Please Help Identify these Vintage MacGregors

[TimV]

Classic Clubs

Hi All,
I need your help. I recently saved a set of old MacGregors that I can't seem to identify.
They are VIP by MacGregor. There is no other marking on the heads besides the club number. They are not the limited model. They do have the step sole. Score lines look like this: <------>. Ferrules are stamped with 056071R (matching numbers.) Shaft label reads: Tourney Taper by MacGregor. There is no crown above the "I" like I have seen on other VIP models.
I have the 3 through the 10. They are in rough shape even after cleaning but still kind of neat.
Can anyone tell me... what year these are from?... If they were a forged blade or not? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim

[dalehead]

These look like the 1967-68 vintage VIP's, split sole model. MacGregor had both a split sole and conventionial sole model, in "by MacGregor" and "by Nicklaus" offerings.

[jmvargas]

am also pretty sure these are 67s or 68s...i had the conventional soled ones for a while and if i'm not mistaken jack nicklaus used this model for quite a long time until he macgregor game up with the stainless steel cast model which i also had..

am also pretty sure these were forged as castings came a bit later...

[dalehead]

You are correct that Nicklaus gamed the VIP's, I believe right up to the time the Muirfields were introduced. The Muirfields were very similar to the design of the VIP's. IIRC he bagged the VIP's in his 1967 US Open victory at Baltusrol.

And yes they were forged as were all irons back then. Karsten was just getting started casting clubs in Phoenix.

[chrisbellaire]

Irons pictured are from the early 70's. They are not from the 60's. Early 70's offered three VIP's: "by MacGregor" with conventional soles, "by MacGregor" with the split sole pictured, and "by Nicklaus" with conventional soles. All had the Tourney Taper (stepless) shafts, sometimes called Microtaper.

[dalehead]

[quote name='chrisbellaire' timestamp='1306598026' post='3268937']
Irons pictured are from the early 70's. They are not from the 60's. Early 70's offered three VIP's: "by MacGregor" with conventional soles, "by MacGregor" with the split sole pictured, and "by Nicklaus" with conventional soles. All had the Tourney Taper (stepless) shafts, sometimes called Microtaper.
[/quote]

I agree on the models, but not so sure on the timing.

When in the 70's did MacGregor change the VIP line to a cast club with a small cavity back?

[Shallowface]

[quote name='dalehead' timestamp='1306609086' post='3269205']
[quote name='chrisbellaire' timestamp='1306598026' post='3268937']
Irons pictured are from the early 70's. They are not from the 60's. Early 70's offered three VIP's: "by MacGregor" with conventional soles, "by MacGregor" with the split sole pictured, and "by Nicklaus" with conventional soles. All had the Tourney Taper (stepless) shafts, sometimes called Microtaper.
[/quote]

I agree on the models, but not so sure on the timing.

When in the 70's did MacGregor change the VIP line to a cast club with a small cavity back?
[/quote]

According to Ralph Maltby's price guide, the irons pictured look like they were produced in 1971-72.

Unfortunately, the Kaplan book seems incomplete for those years. I don't see them pictured in there at all.

There were two versions of cast Nicklaus VIPs in the 70s. One was produced from 1974-76. The second, which in the advertising of the time it was claimed they were played by Jack, were made from 1977-1980. I think these are the ones you're probably thinking of. I believe David Graham was the designer of the 77-80 version.

[TimV]

So do you guys believe these are forged club heads then?
Thanks,
Tim

[dalehead]

Definitely forged

[TimV]

Thanks!
Hopefully I can find a good home for them.
Thanks,
Tim

[Shallowface]

[quote name='TimV' timestamp='1306952670' post='3277783']
So do you guys believe these are forged club heads then?
Thanks,
Tim
[/quote]

Yes, absolutely.