PXG Secret Weapon Review: Is This Mini Driver Really A Game Changer?

The mini driver category has been heating up, and PXG’s entry, the Secret Weapon, arrives with bold claims and serious tour pedigree. But does this 300cc head actually deliver on its promise of driver-like distance with fairway wood control?

After extensive testing both on the launch monitor and across multiple rounds, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about whether the PXG Secret Weapon mini driver deserves a spot in your bag.

Quick Answer: Who The PXG Secret Weapon Mini Driver Is For

Let’s cut straight to it. The PXG Secret Weapon is a purpose-built mini driver featuring a 300 cubic centimeter head, 13 degrees of stock loft (adjustable from 11.5° to 14° via the hosel), and a 43.75-inch shaft—roughly two inches shorter than a standard driver. It exists to bridge the gap between your traditional driver and fairway wood, giving you something that goes longer than a 3-wood but keeps the ball in play better than a 460cc driver.

Key performance takeaways from testing:

• Expect roughly 10-20 yards less total distance compared to a full driver
• Dispersion is noticeably tighter—more fairways, fewer penalty strokes
• Launch is easier than expected given the compact head
• Ball speed runs about 3 mph faster than a comparable 3-wood with 300 rpm less spin
• Confidence at address is immediate thanks to the shrunken down driver profile

Worth noting: Jake Knapp has already put this club in play on the PGA Tour, calling it “so reliable” for situations where fairway finding matters more than raw distance.

Buy if: You prioritize accuracy off the tee, want versatility from tee and turf, and appreciate adjustability through the weight system and hosel.

Skip if: You need every yard of distance, your current driver/3-wood setup works perfectly, or you’re unwilling to invest in a proper fitting.

The rest of this review covers looks and address view, sound and feel characteristics, detailed performance data, fitting and adjustability options, on-course impressions, and full specs with pricing.

What Is The PXG Secret Weapon Mini Driver?

A mini driver sits in a unique space within the golf industry—head size larger than a fairway wood but smaller than a driver, paired with a shorter shaft designed primarily for tee shots while remaining playable off the deck.

The PXG Secret Weapon fits this mini driver category precisely. Here’s what defines it:

• 300cc head volume—larger than the Black Ops 3-wood but far more compact than the 460cc Black Ops driver
• 13° stock loft with hosel adjustability ranging from approximately 11.5° to 14°
• 43.75-inch shaft length—roughly two inches shorter than most drivers
• Thin titanium face designed to maximize ball speed and energy transfer
• High grade carbon fiber crown and sole built through an advanced compression molding process
• Four adjustable weights (two 15g and two 2.5g stock) for precision weighting technology
• 210-gram head weight—heavier than a fairway wood, lighter than a driver

Within PXG’s lineup, the Secret Weapon slots directly between the Black Ops driver and Black Ops 3-fairway wood, borrowing much of the driver’s DNA while emphasizing control over raw distance.

The design intent is clear: this is a fairway finder that produces more distance than a 3-wood but trades maximum distance from a regular driver for dramatically improved accuracy. Think of it as your new club for tight par 4s, reachable par 5 layups, and any situation where keeping the ball on short grass matters more than chasing extra yards.

Compared to a full driver, expect similar launch conditions but tighter dispersion. Compared to a 3-wood, expect enhanced distance with a more penetrating ball flight. It’s the “best of both” compromise that the mini driver market has been chasing.

Looks: Size, Shape & That “Shhh” Headcover

First impressions matter with equipment, and the Secret Weapon makes a strong visual statement. The overall aesthetic is modern and aggressive—a compact 300cc head that looks like either a large fairway wood or a shrunken driver depending on your perspective. The mostly black colorway with carbon fiber crown keeps things clean without busy graphics cluttering the topline.

At address:

• Slightly deeper face than a typical 3-wood, sitting between the Black Ops fairway and driver in face height
• Sits square to slightly open, which inspires confidence on the tee
• The compact footprint feels controllable without looking undersized
• Carbon crown creates a matte contrast against the glossy face that frames the ball nicely

The sole design:

• Four visible weight ports arranged symmetrically around a silver PXG logo
• Clean, techy appearance that matches the Black Ops family aesthetic
• The tighter leading edge is noticeable and enhances playability from the turf
• Overall look communicates “performance equipment” rather than game improvement

The headcover:

The Secret Weapon includes a distinctive “Shhh / skull” headcover that’s become a talking point. It features thick padding for genuine protection, bold styling that stands out in the bag, and durable construction that holds up to regular use. It’s definitely not for everyone aesthetically, but it makes the club easy to identify.

Potential concerns:

Some golfers may find the glossy areas around the face create glare in certain lighting conditions. And if you prefer traditional, understated equipment, the overall look and headcover might feel a bit aggressive. But for players who appreciate modern design, the Secret Weapon looks every bit the premium club it is.

