MacGregor claims to be “the greatest name in golf.”
Though bold, it’s difficult to argue with the claim — MacGregor clubs have been used to win 59 majors in the hands of all-time greats like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
Established all the way back in 1897, MacGregor Golf was one of the first American manufacturers of golf clubs. But despite experiencing explosive growth between 1930-1960, the company has declined off the back of several management mistakes.
As a result, MacGregor no longer remains a household name in the golf industry and has fallen behind brands such as Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, and Ping. In fact, many golfers below the age of 55 have likely never even heard of the once-great brand.
Nevertheless, MacGregor has produced an impressive collection of irons in its lifetime.
In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of MacGregor irons by year.
Ready? Let’s get into it!
MacGregor Irons By Year
MacGregor started manufacturing golf clubs in the 1910s, producing its first named irons in 1935. Most recently, they released the MT-86 OS and MT-86 PRO irons, which draw design inspiration from their early muscle-back irons from the 1950s — most notably the MT Tourney series.
Here is a list of all MacGregor iron releases:
| Image | MacGregor Iron Model | Release Year | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | MT-86 OS | 2023 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT-86 PRO | 2023 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Wizard Hybrid Iron | 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | V-Foil Speed Driving Iron | 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MACTEC X2 Driving Iron | 2021 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MACTEC X Driving Iron | 2020 | Buy on Amazon |
 | DCT3000 | 2020 | Buy on Amazon |
 | CG3000 | 2020 | Buy on Amazon |
 | DX Carbon Steel | 2019 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP | 2019 | Buy on Amazon |
 | M59 | 2015 | Buy on Amazon |
 | M85i Tourney | 2012 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP Forged | 2010 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT OS | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT MID | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Pro-M | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Pro-C | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MACTEC NVG2 Mid | 2007 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MACTEC Forged M685 | 2006 | Buy on Amazon |
 | V-Foil M675 | 2005 | Buy on Amazon |
 | V-Foil M565 | 2005 | Buy on Amazon |
 | V-Foil M455 | 2004 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP V-Foil 1025-CM | 2003 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP V-Foil 1025-M | 2002 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP V-Foil 1025-C | 2002 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tourney MT | 1999 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tourney PCB | 1999 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tourney PMB | 1999 | Buy on Amazon |
 | The Doctor RX | 1993 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP Tour CB92 | 1992 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Heritage by Nicklaus | 1990 | Buy on Amazon |
 | CG 1800CS | 1988 | Buy on Amazon |
 | DX by Nicklaus | 1987 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Nicklaus Muirfield 20th | 1987 | Buy on Amazon |
 | CG 1800 | 1986 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Nicklaus Golden Bear | 1986 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Nicklaus Muirfield Lite | 1985 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Nicklaus Muirfield | 1983 | Buy on Amazon |
 | DX | 1979 | Buy on Amazon |
 | 985 Tour Midsize | 1977 | Buy on Amazon |
 | VIP by Nicklaus | 1975 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tourney Custom "The 985" | 1974 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT by MacGregor | 1972 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Tourney TR2 | 1969 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Tourney TR1 | 1969 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Tourney FC4000 | 1964 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT3 FC4000 VFQ | 1962 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT2 FC4000 VFQ | 1962 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT1 FC4000 VFQ | 1962 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tommy Armour AT1 VFQ | 1961 | Buy on Amazon |
 | FC4000 Tommy Armour SS1 | 1960 | Buy on Amazon |
 | PT19 MT | 1958 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Tourney M85T | 1955 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MT Tourney M85 | 1950 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Ben Hogan Signature | 1949 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Byron Nelson Tourney | 1948 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Tommy Armour TA-1 | 1936 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Oakmont | 1935 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Pace-Maker | 1935 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Mashie Niblick | 1920s | Buy on Amazon |
MacGregor Irons: 1920-1949
Originally a manufacturer of wooden shoe lasts — the mold around which leather shoes are produced — MacGregor began making golf clubs in the 1910s.
In the early 1920s, the MacGregor Mashie Niblick was developed. Before the advent of the numbered iron set, every club in the bag had a unique name. Essentially, the term “niblick” was used for clubs that later became known as the “9 iron”.
However, the Mashie Niblick was met with controversy. Debuted at the 1921 Open Championship at St Andrews, the deep-grooved irons were used by the winner Jock Hutchison and imparted lots of backspin on the ball. The following month, the clubs were banned by the Rules of Golf Committee because of the excessive grooves.
Throughout the 1920s, MacGregor was experiencing rapid growth — the company was exporting over 100,000 clubs every year. But in 1929, the Great Depression put the Ohio manufacturer in economic turmoil, halting them in their tracks.
Fortunately, the brand recovered admirably well in the 1930s, and in 1935, the Pace-Maker series of irons was launched. Featuring a shallow and narrow head design, the club heads were forged and chrome-coated for feel and durability.
That same year, MacGregor introduced the Oakmont irons. And, in 1936, MacGregor launched the Tommy Armour TA-1 irons. Designed in collaboration with three-time major winner Tommy Armour, the TA-1 marked the start of a long collaboration.
