Written By: Tony Covey
Hey Guys, we’re excited to bring you the best look you’ve had to date of the upcoming PXG 08 Driver from Parsons Xtreme Golf.
We’ve received some preliminary information on the new driver. Take it for what it’s worth given that we haven’t tested the PXG 08 for ourselves, but we’re being told that it offers abnormally high launch with low spin.
You can file that right next to Outrageous Speed.
Sources are telling us that in both player and robot testing, the PXG 08 prototype is, loft for loft, launching up to 1° higher, producing 300-400 RPM less spin, while increasing ball speed by 1-2 MPH, compared to it competitor’s drivers. If it’s true – and we have know way of knowing if it actually is – that’s certainly a recipe for increased distance.
What’s With All Those Damn Screws?
I know what you’re probably thinking…Bob Parsons must have gotten a pretty sweet deal on bulk Torx screws during a Home Depot clearance sale.
Apparently that’s not the case. The 16 (yeah, we think it’s a lot too) weight design (milled surface normal relative to the sole) seeks to tackle what Parsons engineers see as a limitation in current movable weight models. The way most manufacturers move weight is by taking one or two big weights and moving them to one or two alternative locations. That works as far as moving the CG is concerned, but it also isolates the mass in a relatively small space. Parsons engineers think there’s a better way.
By using a larger number of smaller 2.5 gram Tungsten and 0.5 gram Titanium weights (along with a wider area over which those weights can be re-positioned), Parsons can spread out the mass, which leads to higher MOI, while still allowing for significant CG movement. All of this creates greater fitting flexibility, and the potential to get more golfers to their optimum numbers.
In addition to optimizing CG location, the modular design makes it extremely easy for fitters to make small adjustments to both head and swing weight. This can have a significant impact on performance as well.
While the weights are designed to be easily adjustable by the user, the sheer number of them suggests this won’t be the most user-friendly adjustability system when it eventually hits the market.
Like many other adjustable drivers, the Parsons hosel is adjustable by +/- 1.5° in 3/4° increments.
As you might expect, the PXG 08 is engineered to deliver high launch, low spin, and maximum ball speed. The company isn’t making any specific claims at this time, but we’ve been told that Parsons won’t bring anything to market until it annihilates the competition. When we asked if the early results suggests the PXG 08 will do just that, the response was a very simple “so far, yeah“.
It’s Not Ready Yet
It’s important to note that the PXG 08 is a true prototype. There’s no release date yet. There’s not even an MSRP. It was only submitted to the USGA because Ryan Moore wanted to put in the bag alongside his PXG irons. World-wide availability is still a ways away.
Other than some guys quoting launch monitor numbers we have no way of knowing if the Parsons Xtreme 08 driver will annihilate anything, but we certainly look forward to finding out.
DennyP
9 years ago
Saw these clubs at The Deutsche Bank last month, very impressive but costly, lret’s wait and see the results of a 10+ handicapperetting more yardage……if not Parson’s can shove em….