Jump to content
2024 Houston Open WITB Photos ×

Tom Kite's 1950s MacGregor Armour 693T persimmon driver !


Recommended Posts

3 years ago I acquired a few of clubs from 2nd Swing that belonged to Tom Kite. I spoke to 2nd Swing and they assured me they came from Tom. I bought his MacGregor 693T and since that time until recently I wondered if he actually gamed it, then I met Tom in my hometown last summer one night while he played in the US Senior Open and I wished I remembered to ask him. About a month ago I thought about contacting his son, which I did. He offered to show my pics to his Dad and about 10 days later he sent me a nice note saying that Tom looked at my pics and confirmed it was his which he played in and around 1984. It was Tom's gamer !!! I had thought that Tom used it at the 1984 Masters which he led with 9 holes to play and his son said that I was right.. Tom also used it at Doral in 84 and won, beating Jack Nicklaus. He probably used it later in the season when he won in Atlanta. I also think , but not sure he used it in parts of 1982 and 83 based on a few pics I have seen. Tom also said seeing the club brought back good memories and he remember repairing the sold plate on the heel side after it somehow got bent up during travel. I also recently read an old article which said that repairing clubs in his work shop which he build with his Dad in his Austin home was a hobby of Tom's. So the refinish that was done on this club was done by the man himself ! Tom has always been a player who intrigued me and one I've admired because he wasn't the longest player, but had a short game that nobody during his era could match. The grain on this club is amazing, I've always been a fan of U or horseshoe grain, this has great straight grain that goes into the face. Dave Wood told me alot of players liked this grain pattern. It made for a very strong block and neck. I've hit this club a few times and its the best I've ever hit. I'm not too surprised by that... It has what seems to be a S300 shaft, 43.5 inches long, a couple of hairs below D0 swing weight, 372 grams overall. It feels amazing

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 16
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Very cool! Do think the refinish job brought the swingseigjt down.

Ping G400 Testing G410.  10.5 set at small -
Ping G410 3, 5 and 7 wood

Ping G410 5 hybrid-not much use.  
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal. 5-G
Vokey 54.10, 2009 58.12 M, Testing TM MG2 60* TW grind and MG3 56* TW grind.  Or Ping Glide Stealth, 54,58 SS.  
Odyssey Pro #1 black
Hoofer, Ecco, Bushnell
ProV1x-mostly
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The head doesn't have a weight on the back , so it probably wasn't a heavy head to begin with. The Tommy Armour stamp is barely viseable ; it wouldn't surprise me is he shaped the head to a certain desired weight. Tom was sneaky long according to Venturi... Tom worked hard to gain more distance by lengthening his swing according to the telecasters. As you know, it was common for these players in the 80s to have clubmakers work these clubs to desired specs, weights, ect. Tom probably did a lot of that work himself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom said that the sole plate on the heel side slightly lifted up during his travels and he repaired it himself. After closely looking at this club and comparing it to 2 other 693's I have its obvious some custom work was done and done beautifully. The lines on this club are really great and imo the club is still as solid as any in my collection. Its a really great block, still probably as good as it was in 1984. Like I said I'm pretty sure based on Tom's comments this club was his gamer for a few years, and probably hit 10s of 1000s of balls. After hitting it I know now why they said the Mac Blocks from the early 1950s were the best.

 

Yeah, I hit it with the modern soft ball.. and it still performs like a champ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Freddie-

 

Since you asked-

 

Beautiful golf club! (Aside from Jerry Heard, did any other pro play with "aged and battered woods"?)

 

The soleplate to this 693T appears razor thin, so it appears a lot of work has been done.

 

Yours almost entices me to pull out the '51 653T ....

 

I recall Feherty saying Christy O'Connor Jr took his gamer drivers to sand traps until he wore the soleplate thin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom said that the sole plate on the heel side slightly lifted up during his travels and he repaired it himself. After closely looking at this club and comparing it to 2 other 693's I have its obvious some custom work was done and done beautifully. The lines on this club are really great and imo the club is still as solid as any in my collection. Its a really great block, still probably as good as it was in 1984. Like I said I'm pretty sure based on Tom's comments this club was his gamer for a few years, and probably hit 10s of 1000s of balls. After hitting it I know now why they said the Mac Blocks from the early 1950s were the best.

 

Yeah, I hit it with the modern soft ball.. and it still performs like a champ.

 

If I said it once I'll say it a million times, the early 50's MacGregor persimmons were the greatest golf clubs ever.

 

I'm glad the Tiger high viewers were exposed to Toney Penna this last week with Francesco Molinari becoming the first Italian born winner on The PGA Tour in 71 years and that his great contribution came from his incredible persimmons.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Freddie-

 

Since you asked-

 

Beautiful golf club! (Aside from Jerry Heard, did any other pro play with "aged and battered woods"?)

 

The soleplate to this 693T appears razor thin, so it appears a lot of work has been done.

 

Yours almost entices me to pull out the '51 653T ....

 

Ever see Jack's 945 he used in The '86 Masters among a few other great MacGregors played during his dominant era? Frankenstein was less put back together.

 

I think Stadler had a great early 50s MacGregor that broke at Augusta maybe on 18 during the 3rd round the year he won.

 

Yeah - there were many players that had great early 50s Battle Torn Dorian Gray Character MacGregors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

freddiec

 

I've still got that '49 or '50 MacGregor Oil Hardened Ben Hogan driver coming.

 

Sure hope it has that same feel!

 

My 693 that I played for about 10 years is really solid - I think could drive nails with that thing!

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 9 replies
    • 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

×
×
  • Create New...