Macgregor May be Back

[HoganApexBlades]

8 minutes ago, Hickory4ever said:

I cannot see me buying something like this which merely is recycling the MacGregor name. Since there are plenty of the originals around that can be had for a small fraction of the insane prices of modern equipment, I will stick to the oldies. Besides, the scavenger hunt in finding them is so much fun.

It is all about the hunt!!! When you find a club at a Goodwill or Savers you can't stop searching for the rest of the set!!! It's like an addiction...only cheaper!

[AdamMH]

2 hours ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Ugh the marketing “decidedly retro.” Every time I look at these irons I dislike them more and think they couldn’t be further away from a real MacGregor.  Aside from the wing back nothing about these reminds me of the 50s MTs or even the 80s remakes. 
 

I think in some ways my 3 year journey into golf with the self imposed limitation of vintage only has made me happily ignorant.  I see a screw in the toe and I’ve never seen that before but I’m realizing that must be some sort of weight system?

 

Ignorance is bliss here. The toe screw closes the hole they use to inject foam behind the thin face... 😞

[cold_war_era_golfer]

4 minutes ago, AdamMH said:

 

Ignorance is bliss here. The toe screw closes the hole they use to inject foam behind the thin face... 😞

Foam in a MacGregor head… what’s next?

[AdamMH]

2 hours ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Foam in a MacGregor head… what’s next?

The "new" Rams are foam filled too... Same with the "new" Lynx, although at least they offer some legit forgings.

[NRJyzr]

I have a slightly different take....

 

If MacGregor had stayed afloat all this time, they would have to be offering a hollow clubhead iron set such as this, or risk falling behind as they did a few decades ago.

 

If this is all they offer, it'll be a bit disappointing, but this is the direction the market has gone.  The golf world lives for the illusion of greater distance through strong lofts and ball speed bumps from COR applied to irons.

 

I actually give them a small bonus point for the nod to their past, with the Winged MT appearance.  It doesn't make me any more interested in them, as I'm not really a hollow clubhead fan, except in certain qualified instances (such as a club or two at the longest end of the set).

 

Such is my take.

 

[ezgoer]

Man I guess it isn’t surprising everyone’s strong take one way or the other but it worries me a little.

 

Are they cool? For whatever my opinion matters yeah I dig them. 

 
Will I get in line to buy these? No, if I wanted to spend that kinda jing there’s a lot better/safer options for piece of mind. If they are a flop I will be interested when they crash on the used market as long as there’s some level of quality to em. 

 

Are they hijacking’s a historical name? Sure, how can you blame them for trying. Tell me a golf company that doesn’t value history and isn’t trying to ring every dollar out of us and wouldn’t try this. Kinda surprised one of the big’s haven’t attempted already landing the MacGregor name already. Bet once Jack goes to the great beyond they will try especially if this works at all. 
 

I can’t be the only one here that likes all of it. I strive for some level of the latest and greatest without completely emptying my pockets yet I still romanticize the hickory era. The undeniable soul of a hickory club. Play with 460cc drivers and 1953 persimmons. Hollow foam filled loft jacked irons with weight ports and Arnold Palmer tiny boxy butter knife blades. Big deal if the 7 iron is really a 5 iron you still have to swing it properly for it to really work. Seems like it’s marketed to us differently nowadays but really wild claims have always been made and that’s a fact. All this talk of anti technology yet I rarely hear anyone complain about the modern golf ball other than to say it shouldn’t be used on the tour. That’s where a massive advancement has been made that benefits all of us and we rarely consider not using them. Even the low level balls. Maybe we should all play with the absolute turd of a ball the greatest golfer that ever played used too. 
 

I personally can enjoy and coexist with all of it. Plenty of room to be a technology geek and a traditionalist. I know I’m gonna regret hitting this submit button but just my thoughts. 

 

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by ezgoer

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

2 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Man I guess it isn’t surprising everyone’s strong take one way or the other but it worries me a little.

