MacGregor Eye-O-Matic 945W Pics

[northplatteriver]

Just recently picked up a 945W from an auction that I am waiting to arrive.  Wanted to know if anyone would be kind enough to post some pics of their 945W crown jewels.  I took a bit of an educated risk and hopefully got lucky... Based upon the score lines on the face this appears to be from the 1954\1955 with the 4 middle score lines on the driver instead of the 3 lines for the 80's remake.  The score lines on the the other fairway wood shown are not correct so I am a bit nervous about what will be coming.  Have been waiting a long time for one of these so hoping it pans out.

[mocokid]

Deep face, like LFF.

[golfunderpar18]

Some pics of my set.  All original 1-2-3-4

[golfunderpar18]

Hard to tell much with the limited photos.  Clearly they were refinished.   Not sure about those inserts if they are original.  Toe stamps look to have been redone freehand.   Would need better photos once you get them in hand.  Looking forward to seeing more of them including the crowns. 945w’s are highly collectible.

[northplatteriver]

Golfunderpar18... Many thanks for the pictures and wow, what a set!

[Coletrain]

I would say they are suspicious for sure based on those photos. like you said the fairway wood has a different grove pattern and the 1 on the driver seems to be a thinner font and slightly behind the sole screws, I believe these may be a set of 80s repos, other photos will tell. Either way these are very nice and clean looking woods. looking forward to a follow-up.

[Foozle]

I am posting these for giggles. A rare impulse buy where I simply saw the "945W" and nothing else! Normal diligence went out the window and yes, probably a mistake! 

All the faces and inserts have damage, serial numbers and most of the stampings gone (or lost under excess varnish). 4 wood shaft has been pulled partially out. On the bright side, no obvious cracks!

On that basis and seeing what the likes of Dave Wood can do, I am sure these are not beyond redemption, just beyond my skills.

In my defence, original MacGregors are scarce on this side of the pond. I have managed to collect reasonable sets of 693, M43 and M75 and some single Pro Model's, 5 screw M75, Custom builds and TP1 but badly wanted a set of 945's to complete the quadumverate. I guessed I may be shaking hands with Belezbub himself wearing snow shoes before I found a set of 945's hence my rather hasty purchase of these.

Guess we don't always get it right! Once in a while would be nice though!

[northplatteriver]

High probability it will say Tourney Custom on the crown, but I have very little into it at this point so worth the gamble just to get the juices flowing for a few days.  I looked at some additional pictures of the Centennial addition of the big 4 that came out and face is very close but it was stamped Tourney Custom on the crown.  I am thinking there may have been an additional remake made of the 945 made, but I am fairly certain that had 3 lines not 4.  The mantra right now for me is "nothing ventured, nothing gained" but I can quietly hear a faint "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" chorus warming up in the backround... fingers crossed.

[northplatteriver]

I am fairly certain this club is an authentic 1954\1955 EOM 945W.  It was was expertly refinished at some point.  There is a small graft next to the insert on the toe side (small triangle).  They appear to have matched the grain incredibly well, only a very thin line.  I had to put on a magnifying headset to really even see if it was a repair or not.  Stampings  and grooves are all correct.  I am pretty sure I know the guy that did the refinish, but his name is eluding me.  He was famous for persimmon repairs in the 70's and 80's from Pennsylvania.  It also explains the 3 and 4 wood.  I am convince the 3 and 4 wood are actually both from 1953 since the groove lines cover the face as they did for the 1953 version, not staggared 1-3-1 like in 1954\1955 EOM.   I believe the inserts that were originally red were redone with the Eye-O-Matic style red and white to match the driver.  I also do not think the EOM sole plate on the 3 wood is original, I think it was replaced when the refinish was done.  Although doing this was most likely uncommon, I remember an M43 2 wood I had done by the same guy.  The insert on this club had 5 screw insert instead of 4 as would have been correct for a true M43, so I know things like this did happen.  Shafts appear original and the steppings match my other 945W that still has its original silver true temper shaft sticker so I also believe that clearly points to the real thing.  Absolutely gorgeous club that I do not believe has been rehit since the refinish.  Most likely leave that for the next owner to figure out.

