MacGregor Tourney VIP irons

[honketyhank]

Custom? Date?

I picked up these clubs for a song: eBay Listing . I was surprised at lack of bids, I expected to be outbid. As you can see, mine was the only bid. They arrived yesterday. Excellent condition, rarely played. Shafts are TT Dynamic, R flex. Kaplan's book does not have this model. I suspect it is part of the custom club program. Note that the design is very similar to the muscleback blades endorsed by Nicklaus in the early 1970s, But note the script V.I.P. (totally unlike production VIP in sorta kinda Times New Roman font). They really feel nice when properly struck.

Does anyone know these clubs? Or is this another case of me picking up a bargain because it was something not listed in Kaplan's book? Can you help me with a date of manufacture -- my guess is late 1970s to early 1980s. Or any storyline if there is one on these?

Another view from my scanner 7 iron, even the PW is in very similar condition (sorry for the scanner defects, the clubs are almost immaculate):

[ABgolfer2]

[quote name='honketyhank' timestamp='1284605971' post='2699330']
I picked up these clubs for a song: [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230518534831&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT"]eBay Listing[/url] . I was surprised at lack of bids, I expected to be outbid. As you can see, mine was the only bid. They arrived yesterday. Excellent condition, rarely played. Shafts are TT Dynamic, R flex. Kaplan's book does not have this model. I suspect it is part of the custom club program. Note that the design is very similar to the muscleback blades endorsed by Nicklaus in the early 1970s, But note the script V.I.P. (totally unlike production VIP in sorta kinda Times New Roman font). They really feel nice when properly struck.

Does anyone know these clubs? Or is this another case of me picking up a bargain because it was something not listed in Kaplan's book? Can you help me with a date of manufacture -- my guess is late 1970s to early 1980s. Or any storyline if there is one on these?

[/quote]

If I had to guess (and I do) I'd say early - mid 1980's. The groove and diamonds seem very similar to the Nicklaus MacGregors from that era. The sole width and number look very 1987 - just a year I pulled outta my . . .

['53 Precision]

They look a lot like the 1971 - 72 MT model with the flat sole, the script and the numbers also appear to match very closely, I would guess them to be of that design, if not vintage.

[dalehead]

The long hosels and ferrules make me think these are much older than guys are estimating. Have never seen a VIP model with the letters in script. I'm thinking 50's? But thats just wild speculation on my part.

Incidently, in 1988 I got a set of custom VIPS from MacGregor. I spoke to Don White and he told me he had a set of heads that were originally made for Curtis Strange (who was gaming VIP'S at the time) that he was going to use for my irons. One of the dumbest things I've ever done was letting those clubs go!

[kaboboom]

I'll add this after looking at pictures in my club guide, specifically the early (mid -sixires) VIPs. These clubs are obviously not "by Nicklaus", and the VIP font doesn't match either, although it states the black ferrels were used on the 68 model, with the 67s having a marbled ferrel. But the font in your picture does match the VIP TP65, and the Penna VIP TP63, but those clubs have many other markings, and the VIP is nearer to the toe. So, I can't find an eaxct match.

[Shallowface]

It's been thirty years, so the memory's a bit foggy, but I seem to recall one of the golf shop chains of the time (Pro Golf Discount?)selling MacGregor blades that were actually cast stainless, not forged (the Nicklaus VIPs in the Muirfield bag in another thread are cast stainless, so it wasn't unusual). Since these aren't in the Kaplan book, I wonder if these are of a line exclusive to a chain store like Pro Golf Discount. There was another one of a similar look and the same late 70s/early 80s vintage that had a "67" on the back. Those were cast as well.

Not saying these won't play very well or that they aren't a good quality item. Just trying to help identify them.

[Parster65]

[quote name='honketyhank' timestamp='1284605971' post='2699330']
I picked up these clubs for a song: [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230518534831&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT"]eBay Listing[/url] . I was surprised at lack of bids, I expected to be outbid. As you can see, mine was the only bid. They arrived yesterday. Excellent condition, rarely played. Shafts are TT Dynamic, R flex. Kaplan's book does not have this model. I suspect it is part of the custom club program. Note that the design is very similar to the muscleback blades endorsed by Nicklaus in the early 1970s, But note the script V.I.P. (totally unlike production VIP in sorta kinda Times New Roman font). They really feel nice when properly struck.

Does anyone know these clubs? Or is this another case of me picking up a bargain because it was something not listed in Kaplan's book? Can you help me with a date of manufacture -- my guess is late 1970s to early 1980s. Or any storyline if there is one on these?

Another view from my scanner 7 iron, even the PW is in very similar condition (sorry for the scanner defects, the clubs are almost immaculate):
[attachment=656893:VIPTourney7.jpg]
[/quote]Did you ever find out about these clubs?..I just picked up the 1 iron at a yard sale and I'm trying to determinr it's value...the pic you posted here is the only club like this I have found...

[teevons]

I/m with Shallow Face , the soles are just like many sets I have had from the 80's that were cast/stainless. The ferrules are like the ferrules from the 80's also
I have a set of the 67 that SF mentions and those were made for the Japanese market, probably the same goes for these