 

Are they cool? For whatever my opinion matters yeah I dig them. 

 
Will I get in line to buy these? No, if I wanted to spend that kinda jing there’s a lot better/safer options for piece of mind. If they are a flop I will be interested when they crash on the used market as long as there’s some level of quality to em. 

 

Are they hijacking’s a historical name? Sure, how can you blame them for trying. Tell me a golf company that doesn’t value history and isn’t trying to ring every dollar out of us and wouldn’t try this. Kinda surprised one of the big’s haven’t attempted already landing the MacGregor name already. Bet once Jack goes to the great beyond they will try especially if this works at all. 
 

I can’t be the only one here that likes all of it. I strive for some level of the latest and greatest without completely emptying my pockets yet I still romanticize the hickory era. The undeniable soul of a hickory club. Play with 460cc drivers and 1953 persimmons. Hollow foam filled loft jacked irons with weight ports and Arnold Palmer tiny boxy butter knife blades. Big deal if the 7 iron is really a 5 iron you still have to swing it properly for it to really work. Seems like it’s marketed to us differently nowadays but really wild claims have always been made and that’s a fact. All this talk of anti technology yet I rarely hear anyone complain about the modern golf ball other than to say it shouldn’t be used on the tour. That’s where a massive advancement has been made that benefits all of us and we rarely consider not using them. Even the low level balls. Maybe we should all play with the absolute turd of a ball the greatest golfer that ever played used too. 
 

I personally can enjoy and coexist with all of it. Plenty of room to be a technology geek and a traditionalist. I know I’m gonna regret hitting this submit button but just my thoughts. 

 

 

Read your post several times hunting for the contraversial bit. Still looking  🙂.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

I'm just going out to play in our Sunday roll-up. It's cold, it's wet. Zero roll, some winter greens....and at 78 y.o. am I taking out my prized persimmon and blades?

No, it's a relatively new Club to me and longer than my previous one. New guys etc. and I'm sorting through my collection of non vintage gear to give me the artillery to best compete.

Titleist 910D3, Sonartec fairways etc and MacGregor, yes! Macgregors, Cupfaced irons Greg Norman's finest from 2008-11 or so, is the best Ive got in giving me a helping hand.

Edited February 12, 2023 by The Aspidistra in the Hall

[BIG STU]

7 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Man I guess it isn’t surprising everyone’s strong take one way or the other but it worries me a little.

 

Are they cool? For whatever my opinion matters yeah I dig them. 

 
Will I get in line to buy these? No, if I wanted to spend that kinda jing there’s a lot better/safer options for piece of mind. If they are a flop I will be interested when they crash on the used market as long as there’s some level of quality to em. 

 

Are they hijacking’s a historical name? Sure, how can you blame them for trying. Tell me a golf company that doesn’t value history and isn’t trying to ring every dollar out of us and wouldn’t try this. Kinda surprised one of the big’s haven’t attempted already landing the MacGregor name already. Bet once Jack goes to the great beyond they will try especially if this works at all. 
 

I can’t be the only one here that likes all of it. I strive for some level of the latest and greatest without completely emptying my pockets yet I still romanticize the hickory era. The undeniable soul of a hickory club. Play with 460cc drivers and 1953 persimmons. Hollow foam filled loft jacked irons with weight ports and Arnold Palmer tiny boxy butter knife blades. Big deal if the 7 iron is really a 5 iron you still have to swing it properly for it to really work. Seems like it’s marketed to us differently nowadays but really wild claims have always been made and that’s a fact. All this talk of anti technology yet I rarely hear anyone complain about the modern golf ball other than to say it shouldn’t be used on the tour. That’s where a massive advancement has been made that benefits all of us and we rarely consider not using them. Even the low level balls. Maybe we should all play with the absolute turd of a ball the greatest golfer that ever played used too. 
 

