IPhone – Remove Gmail contacts from iPhone contacts list

This Google help document shows the normal setup steps, as well as some troubleshooting steps.

For troubleshooting, ensure that Contacts is turned on, and then click on the account information above the list of mail, contacts, calendar and notes. This will show your Gmail account information.

Click on advanced, and ensure that SSL is enabled.

It may be helpful to create a new contact locally on the device and see if it syncs up to Gmail.

You might have to force iOS to refresh your contacts. Goto your iPhone's Settings and select Mail, Contacts, Calendars. Select Gmail and uncheck Contacts. Now, goto your Contacts app and it should be empty. Go back to the previous settings screen and recheck Contacts. After that, open up your Contacts app to verify the updates.