MacGregor Irons: 1950-1979
In fact, the TA irons proved to be one of MacGregor’s best-selling clubs and received numerous iterations over the following years. The model evolved several times from the original TA-1 version, ending with the Tommy Armour Tourney 985 in 1964.
In 1950, the MT irons were designed for MacGregor by Toney Penna. These compact blades had a relatively thick topline and a low center of gravity to maximize launch.
FACT: From 1937 through 1959, more touring pros used MacGregor clubs and balls than all other golf equipment brands combined.
Source: MacGregor Golf History & Catalogs, by Jim Kaplan
Following some tumultuous years under new ownership, MacGregor steadied the ship enough to sign world-number-one Jack Nicklaus on a 5-year deal in 1960.
That same year, MacGregor developed the FC4000 Tommy Armour SS1 irons. With a diamond-back design and leather grips, they helped Nicklaus to his first PGA wins.
Interestingly, the FC4000 naming scheme stood for Flame Ceramic — a heat treatment to 4000 degrees, resulting in the black finish on the clubface.
The 1960s saw several iterations of the MT Tourney series first introduced during the previous decade. In 1964, the MT Tourney FC4000 irons were developed, featuring the same heat treatment process pioneered at the beginning of the 60s.
In 1967, MacGregor launched the VIP series. Meaning “very important player,” these irons were designed for low handicappers and were used by Nicklaus in several events throughout the 1970s.
MacGregor Irons: 1980-1989
In April of 1982, Jack Nicklaus purchased MacGregor after having been heavily involved in the brand’s development during the 60s and 70s.
After the acquisition, Nicklaus assembled a team of the best club makers and designers to produce the following generation of golf clubs.
First, they launched the Jack Nicklaus Limited Edition irons. These exact irons helped Jack to two majors, and remain a desirable classic set for modern golf collectors.
In 1983, Nicklaus Muirfield irons debuted. These irons featured a distinctive curved muscle-back design, with the Jack Nicklaus signature a golf-infilled branding.
Check out the video below by The Vintage Golfer, where he tests them out:
Following this, MacGregor launched the Muirfield Lite irons in 1985. Created during the 1980s “super lite” movement, these were produced with a very light swing weight.
In 1987, the team released the Nicklaus Muirfield 20th irons. This limited edition set of blades was a modern take on an earlier muscle-back design. Over time, it has become somewhat of a collector’s item — a complete 11-iron set sold at auction recently.
MacGregor Irons: 1990-1999
In 1990, MacGregor developed the Heritage by Nicklaus irons. These were designed with an interesting curved cavity notch in the rear, distributing weight to the edges.
Two years later, the VIP Tour CB92 irons were launched. One of the first true cavity back offerings by MacGregor, these game improvement irons offered a forgiving option for the everyday golfer seeking relief for off-center ball strikes.
In 1993, the brand released The Doctor RX irons. With a quirky design that closely resembled the popular Ping Eye irons, it marked an excursion from the brand’s usual classic and timeless design language.
Towards the end of the decade, the Tourney MT irons received an update — this time featuring a slight cavity at the rear. Alongside this, MacGregor introduced the Tourney PCB and Tourney PMB irons, offering alternative cavity and muscle back options.
MacGregor Irons: 2000-2009
In 2002, MacGregor introduced the VIP V-Foil irons. Available in 1025-C and 1025-M variations, these cavity back clubs offered forgiveness for off-center shots.
Following this, the company refreshed the V-Foil series in 2004 with the M455 irons.
By 2005, the V-Foil line earned another upgrade in the form of the M565 and M675.
In 2006, MacGregor launched the MACTEC Forged M685. Providing excellent workability and improved ball speed, these clubs were certainly underrated.
Rounding out the decade, the manufacturer launched five new versions of the successful MT range: MT, MT OS, MT Mid, MT Pro-M, and MT Pro-C. This stacked lineup offered several options for golfers of varying skill levels.
MacGregor Irons: 2010-2019
In 2010, MacGregor Golf launched the VIP Forged irons. Though it extended the VIP line that was first introduced back in the 1970s, it was a cavity back rather than a blade.
Two years later, the M85i Tourney was developed. This marked a return to the Tourney name for the first time since 1999, featuring the distinctive rear design.
In 2015, MacGregor launched the M59 irons. With a modern black finish, these irons offered a thinner face and refined topline to invoke better confidence at address.
In 2019, the VIP and DX Carbon Steel irons were introduced. Unfortunately, these didn’t generate too much attention — overshadowed by releases from the competition.
MacGregor Irons: 2020-Present
In 2020, the CG3000 and DCT3000 package sets were introduced. Having suffered from a lack of sales with their premium launches, these two sets offered an affordable introduction to golf for players who are newly taking up the game.
That same year, MacGregor debuted the MACTEC X driving iron. This was shortly followed by the X2 version in 2021, featuring subtle refinements.
Most recently, MacGregor released the MT-86 irons. Available in OS and Pro variants, the MT-86 is a beautiful club that draws inspiration from its history. At the same time, it offers great forgiveness and high ball speeds as the ball jumps off the clubface.
Check them out on Global Golf below:
MacGregor MT-86 OS Irons
PROS
– Classic styling
– Large, forgiving head
– Ball jumps off the face
CONS
– Higher offset won't suit all