I personally can enjoy and coexist with all of it. Plenty of room to be a technology geek and a traditionalist. I know I’m gonna regret hitting this submit button but just my thoughts. 

 

 

I do not see any reason for regret here. It is your honest opinion and you are certainally entitled to it. IMHO you are doing your own thing between being a techie and a traditionalist both and in my eyes there is nothing at all wrong with that

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

32 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

I do not see any reason for regret here. It is your honest opinion and you are certainally entitled to it. IMHO you are doing your own thing between being a techie and a traditionalist both and in my eyes there is nothing at all wrong with that

I've got nothing to add except Amen to that!

[Hickory4ever]

@ezgoer, no problem with your post at all. I like to try just about anything but don’t want to spend a fortune. 
 

I am playing today for the first time in over a month because it will be a balmy 6*C. The hickory’s will continue to rest until it is warmer. I have a bunch of old steel shafted clubs that are eager to get their chance to play again.

 

 

[NRJyzr]

10 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Maybe we should all play with the absolute turd of a ball

 

Funny story about the MacGregor ball....  I'd met a retired MacGregor rep at one of the 2nd Swing locations, during their first incarnation (Burnsville, fwiw).  Enjoyed chatting with him, he still had a displaying for their Personal Program, all sorts of fun.

 

So, he's visiting the Titleist ball plant.  Surprised to see a run of balls being stamped with the MacGregor logo.  Asked about them, guy gave him a smile, "those are for Mr Nicklaus."  Interesting. 😉

 

Now commenting on the main point in your post...  I tend to agree with you (though I haven't tried hickory yet).  I really like playing the older clubs, and tend to play better with persimmons or laminates than I do with modern drivers.  But, my Inner Nerd is fascinated with the tech in the newer clubs, and I can't help but want to play with them, also.

 

The tinkering potential borders on the absurd.  Shaft changes with a wrench?  Yes, please!

 

It could make my golf life more interesting once I retire in a few years, possibly be the key that keeps me from getting bored if I'm playing 4+ times per week.  🤔

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by NRJyzr

[ezgoer]

13 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Funny story about the MacGregor ball....  I'd met a retired MacGregor rep at one of the 2nd Swing locations, during their first incarnation (Burnsville, fwiw).  Enjoyed chatting with him, he still had a displaying for their Personal Program, all sorts of fun.

 

So, he's visiting the Titleist ball plant.  Surprised to see a run of balls being stamped with the MacGregor logo.  Asked about them, guy gave him a smile, "those are for Mr Nicklaus."  Interesting. 😉

 

Now commenting on the main point in your post...  I tend to agree with you (though I haven't tried hickory yet).  I really like playing the older clubs, and tend to play better with persimmons or laminates than I do with modern drivers.  But, my Inner Nerd is fascinated with the tech in the newer clubs, and I can't help but want to play with them, also.

 

It could make my golf life more interesting once I retire in a few years, possibly be the key that keeps me from getting bored if I'm playing 4+ times per week.  🤔

 

Never thought of that, have just heard how much of a disadvantage the Mac ball would have been. Makes sense, like Tiger and Nike. How long till he played an actual Nike forging? Weren’t they supposedly Titleist forgings at first? Couldn’t keep that straight cuz thought he won some amateurs with Mizuno’s 

Edited February 12, 2023 by ezgoer

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

12 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

I'm just going out to play in our Sunday roll-up. It's cold, it's wet. Zero roll, some winter greens....and at 78 y.o. am I taking out my prized persimmon and blades?

No, it's a relatively new Club to me and longer than my previous one. New guys etc. and I'm sorting through my collection of non vintage gear to give me the artillery to best compete.

Titleist 910D3, Sonartec fairways etc and MacGregor, yes! Macgregors, Cupfaced irons Greg Norman's finest from 2008-11 or so, is the best Ive got in giving me a helping hand.

Yo! Way to go. Nett 66 tied 8th out of 100. Works for me!

