Could MacGregor Rebound Like Ben Hogan and Wilson?

[fozcycle]

I got a phone call last week.   Bill, from Ben Hogan golf, wanted to sell me a Ben Hogan bag with my name embroidered on it......

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Interesting discussion on what constitutes "rebounded."  If we're talking about Wilson or Hogan having the market share/stature of the old days, the it's doubtful either will ever get back to that level and in Wilson's case I don't think that's their goal. And with Hogan being pretty much a start-up, it's short term goals are pretty modest. I'd guess that both care more about profitability than market share. 

 

If rebounded means equipment that's as good as any out there, I'd suggest both are in doing pretty well.  Neither outfit is going to be a marketing machine like TM or Cally, and both are committed to 2 year product cycles (Hogan may be even longer).

[deejaid]

Yeah, I was thinking rebound as making a high quality set of clubs that represents the name Macgregor as it did in their heyday. I hear things about the new Hogan's such as they are the best irons they ever put out. Instead of putting out a line of low level junk, perhaps Macgregor could be brought back slowly, with one great offering, like Hogan is doing.

 

There are many people like myself that can't stand the looks of many of the irons today. I like simple, classy looking irons, not irons that scream "look at me" with bright inserts. Hogan and Macgregor could cater to players like me that want a clean looking iron and reinforce the brand with the history they have.

[NiftyNiblick]

I would disagree that one had to have been a "MacGregor fanatic" to even remember the brand.

 

This might be the perspective of a younger person, but if you played golf in the 1960s and 1970s, the names Wilson and MacGregor--even Spalding--were constantly in your  face. 

 

Even some youngsters with their Callaway and TaylorMade gear have some interest in the history of the game.

 

When I was young, I knew about Burke and Victor and Wright-Ditson clubs from the past. Not that I needed to know; I, as a gearhead, was simply interested.

[NiftyNiblick]

[BIG STU]

When I was young, MacGregor, Spalding, and Wilson, the big three in athletic gear in general, were also the big three in American  golf.  

 

All three had their inexpensive store brands, particularly MacGregor's Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear, Spalding's Kro Flite, and Wilson's Sam Snead Blue Ridge (and their more expensive K28s).

 

Additionally, however, all three were major players on tour sponsorships.  Their pro line clubs were sold only in golf course pro shops, and only at manufacturer's list price.  It was then legal to deny dealership to anybody who tried to discount even a penny off the list price.  It just didn't happen with pro line gear.  No Dick's.  No Golf Galaxy. No Nevada Bob's. No Edwin Watts. No TGW. No Golfsmith. No tacky bullshit. Class all the way.

 

Ram, Ping and Lynx were new.  One made it.  Two didn't.

 

TaylorMade and Callaway had not yet established the corporate whoring of the golf business.

 

I'm making myself sad and need some Sambuca for my coffee.

110% correct-- I can remember the first "big box" store they opened in our area. My old man stated well this is the end of the green grass pro only marketing and he was old enough he retired 2 years later