Sound & Feel At Impact

Sound and feel with the Secret Weapon land somewhere between a solid 3-wood and a modern titanium driver, leaning more toward a crisp “pop” than the loud “crack” you get from larger heads.

Sound off a short tee (center strikes):

• Mid-pitch with a slightly hollow quality
• Strong and powerful without being overly metallic
• Noticeably quieter than most 460cc drivers—a plus for players who dislike loud, booming sounds
• The solid and forceful sound communicates that energy transfer happened efficiently

Sound off the turf:

• Slightly higher-pitched “pop” compared to tee shots
• Contact lower on the face softens the overall sound profile
• Still satisfying, just with less bass

Feel on pure strikes:

• Firm and fast sensation through impact
• The titanium face feels lively but not overly springy
• Outstanding stability through the hitting zone—the high MOI design keeps the head remarkably square
• You get immediate positive feedback that confirms a quality strike

Feel on mishits:

• Clear feedback in both hands and ears when you catch it toward the heel or toe
• Described as “poppy”—the ball bounces off the face rather than compressing
• Not harsh or punishing, but you’ll know you missed the center
• The face still feels supportive even on off center hits, and balls typically stay in play

Compared to the Black Ops driver, the Secret Weapon sounds more contained and focused. Compared to a typical fairway wood, there’s more authority and substance. It’s a sound/feel profile that rewards good swings without making you flinch on less-than-perfect contact.

Performance: Distance, Launch & Forgiveness

Here’s where the Secret Weapon earns its place—or doesn’t—in your bag. The overall performance story is straightforward: you’re trading roughly 10-20 yards of total distance versus a full driver in exchange for significantly tighter dispersion and more fairways hit. For many golfers, that’s an excellent trade.

Internal PXG testing shows the Secret Weapon runs approximately 3 mph faster in ball speed than the Black Ops 3-Fairway with 300 rpm less spin compared to that same club. Against the driver, it’s about 5.5 mph slower. This positioning gives it optimized distance that exceeds fairway wood territory while staying short of driver maximums.

Launch monitor numbers (mid-speed player, ~100-103 mph club speed):

• Launch angle: 11-13° off a tee (notably, launches nearly one degree lower than both driver and 3-wood despite higher loft)
• Spin: 2,800-3,400 rpm range depending on weight configuration
• Ball speed: Mid-140s mph, with independent testing showing speeds around 155 mph for faster swingers
• Carry: 245-255 yards typical
• Total distance: 260-270 yards with stock shaft at standard length

On-course performance:

The Secret Weapon shines on tight par 4s and strategic tee shots. You can aim at your target line with confidence knowing dispersion is much tighter than driver. The preferred spin profile produces a high launch with low spin that results in a powerful, penetrating ball flight with solid rollout.

Approach shots become shorter irons. Penalty strokes decrease. Scoring opportunities increase.

Forgiveness:

Yes, it’s smaller than a 460cc driver. But the high MOI design delivers unmatched stability and outstanding stability on mishits. Testing shows that off-center contact loses some ball speed and distance but usually stays in play rather than ballooning into big misses. The improved launch characteristics help here too—the light material enables engineers to position the center of gravity lower and further back for enhanced forgiveness.

Off the deck performance:

This is where many mini drivers fall short, but the Secret Weapon handles it well. The tighter leading edge makes it easier to hit from the turf, enhancing playability across different lies. You’ll need confidence and a decent strike, but it’s significantly more playable than trying to hit a standard driver from fairway lies. The exceptional roll-out distances help compensate for slightly lower launch when hitting off the ground.

Why the distance gap narrows in practice:

Many testers found they could swing more aggressively with this club than with driver because it feels shorter and more controllable. That extra aggression often produces the same distance or close to it, while the accuracy gains remain.

Pros:

• Maximizes ball speed for a club this size
• Penetrating ball flight with low spin
• Tighter dispersion than driver
• Playable from both tee and turf
• High MOI provides forgiveness on mishits

Cons:

• Not maximum performance for raw distance
• Smaller head requires more precision than driver
• May feel “hot” or less forgiving than expected for some

Fitting & Adjustability: Dialing In Your Secret Weapon

One of the Secret Weapon’s genuine advantages over other mini drivers is its extensive adjustability. This isn’t a “buy it and hope for the best” situation—a proper fitting can dramatically change ball flight, dispersion, and confidence.

The weight system:

The Secret Weapon includes four adjustable weights in four ports. Stock configuration comes with two 15-gram weights and two 2.5-gram weights. PXG offers weights from 2.5g up to 20g in 2.5-gram increments, giving you substantial flexibility to fine-tune head weight and swing weight characteristics.

