Callaway XRs vs Ping G25 G30

[scratch72]

I think the XRs are going to blow Ping G25 or 30s away. They are better looking, way way better feel, a lot longer and just as easy if not easier to hit. Oh and guess what they have ferrules.

[BuckyBadger]

[quote name='scratch72 ' timestamp='1425082122' post='11043763']
I think the XRs are going to blow Ping G25 or 30s away. They are better looking, way way better feel, a lot longer and just as easy if not easier to hit. Oh and guess what they have ferrules.
[/quote]

Meh.

[Oldnavycdr]

I'm going to take this test as soon as the range drains.

[puttingfordough]

For those of you that have seen them in person, do they have that cheesy chrome like finish that Callaway loves to use? Cally makes some great performing sgi/gi clubs, but that finish makes them look cheap. IMHO.

[scratch72]

Yeah it's not a chrome chrome but I like it.

[puttingfordough]

[quote name='scratch72 ' timestamp='1425085935' post='11044219']
Yeah it's not a chrome chrome but I like it.
[/quote] similar to Xhot2, Xhot and Razr in finish?

[scratch72]

[quote name='puttingfordough' timestamp='1425086148' post='11044247']
[quote name='scratch72 ' timestamp='1425085935' post='11044219']
Yeah it's not a chrome chrome but I like it.
[/quote] similar to Xhot2, Xhot and Razr in finish?
[/quote]Yes, I have the xhot2 and I would say they are the same finish, really like how they hid the off set somewhat b/c you can't hardly tell the XR from XR pro.

[GWD]

I held an X-Hot 7 iron right next to an XR 7 iron. At address you can tell NO difference between the clubhead in size, offset, shading, or what have you. They are identical from that perspective. The hitting area on the top line is a duller brushed finish.

I didn't compare the Pro models.

But as a disclaimer, form follows function in my opinion. I concentrate on the clubface and hitting area while the rest of the club is just along for the ride.

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425086861' post='11044345']
I held an X-Hot 7 iron right next to an XR 7 iron. At address you can tell NO difference between the clubhead in size, offset, shading, or what have you. They are identical from that perspective. The hitting area on the top line is a duller brushed finish.

I didn't compare the Pro models.

But as a disclaimer, form follows function in my opinion. I concentrate on the clubface and hitting area while the rest of the club is just along for the ride.
[/quote]

I can't say whether the X-Hot PW has the same topline, but it wasn't the 7 iron topline in the XR that looked huge to me, it was the PITCHING WEDGE topline - it is enormous.

[Konklifer]

What really stood out to me, is the Cobra Fly-Z irons have a thinner top line and less offset than the XR Pro. And the Fly-Z finish at address is outstanding. If I was looking to buy irons, they would be right near the top of the list.

[divottool]

[quote name='Konklifer' timestamp='1425089639' post='11044635']
What really stood out to me, is the Cobra Fly-Z irons have a thinner top line and less offset than the XR Pro. And the Fly-Z finish at address is outstanding. If I was looking to buy irons, they would be right near the top of the list.
[/quote]
Funny you should say that about the Cobras. I put the XR(non Pro), FlyZs and the RSi1 against each other tonight. I really wanted the Cobras to win. I say this because I echo your statements. The Fly Z looks great solid sound and feel. However, the goal of this fitting was to get it down to two heads and then right shaft and compare. For me the Cobra was the first out and could not hang as far as dispersion, distance, and ball speed. Really wanted the Cobras to least be in the finals . The Pings did not do as well as the Cobra FlyZs which is why for me they are not in the finals. Well will go back and duke it out between XR and RSI1.

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='divottool' timestamp='1425093107' post='11045017']
[quote name='Konklifer' timestamp='1425089639' post='11044635']
What really stood out to me, is the Cobra Fly-Z irons have a thinner top line and less offset than the XR Pro. And the Fly-Z finish at address is outstanding. If I was looking to buy irons, they would be right near the top of the list.
[/quote]
Funny you should say that about the Cobras. I put the XR(non Pro), FlyZs and the RSi1 against each other tonight. I really wanted the Cobras to win. I say this because I echo your statements. The Fly Z looks great solid sound and feel. However, the goal of this fitting was to get it down to two heads and then right shaft and compare. For me the Cobra was the first out and could not hang as far as dispersion, distance, and ball speed. Really wanted the Cobras to least be in the finals . The Pings did not do as well as the Cobra FlyZs which is why for me they are not in the finals. Well will go back and duke it out between XR and RSI1.
[/quote]

From a looks standpoint, I think the XR Pro's are much more comparable to the RSi1.

