MacGregor Persimmons - spec details

[SEB73]

I have recently obtained a little collection of MacGregor persimmon woods:

• MacGregor Muirfield - 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor 693T – 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor T85 eyeomotic – 3 wood

 

Before I go down the restoration route I would like to obtain some details on the original specs for the clubs, ideally I would like to know the year of manufacture, shaft & grip options and lofts.

 

Apologies - now reposted in the persimmon classic club forum!

 

 

 

Edited March 13 by SEB73
posted in incorrect forum

[mogc60]

Best bet is go to the classic clubs forums here. A lot of knowledge there and you might get some info 

[Foozle]

5 hours ago, SEB73 said:

I have recently obtained a little collection of MacGregor persimmon woods:

• MacGregor Muirfield - 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor 693T – 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor T85 eyeomotic – 3 wood

 

Before I go down the restoration route I would like to obtain some details on the original specs for the clubs, ideally I would like to know the year of manufacture, shaft & grip options and lofts.

 

Apologies - now reposted in the persimmon classic club forum!

 

 

 

Pictures would be helpful. The Muirfields are definitely '80's but the others could be '50's original or '80's reissue. Not sure the specs would necessarily be the same - certainly not for shafts and grips but possibly also for lofts, bulge and roll etc. Plenty on here who can help once we ID the patients.

[SEB73]

Images attached of the sole plates, I can add more images if needed.

Appreciate any info on these!

[Foozle]

36 minutes ago, SEB73 said:

Images attached of the sole plates, I can add more images if needed.

Appreciate any info on these!

Thanks for posting the pictures. All 1980's vintage. The T85 should be stiff flex if true to the original MacGregor numbering but i am not sure how faithful these '80's reissues were to the '50's originals. Hopefully others can help with details of loft etc. 

All very playable so enjoy! Once you do there is no going back!

[Shallowface]

The MacGregor catalogs I have from that era don't have any specs.

[ezgoer]

Can’t help you on lofts but I do have the same Muirfield driver along with an 80’s JN Super Eye-Omatic remake (looks like a 945W). Both with regular flex shafts. I like both, I hit the SEOM a little bit higher. Either slightly more loft or could easily be the added lead or brass weight in the back of the club that the Muirfield doesn’t have. Those 5 woods are so fun to play!

[golfunderpar18]

4 hours ago, Shallowface said:

The MacGregor catalogs I have from that era don't have any specs.

That’s because these are modern persimmons.  The Kaplan MacGregor catalogs would include vintage MacGregors 

[golfunderpar18]

On 3/13/2024 at 5:21 AM, SEB73 said:

I have recently obtained a little collection of MacGregor persimmon woods:

• MacGregor Muirfield - 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor 693T – 1, 3 & 5
• MacGregor T85 eyeomotic – 3 wood

 

Before I go down the restoration route I would like to obtain some details on the original specs for the clubs, ideally I would like to know the year of manufacture, shaft & grip options and lofts.

 

Apologies - now reposted in the persimmon classic club forum!

 

 

 

Not worth restoring.  These are more modern  / recent persimmons.  Very little value and not worth investing $$ to restore

[AdamMH]

48 minutes ago, golfunderpar18 said:

Not worth restoring.  These are more modern  / recent persimmons.  Very little value and not worth investing $$ to restore

OP asked for specs, not a judgement on value...

[ezgoer]

I mostly agree with Golfunderpar. I had a 1,3,5 set of Hogan Speedslots refinished for about $180. Think this is on the cheaper end for the work that was done. Original decals and everything, very handsome clubs now. Factor in price paid initially for clubs and I have $265 dollars into them. Just a guess but I doubt I could sell the set for much more than $180 if I even wanted to sell them. I don’t necessarily look at clubs that way but it’s kinda hard not too if you have many. They are good for another bunch of years anyways. 
 

Your sets don’t look horrible as long as  faces match the rest of pics. Good players as is and possible candidates for a DIY refinish job. There’s no decals or script other than on the sole so should be on the easier side. I have yet to DIY a set and once I experiment on a club or two I’m gonna do my Muirfield’s and a set of Staffs myself. 

[Stephen8802]

51 minutes ago, golfunderpar18 said:

Not worth restoring.  These are more modern  / recent persimmons.  Very little value and not worth investing $$ to restore

They are worth refinishing if the OP does the work himself. Since they are 80s, the inserts, sole plates, and shafts don't need to be reset. A refinish just requires stripping the finish staining, and applying polly, plus a little paintfill. All basic tasks that are easy for even a newbie. If I were him, I'd do these himself and enjoy playing them.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

On 3/13/2024 at 11:28 AM, mogc60 said:

Best bet is go to the classic clubs forums here. A lot of knowledge there and you might get some info 

Try Persimmon Golf Society on FB, there are people there who will be happy to help with refinishing.

btw, where do you hail from?

