Is MacGregor Golf a good brand?
Who owns MacGregor brand?
What pros use MacGregor clubs?
What Ball does Jack Nicklaus use?
Who makes MacGregor equipment?
What is MacGregor syndrome?
Does RAM still make golf clubs?
Who bought Lynx golf?
What ball did Lee Trevino use?
What putter did Lee Trevino use?
Does Macgregor still make golf balls?
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MacGregor Golf.
| Industry | Sports equipment |
|---|---|
| Website | macgregorgolf.co.uk |
Where did MacGregor golf clubs originate?
MacGregor Golf Company's origins date to the end of the 19th century and a company called Crawford, MacGregor and Canby, which manufactured wooden shoe lasts in Dayton, Ohio. The firm, which had been founded in 1822 as the Dayton Last Company, was co-owned by the Crawford brothers, John MacGregor, and Edward Canby. On a trip to Europe, Canby was introduced to the sport of golf, which had originated there and was especially popular in Scotland. Sensing a business opportunity if it became popular in the United States, he put his company's woodworking expertise to use and began manufacturing golf clubs with persimmon wood heads and hickory shafts.
Where did MacGregor Golf start?
MacGregor Golf Company's origins date to the end of the 19th century and a company called Crawford, MacGregor and Canby, which manufactured wooden shoe lasts in Dayton, Ohio.
Who bought MacGregor?
In October 1996 it was announced that MacGregor would be sold to Masters International Ltd. of the United Kingdom and a consortium of investors for $19.6 million. The deal was finalized early the next year, after which William Marsh, formerly of the Breco Group of Companies, was named president and CEO.
From Shoes to Golf
The Crawford heirs eventually brought in two new partners to their company: John McGregor (note the spelling) in 1875 and Edward Canby in 1886 to eventually form the Crawford, McGregor and Canby Company. McGregor was a Scottish immigrant from St Andrews and a hardcore golfer. He eventually got Canby hooked on the game, setting the wheels in motion.
The Market Changes
By 1927, retail golf sales exceeded pro shop sales for the very first time. Crawford, McGregor and Canby went all in, mass-producing low-cost, high-profit clubs. Record sales and profits followed and everything was looking rosy.
MacGregor Goes KA-BOOM!
With Armour and his assistant, Toney Penna, onboard, MacGregor soon exploded. Penna played MacGregor clubs on the PGA TOUR and recruited other Tour players to join him. He hit the jackpot in 1939 when he signed Jimmy Demaret, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan.
Brunswick, Jack and the Beginning of the End
In 1958, MacGregor was sold to bowling giant Brunswick. Owner Ted Bensginer made a killing when he developed the first automatic pinsetter and started buying up companies to grow his empire.
The Ownership Carousel
In 1978, Brunswick sold MacGregor to the Wickes Corporation. Wickes was a world leader in lumber sales and owned Snyder Drug and Red Owl supermarkets. Several of Wickes’s top brass were golf nuts so MacGregor seemed like the perfect toy.
Amer and Irrelevance
MacGregor was making money again but Jack’s golf course business was in a jam. Specifically, the St. Andrews project in New York was becoming a money pit and Jack needed cash fast. So, in 1988, he sold 80 percent of MacGregor to the Amer Group from Finland for $8 million—the same Amer that would also buy Wilson Sporting Goods.
Schneider and The Shark
The Schneider years were a roller coaster for MacGregor. Big TV ad campaigns alternated with big cutbacks. Message and marketing consistency was long gone as MacGregor ran through eight ad agencies in 15 years. Schneider tried dumping the company in 2000 but found no takers.
smorg
May be ancient history to some on this board but I read an interesting article on MacGregor golf balls (link below). I'll be honest. I have never played a MacGregor golf ball. I could not afford to buy new balls when I was a kid, and coveted every Titleist balata that I found without a smile.
Steele47
The Titleist DT Hogan played was a balata model. That was the name of Titleist's premium ball back then. The surlyn balls came into play in the '70's/
Chris122
Very interesting that Hogan teed up a Titleist DT. I'm assuming he was hitting the surlyn model? To my understanding all the DT's were surlyn. I guess I'm just surprised because I always thought they (the pros) all hit balata in those days.
BIG STU
Now that article refutes some of the articles I have read in the past including on WRX. I heard and read that the Macgregor balls Nicklaus actually used were Titleists stamped Macgregor. Never have pin pointed if it was true or an urban legend. I do not think my old man ever sold any Macgregor balls in his shop.
NRJyzr
Now that article refutes some of the articles I have read in the past including on WRX. I heard and read that the Macgregor balls Nicklaus actually used were Titleists stamped Macgregor. Never have pin pointed if it was true or an urban legend. I do not think my old man ever sold any Macgregor balls in his shop.
rex235
If memory serves me, it's because Jack Nicklaus used a specific Maxfli ball model from Japan.
Shallowface
If memory serves me, it's because Jack Nicklaus used a specific Maxfli ball model from Japan.
