By ED TRAVIS
PXG says the Black Ops model irons are their first true game-improvement iron and this new design is selling for significantly less than the other recent iron introductions from the company.
Fast Facts PXG Black Ops Irons
Game-improvement category
Hollow polymer-filled construction
Cavity back design
Variable thickness 0.050” steel face
Stock lofts: 5-iron 21°, pitching wedge 42°
Lofts available: 4-9 iron plus four wedges
Stock shafts: KBS S-Taper Lite R, KBS Tour 110 R, True Temper Elevate MP
Stock grip: PXG Z5 Black
$149.99 per club
WYNTK
PXG you will recall began as an ultra-premium brand with a full bag of clubs pushing past the $5,000 mark. In recent years their target has been to tap more of the middle price market and while this offering is not inexpensive, it is certainly are more affordable for a wider range of players.
“PXG Black Ops Irons are our first true game-improvement iron. When you set the club down it creates a lot of confidence, it is so easy to hit, and explodes off the face,” said PXG Senior Director of Irons Research & Development and former PGA TOUR Professional Mike Nicolette, “Amateurs who hit this club are going to be blown away.”
They are calling the design a Dual Cavity, but it would be more familiar tagged as a polymer-filled hollow interior with a rear cavity having a plastic insert to save weight. All of this means the Black Ops have a lot of weight pushed to the perimeter and that increases MOI or resistance to twisting and makes them more forgiving which the company says is apparent on heel or toe hits.
The variable thickness face has U-shaped channel on the interior to allow additional flex at impact for more distance and, as to be expected in an iron of this type, the lofts are stronger. Perhaps as much as 2°, depending on which other iron is being compared.
