50 Words or Less
The PXG Black Ops irons are a fresh addition to the PXG irons lineup. With a focus on distance and forgiveness, these game improvement irons also have wonderful sound and soft feel.
Introduction
At the beginning of 2024, PXG launched their all-new Black Ops collection, consisting of woods and hybrids. What we didn’t know then was that PXG was busy designing their first ever true game improvement irons under the same name. Fast forward 6 months, and in a covert-style operation, I met PXG designers and fitters at a secure location (Scottsdale National) in the searing heat of the desert (it’s a dry heat I kept telling myself) for an unveiling of the new Black Ops irons. It didn’t take too many swings to understand why PXG was so excited about their new irons – they were just as Bob Parsons proclaimed: “designed to flat-out perform.”
Looks
While there are no hard and fast rules for club categories, the PXG Black Ops irons check all my boxes for game improvement. Larger head size – check. Notable offset – check. Thickish topline – check. At address the club head looks dimensionally balanced, and I like the contrasting matte finish of the face.
In the photo above it’s easy to see the differences in the three latest releases from PXG. From left to right are the 0311 P GEN7 [full review HERE], 0311 XP GEN7 [full review HERE] and the Black Ops 7 irons.
In the bag the PXG Black Ops irons are sharp looking. Balanced comes to mind again looking at the three segments of the back. Branding is modestly sized for PXG, and the carbon weave insert adds a textural interest. The chrome inlay that forms an arrow with the matte stripe on the heel is a nice touch. It’s hard to see in the photo above, and easy to miss even in person, but that matte stripe is actually a change in thickness between the heel and toe along the sole.
Sound & Feel
On the sound spectrum, the PXG Black Ops irons have a crisp “snap” that’s very satisfying. The sound was consistent across the face only sounding dud-ish at the edges. Every reasonable hit sounded flush.
To my hands the Black Ops felt amazingly soft. Similar to the sound quotient, feedback was nominal. I started cleaning the face after each swing to better glean strike location. If you’re wanting discernible strike location on every swing, the Black Ops may not be for you – but the positive feedback will be confidence building for most golfers.
At the PXG R&D facility, I had the opportunity to hit the Black Ops side by side with two of the latest, and biggest selling, game improvement irons from two major OEMs. The PXG Black Ops irons felt significantly softer and had a much more pleasant sound than both the competitors. Frequent PIG readers know we preach the importance of getting fit for your clubs, and while performance is the main focus, sound and feel are also important considerations – especially when launch monitor data isn’t definitive.
Performance
The PXG Black Ops irons were developed to fill the mid to high handicap golfer void in the PXG lineup. To do so, PXG designers sought to maximize forgiveness and emphasize distance – all in an easy to hit iron. Fortunately, PXG had a ton of expertise in its technology vault.
The framework for the PXG Black Ops iron is a dual cavity. The first and largest cavity is behind the face, while a second cavity was created midlevel on the backside. As with most cavity designs, the dual chambers of the Black Ops irons allowed PXG designers to redistribute mass to the perimeter, boosting MOI. With high MOI in both the vertical axis and the horizontal axis, Black Ops irons are forgiving on heel-toe and high-low mishits. What I saw on Trackman results was a tight, flat dispersion circle. And as a 12 handicap, that doesn’t happen unless the club has plenty of forgiveness.
With solid ball speeds and mid-spin, my data also displayed a couple extra yards of carry distance over my gamer norms. Those results can be attributed to the ultra-thin face, polymer core fill, and CoG positioning. Let’s take a closer look at each of those.
The face is 0.05” thick, which PXG proclaims as “the thinnest face in golf!” For a face that thin PXG used a high strength, HT1770 maraging grade stainless steel that’s nearly twice as strong as the more commonly used 17-4 material. To support the face and maximize deflection, PXG utilized their proprietary XCOR2 Technology lightweight polymer – the same material used in the GEN6 irons. And finally, PXG positioned the CoG low and towards the back of the head to provide high launch while maintaining a lower spin. Trajectory was notably high in my testing.
