MacGregor has been making golf clubs since 1897 and has built clubs for some of the most famous names in the game. In more recent years, MacGregor has turned its attention to creating affordable clubs aimed at the higher handicap recreational player, such as the new V-Max series. In this review, I am taking a look at the new MacGregor V-Max iron to see if it can rival some of the best game improvement irons of 2024.
From a technology standpoint, there are a fair amount of features for such a modest price point. Firstly, MacGregor has included an enclosed cavity back design to maximize forgiveness by increasing MOI. A low center of gravity has been implemented to help players to get the ball airborne more easily, and a ‘Dynamic Flex Face’ has been designed to increase ball speed and maximize distance output. Finally a new ‘Kinetic sole’ has been created to to promote a smooth transfer of energy from the club to the ball on strikes across the face. Essentially, this is a series of evenly spaced grooves carved into the sole, although there is no indication of how this helps energy transference.
Looks-wise, there is an awful lot going on. The red accent color that MacGregor describes as “subtle” is far from that, featuring heavily on the toe, back, grooves, and even the ferrule of this club. It certainly makes the V-Max iron stand out but I have to say it is a bit over the top for my tastes. The head shapes behind the ball are actually very nice, and as you expect when looking to create some of the best irons for beginners, there is a large amount of offset. The black finish plays a clever trick on the eyes, making the overall profile seem more compact than it is which I enjoyed, although I wonder whether less experienced players might prefer the visual reassurance of an extra large head visual.
Unfortunately, the paint job certainly needs more attention, with several areas overspilling onto the next section leading to a less-than-premium feel.
Performance was more than passable, with decent ball speeds and carry distances along with a pleasantly soft but dynamic impact feel. The turf interaction was noticeably smooth, and the club seemed to glide through the ground, exiting with ease which I very much enjoyed.
Off-center strikes did feel a little clunky, to say the least, but distances and dispersion weren’t affected too negatively. The flight on the whole was pretty neutral, although I did maybe expect a little more height in what are most definitely game-improvement irons.
On the whole, when you factor in the incredibly low price tag, what is on offer here is good. With decent performance and eye-catching looks, the MacGregor V-Max irons would be a good introduction to the game for any player.
