Cost-effective

PXG has a new wedge that bargain-hunters should see.

By Tony Dear

Golf equipment pricing can be a bit confusing at times, illogical and inconsistent even if not utterly ludicrous. We all know how high-end putters can give one an extreme case of sticker-shock, but there are plenty of other clubs whose price seems to have been set by executives who had one beverage too many at lunch.

Earlier this year, PXG set the price of its Sugar Daddy II wedges at $450. That’s entirely fair if people are willing to pay that much of course – we get how Capitalism works. But the company has released a new wedge that looks much the same and features a lot of significant tech of its own, but which costs 60% less than the Sugar Daddy II.

And the ‘3X’ in its name means it has been forged three times. Time was when forging got really expensive and the ‘F’ word bumped up the price considerably. In its description of the new wedge, PXG says “The tight grain structure of forged clubs creates a purer resonance than a casting which produces an outstanding feel and sound experience at impact.” You’d think an ‘outstanding feel and sound experience’ would be worth a few hundred Dollars.

The reason the 0311 3X is so (relatively) inexpensive is because it hasn’t been milled – the process whereby a drill bit, programmed by a computer and rotating at high speed, cuts the clubhead into shape with incredible precision – which helps explain the gap between a pricey wedge (or putter) and a more moderately-priced model. Instead of being milled though, the 0311 3X has been robotically-polished which, says PXG, “…creates an extremely precise manufacturing process that supports consistent sole and face perimeter geometry with every club”.

The 0311 3X has a high-toe which places the clubhead’s Center of Gravity (CG) in line with shots where the golfer opens the face to create a little extra loft, and the grooves are extended to the perimeter of the face which many golfers like as it enhances control on shots where contact is made on the toe-side of the clubface. The sole is tapered slightly from heel to toe, and has a little curvature from front to back, which facilitates opening the face and keeping the leading edge close to the ground, and ensures the bounce does what it’s supposed to.

The clubhead is made with 8620 soft carbon-steel (forged three times remember!), giving great feel and durability.

There’s not as much going on here as with the Sugar Daddy II certainly, but for those looking to hit great flop shots while saving a little cash, the 0311 3X has got to be worth a look.

Price – $160
Lofts – 50˚, 52˚, 54˚, 56˚, 58˚, 60˚, 62˚
Bounce – 12˚ (50˚ – 56˚ clubs), 9˚ (58˚ – 62˚ clubs)
Shaft – Multiple choices in steel and graphite with no upcharge. More expensive steel and graphite        shafts also available.
Finishes – Xtreme Dark or Chrome
Available in right and left-hand
www.pxg.com 

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Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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