[Coletrain]

7 hours ago, northplatteriver said:

I am fairly certain this club is an authentic 1954\1955 EOM 945W.  It was was expertly refinished at some point.  There is a small graft next to the insert on the toe side (small triangle).  They appear to have matched the grain incredibly well, only a very thin line.  I had to put on a magnifying headset to really even see if it was a repair or not.  Stampings  and grooves are all correct.  I am pretty sure I know the guy that did the refinish, but his name is eluding me.  He was famous for persimmon repairs in the 70's and 80's from Pennsylvania.  It also explains the 3 and 4 wood.  I am convince the 3 and 4 wood are actually both from 1953 since the groove lines cover the face as they did for the 1953 version, not staggared 1-3-1 like in 1954\1955 EOM.   I believe the inserts that were originally red were redone with the Eye-O-Matic style red and white to match the driver.  I also do not think the EOM sole plate on the 3 wood is original, I think it was replaced when the refinish was done.  Although doing this was most likely uncommon, I remember an M43 2 wood I had done by the same guy.  The insert on this club had 5 screw insert instead of 4 as would have been correct for a true M43, so I know things like this did happen.  Shafts appear original and the steppings match my other 945W that still has its original silver true temper shaft sticker so I also believe that clearly points to the real thing.  Absolutely gorgeous club that I do not believe has been rehit since the refinish.  Most likely leave that for the next owner to figure out.

Can we get some picks of the fairway woods? And the shaft/grips of driver and fairway woods. would better help to identify the year of the clubs.

[RobotDoctor]

On 3/23/2023 at 3:43 PM, northplatteriver said:

I am fairly certain this club is an authentic 1954\1955 EOM 945W.  It was was expertly refinished at some point.  There is a small graft next to the insert on the toe side (small triangle).  They appear to have matched the grain incredibly well, only a very thin line.  I had to put on a magnifying headset to really even see if it was a repair or not.  Stampings  and grooves are all correct.  I am pretty sure I know the guy that did the refinish, but his name is eluding me.  He was famous for persimmon repairs in the 70's and 80's from Pennsylvania.  It also explains the 3 and 4 wood.  I am convince the 3 and 4 wood are actually both from 1953 since the groove lines cover the face as they did for the 1953 version, not staggared 1-3-1 like in 1954\1955 EOM.   I believe the inserts that were originally red were redone with the Eye-O-Matic style red and white to match the driver.  I also do not think the EOM sole plate on the 3 wood is original, I think it was replaced when the refinish was done.  Although doing this was most likely uncommon, I remember an M43 2 wood I had done by the same guy.  The insert on this club had 5 screw insert instead of 4 as would have been correct for a true M43, so I know things like this did happen.  Shafts appear original and the steppings match my other 945W that still has its original silver true temper shaft sticker so I also believe that clearly points to the real thing.  Absolutely gorgeous club that I do not believe has been rehit since the refinish.  Most likely leave that for the next owner to figure out.

This 945W certainly looks like an early mid 50s classic.  Definitely refinished as the neck screw definitely proves this.  I’m guessing the lead skirt weight was added aftermarket during this restoration.  I’m not sure whether MacGregor reissued this driver in the 60s or early 70s before PGA for the Tommy Armour stamp.   This could also be a custom order for a club or touring professional after the original run.  MacGregor was knows to do this as well after the run of a particular model.  

[Foozle]

Another foray into the 945 world. Unlike the impulse buy above, I entered this deal with deep reservations and am curious as to what you experts think I have bought.

First, the good bits! Crown stamps are engraved and not decals and say "Tommy Armour".

Toe stamps are also embossed with driver "Oil Hardened Rec No 945W" and 3 wood "Oil Hardened 945W" and look right to me.  So far, so authentic!

Now the doubts! Firstly and most obviously, they are not eye o matic inserts!

They look and feel like poured epoxy as they are slightly uneven as you pass your thumb over. Secondly, they profess to be super eye o matic (1957) but only the 3 wood has the super 'V' notch.

Thirdly, the scoring lines are wrong  1-3-1 instead of 1-4-1.

Fourthly, the engraving on the sole plates is much bolder than the elegant engraving on my rough originals. Fifthly, shafts and whipping are wrong - the filled set screw holes in the neck suggesting reshafting. (I have never heard of Union UCV 304 shafts?)

So more wrong than right and lots of pointers to re-issues and possibly refurbished re-issues but then how do you explain the Tommy Armour crown stamps - must be pre '68?!

There is a shaft label for a John Sandlin of Brock Park Golf Club, Houston, Texas.

Can't find anything about him - could he be the club pro who refurbished the clubs?

If they are re-issues I have probably over paid. If there is any originality in the blocks themselves, I am quite content.

Part of my enjoyment of vintage clubs is establishing a history so these were worth a punt.

Would love to hear the expert opinions on here?

What have I got?