[BIG STU]

8 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Funny story about the MacGregor ball....  I'd met a retired MacGregor rep at one of the 2nd Swing locations, during their first incarnation (Burnsville, fwiw).  Enjoyed chatting with him, he still had a displaying for their Personal Program, all sorts of fun.

 

So, he's visiting the Titleist ball plant.  Surprised to see a run of balls being stamped with the MacGregor logo.  Asked about them, guy gave him a smile, "those are for Mr Nicklaus."  Interesting. 😉

 

Now commenting on the main point in your post...  I tend to agree with you (though I haven't tried hickory yet).  I really like playing the older clubs, and tend to play better with persimmons or laminates than I do with modern drivers.  But, my Inner Nerd is fascinated with the tech in the newer clubs, and I can't help but want to play with them, also.

 

The tinkering potential borders on the absurd.  Shaft changes with a wrench?  Yes, please!

 

It could make my golf life more interesting once I retire in a few years, possibly be the key that keeps me from getting bored if I'm playing 4+ times per week.  🤔

 

I am retired and in good weather I play 4 times a week or more. I also now play my home course exclusively because with my membership it does not cost me one dime daily for greens or cart fees. I considered my up front membership cost as an investment and a help to the daily or weekly cash flow. Someone asked me the other day if it got boring and I told them no. First off I do not care about score or keep a handicap. There are literally 100s of different ways I can play the course and of course with my club stash 100s if not 1000s of different combos of clubs I can play. I am like Willie Nelson as in Par is what I say it is that day or that hole. Good example some of our Par3s when I play persimmon I play from the tips and make them a par 4. One of our Par 5s with persimmon I play from the tips and make it a Par 6. I have been playing the persimmons and 54 Precisons a lot. If I get tired of the Precisions I can switch to one of my numerous sets of Mac irons. Wedges and vintage putters I have basically unlimited combos of. Like I said I could care less about the score. Lately I only play the signature set on Shootout Saturday but usually on Friday I will play that set for practice----- Naah I do not see me getting bored

[BIG STU]

8 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Never thought of that, have just heard how much of a disadvantage the Mac ball would have been. Makes sense, like Tiger and Nike. How long till he played an actual Nike forging? Weren’t they supposedly Titleist forgings at first? Couldn’t keep that straight cuz thought he won some amateurs with Mizuno’s 

I have heard and I will repeat heard that they were Mizuno or Miura forgings. If you look at some of the Nike Vr blades they sit and look just like a set of MP-33s or at least to me they do

[cold_war_era_golfer]

19 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Man I guess it isn’t surprising everyone’s strong take one way or the other but it worries me a little.

 

Are they cool? For whatever my opinion matters yeah I dig them. 

 
Will I get in line to buy these? No, if I wanted to spend that kinda jing there’s a lot better/safer options for piece of mind. If they are a flop I will be interested when they crash on the used market as long as there’s some level of quality to em. 

 

Are they hijacking’s a historical name? Sure, how can you blame them for trying. Tell me a golf company that doesn’t value history and isn’t trying to ring every dollar out of us and wouldn’t try this. Kinda surprised one of the big’s haven’t attempted already landing the MacGregor name already. Bet once Jack goes to the great beyond they will try especially if this works at all. 
 

I can’t be the only one here that likes all of it. I strive for some level of the latest and greatest without completely emptying my pockets yet I still romanticize the hickory era. The undeniable soul of a hickory club. Play with 460cc drivers and 1953 persimmons. Hollow foam filled loft jacked irons with weight ports and Arnold Palmer tiny boxy butter knife blades. Big deal if the 7 iron is really a 5 iron you still have to swing it properly for it to really work. Seems like it’s marketed to us differently nowadays but really wild claims have always been made and that’s a fact. All this talk of anti technology yet I rarely hear anyone complain about the modern golf ball other than to say it shouldn’t be used on the tour. That’s where a massive advancement has been made that benefits all of us and we rarely consider not using them. Even the low level balls. Maybe we should all play with the absolute turd of a ball the greatest golfer that ever played used too. 
 

