MacGregor Deep Face Jumbo Persimmon Drivers are the creme de la creme of the persimmon world. Whilst 1949 ushered in the infamous LFF model, as early as 1941, Jumbo models were available with only the most astute collector being able to distinguish between the models from the early 1940s and late 1940s. The 1951 to 1954 MT Tourney Models are perhaps the most desirable with the 1953 and 1954 M09 six-screw model being the most sought after. We finish off with the long-forgotten George Bayer model line. We hope this helps you identify your clubs. If you have any to sell, please get in touch.
The BJD & BJM – The OG MacGregor Deep Face Jumbo Drivers
1941 MacGregor Tommy Armour Tourney BJD BJM Persimmon Wood Driver
MacGregor Tommy Armour Tourney J ‘Jumbo’ (BJD & BJM Model)
- Ebony finish
- One-half inch deeper than the H Hogan model
- 13* or Brassie loft
- Red, vulcanised fibre five-screw insert
- Tommy Armour crown stamp
- The BJD had a stiff shaft and the BJM had a medium-stiff shaft
Golden Age MacGregor Jumbo Deep Faced Drivers
1949 MacGregor Jumbo Deep Faced 108T 106T LFF Persimmon Wood Driver
MacGregor Tommy Armour Tourney Wood 69 (108T Model)
- Mahogany finish
- Red, vulcanised fibre four-screw insert
- Tommy Armour crown stamp
- Deep faced
- 108T – a 1 3/4″ deep-faced 69 series driver at 43″ and sporting a corded rubber grip
MacGregor Toney Penna Tourney Wood Pro 40 (106T Model aka LFF)
- Black ebony finish
- Red, vulcanised fibre four-screw insert
- Toney Penna crown stamp
- 106T – aka Toney Penna LFF Model Driver – a 403PT spec’d driver with 1 3/4″ deep face
1950 MacGregor MT Tourney M09T Persimmon Wood Driver
MacGregor MT Tourney Wood (M09T Model)
- Black ebony finish
- Red, vulcanised fibre four-screw insert
- MT crown stamp
1951 MacGregor MT Tourney M09T & M09 Persimmon Wood Driver
MacGregor MT Tourney Wood (M09T & M09 Models)
- Black ebony finish
- Red, vulcanised fibre four-screw diamond configured insert
- MT crown stamp
1952 MacGregor MT Tourney Persimmon Woods
The foundation was laid for the peak of MacGregor Tourney Woods in 1952. The iconic Eye-O-Matic insert was introduced with four screws but we would have to wait until 1953 to see six screws. The four screw face insert in a cross formation on the MT Tourney model was found on the M09T and M09 LFF models.
MacGregor MT Tourney M09T LFF and M09 Model Overview
- MT Tourney M09T LFF – Deep-faced jumbo driver. Black ebony glaze with white-red-white Eye-O-Matic insert. 43″ with a red rubber grip
- MT Tourney M09 LFF – Same as the M09T LFF but with leather grip
The LFF – The Holy Grail of MacGregor Deep Face Jumbo Drivers
1953 MacGregor MT Tourney Persimmon Woods
Changes to both lineups and models and perhaps the greatest persimmon driver of all time was released in the MacGregor MT Tourney M09T and M09 with the advent of the six-screw Eye-O-Matic insert.
- MT Tourney M09T LFF – Deep-faced jumbo driver. Black ebony glaze with a white-red-white Eye-O-Matic insert. 43″ with a red rubber grip.
- MT Tourney M09 LFF – Same as the M09T LFF but with leather grip.
The model range remained the same with the one obvious upgrade of a single screw. The 1953 M09T LFF & M09 LFF are perhaps the greatest persimmon drivers ever made.
Toney Penna WW – The DoDo of MacGregor Deep Face Jumbo Drivers
1954 MacGregor Toney Penna Model Overview
There were two Toney Penna Models available for 1954: WW/ WWT and TP/ TPT. The TP and TPT were regular stock items but the WWT and WW were special orders.
- The WWT and WW were made to order, and finished in white glaze. You could choose the Eye-O-Matic MT Tourney insert, Toney Penna Eye-O-Matic insert, or the Tommy Armour solid colour insert. Red or black leather or rubber grips were options on top of every shaft Macgregor carried. Paintfill was either red or black according to your preference.
1954 MacGregor MT Tourney
The MT Tourney line remained unchanged for 1954.
MacGregor MT Tourney Model
The 1954 MT Tourney M09T & M09 LFF remained the same with the exception of the Eye-O-Matic insert which changed from an ebony black finished with a white-red-white, six-screw Eye-O-Matic insert to a dark mahogany, white-black-white, six-screw Eye-O-Matic insert.
George Bayer – The Forgotten MacGregor Deep Face Jumbo Drivers
1957 MacGregor George Bayer DX300KW Deep-Faced Driver
George Bayer was the longest-hitting professional golfer at the time. His secret? His deep-faced DX300KW no doubt. New for 1957, the 1 7/8″ deep face featured the Super Eye-O-Matic, red-white-red, six-screw insert in a black ebony finish. The DX300W was the same but had a tri-colour leather grip.
1958 MacGregor George Bayer GB1KW Deep-Faced Driver
George Bayer was back in 1958 with a new model called the GB1KW and GB1W that featured a leather grip. The only change was the black buttons added to the four-screw insert. The insert had white paint fill.
1959 MacGregor George Bayer GB1TW Deep-Faced Driver
The next iteration of the George Bayer GB1 was the insert. The Super Eye-O-Matic triangle on the crown was removed and the insert featured black paint fill rather than white.
1960/61 MacGregor George Bayer GB1TW Deep-Faced Driver
The insert was replaced by a solid, red fibre inset with a five-screw X formation. The rosewood finish allowed the grain to finally be visible.
Credits: A fine collection of catalogues was collated by Jim Kaplan in 1980. The catalogue is a rich green colour with gold foil stamping. It is both rare and expensive to purchase but invaluable to a collector. Much of the information in this article has been derived from these catalogues. Find a copy of the catalogue.
Curious to know more? Check out our more extensive article about MacGregor Persimmons.
