If you have been playing golf for the past several decades there is no way you’re not familiar with the brand MacGregor.

A powerhouse of club manufacturing in the 1980s and ’90s most of us probably owned a set or know someone who did. The brand fell a little off the radar in the 2000s with companies like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade and others dominating the club scene.

I would have written off MacGregor as a consideration for my next set of irons if the all new MT-86 Pro line had not caught my eye at the 2023 PGA Merchandise Show. Their sleek look, clean lines and comfortable feel at address had me salivating over the chance to try them out.

The Lineup

Like most manufacturers today, MacGregor offers a wide range of iron sets with prices from $200 for their entry-level option up to $1,000 for their pro series. Frequent players, including mid- to low-range handicappers, should focus their attention on the higher-end MT-86 OS or Pro series lineup.

You can see in the comparison photos below the Pro versus OS models with a very subtle difference in thickness and head size.

The OS model will offer golfers a more forgiving iron with a larger sweet spot and some extra yardage. The Pro model will give better strikers more workability and a smaller profile at address.

MacGregor is also following the new industry trend of offering a “combo” set with OS irons from 4-6 and Pro models from 7-PW. I have tried this with other brands before and can definitely see some benefit for good players who want the flexibility of forgiveness in the harder to hit club ranges. I would offer a word of caution if you decide to go this route, though, as it may lead to some feel, distance and address confusion as the irons will be different.

The MacGregor site lets you do some basic customization in selecting the following options for your clubs:

• Shaft
• Flex
• Length
• Lie

I was a little disappointed there was no ability to select a grip, but the clubs are all fitted with a nice Lamkin High Traction Rubber.

First Impressions

With my selections in, I waited patiently and received my MT-86 Pros two days prior to heading to Myrtle Beach for Spring Break. I loaded up my bag without even taking the plastic off the clubs. I knew the look and feel from trying them at the PGA Show and felt confident I could make them work on the course.

I have traditionally played a forged iron but always opted for more forgiveness as I am not the best iron striker. Picking up the MT-86 Pro felt like riding a bike. The weight, aesthetics and overall setup of the club is very pleasing.

Don’t overlook the importance of appearance when it comes to clubs. We all know that golf is played in that 6 inches between the ears and if you don’t feel comfortable looking down at your clubs then you are going to struggle when striking the ball. The Pro Model of the MT-86 offers this forgiveness but with a smaller profile and almost blade-like look.

My foursome had a good chuckle as they saw me removing the plastic before each shot, but I think it added to the authenticity of a true club test. Striking the ball for the first time, I was immediately impressed with the contact feedback I received. You will know right away with these clubs if it’s not struck in the sweet spot.

Distance

As with any new club there is always a learning curve when it comes to distances. With every company offering different technology, loft measurements and other tweaks it is hard to know just how far you are going to hit the ball. The MT-86 Pros won’t magically give you an extra club and a half of distance, but rather conform to what I would say are traditional yardages and specifications. Personally, I like this as I don’t want to be hitting my 8-iron 205 yards.

The most important test for any player is just how much distance is lost if you don’t strike the ball “perfectly”. I’ve found the MT-86 Pros to fall a little short in this category. With my set of Callaway Apex irons I typically lose 5-7 yards with a poor strike.

With the MacGregor’s I’ve found up to 10. I wouldn’t let this deter you from a set, but will make you consider choosing the Pro versus the OS model. Oversized clubs are designed specifically to deal with this and provide that “cushion” for players who are not Collin Morikawa-esque iron strikers.

Technology

There are 3 components to the MT-86 Pro club head that contribute to its performance and feel. For those who like all the specific technical details, they are listed from the MacGregor site below…

EXPLOSIVE FACE

The face of the club is a thin 2mm face with a high tensile strength – it has a very high COR (coefficient of restitution) which provides that explosive impact for penetrating shots.

FOAM FILLED HEAD

The head is filled with a proprietary polymer to give that buttery soft feel you know and love, while also improving acoustics for a satisfying sound.

INTERNAL WEIGHTING SYSTEM

An internal co-forged tungsten weighting system towards the toe moves the center of gravity lower and deeper in the club while also increasing MOI (moment of inertia) so off-center strikes still fly.

After Season Thoughts

As I sadly washed, dried and tucked in my clubs for the offseason I had time to reflect on the experience with my new MacGregors.

Overall I was very happy with the way I played this season using my MT-86 Pros. Like anyone else I hit some good shots and some bad ones but they were definitely an improvement over my aging Callaways.

The faces and grooves of the clubs held up extremely well after a season of punishment and almost looked new after a good cleaning.

The three main attributes I think make these irons worth a look are:

• Price Point
• Aesthetics
• Feel

I can’t wait to wake them up from their long winter’s nap and hit the course once again, and I’m happy to report that the “MAC” is BACK!

Grab your own set on the MacGregor Site

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