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The PXG Xtreme Tour golf ball is a softer ball that provides maximum distance for players under 95 MPH swing speed. The PXG Xtreme Tour X has a firmer feel, more short game spin, and more speed for faster swinging players.
Introduction
Early last year, PXG showed that they’re as bold as ever, entering the competitive world of golf balls. The PXG Xtreme golf ball [review HERE] proved to be a strong performer, and was consistently in my bag the last two seasons. As we reach the end of 2024, PXG is doubling down on their commitment to golf balls with two new models: PXG Xtreme Tour and PXG Xtreme Tour X. I tested both to see how the company has improved on the original.
Feel
For feel off the putter, the new PXG Xtreme Tour and PXG Xtreme Tour X golf balls bracket the original Xtreme. The Tour X is firmer, and the Tour is softer. Using a milled, stainless steel putter, the Xtreme Tour is quiet, low-pitched, and soft, even on longer putts. In contrast, the Xtreme Tour X is firmer with a louder, crisper impact sound. The gap between the two new offerings is a little above average for the difference in feel between a given OEM’s Tour balls.
Off a wedge or iron, both balls are more crisp and responsive than soft. There’s a clear difference between the Tour X and the Tour – the Tour X is louder and firmer – but both produce a robust “click” when struck with speed.
If you like compression numbers, PXG reports that the new balls are both softer than the original. The Xtreme had a compression rating of 110 with the new Tour X at 108 and the Tour at 97.8.
Short Game
In my wedge testing, I found that the PXG Xtreme Tour X spun measurably more than the PXG Xtreme Tour golf ball. Both provide excellent short game spin and are in the same class with the highest spinning Tour balls. The gap between the two was not huge, but it was consistent across pure strikes and mishits. As I often say, I don’t think that the difference would be obvious on the course, but players looking for every least revolution should opt for the Tour X.
PXG continues to be an industry leader in sharing data, loading their website with numbers from their golf ball testing. Their data – based on a 60 yards pitch with a 56 degree wedge – shows that the Xtreme Tour X is the highest spinning in their line up, outpacing the Xtreme Tour by about 200 RPM. They also provide a comparison to several Pro V1 models, showing that PXG balls produce a little more ball speed, higher apex, and very similar spin (7 RPM difference with the Tour X vs. Pro V1x).
It’s always worth remembering that robot testing is, like anything else outside of your personal fitting and testing, just one consideration. It is not the alpha and omega.
Finally, it’s very interesting to note that PXG shows a difference between the performance of the PXG Xtreme Tour and the PXG Xtreme Tour Yellow. The yellow version is the lowest spinning – about 70 RPM less than the white Xtreme Tour in the wedge testing.
Long Game
In my iron testing, both PXG Xtreme Tour balls provided the kind of performance that I expect from a golf ball in this category. They had strong, consistent ball speed and ample spin. The gap between the two was small with the irons, but there was a bit more spin with the Tour X. Moving to the driver, I found a little more distance with the Tour X. The ball speed was, on average, a touch higher, and the small amount of extra spin didn’t hurt me because I’m naturally low spin. For the small boost in yardage, I’ll game the Tour X over the Tour, but I wouldn’t consider the Tour short or unplayable.
Turning to PXG’s numbers, they show the Xtreme Tour X with small ball speed edges over the Xtreme Tour (0.2 MPH with 7I, 0.5 MPH with driver), and both being faster than either Pro V1 (the largest gap is 1.3 MPH). Spin rates are very close – the Tour X spins about 250 RPM more than Tour with a 7I, 70 RPM more with driver.
At 100 MPH, these differences translate to a 2.5 yard advantage for the Tour X which is also 5 yards longer than the original PXG Xtreme. With an 85 MPH driver swing, the Tour is reported to be 1 yard longer than the Tour X.
Also, PXG reports a difference between the white and yellow versions of the Xtreme Tour. The yellow version spins a little more with the 7I – 60 RPM – and a bit less with the driver – 64 RPM.
Conclusion
The original PXG Xtreme golf ball wasn’t an experiment, it was a warning shot to the rest of the golf ball market. With the Xtreme Tour and Xtreme Tour X, PXG shows that they’re committed to making an impact in this competitive sector with two premium offerings geared toward different feel preferences and players with varying swing speeds.
Buy PXG Xtreme Tour Golf Balls HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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3 Comments
I bought a couple of boxes of both balls once they released a few weeks ago. Your review here is spot on regarding both balls. The Tour X for me is incredible. Little firmer, crisp and the spin attacking greens is excellent. I appreciate the whiter look as well. Can always tell whose ball is where in the fairways especially with leaves dropping here now. PXG has done a very good job here. Love them.
Great overview Matt. I have a quick follow-up question for you: how much difference (in “the real world”) was the trajectory and peak height for the two new models? As an older golfer, my swing speed is below the 95 MPH guidance but I also play at an altitude of >6000 feet. At this altitude, a ball like the Pro V1 has a flatter trajectory. My recent ball fitting by Titleist placed me in the Pro V1X because of its higher trajectory and overall peak height. Will that translate to the new versions of the PXG golf balls?
Bob,
I haven’t done sufficient outdoor, on course testing to say definitively. What I’ve seen so far is that, for me, the trajectory was not dramatically different.
Best,
Matt