head design that includes a taller face with a extra curved crown to unlock most distance with a penetrating ball flight.
AMF Face Expertise
Propriety excessive power, and extra versatile, Titanium Alloy face materials helps elevated face deflection throughout influence for giant distance features.
Variable Face Thickness
This proprietary design helps to optimize the motive force’s efficiency by guaranteeing constant and environment friendly vitality switch throughout varied influence factors on the clubface.
Excessive Power Composite Development
Light-weight crown and sole inserts, produced from high-grade carbon fiber utilizing superior compression molding, allow optimum weight distribution within the clubhead. This enhances the second of inertia (MOI), shifts the middle of gravity (CG) decrease and farther again, leading to improved distance and forgiveness.
Non-Uniform Bulge and Roll Face
Strategically adjusting the horizontal and vertical curvatures throughout the face provides enhanced forgiveness and improves the membership’s response to off-center hits.
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3-Wooden – Black Ops 15-degree, hosel set to flat / -.75 levels of loft. Weights set to impartial rear place with Ventus Blue 7x at 43” lengthy.
This was the largest departure from my regular 3-wood specs, however the outcomes communicate for themselves. It additionally demonstrates that once you method a becoming with an open thoughts (and a educated fitter) you’ll be able to really deal with fixing an issue, moderately than attempt to match into one thing you “suppose” you want.
5-Wooden – Black Ops 18 diploma, hosel set to flat with no loft adjustment. Weights set to impartial rear place with Ventus Blue 7x at 42.5” lengthy.
A terrific fitter as soon as mentioned “it’s simpler to make up go down than it’s to make down go up”, which means it’s simpler to flight the ball down with a membership designed to hit it excessive moderately than hit a ball excessive with a membership designed to hit it low. As somebody who prefers to take far off a shot when required moderately than try to squeak out a number of additional yards, the longer shaft of the 5-wood gave me that possibility, and the marginally bigger and deeper head profile offers me numerous confidence to hit that membership out of the tough, too.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Customized Fairway Wooden
$299.99
Excessive-Power Carbon Fiber Crown
Crown made completely from high-grade carbon fiber. This light-weight materials saves mass within the crown, permitting it to be redistributed low and to the perimeter of the clubhead for optimum CG and addedforgiveness.
Supported Weight Construction
Revolutionary supported weight construction that delivers unbelievable sound and really feel.
Excessive-Velocity, Squared Face
PXG 0311 Black Ops Fairways current a proprietary stainless-steel face engineered to place the CG low for prime launch, optimum spin efficiency, and insanely quick ball speeds.
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Bonus Hybrid Specs: Though I didn’t find yourself with it being the ultimate winner, listed here are the specs from the hybrid I used to be hitting. Black Ops 17 diploma, flat hosel setting, Graphite Design Tour AD Di-85X.
So there you’ve gotten it, my expertise testing out and getting match for PXG’s latest Black Ops metallic woods. They’re for sure the best-performing woods PXG has ever produced and whether or not you’re a decrease handicap like myself or a better handicap golfer searching for additional forgiveness to associate with the seek for extra pace, I believe you will discover it with the Black Ops line.
PXG Black Ops drivers, fairway woods and hybrids can be found now by way of PXG-authorized fitters, in addition to at PXG shops throughout the USA.
Wish to overhaul your bag for 2024? Discover a becoming location close to you at True Spec Golf.