[ezgoer]

Do the 693’s have Dynamic Gold shafts? I’m unsure how late Mac sold them but if late 80’s early 90’s we’re getting right into the proper era for TT DG’s.  Going back to original specs wouldn’t 43.5 inch driver and 11/15/19 degrees be about right. Seems like the custom stuff would have been stamped differently. 

[SEB73]

I am in the UK - just recently acquired the woods.

TT dynamic shafts in the woods - Muirfield are regular, 693T and the eye-o-matic are stiff.

 

Does anyone know the original grips on these?

 

The Muirfields are very good, except a little damage to the face if the 3-wood.

 

The eye-o-matic is a little more worn, this will require some more work.

 

i pick the 693T’s up next week - I couldn’t turn these down at £10 for the set (approx $13 USD)

[golfunderpar18]

1 hour ago, AdamMH said:

OP asked for specs, not a judgement on value...

Reread his post. “Before I go down the restoration route I would like to obtain some details on the original specs for the clubs,”

they aren’t worth investing $$$ in restoring.   I didn’t say he’s looking for a judgement on value.  I just noted my opinion on restoring. The OP can take it or not - doesn’t matter to me.

Edited March 15 by golfunderpar18

[golfunderpar18]

1 hour ago, Stephen8802 said:

They are worth refinishing if the OP does the work himself. Since they are 80s, the inserts, sole plates, and shafts don't need to be reset. A refinish just requires stripping the finish staining, and applying polly, plus a little paintfill. All basic tasks that are easy for even a newbie. If I were him, I'd do these himself and enjoy playing them.

Yes but not paying someone to restore.  I’m personally not one to refinish myself.  Personally I use 3 or 4 refinishers in the US when I get my persimmons refinished.    I’ve done a couple myself but I want them done right so I use a few that I know and trust who do great work locally

Edited March 15 by golfunderpar18

[Foozle]

21 minutes ago, SEB73 said:

I am in the UK - just recently acquired the woods.

TT dynamic shafts in the woods - Muirfield are regular, 693T and the eye-o-matic are stiff.

 

Does anyone know the original grips on these?

 

The Muirfields are very good, except a little damage to the face if the 3-wood.

 

The eye-o-matic is a little more worn, this will require some more work.

 

i pick the 693T’s up next week - I couldn’t turn these down at £10 for the set (approx $13 USD)

Most '80's MacGregors I have come across have Golf Pride Victory grips or variations thereof eg half cord, full cord. Originals will have long since turned to carbon and if someone else has gone through the agony of removing carbonised Victory grips I would be in no hurry to replace them for the sake of originality! These aren't hugely collectable or valuable clubs but look solid enough from the pictures posted and sounds like you got them for very little money. I would stick on grips of your choosing, make sure the heads are sealed against water ingress, take them out and enjoy them. Very few of my collection are beauty pageant contenders but I love and enjoy them. 

[golfunderpar18]

1 hour ago, Stephen8802 said:

They are worth refinishing if the OP does the work himself. Since they are 80s, the inserts, sole plates, and shafts don't need to be reset. A refinish just requires stripping the finish staining, and applying polly, plus a little paintfill. All basic tasks that are easy for even a newbie. If I were him, I'd do these himself and enjoy playing them.

The t85 sole plate needs reset based on the photo I’m seeing.   Not many pics but you are likely right with the set.  Still needs refinished and I’d let the professional refinisher make an assessment about what needs done.  These would be solid gamers.  The muirfields are good woods 

[Shallowface]

8 hours ago, Shallowface said:

The MacGregor catalogs I have from that era don't have any specs.

 

3 hours ago, golfunderpar18 said:

That’s because these are modern persimmons.  The Kaplan MacGregor catalogs would include vintage MacGregors 

I'm referring to catalogs from the 1980s.  I knew what they were.  I've owned all of them at one time or another.
 

[NRJyzr]

In the last few years, someone shared a pdf of a Maltby published doc, that showed general ideas of lofts for clubs at the time.  There was a section on 70s and one for 80s.

 

Here's the woods lofts page from the 80s:

(adding that the length section showed 43.25" for driver length, and 42.75" for 3w length)

 

Edited March 16 by NRJyzr

[SEB73]

Thank you for everyone's feedback & input on my original post.

