Golf Monthly UK – August 2019

Honma

TWorld747 460

PXG 0811 X

Gen2

HEAD TO HEAD

Price: from £569

Loft: 9°

Shaft: Honma Vizard FP-65 S, 45.25”

Weights: heavier 9g weight back

Price: from £550

Loft: 9°

Shaft: Project X Evnflow 6.5-X, 45”

Weights: Three heavy weights front

Simple, classic and understated, visually

this driver is one for the traditionalist. The

profi le is neither too rounded nor too pear

shaped, the silver face contrasting with

the glossy black crown to aid alignment. 9

LOOKS

8

Much more tech on show. The multi-level

carbon fi bre panel is visible along with the

weave pattern, creating a more modern

look. X marks the spot for alignment, but

the face angle isn’t as prominent.

FEEL& SOUND

DISTANCE

FORGIVENESS

More of a metallic ‘ping’ sound that

reverberates for a little longer. No less

appealing on the ears, it perhaps feels a

little hotter on centred strikes and this

doesn’t drop off on slight mishits.

It defi nitely feels more solid and stable

previous PXG driver, with mishits

g noticeably better. The carbon

n contributes to a dull ‘thud’

sound that is quieter than the Honma.

Effi ciency was slightly higher with the

PXG, but having been fi tted into a shorter

45in shaft, it did mean ball speed and

carry distance weren’t as high. It did fl y

higher and it didn’t miss left as much.

8

With the heavier 9g weight forward, the

spin was too low (around 1,700rpm), so

shifting it back increased carry and

forgiveness. Ball speed was faster than

the PXG and so was the club speed.

It was amazing to see how consistent the

strike locations and ball speeds were with

this driver. We feel much of this is down to

keeping the spine of the shaft in the same

position after adjusting the loft.

This driver provides the all-around

performance to match the premium price.

The complicated hosel adjustability

means a fi tting is a must, but you’re sure

to see gains over what you currently play.

Going three degrees fl at with the lie

egate our common miss left from

e, while the shorter shaft helped

e and control. It was stable and

consistent, even in our low-spin setting.

The expansive shaft matrix, along with the

loft, lie and weighting options, mean it can

be tuned to suit any golfer. The starting

price reduction is welcome, considering

the enhanced performance over Gen1.

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OVERALL APPEAL