50 Words or Less
The MacGregor MT-Pro irons are excellent players irons with a fantastic price. Lots of shot control. Soft, traditional feel. Clean, refined look.
Introduction
This fall has seen two of the biggest names in golf establish $1,400 as the new standard price for a 7-piece iron set. The MacGregor MT-Pro irons come in at a little more than a third of that. If you’re looking for an excellent players iron with a price well below the big names, you’re in the right place.
Looks
The MacGregor MT-Pro irons have a stellar in the bag look that belies their budget-friendly price. There is minimal branding and a clean, simple geometry to the cavity. The horizontal mill marks that cover almost the entire back of the head are the standout visual feature, which is a testament to how understated these clubs are.
At address, the look is equally compelling. These are compact irons with minimal offset. The top lines are fairly thin, but the fact that they’re not heavily beveled makes them look thicker. All the way through the set, the face shape is angular with a sharp leading edge and a fairly straight line from hosel to toe. The MacGregor MT-Pro irons demonstrate unequivocally that you don’t need to spend big money to get a beautiful set of players irons.
Sound & Feel
On center, the MacGregor MT-Pro irons deliver the satisfying feel that golfers expect from a forged players club. Pure shots are rewarded with a full “snap” that’s more soft than crisp. The feel, similarly, is soft and sweet.
Mishits with these irons have a duller sound and firmer feel. The feedback is clear but not stinging. You’ll hit another shot more because you’re excited to chase the sweetness of center, not because you’re running from the harsh feel of the miss. Locating your exact impact location is fairly easy if you’re paying attention to your hands.
Performance
One of the bizarre things in golf is that better players – those asking for less technology and innovation – often pay more for their clubs. The MacGregor MT-Pro irons show that doesn’t need to be the case. These are players irons in every way, and that starts with the loft structure. With a 45 degree pitching wedge and 23 degree 4I, these irons have some of the weaker lofts that you’ll find.
You might ask, “With most sets going stronger, why would anyone want weaker lofts?” There are a couple reasons. First, some players want higher launch and spin so their shots hold the green. Higher spin can also be helpful for players who want to shape shots. Finally, many better players don’t want more distance from their irons, and weaker lofts give them the distance gaps that they prefer.
In my testing, the MacGregor MT-Pro irons delivered all of those benefits. The ball flight found a medium trajectory that could be raised or lowered with minimal effort. The spin was slightly above average, allowing me to hit shots that gently fell to either side or snapped around obstacles. Additionally, the distance gapping was consistent throughout the entire set.
With all that said, the MacGregor MT-Pro is a fairly traditional players iron. It’s right in the description: “For those who…consistently hit them well.” There is some forgiveness in these irons, but they’re not the PING G430 [review HERE] which you can hit it anywhere on the face and get a good result. The MT-Pro will give you a little extra help on the thin strikes, and small misses will stay on the green, but big miscues will be obvious to everyone.
Conclusion
If the MacGregor MT-Pro irons had a different name on them, their price tag would be triple what it is. I’m glad that’s not the case. MacGregor has a tremendous history, and by offering players quality clubs at an affordable price, they’re well on their way to bringing back those glory days.