If you’re wondering about the lofts of the PXG Black Ops irons, they’re strong. But that’s relative – the Black Ops are similar, if not the same, as game improvement irons from other brands. One final performance attribute I want to mention is the soles – they’re wide and aid in forgiveness. In working on my nemesis thin strikes, my instructor Ryan has me focused on striking a tee imbedded in the ground ahead of the ball. It’s a great drill, and the Black Ops have proven they are adept at gliding through the turf instead of digging.
Conclusion
The PXG Black Ops irons may be their first true game improvement irons, but they didn’t miss a step right out of the gate. The looks alone will draw the eye of many mid to high handicap buyers and the performance will leave them more than satisfied. I don’t think there’s a better sounding or softer feeling iron in the category. And for golfers who always thought PXG clubs were outside their budget, the $150 per iron price tag makes them very approachable.
Visit PXG HERE
PXG Black Ops Irons Price & Specs
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18 Comments
I can’t wait to hit these ! Great review Matt !
Since you have already done the test, how would these compare to the JPX 925? Living in a rural area its kind of hard to go and test these side by side so any comments you have is appreciated.
Sorry Wally, but I have never hit the JPX.
– Meeks
Went in earlier this week for the 0211s, and went with the Black Ops! Performance was consistently better, and the feel was so much better.
Matt, very nice review. In looking over the last review of the PXG 0211 XCOR done by Matt S, do you or Matt S. think there is much difference between the 2 irons in your opinion? I ask the question because your review sounds some what similar to Matt S. review of the lateest PXG version of the 0211 XCOR iron..
Thanks
I haven’t hit the 0211s and unfortunately Saternus hasn’t hit the new Black Ops, so we really can’t answer your question with any substance.
– Meeks
Hi Matt,
When I first saw these I thought they were the next version of the 0211 irons but then I saw they’re being marketed as PXG’s first game improvement iron so I’m a little confused. How would you compare these to the 0211’s? Are they vastly different?
Sorry Alex, I don’t have any experience with the 0211s.
– Meeks
“The PXG Black Ops irons were developed to fill the mid to high handicap golfer void in the PXG lineup.” I would disagree there was a void there. The 0211 irons were in that handicap slot, and have been for a while. Some call the 0211 a Player’s Distance iron, but to me that’s what the Gen P/XP irons are. I’d put the 0211 in the GI category, personally. But that’s semantics really. The mid to high handicapper have had the 0211 and the Gen XP irons to choose from. PXG is just solidifying their iron offerings to meet specific categories, even though they were already there really. Excellent review though, thanks.
Thanks for the comments Jason.
– Meeks
I know fitting is key, but in your opinion how would you rate these vs. jpx 925 hot metals?
Sorry Garrick, I haven’t hit the JPX.
– Meeks
I’ve owned two generations of 0311 XP irons (Gen 3 and now Gen 6) and considered them game improvement irons. How do these compare in terms of forgiveness and distance to the XP irons (if you have tried them)? You mentioned softer feel compared to the GI irons from two other OEMs. Did you see any noticeable difference in forgiveness or distance for the Black Ops compared to the GI irons that you hit from the other two OEMs? I am happy with my Gen 6 XPs and wonder if it’s worth the time to try the Black Ops. Thanks!
I never hit previous XP generations George. The few swings I took with the other clubs was focused on sound and feel. From PXG data I can tell you the Black Ops had tighter dispersion than both, and fell in the middle distance wise. Give them a try and let us know what you learn.
– Meeks
Bought the PXG GEN6 irons Apr 2023, easy to hit, just purchased the Black Ops 6 thru SW, easier to hit, whether a toe hit, heel hit or center hit it goes straight, extra forgiving. Have the GEN6 irons for sale.
Great review Matt. Would you say the Black Ops irons are more forgiving than their XP line?
Yes I would John. Thanks for reading.
– Meeks
Thanks for the review. I bought and have played the Black Ops irons for over a month now. I played the Gen6 XP’s last year and PING G730’s this year. The Black Ops are just as long within a yard or two than the Gen6 XP’s, more forgiving, better proximity. They are feel better than any non forged iron I have hit, similar to the Gen6’s.