[divottool]

[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1425093704' post='11045075']
[quote name='divottool' timestamp='1425093107' post='11045017']
[quote name='Konklifer' timestamp='1425089639' post='11044635']
What really stood out to me, is the Cobra Fly-Z irons have a thinner top line and less offset than the XR Pro. And the Fly-Z finish at address is outstanding. If I was looking to buy irons, they would be right near the top of the list.
[/quote]
Funny you should say that about the Cobras. I put the XR(non Pro), FlyZs and the RSi1 against each other tonight. I really wanted the Cobras to win. I say this because I echo your statements. The Fly Z looks great solid sound and feel. However, the goal of this fitting was to get it down to two heads and then right shaft and compare. For me the Cobra was the first out and could not hang as far as dispersion, distance, and ball speed. Really wanted the Cobras to least be in the finals . The Pings did not do as well as the Cobra FlyZs which is why for me they are not in the finals. Well will go back and duke it out between XR and RSI1.
[/quote]

From a looks standpoint, I think the XR Pro's are much more comparable to the RSi1.
[/quote]
The Xr line to me is a bit bigger topline in both XR and XR Pro compared to the RSI. But for me trying to get the most forgiveness that I can look at and have perform.

[GWD]

I kind of like [b]divittool[/b]'s outlook regarding club selection. One may have prejudices, but let the performance weed out the winners and losers.

As a theoretical mental exercise, drop 10 balls in the fairway at your usual 8 iron distance. Take out the "ugly" XR pitching wedge. You hit all ten balls within a 6 foot circle, even slight mishits. Does the club suddenly look more attractive?

Kind of reminds me of a few of the dates I had in college.

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425095473' post='11045249']
I kind of like [b]divittool[/b]'s outlook regarding club selection. One may have prejudices, but let the performance weed out the winners and losers.

As a theoretical mental exercise, drop 10 balls in the fairway at your usual 8 iron distance. Take out the "ugly" XR pitching wedge. You hit all ten balls within a 6 foot circle, even slight mishits. Does the club suddenly look more attractive?

Kind of reminds me of a few of the dates I had in college.
[/quote]

Funny, because I just happened to do that with the XR pitching wedge and RSi1 pitching wedge. Everything was better with the RSi1 - dispersion, distance, trajectory control. That's just my results, and may have been influenced by the XR topline that was distractingly large to me.

[GWD]

[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1425097264' post='11045417']
[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425095473' post='11045249']
I kind of like [b]divittool[/b]'s outlook regarding club selection. One may have prejudices, but let the performance weed out the winners and losers.

As a theoretical mental exercise, drop 10 balls in the fairway at your usual 8 iron distance. Take out the "ugly" XR pitching wedge. You hit all ten balls within a 6 foot circle, even slight mishits. Does the club suddenly look more attractive?

Kind of reminds me of a few of the dates I had in college.
[/quote]

Funny, because I just happened to do that with the XR pitching wedge and RSi1 pitching wedge. Everything was better with the RSi1 - dispersion, distance, trajectory control. That's just my results, and may have been influenced by the XR topline that was distractingly large to me.
[/quote]

I recently saw a Rick Shiels video comparing the XR to the RSi1 somewhere here on WRX. I think it was a 7 iron comparison on hitting to a simulated green. Couldn't find it on the Internet so maybe someone can link it in this thread.

Anyway, the clubs both flew very similarly with the RSi1 winning because it was the only one to stay on the green out of six shots.

But back to looks. If an iron's top line is so distracting then it would seem logical that a driver / fairway wood / hybrid would be terribly distracting with their "massive" top line.

It is apparent that the satisfaction with an iron's top line is a matter of individual taste and learned acceptance. If it bothers and / or distracts a player, then it is to be avoided. But it is also apparent that behaviors and perceptions can be changed in all but the most stubborn among us.

I really don't want to become involved in a thin / thick topline controversy so will concede that if one places an emphasis on how a club looks rather than how it ultimately performs then that is a valid consideration for that particular player.

I was a good idea for you to compare and hit the clubs side-to-side. But with all the variables involved, like shaft, grip, and, as you point out, perception, there may be other issues at work that influence the results. Ultimately, it appears that the RSi1 club is the one for you.

The OP wants to compare the XR with offerings from Ping so this discussion is a bit off topic. I suggest we return to the regularly scheduled program (discussion).

