I just saw this on ebay - a history of MacGregor & Wilson catalogs plus a Walter Hagan biography for $45:
Lag,
Did tall players like Byron Nelson play irons like the M85s without modifying or increasing shaft length?
I don’t know specifically about Byron Nelson… but I do know that it was fairly common place for very tall players to add additional length to the shafts.
That being said, I don’t see it as advantageous to do so.
No idea how they did it back then.
For taller players, I recommend figuring out the shortest club length you can hit. I like to add a tiny bit of length to my wedges, but there’s not a need in a long iron. There’s no need to make the longer clubs harder to hit.
Some good options, play one length in wedges or wedges through 9 iron at the shortest length you can comfortably hit. Then proceed normally from there. And/or use 3/8 inch gaps between irons. This gives you a set where the short clubs can fit your height but the long clubs aren’t unusually difficult to hit.
Good advice… I set up my wedges all the same length… don’t shorten for gap or SW.
Hi, John, I noticed on a different thread that your own irons are about modern standard (38" 5-iron), so quite a bit longer than standard for Nelson. As you might recall I’m about 6’4," so a bit taller than you. Just wondering whether you’d recommend that I stick with shorter clubs. I’d certainly understand if you think that you can handle that length but a “lesser” student such as me could not! Thanks!
I think my irons are 1/2 inch over the classic standard… 60s - 80s.
Not that significant.
This excellent Golf history podcast, talks about the rise and fall of MacGregor (and it’s recent revival as well!):
TalkinGolf
TGH 87: The Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf Part 1
Once again we are joined by John Barba of MyGolfSpy fame to help us tell the amazing story of MacGregor Golf - a company that had the opportunity to be the greatest golf equipment company of all-time and yet met with the demise of so many other great…
TalkinGolf
TGH 88: The Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf Part 2
John Barba of MyGolfSpy joins us for the exciting conclusion of the Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf. The company has started its death spiral, but there is a ray of hope on the horizon. How does a golf course design deal help bring an end to…
If you haven’t heard this podcast and host, IMHO excellent in-depth and insightful info and stories. All of this wonderful history is the foundations upon which we as golfers stand upon today. To appreciate the history of these club manufacturers is to better understand the “what, why, and how” of the great ballstrikers and the heritage that ABS / Erickson / Hughes are keeping alive and thriving for all of us. Have a listen, subscribe to the podcast, get to know the host of this podcast:
TalkinGolf - Connor T. Lewis is the podcast host and founder:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-t-lewis-775406186
Serious talk for serious golfers
Enjoy the history of MacGregor, including it’s current revival in name via Golf Brands (owned now by Simon Millington ( Golf Today interview: Simon Millington interview - Golf Today ).