The woods I have obtained are purely for my pleasure, if they can be improved cosmetically great - if not I will still keep hold of them.

My purchases are not intended for financial benefit, i'm intending to play with the woods when the dryer weather finally arrives.

 

I have an old Mizuno persimmon 5-wood to "practice" cosmetic restoration.  Depending on my patience and the outcome of my "practice run" I will have a go at these woods myself.

 

Is there a guide on restoration that anyone can recommend for a first-timer?

 

Edited March 19 by SEB73
mis-spelling

[Foozle]

14 minutes ago, SEB73 said:

Thank you for everyone's feedback & input on my original post.

The woods I have obtained are purely for my pleasure, if they can be improved cosmetically great - if not I will still keep hold of them.

My purchases are not intended for financial benefit, i'm intending to play with the woods when the dryer weather finally arrives.

 

I have an old Mizuno persimmon 5-wood to "practice" cosmetic restoration.  Depending on my patience and the outcome of my "practice run" I will have a go at these woods myself.

 

Is there a guide on restoration that anyone can recommend for a first-timer?

 

I applaud your sentiment of buying for pleasure and to enjoy playing them and not for financial benefit; it ensures instant acceptance amongst the brotherhood here! 

I am pleased the advice you have received so far has been helpful. There is a huge depth of knowledge in this forum and a willingness to share so I am sure your further questions will be answered.

Welcome my friend! Fairways and greens!

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

1 hour ago, SEB73 said:

Thank you for everyone's feedback & input on my original post.

The woods I have obtained are purely for my pleasure, if they can be improved cosmetically great - if not I will still keep hold of them.

My purchases are not intended for financial benefit, i'm intending to play with the woods when the dryer weather finally arrives.

 

I have an old Mizuno persimmon 5-wood to "practice" cosmetic restoration.  Depending on my patience and the outcome of my "practice run" I will have a go at these woods myself.

 

Is there a guide on restoration that anyone can recommend for a first-timer?

 

There is a WhatsApp based group of UK persimmon and blades players who organise casual days amongst themselves and more front line P&B events, around 40 strong . PM me if interested.

[Stephen8802]

6 hours ago, SEB73 said:

...Is there a guide on restoration that anyone can recommend for a first-timer?

 

Watch all the Mike Rees videos on YouTube and that will get you 90% of the way there. The Maltby and Paul refinishing books help as well. I started with the Rees videos, then I read all the past posts in this forum that talk about refinishing, then I started with some disposable clubs from thrift stores, then on to the good stuff. The club head in my picture is one I did. It really isn't hard, just basic wood working skills and some patience. It's helpful to have a friend or two who have done it before to bounce questions off of.

[SEB73]

I have recently joined the Persimmon & Blade group in the UK - I have kindly been invited to play a fourball early in April with more like minded golfers that appreciate P&B's.

 

I'm starting to go through the Mike Rees online videos: attached is a driver & 3-wood that has nearly finished restoration by a seasoned professional here in the UK - these are not MacGregors.

 

The inserts were replaced approx. 22 yrs ago when the woods were refurbished first time round.

Anyone want to have a stab at the make & model of the woods? 🙂  

Edited March 21 by SEB73
mis-spelling

[Foozle]

1 hour ago, SEB73 said:

I have recently joined the Persimmon & Blade group in the UK - I have kindly been invited to play a fourball early in April with more like minded golfers that appreciate P&B's.

 

I'm starting to go through the Mike Rees online videos: attached is a driver & 3-wood that has nearly finished restoration by a seasoned professional here in the UK - these are not MacGregors.

 

The inserts were replaced approx. 22 yrs ago when the woods were refurbished first time round.

Anyone want to have a stab at the make & model of the woods? 🙂  

Appreciate the challenge!

Inserts are distinctive but i am a little confused by the 4 and 6 screw pattern variation.

Ram used that insert in 6 screw format.

I also have a set of Peter Broadbents using the 4 screw pattern.

Peter didn't use model names so I will plump for Golden Ram?

 

[SEB73]

They are not Ram....

[Foozle]

17 minutes ago, SEB73 said:

They are not Ram....

Played my hand and lost! I can think of another maker but wouldn't get the model correct and not fair to keep guessing! I have had my turn, interested to see who gets it right!

[SEB73]

The original insert screw pattern on the driver was a 4-screw diamond configuration, this was changed to 6-screw when the new insert was fitted.

The 3 wood has the original 4-screw diamond configuration....

Edited March 22 by SEB73
mis-spelling