[hardten]

[quote name='puttingfordough' timestamp='1425083082' post='11043901']
For those of you that have seen them in person, do they have that cheesy chrome like finish that Callaway loves to use? Cally makes some great performing sgi/gi clubs, but that finish makes them look cheap. IMHO.
[/quote]Agree 100%. The XRs are long and I am considering trading,selling, or reshafting my g30s to graphite and have hit the XRs quite a bit. That said to drop $900 + tax for "another" X model that devalues in half and indeed looks cheesy cheap bothers me. I do like it's performance but tough to pull trigger for that much knowing they will be had for who knows what in a few months. JMHO.

[divottool]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425138134' post='11047021']
[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1425097264' post='11045417']
[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425095473' post='11045249']
I kind of like [b]divittool[/b]'s outlook regarding club selection. One may have prejudices, but let the performance weed out the winners and losers.

As a theoretical mental exercise, drop 10 balls in the fairway at your usual 8 iron distance. Take out the "ugly" XR pitching wedge. You hit all ten balls within a 6 foot circle, even slight mishits. Does the club suddenly look more attractive?

Kind of reminds me of a few of the dates I had in college.
[/quote]

Funny, because I just happened to do that with the XR pitching wedge and RSi1 pitching wedge. Everything was better with the RSi1 - dispersion, distance, trajectory control. That's just my results, and may have been influenced by the XR topline that was distractingly large to me.
[/quote]

I recently saw a Rick Shiels video comparing the XR to the RSi1 somewhere here on WRX. I think it was a 7 iron comparison on hitting to a simulated green. Couldn't find it on the Internet so maybe someone can link it in this thread.

Anyway, the clubs both flew very similarly with the RSi1 winning because it was the only one to stay on the green out of six shots.

But back to looks. If an iron's top line is so distracting then it would seem logical that a driver / fairway wood / hybrid would be terribly distracting with their "massive" top line.

It is apparent that the satisfaction with an iron's top line is a matter of individual taste and learned acceptance. If it bothers and / or distracts a player, then it is to be avoided. But it is also apparent that behaviors and perceptions can be changed in all but the most stubborn among us.

I really don't want to become involved in a thin / thick topline controversy so will concede that if one places an emphasis on how a club looks rather than how it ultimately performs then that is a valid consideration for that particular player.

I was a good idea for you to compare and hit the clubs side-to-side. But with all the variables involved, like shaft, grip, and, as you point out, perception, there may be other issues at work that influence the results. Ultimately, it appears that the RSi1 club is the one for you.

The OP wants to compare the XR with offerings from Ping so this discussion is a bit off topic. I suggest we return to the regularly scheduled program (discussion).
[/quote]
Gary. First . Thanks for the post above. I just think you have to base the outcomes and numbers in the equations. I was not in love with the looks of the XR but can not argue the results. That is why it is still in the competition for my bag. By the way love your post with I would hit it. Great!! I did not mean to get us off track. I was just trying to help OP. Hit the irons interested in and like. Then narrow it down by the data. As said many times numbers do not lie! If it is close then just go with the one that you prefer or edges the other out in some category ( looks, feel, etc). I also had certain preferences for irons...yet Ping or Mizuno are not in the final two for what is best for me!

[Bogie_Nights]

These irons would look great if not for the red and blue in the back (back and grey please). I hate colors on the back of irons--I spent several hours using acetone to remove the blue from the back of my jpx800 irons.

End of my little rant....

[puttingfordough]

[quote name='hardten' timestamp='1425142821' post='11047421']
[quote name='puttingfordough' timestamp='1425083082' post='11043901']
For those of you that have seen them in person, do they have that cheesy chrome like finish that Callaway loves to use? Cally makes some great performing sgi/gi clubs, but that finish makes them look cheap. IMHO.
[/quote]Agree 100%. The XRs are long and I am considering trading,selling, or reshafting my g30s to graphite and have hit the XRs quite a bit. That said to drop $900 + tax for "another" X model that devalues in half and indeed looks cheesy cheap bothers me. I do like it's performance but tough to pull trigger for that much knowing they will be had for who knows what in a few months. JMHO.
[/quote]Yup, so Callaway ,if your listening, your tech is awesome!!! but if you could lose that "plastic" looking finish on your game improvement irons, I would be all in. I know it is cosmetics and performance should be all that matters, but cannot part with my money and not love the look as well. Golf show here in Michigan next weekend and I will see for myself, right now thinking maybe the pro's might be a better fit. and yes, to bring it back to sort of on topic, what I like about Ping is the finish of their irons. I will try them all and see what works for me, aesthetically and performance wise, hard to ignore the buzz the XR's are creating.