I personally can enjoy and coexist with all of it. Plenty of room to be a technology geek and a traditionalist. I know I’m gonna regret hitting this submit button but just my thoughts. 

 

 

What it all comes down to is doing what you want to do that matters and how you have fun with golf.  I’m never gonna give anyone a hard time for what they like.  I get enough of it from everyday golfers who see my bag. 

 

I’m probably one of the extremes you talk about. I’ve said it before I’d rather play some other sport than play with new gear.   Just doesn’t appeal to me.  Maybe it’s harsh but I don’t see these new MacGregors as having anything to do with the company of the 50s and 60s. 

 

I’d swap my modern golf balls for balatas if they were available.  Which is funny because I wasn’t at round to play them the first time.  Just to experience the challenge I hear they were would be fun.

 

I guess the grass is always greener?

[ezgoer]

I’m worried I came off a little emotional and opinionated. I really don’t mean to offend anybody and if I did I truly apologize. This isn’t aimed at any one person or post. Some things I read in the entire post set me off and quite honestly why should my opinion matter over any one else’s. We all have opinions and get loose at times with them especially in a forum like this. We are all lovers of a pretty indescribable thing that isn’t as appreciated as much as it should be. Lucky for us.
 

Hit it straight and not too often!!!!

[Jiggered]

For those yearning for the originals, and apologies if I've already posted this, but the news inspired me to make a quick video on the MT a couple of weeks back, probably full of errors so any corrections gratefully received!

 

 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

1 hour ago, Jiggered said:

For those yearning for the originals, and apologies if I've already posted this, but the news inspired me to make a quick video on the MT a couple of weeks back, probably full of errors so any corrections gratefully received!

 

 

Great video!  I watched it last week.  I would enjoy playing a round of golf with you!

[Jiggered]

5 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Great video!  I watched it last week.  I would enjoy playing a round of golf with you!

 Likewise, just the Atlantic preventing it!

[MrParr1Noid]

On 2/11/2023 at 8:53 AM, HoganApexBlades said:

It is all about the hunt!!! When you find a club at a Goodwill or Savers you can't stop searching for the rest of the set!!! It's like an addiction...only cheaper!

 

It more than likely 'is' and addiction but it isn't cheap by any means.  Ya know old guys have the funds and everyone knows that.  🙂

[bcstones]

On 2/11/2023 at 10:30 AM, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Foam in a MacGregor head… what’s next?

Hmmm.....how 'bout steel in a foam head 🤪

[Junah]

I rarely post anything but thought I should when it comes to these new Macgregor irons. A friend received a set of the OS model the other day. He actually ordered the Pro's but was sent the OS. It was probably a good thing as the OS had less offset than expected and will better fit his game. I'm posting a pic beside a couple of his other sets for comparison in size.

 

The main reason I'm commenting though is that he asked me to check the specs and the lie angles were all over the place. He ordered standard lie and some were as much as 2° upright or flat. I'd also note that the swing weights on the OS with KBS steel shafts were D0 with the standard size 50g Lamkin grips so be careful if you intended to change grips to anything heavier. 

Edited February 21, 2023 by Junah
Spelling error

[ezgoer]

Guess what we feared quality wise. This is where I get confused, i thought  a standard KBS shaft weight would be nearer a 100g give or take??——so that D-0 swing weight seems low already with that grip. Does that mean the heads are really light as well or is that KBS shaft a lot lighter than I thought also? 
 The TT Elevate 95’s I switched to a year ago give me a little more flexibility than the lightweight TM steel I was previously playing. 

[Kirasdad]

On 2/15/2023 at 11:53 AM, bcstones said:

Hmmm.....how 'bout steel in a foam head 🤪

I agree, the Brillo Pad line of players irons.

 

They would bite like crazy, really boost your short game.