693 vs M85W vs 945W

[Peter S. in Indy]

 How  would you put these in a rank order, and if you can, say why. In my perusing of this stuff, these seem to be the most prized.  Is there any other MacGregor I may be missing?

[ezgoer]

For me it’s 

1- 945W cuz of Jack

2- (you need to add to your list) M43 cuz of Norman

3&4- coin flip between the 2 remaining and you’ll never loose. Think I lean slightly towards the perfect shape of the 693 over M85 gun to my head. 
 

Only Driver of the 4 I have is a M85 so I can’t speak on experience or comparison. 
 
Oh yeah LFF’s need to be on your list but seem to be pretty unobtainable so……

Edited July 12, 2023 by ezgoer

[Ping Player]

I agree with ezgoer, the M43 would be a good addition to the list, and I would add TP Specials. Ranking the 945W, M85, and 693 is a tough one. I have a set of each and I don't think I can rank one over the others. They are equally incredible. I don't have a large collection, but I'm fortunate enough to have those and you can't go wrong with any of them. Enjoy the journey and the quest. Collecting will soon turn into putters, irons, and wedges. 🤙🏻

Edited July 12, 2023 by Ping Player

[Stephen8802]

I'd go M33 over M43 if all original because I like the D shaft more than the C shaft, but that's a good call.

 

All of these clubs are model 69 heads, so we are talking about minor differences and styling. The 693 would be my favorite partially because it is slightly more round, partly because of the red insert, and partly because of the mythical status it held for me as a kid. We all knew that an original set of 693s went for more than any other set, so we all wanted one. Now that I have a couple of sets, and I've had a chance to play them, I'd put the 693 at the top of any list.

 

The 945 is the EOM version of the 693, so different insert but in the 693 family. The M43/M43 is a model 69 head, so very similar, and the M85 is the EOM version of the M43. I have all of these clubs and my bias against the M85 is mostly that I prefer red, or red EOM, inserts over black.

 

My friend Ping Player is spot on about the Penna TP driver. I picked up a Penna TP Special a few years ago and think it might be the best Macgregor head shape. I'd also throw in the Penna SEOM, which is both a beautiful club and has the TP stamp, the best stamp Macgregor ever did, and the rare exposed copper shaft, which is the coolest shaft they made.

[Ping Player]

Stephen8802 mentioned the stamp and the exposed copper on the shaft. This is an example from the Driver of my TP SEOM set. 

[Stephen8802]

That shaft gets me every time. Here is what my Penna SEOM looks like with the great stamp.

[ezgoer]

2 hours ago, Ping Player said:

Stephen8802 mentioned the stamp and the exposed copper on the shaft. This is an example from the Driver of my TP SEOM set. 

Fantastic!……..so they just didn’t chrome plate that one small area of the shaft? If so what an added step in production when you’re doing thousands or a significant amount anyways.
 

 Copper plate under chrome plate is a pretty normal process right? An all copper plate shaft could look cool

[Stephen8802]

You have it right. Copper sticks to steel, chrome sticks to copper, so copper under chrome was common on Macgregor shafts and clubs. You can see copper under the chrome on iron heads that have worn, plus of course, Colokrom heads and multi-color putters.

 

The added step is masking off the shaft label area, which would add cost. I assume that is why this was such a short-lived shaft and they went to a shaft label that simulated the chrome after this.

 

[mocokid]

693 all the way!

[RobotDoctor]

I would rank the big 4 as follows with the 945 and M85 close to a tie 

 

1 - 693

2 - 945

3 - M85

4 - M43 

 

All four were model 69 woods so essentially they were crafted from the same master block.  Of course there were variations of each model so they weren’t cookie cutter.  
 

LFFs are really terrific and should be included in any list.  Model 40 woods were also played a lot. The TP Special is a great set to add in a collection.  
 

Im very fortunate since I have all these models in mine.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by RobotDoctor

[northplatteriver]

All four models are fantastic, but when I play persimmon woods, 99.9% of the time the M43 driver gets the call when talking about drivers.  When you add fairway woods into the mix my M85 fairway woods are what I play.

[Foozle]

Just for mischief, I will throw this one into the mix.

1948 Pro Model. My understanding is that this spawned the model '69 head and so is the genisis of the classic MacGregor quadumverate of 693, 945, M43 & M85. 

[RobotDoctor]

The grain is insane!  Perfect straight back.  I bet that driver hits long!

[Foozle]

5 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

The grain is insane!  Perfect straight back.  I bet that driver hits long!

It is a very solid block with lots of carbon bubbling through! Not like the subtle beauty spot on a certain M85 that I have seen posted here!😍

I have been nervous hitting the Pro Model as you can see a couple of hairline cracks from the bore through at the heel. Opinion is that the integrity is not affected but I am not so sure.....

[RobotDoctor]

Get that restored correctly and then hit it!!!

[mocokid]

17 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

Get that restored correctly and then hit it!!!

Who's the best to refinish these days? I think Dave wood is not taking on new customers?

[tstephen]

I have 6 LFF, 5 M85, 4 945 & 693 drivers in my arsenal and the M85s are consistently the best but the other ones can rule the pack on any given day. Only 2 of my LFF drivers and my jumbo 693 have not been hit by myself.

Edited July 14, 2023 by tstephen

[RobotDoctor]

4 hours ago, mocokid said:

Who's the best to refinish these days? I think Dave wood is not taking on new customers?

Nim Brann seems to do really terrific work.  John Hayes also does terrific work.  Dave is not taking on new customers.  In fact he's on a hiatus at present taking time for what he needs to do.  Definitely earned!

 

 

55 minutes ago, tstephen said:

I have 6 LFF, 5 M85, 4 945 & 693 drivers in my arsenal and the M85s are consistently the best but the other ones can rule the pack on any given day. Only 2 of my LFF drivers and my jumbo 693 have not been hit by myself.

 

I know one LFF you have that would love to live in Palm Coast, FL!  😁

[tstephen]

That would be 1 of the 2 not hit yet. It is even better in person. Maybe sometime this summer I will hit a couple with that one and my super all original ‘53 LFF. I might even hit the 945 Nim just did an incredible job restoring. I hit 1/2 dozen before sending it to him and it was sweet at a C9 now it’s D5 so I can put the hammer down.

Edited July 14, 2023 by tstephen

[mocokid]

18 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

Nim Brann seems to do really terrific work.  John Hayes also does terrific work.  Dave is not taking on new customers.  In fact he's on a hiatus at present taking time for what he needs to do.  Definitely earned!

 

 

 

I know one LFF you have that would love to live in Palm Coast, FL!  😁

If anyone has Nim or John's contact info I'd appreciate it,  thanks 

[RobotDoctor]

47 minutes ago, mocokid said:

If anyone has Nim or John's contact info I'd appreciate it,  thanks 

Pm me for John’s contact info.  

[Ping Player]

I would throw David Bass' name in too. David Wood recommended him to me not too long ago. 👍🏻