[Ballgofarboy]

wow, How odd!!

I did this test today without even knowing about this thread. Played 18 today, I live in SW FL. There are a number of stores with simulators and one place I had never visited but thought, what the heck, the Golf Guys range. Fairly impressive as they were teaching youths on one range, middle range was for fitting clubs and the other range they some adult lessons going on. Add to that a putt putt course, and a kids course to introduce kids to the game, oversize balls and clubs, short holes, over size cups, pretty neat to see. The Pro shop had a decent dinning area and they sold clubs via mix and match, purchase the club head and shaft separately, but get what suits you. I could see going back to hit balls at this place.

Then went to Golf Galaxy.

I started with the Ping G 30, 9 degree loft, standard stock shaft, Stiff Neutral face setting. I was hitting these consistently to the right and around 238 yds, Club speed ave 104.6. They had impact tape and a majority of the hits were in the upper half of the club, when I made a concerted effort to hit the ball on the lower half of the club, I got a little more yardage and a bit more on line with the ball.

Then the Callaway XR in the 9 degree range, standard stock shaft stiff, impact tape had nearly every ball square in the middle of the face.
I was carrying the ball 252 with roll out to 265. This callaway was going almost dead straight and the part I could not answer was the club head speed as it went to 111 mph.

I was doing absolutely nothing different but picked up nearly 7 miles an hour with the club, I could not explain where the added speed was coming from.

Both felt and looked very nice at address. Had I had the cash in hand, the Callaway would have been walking out the door with me.

SO, I would agree, the Callaway should run away with the sales in head to head competition if the player gets the results I did.

[erock9174]

[quote name='Ballgofarboy' timestamp='1425149909' post='11048111']
wow, How odd!!

I did this test today without even knowing about this thread. Played 18 today, I live in SW FL. There are a number of stores with simulators and one place I had never visited but thought, what the heck, the Golf Guys range. Fairly impressive as they were teaching youths on one range, middle range was for fitting clubs and the other range they some adult lessons going on. Add to that a putt putt course, and a kids course to introduce kids to the game, oversize balls and clubs, short holes, over size cups, pretty neat to see. The Pro shop had a decent dinning area and they sold clubs via mix and match, purchase the club head and shaft separately, but get what suits you. I could see going back to hit balls at this place.

Then went to Golf Galaxy.

I started with the Ping G 30, 9 degree loft, standard stock shaft, Stiff Neutral face setting. I was hitting these consistently to the right and around 238 yds, Club speed ave 104.6. They had impact tape and a majority of the hits were in the upper half of the club, when I made a concerted effort to hit the ball on the lower half of the club, I got a little more yardage and a bit more on line with the ball.

Then the Callaway XR in the 9 degree range, standard stock shaft stiff, impact tape had nearly every ball square in the middle of the face.
I was carrying the ball 252 with roll out to 265. This callaway was going almost dead straight and the part I could not answer was the club head speed as it went to 111 mph.

I was doing absolutely nothing different but picked up nearly 7 miles an hour with the club, I could not explain where the added speed was coming from.

Both felt and looked very nice at address. Had I had the cash in hand, the Callaway would have been walking out the door with me.

SO, I would agree, the Callaway should run away with the sales in head to head competition if the player gets the results I did.
[/quote]

My guess is the shaft. At your swing speed I wouldn't even attempt the TFC from Ping. If you tried the Tour Shaft you'd probably would have fared better. I swing in the low 90's and the TFC even in stiff felt a bit weak to me. I play the Tour 65 S.

[Ballgofarboy]

You know I had not considered that the Ping Stiff would not be strong enough. About a month ago there was a demo day and the shaft in the G30 then was not the shaft what I was swinging come to think of it. It was a silver colored shaft, and I think it was a bit heavier and stiffer in the tip. At Demo day it really felt like I was bombing that driver which is why I thought I would pick it up and hit it a bit more.

Thank you for the insight.

[Agent Jim]

I like Callaway a lot, but I love my G25's. Some of us don't care how far our irons go, only that they consistently go the desired distance and have good distance gaps. I'm entirely happy with my irons and wouldn't replace them with a different GI set.

[Ballgofarboy]

Last set of Irons I purchased had to be around 5 years ago. I upgraded from my Callaway x 16 pros to the Razr X tour irons. I went from steel stiff shafts to steel regular flex. I really do not like a lot of off set in my irons and prefer the smaller heads. I would think every 6 to 7 yrs you probably should change irons for a number of reasons.