[tstephen]

[Foozle]

On 7/4/2023 at 10:20 PM, Foozle said:

Another foray into the 945 world. Unlike the impulse buy above, I entered this deal with deep reservations and am curious as to what you experts think I have bought.

First, the good bits! Crown stamps are engraved and not decals and say "Tommy Armour".

Toe stamps are also embossed with driver "Oil Hardened Rec No 945W" and 3 wood "Oil Hardened 945W" and look right to me.  So far, so authentic!

Now the doubts! Firstly and most obviously, they are not eye o matic inserts!

They look and feel like poured epoxy as they are slightly uneven as you pass your thumb over. Secondly, they profess to be super eye o matic (1957) but only the 3 wood has the super 'V' notch.

Thirdly, the scoring lines are wrong  1-3-1 instead of 1-4-1.

Fourthly, the engraving on the sole plates is much bolder than the elegant engraving on my rough originals. Fifthly, shafts and whipping are wrong - the filled set screw holes in the neck suggesting reshafting. (I have never heard of Union UCV 304 shafts?)

So more wrong than right and lots of pointers to re-issues and possibly refurbished re-issues but then how do you explain the Tommy Armour crown stamps - must be pre '68?!

There is a shaft label for a John Sandlin of Brock Park Golf Club, Houston, Texas.

Can't find anything about him - could he be the club pro who refurbished the clubs?

If they are re-issues I have probably over paid. If there is any originality in the blocks themselves, I am quite content.

Part of my enjoyment of vintage clubs is establishing a history so these were worth a punt.

Would love to hear the expert opinions on here?

What have I got?

Apologies for bumping my own post but really hoping some of the Mac experts such as @RobotDoctormight be able to untangle the lineage of these mongrel 945's? Everything barring the stampings make me think re-issue but could the blocks be original and just refinished,reshafted altered and abused beyond recognition?

Comments and thoughts welcomed and appreciated!

[freddiec]

Here is my 1954 945 which was refinished in the summer of 2020 by Dave Wood.  My best Mac in my collection. 

[RobotDoctor]

4 minutes ago, freddiec said:

Here is my 1954 945 which was refinished in the summer of 2020 by Dave Wood.  My best Mac in my collection. 

 

My favorite!!!  DiMilo wants to live in northeast Florida!!!  Next to Enzo, Brando, JR and all the others!

[RobotDoctor]

8 hours ago, Foozle said:

Apologies for bumping my own post but really hoping some of the Mac experts such as @RobotDoctormight be able to untangle the lineage of these mongrel 945's? Everything barring the stampings make me think re-issue but could the blocks be original and just refinished,reshafted altered and abused beyond recognition?

Comments and thoughts welcomed and appreciated!

The 945W SEOM were 1956 and 1957.  I don't remember if they were 1958 and 1959 as I don't have my reference book in front of me.  The insert on the 3 line looks to be replaced with red epoxy.  Not sure about the scoring lines but will look deeper into the pictures later today.  The shaft label is one of the owners and nothing more.  Those used to be fairly common back in the day although I never had any.

[RobotDoctor]

This is one of my two 945W EOM drivers.  This one Dave Wood did a special finish he calls "Edo", inspired by the Japanese artistic period.  He wanted to do this driver this way to accentuate the grain which he said was some of the finest he has seen in all the years of playing and restoring persimmon.  This one is very special to me and will never be hit.  Too pure in its current state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by RobotDoctor

[Foozle]

2 hours ago, freddiec said:

Here is my 1954 945 which was refinished in the summer of 2020 by Dave Wood.  My best Mac in my collection. 

😍wow!

[Foozle]

1 minute ago, RobotDoctor said:

This is one of my two 945W EOM drivers.  This one Dave Wood did a special finish he calls "Edo", inspired by the Japanese artistic period.  He wanted to do this driver this way to accentuate the grain which he said was some of the finest he has seen in all the years of playing and restoring persimmon.  This one is very special to me and will never be hit.  Too pure in its current state.

 

 

😍stunning!

[Foozle]

2 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

The 945W SEOM were 1956 and 1957.  I don't remember if they were 1958 and 1959 as I don't have my reference book in front of me.  The insert on the 3 line looks to be replaced with red epoxy.  Not sure about the scoring lines but will look deeper into the pictures later today.  The shaft label is one of the owners and nothing more.  Those used to be fairly common back in the day although I never had any.

