GI Throwdown: prove better irons than G25

[Tim Schoch]

I have played many of the so-called "forgiving" irons produced since 1999. We will call them "forgiving" rather than the catch-all stupidass "Game Improvement" irons. I ended up with Ping G25 irons.

 

What do you think is better and why?

[aaronpoling]

I went and got “fitted” for irons, and ended up with the G25’s

They look great at address. And super easy to hit. Love the clubs.

I just purchased a set of used S56’s and have gone back to the G25’s because they are just that good

[Tommyj]

For me nothing, which is why I still have mine after 5+ years. I've tried and bought a lot of iron sets in that time to replace my G25s, usually to find something that is less GI and more pleasing to look at. But if I'm honest with myself, I've hit more good shots with the G25s and they give me more confidence on the course than any other irons I've ever owned.

[mchamden1]

Always go back to my G25s when my game needs a little help. Which is pretty often haha

[breakfree40]

I play more of a players CB currently, however I loved my g25s.

 

What’s better in a similar package? The ping rapture J spec irons.

[mantan]

Always go back to my G25s when my game needs a little help. Which is pretty often haha

 

Same here....absolutely love that set. I stray away occasionally but often come back...

[BCULAW]

I am a forged iron snob. I’ve been playing MP18 blades for a year, and alternate from one forged MB to another at various times throughout the season. It’s not uncommon for me to tinker with 10 sets of irons throughout the year - most of which will be true miscleback blades. I love irons.

 

With all that said, the G25 irons are easily in my top 3 sets of all time. In fact, if I was forced today to play one set for the rest of my life taking into account various stages where I will be playing less, and the inevitable changes in my game that come with age, I’d choose the G25s every time. It’s a “total package” iron that can fit a broad range of players. It looks good, feels good, and performs great!

[HillbillyInBC]

Went for a fitting last spring and wound up getting my G25s reshafted. They won't be leaving my bag any time soon.

[Aquila]

I have played many of the so-called "forgiving" irons produced since 1999. We will call them "forgiving" rather than the catch-all stupidass "Game Improvement" irons. I ended up with Ping G25 irons.

 

What do you think is better and why?

If you asked Ping what’s better, they’d say G30, G, G400, G410... but the G25 just looked the business, didn’t it? Less gaudy than the rest.

[Tim Schoch]

Wow, you guys nailed everything I've experienced. I love shopping for new irons and trying them out, especially forged. I literally got an emotional rush whenever I looked at and played my MP53s. But ten minutes into playing the G25s (and a number of threads here), reality slapped me in the face. They are pretty much a unicorn set for me. If I was younger, taking lessons and counting on improving, I might have a more players-like iron in my future, but I'm really not sure about that. I'm content and happy with the G25 irons, and I'm not used to that!

 

Now I have to decide between my trusty Burner driver (2007) and the Ping G30 someone gave me. The G30 is in the bag right now, but the sound is sure loud. Not sure about that.

[Meanmachinemoe]

I think the G400s are better simply due to the strong lofts and COR Eye tech. But, I you love em, don't leave em!

[cardoustie]

Rapture and Rapture J spec both way better IMO

 

feel and looks and durability

[Tim Schoch]

Rapture and Rapture J spec both way better IMO

 

feel and looks and durability

 

Thanks, I'll check them out, if for no other reason than to eliminate them.

 

I guess if I had the money, I'd go for a spanking brand-new set of fitted irons, but I'm a used-bin guy and actually love the hunt.

 

Later:

 

Yeah, the Raptures aren't for me. They are Ultra Game Improvement and I just don't like the look of them. They look huge, with extra wide soles. It's what I didn't like about the G20s. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion.

[GolfNuts4]

I love Ping irons, my issue with "forgiving" game improvement irons is all the colors and badging the OEM's feel they need to put in the cavity. Can't we just keep it clean and simple? They are trying to make them look like race cars or something.

[MattMo]

G25s are great, my favorite of the G-line. I haven’t hit the G400 or G410, but the core-eye tech in the Ping Gs really killed the feel, IMO. The 25s give a nice blend of feel, forgiveness and looks. I switched to the I-series 2 years ago, but if I was playing the G-line, it would be the 25s. Oh, and I‘ve had the G5’s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, and Gs in my bag at one point or another so I’m quite familiar with the line. Honorable mention to the G5s for their simple look and performance.

[ChipNRun]

I remember a cold January day when I stopped by local Golf Galaxy. By chance, the Ping guy showed up with newly released i25 and G25 irons. He had an odd-numbered iron selection of intact clubs, in the venerable CFS shaft with both R and S flex.

 

No one else was in the store, so I got to do a two-by-two test: i25 R and S flex, G25 R and S flex. To my surprise, I actually got good launch with the i25 R. But, the G25 R went about 15 yards longer.

 

At the time, I was recovering from a severe roll sprain of my right ankle. So, I decided to forego irons that season. But, the G25 flew well then, and later at an outdoor demo day.

 

I played the Calla X20 Tours for eight seasons, but for various reasons moved away from them this past fall. (I had them reshafted away from Project X 5.0, but the new shaft didn't deliver quite what I wanted.)

 

I had flirted with Tour Edge irons in the past. I had tested my CB Pro Tungstens at prior-season demo days, and got a fitting this fall and finally decided to get them. A slightly longer shaft length and a spinnier KBS Tour 90 shaft has improved my iron play.

 

Note to OP Tim Schoch: The Hot List classifications of Players, GI and SGI (and now Players Distance) are based on the perceived market niche of the iron. On rare occasion I find a Player's iron (i200, Calla Rogue Pro) that I can hit. That said, the GI group delivers the most irons I feel I could handle.

 

The more segmented Maltby Playability Factor classifications come from a 5-variable algebraic equation based on clubhead measurements.

[andrieddle]

I still regret selling my G25 and will be buying them if I come across a set I like

[Tim Schoch]

I remember a cold January day when I stopped by local Golf Galaxy. By chance, the Ping guy showed up with newly released i25 and G25 irons. He had an odd-numbered iron selection of intact clubs, in the venerable CFS shaft with both R and S flex.

 

No one else was in the store, so I got to do a two-by-two test: i25 R and S flex, G25 R and S flex. To my surprise, I actually got good launch with the i25 R. But, the G25 R went about 15 yards longer.

 

At the time, I was recovering from a severe roll sprain of my right ankle. So, I decided to forego irons that season. But, the G25 flew well then, and later at an outdoor demo day.

 

I played the Calla X20 Tours for eight seasons, but for various reasons moved away from them this past fall. (I had them reshafted away from Project X 5.0, but the new shaft didn't deliver quite what I wanted.)

 

I had flirted with Tour Edge irons in the past. I had tested my CB Pro Tungstens at prior-season demo days, and got a fitting this fall and finally decided to get them. A slightly longer shaft length and a spinnier KBS Tour 90 shaft has improved my iron play.

 

Note to OP Tim Schoch: The Hot List classifications of Players, GI and SGI (and now Players Distance) are based on the perceived market niche of the iron. On rare occasion I find a Player's iron (i200, Calla Rogue Pro) that I can hit. That said, the GI group delivers the most irons I feel I could handle.

 

The more segmented Maltby Playability Factor classifications come from a 5-variable algebraic equation based on clubhead measurements.

 

MPF is the first place I always look. Thanks for all the info.