IF you have been playing a lot your lofts are probably not what they were 6 yrs prior, technology will provide you some added length and your mishits will be more forgiven and finally if you do not upgrade at least every 6 to 7 yrs the club hos will not see as much of new product on the open market

When I made the change, I picked up a bunch of yards and have kept them to this day. Who knows in a couple of more years what I may consider hitting next.

[GolfinPastor]

I went to Golfsmith today, fully intending to buy the RS1's, but figured I should hit the XR's too to give me something to compare to. Well, there was no comparison (for me and my swing). I left the store with the XR's. Took them to the range right after and the are just as good there as in the simulator!

[PhillyMac]

[quote name='scratch72 ' timestamp='1425082122' post='11043763']
I think the XRs are going to blow Ping G25 or 30s away. They are better looking, way way better feel, a lot longer and just as easy if not easier to hit. Oh and guess what they have ferrules.
[/quote]

I assume you are talking about the irons. I currently game the G25. I actually went to DSG on Friday and tried out the XR (non-Pro) 7 iron against the g25 7 iron. I really liked the feel of the XR, felt just as good as G25. After hitting them side by side, there honestly was no difference in carry distance for me. So for the time being the XR's will not be kicking my G25's out of the bag.

[dbogeyguy75]

[quote name='Ballgofarboy' timestamp='1425149909' post='11048111']wow, How odd!!

I did this test today without even knowing about this thread. Played 18 today, I live in SW FL. There are a number of stores with simulators and one place I had never visited but thought, what the heck, the Golf Guys range. Fairly impressive as they were teaching youths on one range, middle range was for fitting clubs and the other range they some adult lessons going on. Add to that a putt putt course, and a kids course to introduce kids to the game, oversize balls and clubs, short holes, over size cups, pretty neat to see. The Pro shop had a decent dinning area and they sold clubs via mix and match, purchase the club head and shaft separately, but get what suits you. I could see going back to hit balls at this place.

Then went to Golf Galaxy.

I started with the Ping G 30, 9 degree loft, standard stock shaft, Stiff Neutral face setting. I was hitting these consistently to the right and around 238 yds, Club speed ave 104.6. They had impact tape and a majority of the hits were in the upper half of the club, when I made a concerted effort to hit the ball on the lower half of the club, I got a little more yardage and a bit more on line with the ball.

Then the Callaway XR in the 9 degree range, standard stock shaft stiff, impact tape had nearly every ball square in the middle of the face.
I was carrying the ball 252 with roll out to 265. This callaway was going almost dead straight and the part I could not answer was the club head speed as it went to 111 mph.

I was doing absolutely nothing different but picked up nearly 7 miles an hour with the club, I could not explain where the added speed was coming from.

Both felt and looked very nice at address. Had I had the cash in hand, the Callaway would have been walking out the door with me.

SO, I would agree, the Callaway should run away with the sales in head to head competition if the player gets the results I did.[/quote]

Go back and buy that exact club! Now, Mister!!!!

[DrSchteeve]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425138134' post='11047021']
[quote name='DrSchteeve' timestamp='1425097264' post='11045417']
[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1425095473' post='11045249']
I kind of like [b]divittool[/b]'s outlook regarding club selection. One may have prejudices, but let the performance weed out the winners and losers.

As a theoretical mental exercise, drop 10 balls in the fairway at your usual 8 iron distance. Take out the "ugly" XR pitching wedge. You hit all ten balls within a 6 foot circle, even slight mishits. Does the club suddenly look more attractive?

Kind of reminds me of a few of the dates I had in college.
[/quote]

Funny, because I just happened to do that with the XR pitching wedge and RSi1 pitching wedge. Everything was better with the RSi1 - dispersion, distance, trajectory control. That's just my results, and may have been influenced by the XR topline that was distractingly large to me.
[/quote]

I was a good idea for you to compare and hit the clubs side-to-side. But with all the variables involved, like shaft, grip, and, as you point out, perception, there may be other issues at work that influence the results. Ultimately, it appears that the RSi1 club is the one for you.

[/quote]

Grip?

[Golfdoctor]

[quote name='puttingfordough' timestamp='1425083082' post='11043901']
For those of you that have seen them in person, do they have that cheesy chrome like finish that Callaway loves to use? Cally makes some great performing sgi/gi clubs, but that finish makes them look cheap. IMHO.
[/quote]
I remember years ago in Kmart the irons were cased in a wooden display case and all were that bright chrome finish. Now that's what Callaway iron's remind me of.