Much appreciated. I don't think the SEOM went beyond 1957. Pretty sure the replacement inserts are epoxy as they have slight "waves" you can  feel as you pass your thumb over. All the '50's originals i have seen have 1-4-1 scoring lines. Really just keen to understand if the thinking is that the blocks themselves are original '50's maybe restored from a condition like this other set I own so face cut or sanded back to remove spalling wood, new inserts poured and new scoring lines cut? Curious too about the sole plates as the engraving looks bolder than originals?

Really got me scratching my head!

Appreciate your insight.

[RobotDoctor]

I know there was an '80s re-release of the SEOM woods.  I wonder if the 3 line is that.  I know the 80s M85W was 3 scoring lines as well.  That would be my guess.

[Foozle]

30 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

I know there was an '80s re-release of the SEOM woods.  I wonder if the 3 line is that.  I know the 80s M85W was 3 scoring lines as well.  That would be my guess.

The curiosity is that only the 3 wood has the SEOM 'V' notch and the toe stampings are different fonts with one including "Rec No" so i do not believe the 1 wood and 3 wood were born together or from the same series? Also, they both have "Tommy Armour" engraved on the crown which, to my understanding, must make the blocks pre '68? 

1-3-1 is definitely an indicator of re-issues so, if pre '68, why 1-3-1?!

As I said, a real mongrel pair!

[RobotDoctor]

11 minutes ago, Foozle said:

The curiosity is that only the 3 wood has the SEOM 'V' notch and the toe stampings are different fonts with one including "Rec No" so i do not believe the 1 wood and 3 wood were born together or from the same series? Also, they both have "Tommy Armour" engraved on the crown which, to my understanding, must make the blocks pre '68? 

1-3-1 is definitely an indicator of re-issues so, if pre '68, why 1-3-1?!

As I said, a real mongrel pair!

Right!  I forgot about the TA stamp.  Yes, definitely pre '68 then.  Could 1-3-1 be a custom order?

[Ping Player]

😊 My 945. This is the only picture of the set I have on my phone. 

[freddiec]

Might be the only Super EOM TP 945 I've seen and its a super nice one! 

[RobotDoctor]

I have been on the hunt for a grade A+ 945W driver for some time now.  I wanted an A+ 945W driver to be finished in a classic finish like @freddiec's 945W, which we call DiMilo (as in Venus) because she is beautiful like a Goddess.  I was texting Fred last night and came to the realization that my 945W, once referred to as BamBam but referred to by Dave Wood as Enzo (as in Ferrari), is my grade A+ 945W.  Would I pass on an all original 945W that is in decent condition (no neck cracks, significant wood rot, etc)?  Absolutely not but I am not going to overpay for one either.  I have great specimens of the other big 4 1950s drivers (M85, 693 and M43).  These are as good as they come thanks to Dave Wood so this is why I wanted a classically restored 945 EOM driver.  When Fred posts pictures of DiMilo or texts them to me I get in that mode of wanting one bad.  Darn Fred!  😁

[Ping Player]

Such beautiful clubs in this thread. Here is another. This one is the Driver and Three Wood. The other TP is a TP 65.  I'm not sure why I didn't include the Four Wood in that picture.  

[Foozle]

3 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

I have been on the hunt for a grade A+ 945W driver for some time now.  I wanted an A+ 945W driver to be finished in a classic finish like @freddiec's 945W, which we call DiMilo (as in Venus) because she is beautiful like a Goddess.  I was texting Fred last night and came to the realization that my 945W, once referred to as BamBam but referred to by Dave Wood as Enzo (as in Ferrari), is my grade A+ 945W.  Would I pass on an all original 945W that is in decent condition (no neck cracks, significant wood rot, etc)?  Absolutely not but I am not going to overpay for one either.  I have great specimens of the other big 4 1950s drivers (M85, 693 and M43).  These are as good as they come thanks to Dave Wood so this is why I wanted a classically restored 945 EOM driver.  When Fred posts pictures of DiMilo or texts them to me I get in that mode of wanting one bad.  Darn Fred!  😁

I have said it before but I do find @freddiecmildly irritating. He has a fabulous collection of stunning persimmon woods (as does @RobotDoctor), swings them well and the sun always seems to be shining where he is!🤣

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I found a set of '54 or 55 945ws back in 2021.  I THINK I posted about them here.  I was looking for a set of Colokroms and they woods were not featured in the auction on eBay and low and behold when I got the Colokroms was an original finish set of 954ws  I kept them for a few months until someone the Persimmon group offered me more than I would spend on golf rounds for the next 2 years.  Seemed silly to keep something that I would never hit.

Edited July 8, 2023 by cold_war_era_golfer