If you ask anyone who was around golf equipment in the early to mid 2000s, they might smile a knowing smile if you bring up the MacGregor MacTec line of metalwoods.
They didn’t sell well enough to bring MacGregor back from the brink but those in the know understood just how innovative those MacTecs were.
The original MacTec NVG driver had a distinctive appearance and acoustic profile that made it stand out. It also featured advanced, for the day, materials. MacGregor called it a “dual beta titanium driver.” It used ultra-thin beta titanium for the crown to save weight and lower the center of gravity while its thin titanium face was a ball speed monster.
The MacTec pushed materials and weight distribution forward in the industry. The problem was that MacGregor, the company, was in no position to capitalize on it. By that time in its existence, MacGregor had been bought and sold three times over the previous eight years and then-owner Barry Schneider had the brand on an on-again/off-again marketing rollercoaster. The MacTec line, which had been big in Japan, just couldn’t move the needle in North America.
And by the time MacGregor’s board ousted Schneider in favor of new CEO Greg Norman (yes, that Greg Norman), MacTec had gone by the wayside.
The technology wasn’t necessarily ahead of its time but it was ahead of its company.
The new MacTec X metalwoods
MacGregor brand owner Simon Millington is nothing if not astute and he understands how to leverage nostalgia in a way that doesn’t seem old-fashioned. When he reintroduced MacGregor in 2023, his first product was a modern, high-tech iron with a retro name and look, the splendid MT-86.
Since then, he has released a myriad of products bearing the names of legendary MacGregor clubs including the Tourney metalwoods and the Toney Penna Tour Forged irons. The new MacGregor MacTec X are the latest in that line.
Before we dive into the lineup, we have to lead with the obvious. The MacTec X metalwoods are priced to move. If you love to complain about the high cost of golf equipment, these won’t help your case any. With a driver starting at just under $200 and fairways and hybrids at under $150, the MacTec X line won’t bust your wallet.
And the performance is surprisingly good.
Bang for your buck
Where the original MacTec NVG driver was unique in its sound and styling, the new MacGregor MacTec X driver is as traditional-looking and -sounding as a forgiving, deep-faced driver gets. The head is made from 6AL-4V titanium. That sounds exotic but it’s one of the most commonly used titanium alloys in golf. It’s often referred to as “aircraft-grade” titanium due to its aerospace roots.
As you’d expect for $199.99, the MacTec X driver does not have an adjustable hosel. At that price, you get bonded and like it. The driver features a low, deep center of gravity, and MacGregor characterizes it as mid-spin, mid-launch. It comes in nine-, 10.5- and 12-degree lofts. Stock shafts include the UST DHI dRVR in senior, ladies, regular and stiff flex, the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX in stiff and the HZRDUS Gen 4 Black in stiff and extra stiff. The Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip is standard.
As always, MacGregor can source most any upgraded shaft or grip.
The MacTec X fairway woods are also fixed hosel. Made from industry standard 17-4 stainless steel, they’re relatively low profile with rear weighting for easier launch. Like the driver, they have a glossy black finish with green and silver accents on the sole. They’re available in 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-wood lofts, with the same shaft and grip options.
The MacTec X hybrids are also made from 17-4 stainless steel and are also fixed hosel. They’re available in 19-, 21 and 25-degree lofts. Again, the same shaft and grip options are available.
Both the fairways and hybrids go for $149.99.
In a nod to the old school way of buying woods, MacGregor is offering a MacTec X metalwood set. It features the driver, 3-wood and 5-wood and sells for $349.99.
About that mini surprise
Yep, MacGregor is also adding a mini driver to its stable because, well, why the hell not? The new Mac Mini is 310cc and, unlike its MacTec X cousins, features full hosel adjustability up or down 1.5 degrees from its 13.5-degree standard setting. Unlike its glossy cousins, the Mac Mini comes in an understated matte finish.
“Most golfers don’t need another five or 10 yards; they need more drives in the fairway,” says MacGregor club designer Gavin Wallin. “We designed the Mac mini driver to provide forgiveness golfers expect while creating a club that inspires confidence. It’s not designed to replace every driver. It’s designed to become the club golfers reach for when accuracy matters most.”
The same stock shafts are available for the Mac Mini and MacGregor can source any other shaft you may want. Additionally, MacGregor is making the Mac Mini head available separately if you’d like to install your own shaft.
The Mac Mini sells for $249.99. The head only sells for $234.99.
Additionally, the MacTec X driver, fairway and hybrids are also available head only. The driver is $184.99 while the fairway and hybrid heads are $134.99.
On the course
We did give the MacTec X 5-wood and 4-hybrid a go on the golf course last weekend, along with the Mac Mini. While it’s hard to give a club-to-club comparison in terms of yardage, we can give you a few impressions.
First off, the MacTec X 4-hybrid might just stay in the bag. I’ve been anti-hybrid for eight years now, preferring to go the utility iron route. The Tour Edge Exotics TI-Utility holds that spot in my bag now and I do prefer it off the tee. The MacTec X hybrid, however, is an easy lift off the deck. My issue with hybrids is that I tend to hook them off the planet. The MacTec X, however, stayed in the proper orbit for me, at least for one round.
The MacTec X 5-wood faces an uphill battle in getting my Wilson Dynapower Carbon out of the bag. The fact I can crank the Wilson down to a 4-wood loft makes it a winner. The MacGregor, however, does perform its 5-wood duties admirably. If you took the Wilson away, I’d have no trouble gaming the MacGregor.
The Mac Mini is the most intriguing. It wasn’t as long as my gamer, the TaylorMade R7 Quad, but, by golly, that sucker found fairways. Again, if you took the R7 Quad away, the MacGregor would be an acceptable substitute, especially at its price.
That’s MacGregor in a nutshell
You can sum up MacGregor in one simple statement: It works good and it’s priced right. You certainly won’t find better performance in that price range. What’s more, if yards per dollar is your measuring stick, you’ll find tremendous value here. Yeah, you give up hosel adjustability with the MacTec X line. You won’t get the most futuristic technology in the world, either. You will, however, get solid clubs that you can play good golf with.
And the price won’t make you gag.
There’s something to like about that, don’t you think?
For more information on the MacTec X line and the new Mac Mini driver, hit up the MacGregor website.
Fake
2 hours ago
If I hadn’t just bought the Cleveland HiBore XL for $199 based on John’s endorsement of the club, I would give MacGregor a serious look. To get a driver and two woods for $350 is an absolute steal. Even though they’re not adjustable, I think they would be great for a beginner or someone who is content to keep the lofts where they are at. Their irons get rave reviews, too. My next set might be MACSPD irons, or I might get a hybrid and get rid of my 4 iron that I can’t hit very well. I’ll find a way to get MacGregor in my bag.
And please enter the zero torque space, and pay homage to that putter that helped Jack win in 1986.