This precision weighting technology allows you to:

• Increase forgiveness and add fade bias: Place heavier weights in the toe and rear positions
• Lower spin and increase ball speed: Move heavier weights toward the face
• Add draw bias settings: Weight the heel heavier
• Maximize stability: Use a neutral, balanced configuration

The adjustable hosel:

The hosel provides loft adjustments ranging from approximately 11.5° to 14°. This also creates small lie angle changes. Keep in mind:

• Decreasing loft tends to open the face slightly
• Increasing loft can close the face a touch
• These effects are minor but matter for players fighting persistent directional issues

Practical fitting scenarios:

Shaft options:

PXG offers a range from lightweight, higher-launch models to heavier, low-spin options. The right shaft can fix issues like persistent fade or too-high spin that weight adjustments alone can’t solve. A weight kit purchased separately expands your tuning options further.

The bottom line: this club rewards fitting investment. If you buy it off the rack without optimization, you’re leaving performance on the table.

On-Course Impressions & Who Should Play It

After multiple rounds across tight parkland layouts and open, windier courses, the Secret Weapon’s value proposition becomes clear. This is a club that changes your strategy and builds confidence off the tee.

Typical usage patterns that worked:

• Narrow par 4s: The automatic choice when tree-lined fairways demand accuracy over distance
• Doglegs: Perfect for controlled tee shots where over-shooting brings trouble into play
• Reachable par 5s: Excellent as a second-shot weapon when you need to advance the ball safely while setting up a short approach
• Windy conditions: The penetrating ball flight handles wind better than higher-launching clubs
• Tight lies: Off the deck performance from fairway and even light rough produced surprisingly good results with exceptional roll-out

How it changes course strategy:

You find yourself hitting more fairways. Approach shots become shorter irons. Scoring zones become more accessible. You can be more aggressive with target lines knowing dispersion is tighter. The club delivers on its promise of remarkable versatility.

Best suited for:

• Golfers who miss too many fairways with driver and need a driver replacement option
• Players comfortable hitting 3-wood who want more distance and a more confident look at address
• Better players seeking a precise “tweener” club for strategic situations
• Senior golfers who benefit from the shorter shaft and easier timing
• Anyone who values finding fairways over chasing maximum distance

May not be ideal for:

• Very low-speed players who need every yard of driver distance
• Golfers perfectly happy with their current 3-wood/driver combination
• Players unwilling to commit to a fitting session
• Those who don’t encounter tight tee shots regularly

How to play it:

Some golfers will use the Secret Weapon as a primary tee club, replacing driver entirely on most holes. Others will bag it alongside driver as an extra fairway option for specific situations. Both approaches work—your course conditions and playing style should dictate the choice.

PXG Secret Weapon Price, Specs & Final Verdict

Key specifications:

• Head volume: 300cc
• Stated loft: 13° (adjustable approximately 11.5° to 14°)
• Stock length: 43.75 inches
• Head weight: 210 grams
• Face: Thin titanium face designed to maximize energy transfer
• Crown/sole: Lightweight composite crown inserts using high grade carbon fiber via advanced compression molding process
• Weight ports: Four adjustable weights (2 × 15g, 2 × 2.5g stock); PXG offers weights from 2.5g to 20g
• Hosel: Adjustable for loft and lie
• Hand options: Right and left available

Pricing:

The PXG Secret Weapon retails around $449.99 at launch. Custom shaft builds may affect pricing. A separate weight kit is available for those wanting additional tuning options.

Availability:

Available through PXG fitting locations, the PXG store online (PXG.com), and selected retailers depending on region.

Final verdict:

The PXG Secret Weapon delivers top tier performance in the mini driver space and is one of the best mini drivers on the market. It goes longer than a 3-wood while maintaining the control and accuracy that make it a genuine fairway finder. The adjustability through four adjustable weights and the hosel means you can tune it to support preferred spin characteristics and ball flight patterns specific to your swing.

Reasons to buy:

• Fairway-finding accuracy without sacrificing much distance
• Ball speed that pushes the limits for this category
• Extensive adjustability for personalized performance
• Tour validation with Jake Knapp already gaming it
• Versatility from both tee and turf

Potential drawbacks:

• Not maximum performance for absolute distance seekers
• Really needs a fitting to unlock its potential
• Mini drivers remain a niche taste—not everyone will embrace the category

If you’re tired of watching tee shots find trouble and you’re willing to trade a small amount of distance for dramatically better dispersion, the Secret Weapon deserves serious consideration. Book a fitting at a PXG store and test it head-to-head against your current driver and 3-wood. Real launch monitor data and on-course testing will tell you whether this club stays in your bag—and for many golfers, it absolutely will.