Jump to content

GI Throwdown: prove better irons than G25


Tim Schoch

Recommended Posts

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?

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

WIMB
PING G400 Driver 10.5*

TaylorMade Burner 3-wood and 5-wood REAX reg graphite

Mizuno MX-23 forged 5-PW, Mizuno forged SW, GW, LW

Putter:  Odyssey White Hot Rossie 36" --  Ball: TP5 X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 16
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Ping G425 Max 9*// Ventus Velo Black 6x
TM Stealth+ 15* // HZRDUS Smoke Red 6.5
Ping G425 Hybrid 19* // Tensei Pro Orange 80S
Mizuno 919 Forged 4-GW // KBS Tour V 110 S
Ping Glide 3.0 56.14* WS / SM7 Raw 60.04* // S200
Ping Redwood ZB // Lamkin Sinkfit Straight

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

2019:
G400LST 8.5* Aldila Rogue Silver 125MSI 60 stiff
Cobra 3/4 f9; Atmos Blue TS 7s
Cobra 4/5 f8+; Atmos Red TS 8s
3i - PW Miura CB1008; KBS Tour 120s; 2up +1/2”
53* TM HiToe; KBS Wedge
59* TM HiToe; KBS Wedge

Byron Morgan DH89 flow neck 2* loft 71* lie
Bettinardi Something Fishy Prototype BB0; Registry #RJB2821; 2* loft; 71* lie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

PING G430 Max 10.5 

Cleveland Launcher XL Hy-wood 18*
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo 4H

Cleveland XL Halo 5H

Srixon MKii ZX5s 6-PW Modus 105s

Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 48*

Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 52*
Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore 56*

PXG Battle Ready 'Bat Attack' 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

WIMB
PING G400 Driver 10.5*

TaylorMade Burner 3-wood and 5-wood REAX reg graphite

Mizuno MX-23 forged 5-PW, Mizuno forged SW, GW, LW

Putter:  Odyssey White Hot Rossie 36" --  Ball: TP5 X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rapture and Rapture J spec both way better IMO

 

feel and looks and durability

Ping G400 LST 11* Ventus Black TR 5x

Ping G400 3w 15.1* GD AD IZ 5x

Ping G400 7w 19.5* Ventus Red 6x 

Ping G425 4h 22* Blueboard HY 80x

Ping i210 6i & s55 7i - PW Steelfiber 110s

Ping Glide Wrx 49*, 54*, 59*ES, Tour W 64* SF 125s

EvnRoll ER9
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

WIMB
PING G400 Driver 10.5*

TaylorMade Burner 3-wood and 5-wood REAX reg graphite

Mizuno MX-23 forged 5-PW, Mizuno forged SW, GW, LW

Putter:  Odyssey White Hot Rossie 36" --  Ball: TP5 X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Callaway Rogue 10.5* Driver
Callaway Rogue 3 Wood
Callaway Rogue 5 wood
Callaway 4/5 Hybrid
Callaway Apex 6-GW
Callaway Mack Daddy 52/56 Wedge
Scotty Cameron Monterey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Ping G400 Max 10.5*
Ping G425 5W 
Ping G425 19* 3H
Srixon ZX5 4-P 
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 50*, 54*, 58*
Scotty Cameron Super Select Newport 2+

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

What's In The Bag (As of April 2023, post-MAX change + new putter)

 

Driver:  Tour Edge EXS 10.5° (base loft); weights neutral   ||  FWs:  Calla Rogue 4W + 7W

Hybrid:  Calla Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  Calla Mavrik MAX 5i-PW

Wedges*:  Calla MD3: 48°... MD4: 54°, 58° ||  PutterΨSeeMore FGP + SuperStroke 1.0PT, 33" shaft

Ball: 1. Srixon Q-Star Tour / 2. Calla SuperHot (Orange preferred)  ||  Bag: Sun Mountain Three 5 stand bag

    * MD4 54°/10 S-Grind replaced MD3 54°/12 W-Grind.

     Ψ  Backups:

  • Ping Sigma G Tyne (face-balanced) + Evnroll Gravity Grip |
  • Slotline Inertial SL-583F w/ SuperStroke 2.MidSlim (50 gr. weight removed) |
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

WIMB
PING G400 Driver 10.5*

TaylorMade Burner 3-wood and 5-wood REAX reg graphite

Mizuno MX-23 forged 5-PW, Mizuno forged SW, GW, LW

Putter:  Odyssey White Hot Rossie 36" --  Ball: TP5 X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies
    • 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put and questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #1
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #2
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Ben Taylor - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Garrick Higgo - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Billy Horschel - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Justin Lower - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Lanto Griffin - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bud Cauley - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Corbin Burnes (2021 NL Cy Young) - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Charley Hoffman - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Nico Echavarria - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Victor Perez - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sami Valimaki - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ryo Hisatsune - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Jake Knapp's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      New Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Tyler Duncan's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sunjae Im's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ping's Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Vincent Whaley's custom Cameron - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Odyssey Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Super Stroke custom grips - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Zac Blair's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bettinardi Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       

       
      • 12 replies

×
×
  • Create New...